NBA DraftKings & FanDuel DFS Primer: Wednesday (11/2)
Paul George remains a dominant force for the Clippers, who take on the Rockets tonight.
It was disappointing to have just four games on Tuesday, but it’s leaving us with a massive slate here. That always tends to be the case on Wednesdays, with 11 games making up this colossal card. That means there’s a ton to discuss, so, let’s go ahead and get started!
Injury Report
- Joel Embiid (illness) Questionable
- Robert Williams (knee) OUT
- Darius Garland (eye) Questionable
- De’Aaron Fox (knee) Questionable
- Bogdan Bogdanovic (knee) OUT
- LaMelo Ball (ankle) Questionable
- Terry Rozier (ankle) Questionable
- Zach LaVine (knee) Questionable
- Lonzo Ball (knee) OUT
- Ayo Dosunmu (chest) Questionable
- Kawhi Leonard (knee) OUT
- Jalen Duran (ankle) Questionable
- Khris Middleton (ankle) OUT
- Fred VanVleet (back) Questionable
- Devin Vassell (knee) OUT
- Jaren Jackson (foot) OUT
- Desmond Bane (ankle) Questionable
- Damian Lillard (calf) OUT
- Brandon Ingram (concussion) Questionable
- Anthony Davis (back) Questionable
- Herbert Jones (knee) Questionable
Core Plays
Pascal Siakam (PF/C – TOR): $9,500 DraftKings, $9,500 FanDuel
Siakam has been a regular in this section all year, and it’s amazing just how much he’s added to his game. The big man is playing point guard for the Raptors, averaging 26.1 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 7.4 assists. That’s led to Siakam scoring at least 44 DraftKings points in every game, generating a 52-point average. Facing the Spurs is spectacular, too, with San Antonio sitting third in pace and 24th in defensive efficiency.
Anfernee Simons (PG/SG – POR): $7,600 DraftKings, $7,800 FanDuel
Simons is tough to avoid whenever Dame is out of the lineup. Simons swallowed up almost all of Lillard’s ball-handling duties when he was out last year, leading the team with a 32% usage rate. That was on full display when Simons dropped 53 DK points over the weekend in the first game without Lillard. Simons also averaged nearly 40 fantasy points per game in that role last season, and he shouldn’t have any issues reaching that against a last-place Memphis defense.
Cash Game Considerations
Ja Morant (PG – MEM): $10,300 DraftKings, $9,900 FanDuel
Morant is vying for some MVP consideration, averaging 33.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game. That makes him one of the highest-scoring players in fantasy, scoring at least 48 fantasy points in four of six outings. You know he’ll be on full tilt against Portland. In their most recent matchup, Ja tallied 44 points, five rebounds, and 11 assists.
Paul George (SF – LAC): $9,800 DraftKings, $9,000 FanDuel
George was my highlight player on Monday, and we’re going right back to the well. He’s being asked to do everything in the absence of Kawhi Leonard, collecting 35 points, nine rebounds, eight assists, and six steals on Monday.
Jimmy Butler (SG/SF – MIA): $8,800 DraftKings, $8,500 FanDuel
Jimmy hasn’t had a monster year, but he’s one of the most reliable players in the NBA. The former All-Star has scored at least 34 DraftKings points in every game this season, generating a 42-point average. That’s the stud we’ve become accustomed to, and there’s no way Sacramento will slow him down. The Kings are surrendering the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing wings this season.
GPP Targets
Harrison Barnes (SF/PF – SAC): $4,900 DraftKings, $4,900 FanDuel
Barnes is a tough sell when he’s in the $6K range, but he’s one of the best bargains below $5,000. This guy has seemingly averaged 30 fantasy points for the last five years, scoring at least 25 DK points in each of his last three outings. That boost in production is no surprise since he’s playing 36 minutes while taking over 10 shots a game. That shot total and usage could skyrocket with De’Aaron Fox sidelined, and we’re not worried about him facing an 18th-ranked Miami defense.
Reggie Jackson (PG/SG – LAC): $5,500 DraftKings, $4,700 FanDuel
I refuse to believe Reggie is as bad as he’s been playing. This guy has been a $7K player in the past, and the role is still there for him to be at that level. He’s averaging 13.3 shots and 32 minutes over his last four outings, starting at point guard for this shorthanded team. He averaged 30 fantasy points per game in a similar role last season, and it’s just a matter of time before positive progression skyrockets his fantasy production. A matchup with Houston is the best way to get there, with the Rockets allowing the most fantasy points to opposing point guards.
Keita Bates-Diop (PF – SAS): $3,700 DraftKings, $3,800 FanDuel
This is a risky option, but that’s why KBD is in the GPP section. This talented forward has always been productive when getting big minutes, scoring 26 DK points across 23 minutes in his first start on Monday. He also averaged 25 fantasy points per game in the 17 outings he played at least 23 minutes last year, and this shorthanded team needs him to fill some minutes.
Value Plays
Josh Hart (SG/SF – POR): $6,900 DraftKings, $6,300 FanDuel
I’ve always been a huge advocate of Hart’s game, stuffing the stat sheet at ease. The feisty forward is leading the Blazers with 9.2 rebounds, averaging over 30 fantasy points per game. He’s also scored at least 25 DK points in all but one game, and he could be asked to do more ball-handling with Dame out as well. We love stat-stuffers in our lineup, and they become more enticing when they’re expected to handle the ball as well.
Brook Lopez (C – MIL): $5,400 DraftKings, $6,600 FanDuel
Lopez has been one of the best players in fantasy this season. The former All-Star has scored at least 28 fantasy points in all six games, averaging 36 DraftKings points per game. It’s laughable that he was sitting below $5K just a week ago, but the price still hasn’t gotten high enough to match the production. A matchup with Detroit is dandy, too, with the Pistons sitting 28th in points allowed and 29th in defensive efficiency. Lopez exploited that on Monday, dropping 40 fantasy points on that disastrous defense.
Davion Mitchell (PG/SG – SAC): $4,200 DraftKings, $4,900 FanDuel
Mitchell is going to be in everyone’s lineup, but this is chalk you need to swallow. The former first-round pick is expected to start for Fox here, scoring 34 DK points across 31 minutes on Monday. He showed glimpses of that last year, averaging 38 fantasy points per game across 40 minutes a night over the final 10 games. That’s absurd from such an affordable player, and it looks like he’ll take over this offense as long as Fox remains out.
Advantageous Pricing
- Brook Lopez (C – MIL): $5,400 DraftKings, $6,600 FanDuel
- Isaiah Hartenstein (PF/C – CLE): $4,200 DraftKings, $5,100 FanDuel
- Darius Garland (PG – CLE): $6,600 DraftKings, $7,500 FanDuel
- Malcolm Brogdon (PG/SG – MIL): $4,500 DraftKings, $5,500 FanDuel
- Giannis Antetokounmpo (PF/C – MIL): $12,600 DraftKings, $11,600 FanDuel
- Paul George (SF – LAC): $9,800 DraftKings, $9,000 FanDuel
- Reggie Jackson (PG/SG – LAC): $5,500 DraftKings, $4,700 FanDuel
- Justise Winslow (SF – POR): $4,300 DraftKings, $5,200 FanDuel
- Anthony Davis (PF/C – LAL): $9,100 DraftKings, $10,500 FanDuel
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Joel Bartilotta is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Joel, check out his archive and follow him @Bartilottajoel.
