It’s the first full slate of games for the 2014-2015 season, and we’re already seeing just how much of an impact injuries and suspensions can have on the DFS scene.  The Pacers are only starting one projected starter, Roy Hibbert, presenting a wealth of value plays for us to target.  Suspensions, such as Greg Monroe’s,  will force Josh Smith and Andre Drummond into expanded roles.  They should see extra minutes while Monroe is out.  That said, let’s talk about today’s plays.

Point Guard

Russell Westbrook – With Kevin Durant out, the projected starting lineup for the Thunder is Westbrook, Andre Roberson, Perry Jones, Serge Ibaka, and Steven Adams.  I think we all know where this is going.  Westbrook’s usage is extremely high when he plays with Durant, which can only mean it will be through the roof without him.  Damian Lillard’s defense will not present a challenge.  Westbrook will put up a monster stat line in this fast-paced game with Portland.  I expect him to be the top fantasy performer of the evening, and it may not be close.  With all of the value that is available tonight, there is no reason not to have Westbrook locked and loaded into each and every one of your lineups.

Donald Sloan – Sloan is certainly not a household name, but you don’t need to be in the world of NBA DFS.  Sloan will start at point guard for the Pacers tonight, and he should be locked into heavy minutes for an Indiana team that is absolutely decimated by injuries.  This couldn’t be a more perfect setup, as the Pacers will square off with the Sixers, who play at a fast pace, and are terrible defensively.  At minimum price on DraftKings, Sloan is about as must play as it gets.

Other Strong Options: Tony Wroten, Stephen Curry

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Shooting Guard

Eric Bledsoe – Some of you may be worried about the back court trio of Bledsoe, Dragic, and Thomas all stealing productivity from one another.  While that may happen some nights, the Suns have made it abundantly clear that Bledsoe is their franchise player.  He’s been recently signed to a huge contract, and he’s going to see heavy minutes as long as he’s healthy.  My expectation would be that Thomas would eat into Dragic’s minutes more than Bledsoe’s.  That said, Bledsoe is underpriced at only $7000 on DraftKings, and his matchup with the Lakers is one that you need to exploit.  Obviously there is fear of a blowout.  The Lakers are on a back-to-back, and they’re not a good basketball team.  However, even in the event of a blowout, I would expect Bledsoe to more than pay off his modest salary.

Dwyane Wade – Wade is priced off of last year’s performances, but this is a very different Miami Heat team given they no longer have LeBron James.  The loss of James is going to force Wade and Bosh to shoulder much more of the scoring load than before.  Luol Deng is a nice addition, but he is certainly no LeBron James, and will almost certainly be the third scoring option in this offense.  Wade is still a very good player when healthy, and Miami’s increased reliance on him should translate into some very big fantasy games.

Other Strong Options: James Harden, Alec Burks, Klay Thompson

Small Forward

C.J. Miles – Miles, like Donald Sloan, is a major beneficiary of Indiana’s injury woes.  He had a very nice preseason, and should see plenty of open looks facing a Sixers team that had serious problems defending 3 point shooters last season.  Priced at only $3800, Miles is a very easy plug and play option tonight.  He’ll play heavy minutes, and will be relied upon to do be a primary scorer.  He should easily pay off his salary, with upside for much more.  In NBA DFS, you have to take what you are given, even when you know all of the good players will be doing the same thing.

Otto Porter – I’m listing two value plays at small forward because I just don’t care for any of the higher priced options.  Make sure to check closer to tip-off, but with Bradley Beal out, Porter should be in line for the start.  He had a great preseason, and should play heavy minutes for Washington tonight.  He’s priced at only $3000, but should see plenty of minutes and usage to easily surpass his price.  I prefer C.J. Miles because he is much less of an unknown, but Porter is a viable option as well.  I will almost certainly have exposure to both, and will have several lineups where go the stars/scrubs route and roster both.

Other Strong Options: Josh Smith, Draymond Green

Power Forward

Serge Ibaka – Like Westbrook, Ibaka’s role should expand dramatically with Kevin Durant out of the lineup.  He’ll move from the third scoring option to the second.  The matchup with Aldridge isn’t ideal, but basketball is much more about usage and minutes than it is about defensive matchups.  Ibaka will be asked to carry the load with Westbrook, and if the Thunder are going to stay tight with Portland, they’ll need a big game out of Serge.

Marcus Morris – Priced at only $3600,  Morris is an easy value play tonight.  With PJ Tucker suspended, Morris will be locked into heavy minutes against the Lakers.  He’s not a guy Phoenix will be relying on heavily, but given a full complement of minutes and a plus matchup, he should easily be able to contribute enough stats to more than pay off his cheap price tag tonight.

Other Strong Options: Jared Sullinger, Terrence Jones, Luis Scola

Center

Andre Drummond – Drummond is another beneficiary of a suspension, as the Pistons will be without Greg Monroe tonight.  This will force Drummond and Josh Smith into heavier minutes.  The timing couldn’t be better.  The Pistons are traveling to Denver to face a Nuggets team that has done absolutely nothing to resolve their issues with defending the paint.  Drummond has been a monster in the preseason, and he should have no trouble doing whatever he wants against this team.  He’s my top center of the day, and his price tag of $8700 is easy to afford with all of the available value.

Al Jefferson – Big Al was one of the most consistent performers in DFS NBA last season.  He put up monster game after monster game due to a very high usage rate on a team that relied upon him heavily.  Nothing has changed in that regard.  Tonight, he faces a team that will once again be a favorite of mine to target with centers, the Milwaukee Bucks.  Larry Sanders is back, but despite being a good shot blocker, he’s not a good defender.  The Bucks can’t defend opposing centers with or without him.  Big Al is in for a big night as my number two center.  If you want to diversify some lineups away from Drummond, roll with Jefferson.  With all of the value available, don’t even bother settling for anything less than the elite options at a position that isn’t offering value.

Other Strong Options: Steven Adams

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