LaVine, Acuff Jr. Lead DFS Values in Short NBA Slate

SportsLine analyst Mike McClure has released his top daily fantasy basketball recommendations for the three-game NBA schedule on Thursday, October 29. The limited slate restricts lineup options, requiring players to focus on specific matchups and salary efficiency.

McClure, a professional DFS player with more than $2 million in career winnings, utilizes a predictive model that simulates every minute of every game 10,000 times. The model accounts for matchups, statistical trends, and injury reports to identify value on DraftKings and FanDuel.

One of the primary selections for Thursday is Kings guard Zach LaVine. LaVine is priced at $6,600 on DraftKings and $6,300 on FanDuel. He is entering the game after scoring 37 points, dishing out five assists, and adding two rebounds in a 123-112 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday. Through four games this season, LaVine is averaging 27.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and one steal.

McClure suggests stacking LaVine with Kings guard Darius Acuff Jr. Acuff Jr. carries a salary of $7,100 on DraftKings and $6,500 on FanDuel. The 2026 No. 7 overall pick is currently averaging 21.5 points, 4.8 assists, and 2.8 rebounds over four games. In a Friday 128-120 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers, Acuff Jr. recorded 33 points, four assists, and two rebounds.

Other notable players mentioned for the Thursday slate include James Harden, Damian Lillard, Ja Morant, Ty Jerome, Dyson Daniels, Jrue Holiday, Evan Mobley, Zion Williamson, and Jarrett Allen. Ty Jerome is currently the most expensive player on both major DFS sites as the Grizzlies face the Trail Blazers.

The Cleveland Cavaliers play the Atlanta Hawks in an Eastern Conference matchup that features Donovan Mitchell and C.J. McCollum. McClure notes that identifying which high-cost players justify their salaries is a core part of daily fantasy strategy for this specific night.