NBA Daily Fantasy Helper: Tuesday 10/16/18

If you're new to daily fantasy basketball -- maybe you started your DFS journey during the MLB or NFL seasons, or maybe basketball is your sport and this will be your first year giving it a shot -- you're in for a treat. The NBA scene changes hugely on a week-to-week, day-to-day, and -- depending on injury news -- even a minute-to-minute basis, making every slate a unique one that requires an ever-changing approach.

With so much changing so quickly, we're here with plenty of tools to help you out. We have daily projections, a matchup heat map, a lineup optimizer, and a ton of other great resources to help give you an edge.

We'll also be coming at you with this primer every day, breaking down a few of the day's top plays at each price point.

Let's take a look at who you should target on today's main slate.

*Editor's Note: Russell Westbrook has since been ruled out for tonight's game against the Warriors.

Best of the Best

Stephen Curry ($9,600): With Russell Westbrook's price tag through the roof ($12,500), and the fact that he may not suit up tonight, Curry stands out as the clear top option at point guard. He averaged 43.8 FanDuel points per game last year, which is the fourth-highest mark among players in action tonight (third if you take out Westbrook), and he also draws what might be the best matchup of the night. The Oklahoma City Thunder finished with the third-worst defensive rating among tonight's four teams last season, which is already appealing for Golden State Warriors, but they're also still playing without Andre Roberson. In games after Roberson went down last year, the Thunder saw a big dip in defensive rating, with a 108.5 mark that ranks worst among today's teams. It's no surprise that the Warriors have the day's highest implied total (117.25). OKC also allowed top-10 numbers in three-point percentage and made threes per game, which is obviously appealing for Curry, who averaged 9.8 three-point attempts last year. If Westbrook is out, this matchup gets even better, as Curry would be defended by Dennis Schroder, who has generally been a defensive liability. With the Warriors' hefty implied total and plus matchup, you can also consider Kevin Durant ($10,600).