Chet Holmgren at a mere $5,900 on DraftKings for NBA Opening Night? That’s the pick SportsLine’s Mike McClure, a DFS pro with over $2 million in career winnings, is absolutely banking on. As the 2026 NBA season kicks off tonight, Tuesday, October 20, with three high-stakes matchups, McClure’s insights are crucial for anyone looking to build a winning daily fantasy lineup.
Opening Night Hype & Seismic Roster Shifts
This isn’t just another opening night, folks. We’ve got the Celtics clashing with the Pistons at 3 p.m. ET, then the 76ers and Knicks tipping off at 7 p.m. ET, and finally the Spurs taking on the Thunder at 9:30 p.m. ET. You’ve got the big-money guys like Cade Cunningham, Victor Wembanyama, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Jayson Tatum all in the player pool, making lineup decisions wild right out of the gate.
But the real headline going into tonight is the seismic shifts in Boston and Philadelphia. The 76ers are rolling out a whole new look, welcoming LeBron James and Jaylen Brown to the roster. Can you even imagine that? And the Celtics aren’t sitting still either, adding Paul George to their squad. Figuring out how these stars will gel, and what that means for their DFS value, is a puzzle for sure.
McClure’s Mid-Priced Gems You Can’t Ignore
That’s where McClure comes in. This guy doesn’t just guess; he’s a predictive data engineer with a powerful model that simulates every game 10,000 times, factoring in matchups, statistical trends, and injuries. And he’s pinpointed a few key players to target. His absolute top pick? None other than Chet Holmgren, Thunder forward. He’s a steal at $5,900 on DraftKings and $6,800 on FanDuel.
Holmgren was dealing with a quad injury in preseason, but he’s completely off the official injury report as of Tuesday morning. That means he’s cleared for a full load against the Spurs, even with Victor Wembanyama on the other side. Last season, Holmgren was a beast, ranking in the NBA’s top 50 in scoring with 17.1 points per game, 11th in the league for rebounding at 8.9 boards, and a shocking second overall in blocks with 2.9 per game. A mid-priced option with that kind of ceiling? Yeah, you gotta be in on that.
But Holmgren isn’t the only value play McClure is eyeing. He’s also high on Pistons center Jalen Duren, priced at $6,500 on DraftKings and $6,600 on FanDuel. Duren got his contract sorted out and showed zero rust in preseason. With Tobias Harris and Isaiah Stewart no longer in Detroit, Duren is set to post even bigger numbers this season. This kid is primed for a breakout, and McClure sees it.
Opening Night is always a whirlwind, but with these insights from a proven winner like Mike McClure, you’re better equipped to navigate the new rosters and maximize your daily fantasy potential. Those mid-priced options like Holmgren and Duren could be the difference-makers tonight.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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