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There are only three NBA games on the schedule for October 21st, 2021, making daily fantasy basketball a bit complicated. Three games make for tough roster planning, with more depth and production needed from unexpected talents.
Here are all the games and their listed start times:
- Dallas Mavericks (0-0) at Atlanta Hawks (0-0) | 7:30 PM EST
- Milwaukee Bucks (1-0) at Miami Heat (0-0) | 8:00 PM EST
- Los Angeles Clippers (0-0) at Golden State Warriors (1-0) | 10 PM EST
Lou Williams, Donte DiVincenzo and Rodney Hood are the guards listed as "out" on the injury reports.
Jrue Holiday has been classified as "day-to-day." His availability will significantly impact how you build your roster and find underrated value.
The start of the season complicates this process since the values of these players are currently unknown. This article will be based on my expected value for the listed players. However, as the season goes on, their salary numbers will be more predictable.
Here are the five guards I predict to have the best value in DraftKings, FanDuel, and other daily fantasy basketball sites.
#5 - Reggie Jackson
Predicting Reggie Jackson's salary on DraftKings, FanDuel, and other daily fantasy basketball sites is a difficult task, considering how he ended last NBA season.
Through 19 total playoff appearances with the LA Clippers, Jackson averaged 17.8 points, 3.4 assists, and 3.4 rebounds per game. This included a stretch of seven games (after Kawhi Leonard went down) where he tallied 21.3 points, 4.6 assists and 4.1 rebounds per game in the Western Conference Finals.
Predicting who will be able to step up on any given night is key to successful daily fantasy basketball drafts. With Leonard still sidelined, Jackson is the predicted starter who is expected to pick up some of the offensive production.
The LA Clippers will face the Golden State Warriors, who have subpar perimeter defense. Reggie Jackson can't guard Stephen Curry. However, Curry himself can't guard Jackson when he's in his game.
#4 - George Hill
George Hill is expected to have a low salary option in fantasy basketball on October 21st. The 35-year-old has been inconsistent lately, but the key revolves around the availability of Jrue Holiday.
Due to a heel injury, Holiday is currently listed as "probable" for the Milwaukee Bucks' game against the Miami Heat. "Probable" is far from a guarantee in the NBA, and filling out your fantasy basketball roster will prove to be difficult in a three-game slate.
Hill seems to be the most likely candidate to start in place of Holiday if his heel continues to be bothersome. Even if Holiday is available, his minutes could be monitored closely. Moreover, the spacing that Hill provides could be useful against a team that prefers to pack the paint against Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The Milwaukee Bucks will go up against the Miami Heat at the FTX Arena. The Heat have shown an ability to build a wall against Giannis, primarily with Bam Adebayo. Shooting around the former two-time MVP could prove essential, and Hill should have a very low required fantasy basketball salary.
#3 - Kyle Lowry
Kyle Lowry is set to play his first regular-season game for a team that is not the Toronto Raptors. The Miami Heat open against the defending NBA champions, and Jrue Holiday's potential availability is a focal point of this fantasy basketball player's value once again.
If Holiday, who is known as one of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA, is sidelined, then Lowry could put on a show. The Bucks are a stellar defense, but Holiday is their key when defending point guards who are as quick as Lowry.
Lowry's fantasy basketball value is hard to pinpoint heading into opening night. However, if he is the third-ranked player on Miami's roster, I would take a flier. Butler will probably be covered by Khris Middleton, and Bam Adebayo could struggle to score and rebound against Giannis.
#2 - Eric Bledsoe
Tyronn Lue confirmed that the LA Clippers' starting lineup on opening night would include Reggie Jackson, Eric Bledsoe, Paul George and Ivica Zubac. Aside from Zubac, Bledsoe seems like the safest bet to be valued at the lowest in daily fantasy basketball.
The 31-year-old had a down season for the New Orleans Pelicans last season under rough conditions. He was visibly checked out at times, which is a notable concern.
He is now back with the Clippers under the bright lights of Staples Center on a team with very clear championship aspirations. It's easy to forget that tallying 15 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists was just another night for the guard.
According to me, fantasy basketball evaluators would price Bledsoe lower than the production he brings on opening night.
#1 - Jalen Brunson
Bench players are understandably given lower salaries in daily fantasy basketball. The likely starting lineup for the Dallas Mavericks in their game against the Atlanta Hawks includes Luka Doncic, Tim Hardaway Jr., Dorian Finney-Smith and Dwight Powell. This leaves Jalen Brunson as the clear sixth man.
Brunson's 2020-21 averages of 12.6 points, 3.5 assists and 3.4 rebounds don't pop off the page for fantasy basketball participants. However, his salary needs to be taken into consideration.
He tops the list because of the Mavericks' opening matchup against the Atlanta Hawks. The Hawks have significant struggles defending the perimeter with Trae Young, Kevin Huerter and Delon Wright as the primary members of their guard rotation.
This showdown has an offensive shootout written all over it. I understand if you feel confident with Trae Young being your centerpiece. However, I would recommend including Jalen Brunson's low salary on your fantasy basketball roster.
