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FanDuel NBA: Daily Fantasy Basketball Opening Night Lineup

By Brendan Galella

Oct 6, 2016; San Jose, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) catches a pass in front of Sacramento Kings forward Rudy Gay (8) in the first quarter at the SAP Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 6, 2016; San Jose, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) catches a pass in front of Sacramento Kings forward Rudy Gay (8) in the first quarter at the SAP Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /
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The first night of the 2016-17 NBA regular season packs plenty of FanDuel NBA star power and the first true look at the high powered offense of the Golden State Warriors.

The offseason addition of Kevin Durant has transformed the Golden State Warriors into the closest rendition of a real life fantasy basketball team.

Once the ball crosses mid-court, the team has perhaps the widest array of scoring talent ever assembled in league history, with Stephen Curry submitting the NBA’s first 400-made 3-point field goal season (no other player has made 300 3-point field goals in a single season) and a four-time scoring champion in Durant.

During the Warriors final preseason contest against Portland, Durant torched the Trail Blazers for 14 points in less than four minutes of play.

The stretch included a ferocious tomahawk jam and four conversions from beyond the arc. Durant began firing from the Oracle logo on his new home court against a helpless Portland defense.

Related Story: 2016-17 Win Projections For All 30 NBA Teams

Tuesday night against San Antonio, Durant and the Warriors close out what should be an interesting slate of opening night games, while the Cavaliers begin their title defense against the Knicks and Portland hosts the Jazz.

As opening night approaches, HoopsHabit offers a pair of star players and a pair of sleeper players at each position to help build an ideal FanDuel NBA lineup for Tuesday night.

Top Four Point Guards

  1. Stephen Curry ($9,300) vs. San Antonio Spurs
  2. Damian Lillard ($8,900) vs. Utah Jazz
  3. George Hill ($5,600) vs. Portland Trail Blazers
  4. Brandon Jennings ($4,500) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

Rationale:

  • San Antonio is one of just four teams holding Curry to less than 40 percent from 3-point range during his career, along with the Lakers, Hawks and Bulls. Curry can trim that list to three teams by converting his first long range attempt Tuesday night.
  • All signs point to Derrick Rose starting for the Knicks on opening night, but Jennings provides plenty of upside at a low cost. Last week, Rose was acquitted of rape charges, while he will be available to play Tuesday night, he missed significant practice time with the team, opening the possibility of extended time on the court for Jennings.

Top Four Shooting Guards

  1. C.J. McCollum ($6,900) vs. Utah Jazz
  2. Klay Thompson ($6,500) vs. San Antonio Spurs
  3. Courtney Lee ($3,900) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
  4. Rodney Hood ($5,400) vs. Portland Trail Blazers

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Rationale:

  • Utah has been the team McCollum has experienced the most success against during his three-year career. The 6-foot-4 guard has poured in 158 points against the Jazz, his highest total against any team in the league.
  • The injury to Gordon Hayward opens up additional assist opportunities for Hood. The 24-year-old guard posted 15 performances with 20 or more points, 22 games with at least five rebounds and 12 outings with at least five assists. If he is able to combine all three on opening night, Hood could be the bargain of the night.

Top Four Small Forwards

  1. Kevin Durant ($9,300) vs. San Antonio Spurs
  2. Kawhi Leonard ($7,900) vs. Golden State Warriors
  3. Joe Johnson ($5,400) vs. Portland Trail Blazers
  4. Maurice Harkless ($5,600) vs. Utah Jazz

Rationale:

  • In his final preseason appearance, Leonard proved he didn’t need much time to score. In just 15 minutes and on just nine field goal attempts, Leonard managed 18 points, four rebounds, two assists and a steal. With Danny Green missing the contest, Leonard should have free rein to shoot from the perimeter, or anywhere else he wants on the floor.
  • The work Harkless has been putting in on his long range shooting was evident during the preseason. Harkless converted 8-of-21 attempts (38.1 percent) from beyond the arc, winning the starting small forward job over Evan Turner and Allen Crabbe after the preseason finale.

Top Four Power Forwards

  1. Kristaps Porzingis ($6,900) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
  2. LaMarcus Aldridge ($7,400) vs. Golden State Warriors
  3. Al-Farouq Aminu ($5,000) vs. Utah Jazz
  4. Trey Lyles ($4,000) vs. Portland Trail Blazers

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Rationale:

  • Porzingis set the tone for his impressive rookie season on opening night a year ago, posting 16 points, five rebounds, an assist, a steal and a block in less than 25 minutes against Milwaukee. With New York trotting out three new starters on opening night, the ball should find its way into the hands of Porzingis often Tuesday night.
  • Essentially the entire Jazz starting lineup is among the sleepers, but Lyles provides a potentially a huge upside of Derrick Favors is held out of the season opener. Favors participated in portions of Sunday’s practice session with Utah, but if he is held out, look for an influx of minutes, and fantasy production, from Lyles.
Oct 12, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA;San Antonio Spurs center Pau Gasol (16) drives to the basket as Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) defends during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 12, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA;San Antonio Spurs center Pau Gasol (16) drives to the basket as Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) defends during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Top Four Centers

  1. Pau Gasol ($7,600) vs. Golden State Warriors
  2. Mason Plumlee ($5,000) vs. Utah Jazz
  3. Tristan Thompson ($4,800) vs. New York Knicks
  4. Zaza Pachulia ($4,800) vs. San Antonio Spurs

Rationale:

  • It’s no coincidence Gasol managed to secure his sixth career All-Star appearance last season. The 36-year-old became just the ninth player, and first in 12 seasons, to average at least 15 points, 10 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.0 blocks per game for an entire season.
  • Pachulia may not garner the same acclaim as the other four members of Golden State starting lineup, but there will be plenty of opportunities for him outside of scoring the ball. The Warriors are relying on Pachulia to either extend or close out opponents possessions with his rebounding. A year ago with the Mavericks, Pachulia set career-highs with 3.3 offensive rebounds and 6.2 defensive rebounds per game.

Next: 10 Relative Unknowns Entering Defining Seasons In 2016-17

Final Opening Day Lineup

PG Damian Lillard $8,900
PG George Hill $5,600
SG C.J. McCollum $6,900
SG Klay Thompson $6,500
SF Kawhi Leonard $7,900
SF Joe Johnson $5,400
PF Kristaps Porzingis $6,900
PF Kevin Love $6,800
C Zaza Pachulia $4,800
Total Cost $59,700