LaVine, Acuff Jr. lead DFS picks for sparse NBA slate

The National Basketball Association schedule shrinks to three games on Thursday, Oct. 29, limiting selection pools for daily fantasy sports players. This reduction in available games forces analysts to focus on high-upside performers in the limited matchups.

SportsLine predictive data engineer Mike McClure identified Kings guard Zach LaVine as a primary target for the day. LaVine is priced at $6,600 on DraftKings and $6,300 on FanDuel. The 2014 first-round pick has produced high-scoring performances in limited action this season.

LaVine recorded 37 points and five assists in a 123-112 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday. Through four games this season, he averages 27.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and one steal per contest.

McClure paired LaVine with Kings guard Darius Acuff Jr. in a recommended stack. Acuff Jr. costs $7,100 on DraftKings and $6,500 on FanDuel. The No. 7 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft faces a favorable matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans.

Acuff Jr. scored 33 points, added four assists, and grabbed two rebounds in a 128-120 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday. He currently averages 21.5 points, 4.8 assists, and 2.8 rebounds over his first four games of the season.

McClure, a professional DFS player with more than $2 million in career winnings, uses a model that simulates every minute of every game 10,000 times. The algorithm factors in matchups, statistical trends, and injury reports to identify optimal lineup constructions.

The Cleveland Cavaliers host the Atlanta Hawks in the primary Eastern Conference game of the day. Other players named in DFS discussions for the slate include James Harden, Damian Lillard, Ja Morant, Ty Jerome, Dyson Daniels, Jrue Holiday, Evan Mobley, Zion Williamson, and Jarrett Allen.