The NBA season opener was some choppy waters last night, with only two games on the slate and no data to build off of. We're in kind of the same boat tonight with a whole lot more options in an 11-game card.

It was a small card last night but the big dogs were barking with Giannis, Lebron, and Steph all making it into the perfect lineup. It doesn't look like it will be that top-heavy of a slate tonight mostly just because there are so many teams / variables in action.

Tonight's Key NBA Matchups

Wizards @ Raptors (-2.5), O/U 223 7:30 PM ET

Kyle Lowry is gone and Pascal Siakam (shoulder) is out meaning Toronto looks interesting up against Washington's #1 pace and #30 scoring defense from last season.

Rockets @ Timberwolves(-6.5), O/U 231 8:00 PM ET

John Wall is holding out with rumors he's heading to Miami which opens up some usage in this matchup between two of the worst four defensive efficiency teams from 2020/21.

76ers (-3.5) @ Pelicans, O/U 224.5 8:00 PM ET

Some star power (usage) missing in this contest as Ben Simmons serves a 1-game suspension and Zion Williamson is out with a foot injury.

Kings @ Trail Blazers(-6), O/U 234 10:00 PM ET

Highest betting total of the night understandably as Sacramento ranked last in defensive efficiency last season and was 28th in opponents ppg. Portland was 29th and 23rd in those categories respectively.

Nuggets @ Suns (-6), O/U 224.5 10:00 PM ET

No NBA Finals hangover for the Suns apparently as they are 6-point favorites in the opener and return basically their entire roster from last season. No Jamal Murray (knee) for the foreseeable future for Denver.

Tonight's Point Guard / Shooting Guard Notables

Damian Lillard DK $10.1k | FD $10k

vs. Sacramento

• Highest betting total of the slate (234.5)

• Kings were dead last in defensive efficiency in 2020/21

• Lillard has 71 and 62 fp the last two vs. Sacramento

D'Angelo Russell DK $8.5k | FD $7.5k

vs. Rockets

• #13 salary differential on FanDuel

• Took 18+ shots in three of the last five games last season

• 21st in the NBA in usage last season (35.6)

• Rockets 5th in pace and 27th in scoring defense in 2020

Fred VanVleet DK $7.5k | FD $8.8k

vs. Washington

• Solid DK pricing with 35.85 projection

• Kyle Lowry off to Miami, Pascal Siakam is out Wednesday

• Wizards #1 in pace last season and #30 in scoring defense

Nickeil Alexander-Walker DK $6.6k | FD $5.1k

vs. 76ers

• No Zion Williamson usage for New Orleans

• No Ben Simmons defense for Philadelphia

• Launched last season with 14+ FGA last four games

Killian Hayes DK $5.5k | FD $5.2k

vs. Chicago

• Healthy coming into 2nd season

• Had 40fp vs. Chicago last May

• Cade Cunningham not yet making Pistons debut

• Led Detroit in assists in 17 of his 26 games last year

Tonight's SF / PF Notables

DeMar DeRozan DK 7.1k | FD $7.5k

@ Detroit

• Makes Chicago debut on Wednesday night

• Should get a lot of 1-on-1 situations with Pistons focusing on Lavine on the perimeter and Vucevic on the inside

• Has a bona fide facilitator in Lonzo Ball at PG

Jaren Jackson, Jr. DK $5.9k | FD $7k

vs. Cleveland

• Cavs frontcourt shuffled with Larry Nance and Tristan Thompson gone.

• Jackson, Jr. healthy for opener for 1st time in three seasons

• Signed 4-year $105 million extension in offseason

• Valanciunas in NO and less offensive oriented Steven Adams in for Memphis.

Kyle Kuzma DK $5.1k | FD $4.7k

at Toronto

• Great FD flier moving into the starting lineup and out of the Lakers usage drought

• Had a 6 for 8 three-point shooting night in preseason game

• Washington ran league's fastest pace last season

Evan Mobley DK $4.5k | FD $4.8k

at Memphis

• Why not for a starter at that price - rookie or not?

• Grizzlies ran #8 pace in the league last year

• Memphis allowed 30fppg to PF starts final 20 games of last season

Tonight's Center Position Notables

Joel Embiid DK $10.6k | FD $11k

@ New Orleans

• Price is up there, but no Ben Simmons for Philadelphia, and Tobias Harris (knee) is also questionable.

• Embiid ranked 3rd last season in usage (39.4)

• Zion Williamson is out for New Orleans

Tristan Thompson DK $5.4k | FD $4.8k

@ Portland

• Could move into starting lineup with Richaun Holmes (illness) on injury report.

• Trail Blazers have reshuffled front court with Enes Kanter back in Boston

• Highest betting total of the slate

• Portland 21st in opponent rebounds/game last year

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You can follow me, Carl Taylor (@dailydogsports), on Twitter for more daily fantasy and sports betting talk and make sure to check out the LineStar chat.

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