3 NBA DraftKings Studs to Target on 10/25/17

Russell Westbrook, PG, Oklahoma City Thunder

DraftKings Salary: $11,400

It seems like Russell Westbrook has had a slow start to the year, yet the reigning MVP still has averaged more DraftKings points (51.5) than any player on this slate not named LeBron James. His 28.6% usage rate is a bit concerning, but that may be a result of small sample size, as he combined for 36 shot attempts and 117.75 DraftKings points in the two games that were not against a stifling Utah Jazz defense.

This is also a big pace-up game for Westbrook, as the Indiana Pacers have played at the 8th-fastest pace this season, while ranking 25th in defensive efficiency. No player was more effective in transition than Westbrook last season, who easily scored the most points in that category.

Westbrook should feast in the half court as well, as he has perhaps the easiest individual matchup of any Oklahoma City Thunder player against Darren Collison. Collison posted a -1.47 defensive real plus-minus last season, which ranked 56th among point guards. There is a chance that the Pacers put Victor Oladipo on Westbrook, which would dampen is outlook a bit. Either way, Russ should thrive in this up-tempo game, with a potential blowout being the only thing that could slow him down.