NBA Winners from Downtown: 10-27-15

NBA is finally back, and it feels a lot like Christmas. Not only is it in the 40's where I am, but basketball just brings so much joy to us all, especially daily fantasy basketball. Tonight features a three game slate, but the sites have not limited their tournament action. The two eastern conference games have totals under 200, which is no surprise, while Golden State and New Orleans have a 212 total tonight. The Warriors are a -10 favorite, and at home are always a risk to blow teams out, but I expect the main stars to get their share. Saddle up for day one, and mentally prepare yourself for the numerous night of chaos one hour prior to lineup lock.

Projections show DraftKings prices and fantasy points.

Top Picks

Stephen Curry - PG - DK: 9,500 - FD: $10,400

On such a short slate, it is not wise to fade the top tier players, which is Anthony Davis and Stephen Curry. New Orleans loves to slow the pace of play, but that is very tough to do against this Warriors team. Curry is the elite option on this team tonight, and will be facing a limited Jrue Holiday, and possibly even Nate Robinson/Ish Smith. In four regular season games against New Orleans last season, Curry averaged a 24-5-9 line, with a 44 FG%. New Orleans ranked 17th in points allowed to opposing point guards last season, and are going up against Curry and is 2014-2015 28.9 usage rate.

Anthony Davis - PF - DK: $10,400 - FD: $11,200

Do not fade The Brow tonight, as he is coming in as the highest projected scorer among tonight's players. This will be the case on most nights, due to him being such a dominant fantasy player. He has also been working on a three point shot, which I am sure he will see one go in tonight. Davis? Three point shot? I am terrified to see what his ceiling is this season. Golden State was an efficient defensive unit last season, but struggled against power forwards, ranking 27th in fantasy points allowed. There is a size difference from Davis and almost anyone who tries to guard him, but really Davis is matchup proof anyway. Davis had a 27.7% usage rate last season, and expect it to climb. He will also log all the minutes he can handle, due to the lack of depth and injuries in New Orleans. In two regular season games against Golden State last year, Davis averaged 30-3-13, with three blocks, and two steals.

Jimmy Butler - SG - DK: $7,600 - FD: $7,500

Shooting guard is always an ugly position, unless Jimmy Butler is playing. Butler is a workhorse, and even with Derrick Rose in the picture, he will get his minutes. He had a 21.5% usage rate last year. Butler is an all-around player, and his floor has been rising since coming into the league. His price is adequate to his production, and at a weak position tonight, he is the safest play. In a short slate, you should be able to roster him, even with Davis and Curry. Cleveland ranked 28th in fantasy points allowed to opposing shooting guards, and Butler averaged 38 DK points against Cleveland last season.

Value Plays

Mo Williams - PG - DK: $4,900 - FD: $6,000

With Kyrie Irving out, Mo Williams will pick up the slack at the point guard position, along with Matthew Dellavedova. Lebron James will still command the offense, and likely turn into point Lebron, but Williams has a safe floor of about his projected 25 points. Williams averaged 15 points, and six assists last season, and can be counted on for a few threes as well, shooting 34%. He will be a popular value play, so if he does fall short, he will likely not hurt your lineup.

Marcus Morris - SF - DK: $4,500 - FD: $5,700

Small Forward is tricky tonight, and outside of LeBron James, there is no true elite play, except for Nikola Mirotic on FanDuel. Marcus Morris draws the start with his new team, and will likely see 25+ minutes of action. He is a versatile play, and Atlanta ranked 28th in fantasy points allowed to opposing small forwards. The Pistons have some new faces in their starting lineup, so we are on minutes and usage watch for tonight's game. For just $4,500 on DK, he frees up a ton of room to roster the big names.

Kent Bazemore - SG - DK: $3,000 - FD: $3,700

With Demarre Carroll in Toronto, Kent Bazemore comes in as a bare-minimum play on DraftKings, and a very cheap play on FanDuel. He is the starting small forward for this Atlanta team, except with their depth, don't expect him to see 30+ minutes of time. He will not have to do much, and this is a player who can put up points in bunches when he has it going. Detroit was a good defensive team last season against small forwards, but they do have some new faces as mentioned above. On a site like FanDuel, I am looking at the Bazemore/Butler duo for a nice combined price. Bazemore shot 43% from the field in limited minutes for Atlanta.

Timofey Mozgof - C - DK: $4,600 - FD: $4,800

Andre Drummond is the top option on tonight's slate, but always a tough play to consider in cash games, with his foul trouble. With my main priorities on Davis and Curry, I am looking to go cheap at center tonight. While you could say Cleveland's front court is a bit clustered, Mozgof should still see 25 minutes or so. Despite the big bodies in Chicago, they ranked 29th in fantasy points allowed to opposing centers. At a sub $5,000 price, he should be able to meet and possibly surpass value. He averaged 10&7 with a block in 25 minutes last season, not bad numbers for his price.