Basketball is finally back and the season opens up with a trio of intriguing matchups featuring five playoff teams from last season and one of the most interesting breakout teams.

We have two new coaches to figure out, headlined by Alvin Gentry in New Orleans. The Pelicans were actually better on offense than defense last season, but they played at a plodding pace, something Gentry is sure to change. Fred Hoiberg similarly promises to spice up a moribund Chicago offense and has already made noise about some pretty drastic lineup changes, which could have huge Fantasy implications.

And, of course, we have to familiarize ourselves with a slew of new faces in new places. To name just a few offseason moves that we have to grapple with, the Pistons traded Greg Monroe for floor-spacing fours, the Hawks lost DeMarre Carroll to Toronto and the Cavaliers just got Tristan Thompson under contract a week before the season. Throw in the likes of Kyrie Irving and Derrick Rose dealing with injuries, and the first night of NBA action has plenty of surprises in store.

DFS players don't like uncertainty, but you have to deal with that early in the season. Let's see what we can figure out before the ball is tipped.

Tuesday's schedule

Detroit at Atlanta
Combined Fantasy points allowed per game: 390.94

The Hawks were 22nd in defensive rebounding rate last season. They were 30th in offensive rebounding rate. The addition of Tiago Splitter should help, but Andre Drummond is going to absolutely feast on the boards.

Cleveland at Chicago
Combined Fantasy points allowed per game: 389.23

Kyrie Irving probably won't play and Iman Shumpert is out, so the Cavaliers have some holes to fill. Chicago should play faster under Hoiberg than in years past, so they are no longer the type of team you avoid.

New Orleans at Golden State
Combined Fantasy points allowed per game: 384.67

The Warriors were the best defense in the league and Anthony Davis still averaged 54.78 Fantasy points per game against them. As good as they are, they have nobody who can match up with him. This game features what could end up being two of the five fastest teams in the league in pace, too.

Position rankings

Top Point Guards

No Kyrie Irving. Derrick Rose is probably playing, albeit with a face mask and swollen eye, so who knows how effective he'll be or what kind of roll he'll play. If you don't want Stephen Curry, Reggie Jackson is probably the only player with 40-plus Fantasy point potential based on how well he played late last season. He might be undervalued. Don't be surprised if he's a consistent $9,000 player this season.

1. Stephen Curry, Warriors vs. New Orleans $10,400
2. Reggie Jackson, Pistons @ Atlanta $8,300
3. Mo Williams, Cavaliers @ Chicago $6,000
4. Jeff Teague, Hawks vs. Detroit $7,200
5. Aaron Brooks, Bulls vs. Cleveland $4,200

Top Shooting Guards

Jimmy Butler has talked about taking on more of a play-making role and the potential limitations for Rose means the Bulls will need that. Still, the Warriors and Pelicans promise to put up a ton of points, and Klay Thompson started fast last season too. With Iman Shumpert out, J.R. Smith should get 30-plus minutes and the shots that come with it.

1. Klay Thompson, Warriors vs. New Orleans $7,100
2. Jimmy Butler, Bulls vs. Cleveland $7,500
3. J.R. Smith, Cavaliers @ Chicago $5,700
4. Eric Gordon, Pelicans @ Golden State $5,200
5. Kyle Korver, Hawks vs. Detroit $5,400

Top Small Forwards

LeBron James had an injection in his back about two weeks before the start of the season, and there's some reason to be concerned about that. On the other hand, he's the only elite player at the position on the slate, so you might be putting yourself at a disadvantage if you avoid him, especially in a cash game.

1. LeBron James, Cavaliers @ Chicago $11,00
2. Nikola Mirotic, Bulls vs. Cleveland $5,500
3. Doug McDermott, Bulls vs. Cleveland $4,200
4. Marcus Morris, Pistons @ Atlanta $5,700
5. Stanley Johnson, Pistons @ Atlanta $4,300

Top Power Forwards

Point guard and power forward are the deepest positions around the league and the first night of games reflects that. Davis is a must-play in cash games, but there are enough options with upside and good matchups to fade him in a tournament if you want to take that risk. I won't.

1. Anthony Davis, Pelicans @ Golden State $11,200
2. Paul Millsap, Hawks vs. Detroit $7,700
3. Ryan Anderson, Pelicans @ Golden State $5,400
4. Kevin Love, Cavaliers @ Chicago $7,200
5. Pau Gasol, Bulls vs. Cleveland $7,900

Top Centers

Joakim Noah is coming off the bench -- and his worst season in years. Andrew Bogut had surgery in the preseason to repair a broken nose. Timofey Mozgov had offseason knee surgery. Omer Asik missed all of the preseason with a calf injury. You almost have to go with the two big-money players, with Horford the contrarian play.

1. Andre Drummond, Pistons @ Atlanta $9,000
2. Al Horford, Hawks vs. Detroit $7,200
3. Tiago Splitter, Hawks vs. Detroit $4,000
4. Timofey Mozgov, Cavaliers @ Chicago $4,800
5. Andrew Bogut, Warriors vs. New Orleans $5,400

Cash lineup

PG Stephen Curry GS vs. NO $10,400
PG Aaron Brooks CHI vs. CLE $4,200
SG J.R. Smith CLE vs. CHI $5,700
SG Eric Gordon NO vs. GS $5,200
SF Harrison Barnes GS vs. NO $4,600
SF Doug McDermott CHI vs. CLE $4,200
PF Anthony Davis NO vs. GS $11,200
PF Ryan Anderson NO vs. GS $5,400
C Andre Drummond DET vs. ATL $9,000