FREE 10/31 NBA Cheat Sheet: Top DFS Plays

Tonight’s 8-game slate kicks off at 7:00 PM ET and wraps up around 10:30 PM ET, giving you a solid window to build lineups without too much overlap chaos. The spread of start times means you can monitor early action and adjust, which is always a plus for DFS. Overall, it’s a balanced board with some games that could drag pace down, but the implied totals point to value in spots where teams push the tempo.

The highest totals sit at 239.5 for both Toronto at Cleveland at 7:30 PM ET and the Lakers at Memphis at 9:30 PM ET, so those are your go-to stacks if you’re chasing upside. Cleveland’s home pace and Memphis’s transition game could open up roles for secondary guys, making it easier to differentiate without forcing the chalk. Keep an eye on how defenses match up in those—implied totals like that usually mean more ownership, but the environments favor volume plays.

Game Environment Analysis

ATL @ IND (O/U: 232.5, Spread: 2.5)

• Pace: ATL (13th) vs IND (12th)
• Off Eff: ATL (21st) vs IND (28th)
• Def Eff: ATL (19th) vs IND (15th)

BOS @ PHI (O/U: 233.5, Spread: -1.5)

• Pace: BOS (28th) vs PHI (18th)
• Off Eff: BOS (9th) 🔥 vs PHI (2nd)
• Def Eff: BOS (4th) vs PHI (24th)

TOR @ CLE (O/U: 239.5, Spread: -5.5)

• Pace: TOR (5th) vs CLE (14th)
• Off Eff: TOR (12th) vs CLE (22nd)
• Def Eff: TOR (29th) 🎯 vs CLE (13th)

NYK @ CHI (O/U: 233.5, Spread: 4.5)

• Pace: NYK (23rd) vs CHI (9th) 🏃 (Pace mismatch)
• Off Eff: NYK (24th) vs CHI (13th)
• Def Eff: NYK (10th) vs CHI (6th)

LAL @ MEM (O/U: 239.5, Spread: 2.5)

• Pace: LAL (17th) vs MEM (3rd) 🏃 (Pace mismatch)
• Off Eff: LAL (11th) vs MEM (20th)
• Def Eff: LAL (17th) vs MEM (21st)

UTA @ PHX (O/U: 237.5, Spread: -2.5)

• Pace: UTA (21st) vs PHX (16th)
• Off Eff: UTA (4th) 🔥 vs PHX (23rd)
• Def Eff: UTA (20th) vs PHX (26th) 🎯

DEN @ POR (O/U: 239.5, Spread: 5.5)

• Pace: DEN (22nd) vs POR (1st) 🏃 (Pace mismatch)
• Off Eff: DEN (1st) 🔥 vs POR (18th)
• Def Eff: DEN (7th) vs POR (11th)

NOP @ LAC (O/U: 222.5, Spread: -11.5)

• Pace: NOP (25th) vs LAC (30th)
• Off Eff: NOP (30th) vs LAC (19th)
• Def Eff: NOP (28th) 🎯 vs LAC (14th)

Legend:

🏃 = Significant pace mismatch

🔥 = Strong offense vs weak defense

🎯 = Poor defensive team

⚠️ = Blowout risk

Bold = Favored team

PG - Collin Gillespie ($4,800)

Collin Gillespie continues to produce steady fantasy output in his role off the Phoenix bench, averaging 29.1 DK points over his last seven games with consistent minutes around 25 per night. His season averages of 11.0 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 5.6 assists highlight efficient playmaking, especially with a 37.1% three-point clip that boosts his ceiling in transition-heavy lineups.

This matchup against Utah offers Gillespie a favorable pace increase, as the Jazz rank in the bottom half for defending point guard assists and perimeter shots. At $4,800, he projects for 30.0 DK points and a 6.25x value, ranking second in tournaments with a 34.9% boom rate that makes him the top PG choice for balanced builds.

More PG Plays:

• Devin Booker ($9,400)
• Luka Doncic ($11,500)

SG - Lonzo Ball ($4,000)

Lonzo Ball faces a Toronto defense that struggles against combo guards who facilitate through screens, allowing him to exploit his 6.0 assists per game average while mixing in rebounding contributions. His projected 23.5 minutes align with recent trends, where he posts 20.5 DK points over the last seven outings without forcing inefficient shots.

Cleveland’s fast-paced style in this matchup elevates Ball’s involvement, particularly with his 16.08% usage rate that yields multi-category lines. Priced at just $4,000, he delivers 5.92x value and ranks third overall, positioning him as the premier PG/SG option with a 25.1% boom potential in high-ownership spots.

More SG Plays:

• Keyonte George ($6,900)
• Grayson Allen ($6,400)

SF - Kawhi Leonard ($7,800)

Kawhi Leonard delivers consistent high-end production for the Clippers, trending upward with 42.8 DK points across his last three games compared to his 37.4 season average. He combines 21.3 points and 6.3 rebounds efficiently on 47.1% field goal shooting, thriving in extended 34-minute roles that maximize his 28.18% usage.

New Orleans presents vulnerabilities in small forward defense, especially against Leonard’s mid-range game and 36.8% three-point accuracy. At $7,800, his 42.9-point projection and 5.50x value rank him fourth in tournaments, with a 28.5% boom rate that solidifies his status as the top SF for core lineups.

More SF Plays:

• Jarace Walker ($5,500)
• Grayson Allen ($6,400)

PF - Collin Murray-Boyles ($3,900)

Collin Murray-Boyles has averaged 17.8 DK points consistently over his last seven games for Toronto, leveraging 48.0% field goal efficiency and a surprising 60.0% from three to complement his 10.7 points and 2.0 rebounds. His 20.00% usage in 26.5 projected minutes allows steady involvement without volatility.

Playing at Cleveland boosts Murray-Boyles’ rebounding chances against a frontcourt that concedes second-chance opportunities. This $3,900 salary unlocks 6.09x value with a 23.8-point projection, ranking him third in tournaments and making him the ideal PF/C pick with a 30.4% boom rate for value-driven strategies.

More PF Plays:

• Karl-Anthony Towns ($8,500)
• Josh Minott ($4,500)

C - Walker Kessler ($6,800)

Walker Kessler operates in a high-volume rebounding environment for Utah, averaging 42.4 DK points this season through 17.0 points and 10.3 boards on 75.0% shooting efficiency. His recent form peaks at 41.4 over the last five games, with 30.5 minutes ensuring double-double potential alongside 3.5 assists.

The road game at Phoenix features a middling pace that favors Kessler’s paint dominance, as the Suns yield rebounds to athletic centers. Projected at 38.0 DK points for $6,800, he tops tournament ranks with 5.58x value and a 27.9% boom rate, establishing him as the leading C selection for robust builds.

More C Plays:

• Nikola Jokic ($12,000)
• Ivica Zubac ($7,100)

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