Best NBA DFS Picks for Today: Giannis Antetokounmpo & More, October 20 | 2022-23 NBA Season
Two primetime games are listed for Thursday's NBA DFS DraftKings and FanDuel Slates. Both slates begin at 7:30 p.m. EDT tonight. Let's look at the best players to target for both production and value this Thursday, October 19.
NBA DFS Star Picks
Giannis Antetokounmpo, SF/PF/C, Milwaukee Bucks (DraftKings $10.7k, FanDuel $11.3k)
Two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo makes his season debut tonight. Giannis is arguably the best player in the NBA, both in real life and for fantasy purposes. On a slate with just two games, it is important to target guaranteed production, which Antetokounmpo is a lock to provide. He averaged 29.9 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 5.98assists last year. He also provided 1.3 blocks and 1.0 steals, and defensive contributions are significant in DFS. Khris Middleton isn't healthy at the moment, so expect the "Greek Freak" to take on an even bigger workload against the Philadelphia 76ers in the opener. With Middleton sidelined, Giannis could take on more playmaking duties, and this is a game that should go down to the wire, which should maximize his minutes and touches.
Other NBA DFS Star Picks: Joel Embiid, C, Philadelphia 76ers (DraftKings $10.7k, FanDuel $11.3k), Paul George, SG/SF, Los Angeles Clippers (DraftKings $8.9k, FanDuel $9.2k)
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NBA DFS Value Picks
Ivica Zubac, C, Los Angeles Clippers (DraftKings $5.3k, FanDuel $5.5k)
Ivica Zubac is now in his seventh year in the NBA, the majority of which he's spent with the Clippers. Tonight, he'll match up with his former team, the Lakers, and he figures to have a favorable matchup against his cross-town rivals.
Zubac started all 76 games at center for the Clippers last year, averaging a respectable 10.3 points and 8.5 rebounds over 24.4 minutes. His backup, Isaiah Hartenstein, cut into his minutes down the stretch of last season, but Hartenstein signed a deal with the Knicks this offseason. Now Zubac is the only true center on the team, along with two-way player Moses Brown. Lakers center Thomas Bryant recently picked up an injury, so the Lakers go with Anthony Davis at center, but they have limited options outside of Davis, who is more of a power forward anyway. Expect Zubac to provide great fantasy value tonight at such a low price on both platforms.
Other NBA DFS Value Picks: P.J. Tucker, PF/C, Philadelphia 76ers (DraftKings $3.5k, FanDuel $4.1k), Bobby Portis, Milwaukee Bucks (DraftKings $5.4k, FanDuel $5.8k)
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