NBA

3 NBA DraftKings Studs to Target on 10/24/19

Fresh off a monster 20-20 performance, Andre Drummond draws another juicy matchup in the Atlanta Hawks. Which other high-cost players can you count on tonight?

While building a daily fantasy basketball lineup, it's important to make sure you find the right studs to anchor your team. As the most expensive players in your lineup, they need big-time production to match their high price tag.

You may find it hard to fit some of these guys in while staying under the salary cap, but you can check out our projections to find value players for your rosters. Let's take a look at the top high-priced DraftKings plays of the day.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, SF/PF, Milwaukee Bucks

Draftkings Price: $10,300

Despite a limited three-game slate on Thursday night, there are several elite fantasy options worth considering. However, Giannis Antetokounmpo is the only one priced above $10,000, and he is worth every penny.

The Greek Freak's Milwaukee Bucks take to the road against James Harden, Russell Westbrook and the Houston Rockets, standing as two-point underdogs over at FanDuel Sportsbook. The fact that they're underdogs matters none, as it suggests a close game -- and mind you, with a very favorable 231.5 total. The over/under is the highest on the short slate and six points above the next-closest game. We want exposure, particularly at the top.

Last year, Giannis averaged 57.0 DraftKings points and 1.7 DK points per minute on a career-high 32.3% usage rate, per Basketball Reference. And his two games against the Rockets? He was right around that pace, averaging 23.0 points and 54.1 DK points over 34.4 minutes a game. Look for the reigning MVP to start the new year on a high note. We project him for a slate-high 62.7 DK points at a value of 6.1 points per dollar.

Kawhi Leonard, SF/PF, Los Angeles Clippers

DraftKings Price: $9,100

In the nightcap out west, the Golden State Warriors will open up their new arena as they welcome the 1-0 Los Angeles Clippers to town. This matchup possesses the second-highest total (225.5), and the Clips' 1.5-point line provides them a juicy 113.5 implied total. That's more than they scored in their opener Tuesday against the Lakers (112).

In that game, Kawhi Leonard showed that he is one of the very best players in the league (if not the best), making use of 42.4% of his team's offensive possessions on his way to 30 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. He added two steals and a block for a total of 48.5 DK points -- even with six turnovers.

For some odd reason, after all that production, Kawhi's price is down from $9,600 to $9,100 for his date with the Dubs. And based on history, that makes zero sense.

In 2018-19, Leonard averaged 54.3 DK points in seven games against Golden State -- and that's when they had all hands on deck. The Warriors are now without the services of the departed Kevin Durant, and the injured Klay Thompson won't be there to slow down Leonard, either. Woof -- good luck fading this guy.

Andre Drummond, C, Detroit Pistons

DraftKings Price: $8,300

Speaking of great performances of late, Andre Drummond's is even fresher in the minds of DFS lineup-builders. On Wednesday, the Detroit Pistons big man went off in the absence of Blake Griffin, turning in 32 points, 23 boards and some stellar peripherals to boot. Ultimately, he ended the night with 78.25 DK points against Myles Turner and the Indiana Pacers.

Tonight marks the first back-to-back of the season, with the Pistons turning around and heading back from Indiana to make their home debut. But this situation didn't do all that much to hold down Drummond's production last year. In a dozen games on no days rest, he averaged 16.2 points, 16.4 rebounds and 45.9 DK points, including 12 double-double efforts. He averaged 46.5 with a pair of double-doubles in the two back-to-back sets in Detroit.

Drummond was more comfortable at home, period. He averaged 3.8 more points, 1.9 additional rebounds and another 7.4 DK points than he did on the road, all while playing one more minute and notching a double-double in 90% of his homecourt matchups.

The opponent isn't a negative, either. The Atlanta Hawks were 28th in defensive rating last year, and they're expected to start Alex Len at center. Only Drummond will stop Drummond on this night.