NBA DFS DraftKings.com & FanDuel.com Lineups & Picks for November 15, 2017
For the NBA DFS slate tonight, and for the rest of the season, we’ll be writing up the guards, forwards, and centers we’re considering for our Cash and GPP lineups on DraftKings and FanDuel.
Please note the advice below is relevant for daily fantasy purposes. A player or team might be better or worse from a fantasy perspective than in real life due to matchup, price, and lots of other factors. This is important to consider when constructing a roster.
When playing daily fantasy NBA, it’s important to consider the point spreads and totals in trying to predict gameflow. Injuries play a huge role in the NBA on a nightly basis, and value plays can arise at a moment’s notice. Always, always check the starting lineups and injury news right before tipoff.
11/15/17 NBA DFS TOURNAMENTS
DraftKings Excellent 8’s: $8 buy-in, $500k guaranteed
DraftKings Spin Move: $44 buy-in, $225k guaranteed
DraftKings Mega 8’s: $888 buy-in, $1M guaranteed
FanDuel Alley Oop: $1,500 buy-in, $1M guaranteed
FanDuel Clutch Shot: $4 buy-in, $400k guaranteed
FanDuel Slam: $33 buy-in, $150k guaranteed
PLAYERS RULED OUT
Rudy Gobert (knee)
Kawhi Leonard (quad)
Justin Holiday (personal)
Al-Farouq Aminu (ankle)
Jerryd Bayless (wrist)
Larry Nance Jr. (thumb)
Nikola Mirotic (face)
Zach LaVine (knee)
INJURY NEWS TO MONITOR
Carmelo Anthony (back)
Mike Conley (Achilles)
Steven Adams (calf)
Lauri Markkanen (ankle)
Stanley Johnson (hip)
Derrick Rose (ankle)
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Best NBA DFS Picks for November 15, 2017
Guards
Kemba Walker vs. CLE ($7.4k DraftKings, $7.8k FanDuel)
Saved yesterday from another embarrassing defeat by LeBron James in the fourth quarter, the Cavs continue to serve as the most generous defensive team in the NBA. They rank 30th in defensive rating, cough up the fifth-most FPPG (48.56) and second-most APG (10.36) to opposing PGs this season. Kemba Walker averaged 27.5 points per game on 52.6 percent shooting over four meetings with the Cavs last year. Now, he faces an older backcourt led by Dwyane Wade and the oft-injured Derrick Rose (ankle).
Tim Hardaway Jr. vs. UTA ($6.4k DraftKings, $6.6k FanDuel)
Tim Hardaway Jr. was an absolute beast in a close loss to Cleveland on Monday, compiling 28 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, and two steals in 44 minutes. He’ll stay at MSG tonight for a tough matchup against Utah, yet the Jazz defense is falling apart with Rudy Gobert (knee) out indefinitely. With a 23.1 percent usage rate, he’s clearly the secondary option behind Kristaps Porzingis, who is drawing tons of attention down low, leading to open shots for THJ and others.
Donovan Mitchell @ NY ($6.1k DraftKings, $6.2k FanDuel)
The departure of Gordon Hayward has not led to heavy usage from Rodney Hood or another pre-existing member of the Jazz but to the ascendance of a rookie. After dropping 50 points on 20-of-37 shooting with seven assists and five steals over his last two games, Donovan Mitchell is clearly functioning as the primary offensive option for Utah. He’s rocking a 29.3 percent usage rate to prove it. Up next for the Louisville product is a plus matchup against a Knicks team that gives up the most assists per game (10.92) and third-most FPPG (49.35) to opposing PGs this season.
Others to Consider: Damian Lillard, Dennis Schröder, Kris Dunn, J.J. Redick, Dwyane Wade, Danny Green, Frank Ntilikina
Forwards
Paul George vs. CHI ($8.5k DraftKings, $9.0k FanDuel)
Crediting his trainer for improved stretching that helped him get loose ahead of a 42-point eruption to down the Clippers on Friday, Paul George followed up with a 37-point game on Sunday (presumably going through the same stretching routine). All eye-rolling aside, George is clearly stepping up. The Thunder look to solidify an offense that isn’t Russell Westbrook, George, and Carmelo Anthony (who is questionable tonight) taking turns playing ISO-ball. Tonight, they’ll host a weak Bulls team that’s giving up 117 points per game over its last three contests and don’t have the personnel necessary to slow down George.
Tyreke Evans vs. IND ($6.6k DraftKings, $6.8k FanDuel)
Tyreke Evans is finally showing what he can do when he stays healthy. His averages of 4.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists are solid, and 18.5 points per game is his highest scoring average since his rookie year. He’s been a great Cash option this season and draws an excellent matchup tonight against a Pacers team that’s surprisingly playing at the eighth-fastest pace and giving up the seventh-most PPG (109.1) in the NBA this season. Indiana gives up the fifth-most FPPG (52.55) and most points per game (26.07) to opposing small forwards this season. The Grizzlies should lean on Evans for instant offense at home tonight.
Nic Batum vs. CLE ($4.6k DraftKings, $5.4k FanDuel)
Nic Batum is expected to make his season debut tonight in a fantastic matchup against the struggling Cavs defense. While he might not be in top playing shape, his elbow injury likely didn’t keep him from working on his conditioning, so he should be able to handle 20-plus minutes tonight. At this price tag, that’s all the Swiss Army knife of a player should need to exceed value. Batum’s never backed down from the challenge of guarding LeBron James, and even at less than full strength, he represents the Hornets’ best option to slow down “The King.”
Others to Consider: Anthony Davis, Ben Simmons, Kristaps Porzingis, Kevin Love, Robert Covington, Julius Randle, Evan Turner, Dillon Brooks
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Center
Andre Drummond @ MIL ($9.0k DraftKings, $9.4k FanDuel)
Andre Drummond’s streak of four consecutive monstrous double-doubles came to a close on Sunday in a tough matchup against Hassan Whiteside. But there will be no true center to oppose him in tonight’s matchup. Milwaukee’s coughing up the sixth-most PPG (24.17) to opposing centers this year and is shorthanded with John Henson starting at the 5 and second-year man Thon Maker backing him up. Drummond went for 24 points and 14 rebounds over just 28 minutes in a meeting with the Bucks earlier this month, and his greatly improved FT percentage (.632) is making a dramatically positive impact on his scoring.
Joel Embiid @ LAL ($8.6k DraftKings, $9.7k FanDuel)
After tapping out early in a bad matchup against the Warriors, “The Process” responded with 32 points and 16 boards over a career-high 36 minutes against DeAndre Jordan and the Clippers on Monday. Clearly, if Joel Embiid can accomplish that against one of the best defensive bigs in the league, he’s worth paying up for in a matchup against slow-footed Brook Lopez and a Lakers team that gives up the fourth-most steals per game (9.0) and 11th-most blocks per game (4.9). This is the reason for Embiid’s lofty price tag on FD. With per 36 minute averages of 26.4 points, 13.6 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks this season, he’ll be a beast if he can log that amount of run on a nightly basis.
Others to Consider: DeMarcus Cousins, Hassan Whiteside, Enes Kanter, Serge Ibaka, John Henson
