Fantasy Tips 1: The NBA is Back!
A new era begins as marquee players change teams and high profile rookies start their careers. It is the clash of the titans in NBA’s opening week! The NBA is truly back!
The Fantasy Tips series gathers key NBA fixtures within the week and projects stat-leaders, plays scenarios, and suggests optimal fantasy picks.
Match 1: The Philadelphia 76ers vs the New York Knicks (Wednesday, 7:00AM)
The new-look Philadelphia 76ers want to test their mettle against the defending champs, the New York Knicks. A 41-year old LeBron looks to use his smarts and his basketball savvy against Jalen Brunson and company. The Knicks get the slight edge, as the 76ers’ fab five just lost to a Jordan Walsh-led G-league version of the Boston Celtics in the preseason, yet the Knicks are not without problems themselves–they just lost key big man Mitchell Robinson to the Celtics in the offseason. But Joel Embiid has bad knees.
Suggested Laki Play lineup:
Captain: Tyrese Maxey
Vice Captain: Jalen Brunson
Key picks: Joel Embiid, Karl-Anthony Towns, LeBron James, Jaylen Brown, VJ Edgecombe
Match 2: The San Antonio Spurs vs the Oklahoma City Thunder (Wednesday, 9:30AM)
The Spurs are out for blood this season, as they feel like (and believe they should) that the NBA Finals trophy last season should’ve been in San Antonio. Coach Mitch Johnson is toying around with a Fox-Harper-Castle-Vassell-Wemby line-up–basically 4 quick guards and a giant alien. The Oklahoma City Thunder are out for blood too, particularly against the Spurs, as the Thunder got their behinds kicked by Wemby and co. in last season’s western conference finals. Is Wemby still going to dominate Holmgren? Will losing defensive stalwart Luguentz Dort this offseason hurt OKC as they face San Antonio’s quick guards?
Suggested Laki Play lineup:
Captain: Victor Wembanyama
Vice Captain: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Key picks: Stephon Castle, Dylan Harper, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, Devin Vassell
Match 3: The Miami Heat vs the Minnesota Timberwolves (Thursday, 7:30AM)
Pat Riley’s Giannis experiment officially begins on Thursday, as they face a more dynamic, LaMelo Ball-led version of the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Heat did well during their preseason games–Giannis is still dominant and as insane downhill as ever; Bam is still an insane scorer and defender. Will Rudy Gobert be enough to stop Miami’s inside game? Will the Heat have enough firepower when the Wolves crowd the paint? How will Miami defend LaMelo Ball’s dynamic playmaking and facilitating?
Suggested Laki Play lineup:
Captain: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Vice Captain: Anthony Edwards
Key picks: Bam Adebayo, LaMelo Ball, Rudy Gobert, Davion Mitchell, Jaden McDaniels
Match 4: The Indiana Pacers vs the Dallas Mavericks (Saturday, 7:00AM)
Hali is back, baby! Cooper Flagg looks to have a leap in terms of stats this season, as the Mavericks host Tyrese Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers. Ivica Zubac does not have the three-point shooting Myles Turner had, but his quickness and athleticism compensates Haliburton’s game so well.
Suggested Laki Play lineup:
Captain: Cooper Flagg
Vice Captain: Tyrese Haliburton
Key picks: Ivica Zubac, Kyrie Irving, Aaron Nesmith, Max Christie, Pascal Siakam
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