NBA DFS DraftKings.com & FanDuel.com Lineups & Picks for November 22, 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.

11/22/17 NBA DFS TOURNAMENTS

DraftKings Excellent 8’s: $8 buy-in, $400k guaranteed
DraftKings Triple Threat: $33 buy-in, $250k guaranteed
DraftKings Sharpshooter: $3 buy-in, $125k guaranteed
FanDuel Jumbo Layup: $7 buy-in, $115k guaranteed
FanDuel Clutch Shot: $4 buy-in, $350k guaranteed
FanDuel Spectacular Slam: $33 buy-in, $250k guaranteed

PLAYERS RULED OUT
Rudy Gobert (knee)
Kawhi Leonard (quad)
Mike Conley (Achilles)
Al-Farouq Aminu (ankle)
Zach LaVine (knee)
Danilo Gallinari (hip)
D’Angelo Russell (knee)
Paul Millsap (wrist)
John Henson (eye)
Larry Nance Jr. (thumb)

INJURY NEWS TO MONITOR
Kevin Durant (ankle)
Ryan Anderson (illness)
Trevor Booker (ankle)
Wilson Chandler (back)
Tyson Chandler (illness)
Buddy Hield (ankle)

Best NBA DFS Picks for November 22, 2017

Guards

Russell Westbrook vs. GSW ($10.4k DraftKings, $10.0k FanDuel)
He may be a popular play after snapping his uncharacteristic 12-game streak without a triple-double on Monday night. Still, Russell Westbrook is a great per-dollar option for tournaments this evening. He’s always going to bring the energy and should be even more motivated to face off with former running mate Kevin Durant and the Warriors. Golden State plays at the fifth-fastest pace in the NBA and allows 107.5 PPG this season. Westbrook averaged 27.3 points, 10 rebounds, and 9.5 assists over four meetings with Golden State last year despite getting his playing time chopped in a couple of blowouts. The Thunder (+6) should be competitive tonight.

Eric Bledsoe @ PHO ($6.5k DraftKings, $6.4k FanDuel)
Fans of Narrative Street will love this play, as Eric Bledsoe returns to Phoenix to face his former teammates in a plum spot. The dynamic combo guard has turned up the intensity over his last three games with the Bucks, exceeding value in two of those appearances with 10 assists, nine steals, nine rebounds, and four blocks combined against the Pistons and Wizards. Now, he faces a Suns team that gives up the most PPG (115.9) in the NBA and most FPPG (52.87) to opposing PGs. In a limited sample size, Bledsoe sees a 7.6 percent increase in usage rate (to 34 percent) with John Henson (eye) off the floor, and the Bucks’ big man has been ruled out tonight.

Mario Chalmers vs. DAL ($5.0k DraftKings, $5.6k FanDuel)
Mario Chalmers struggled at first in relief of the injured Mike Conley (Achilles), but he’s found his groove in recent games putting up six assists in four consecutive outings and a season-high 21 points on 7-of-12 shooting against Portland on Monday. Tonight, he faces a Mavs team that gives up the third-most PPG (23.88) to opposing PGs with two sub-6’0 guards at that position in J.J. Barea and Yogi Ferrell.

Others to consider: Steph Curry, Kyrie Irving, Tim Hardaway Jr., Jamal Murray, Donovan Mitchell, Rajon Rondo, Marcus Smart

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Forwards

Ben Simmons vs. POR ($9.5k DraftKings, $10.2k FanDuel)
Ben Simmons continues to carry the 76ers. While his assist numbers might dip with Joel Embiid a bit banged up, his scoring is on the rise with 50 points on 24-of-39 shooting over his last two appearances. His usage rate climbs to 30 percent (4.7 percent increase) with Embiid off the floor this season, and “The Process” only managed 15 points over 27 minutes in a win over Utah on Monday. The Blazers have a very good defense that forces teams inside the arc, which plays to Simmons’ strengths.

James Johnson vs. BOS ($5.6k DraftKings, $5.5k FanDuel)
The Celtics are drawing everyone’s best shot right now and bring their 16-game winning streak to Miami in a game that should have American Airlines Arena rocking. Erik Spoelstra is a smart enough coach to understand he’ll need a superb athlete in James Johnson to play heavy minutes against the athletic, young Celtics. He gave JJ 33 minutes of run and was rewarded with 16 points on 7-of-14 shooting when the Heat visited Boston earlier this month. Boston have been hurt on the wing by Harrison Barnes and Taurean Prince in recent games.

Denzel Valentine @ UTA ($4.8k DraftKings, $5.1k FanDuel)
Again, the Jazz defense is not where it’s been in past years and certainly is less formidable with Rudy Gobert (knee) inactive right now. Denzel Valentine and the young Bulls (+8.5) should be able to cover tonight against a team that’s lost eight of its last 10 games. Chicago’s guards draw a favorable matchup against a Jazz team that ranks 28th in opponents 3-point percentage (.387) this year. Valentine’s 15-for-27 from long range with 24 rebounds and 15 assists over his last four appearances. His playing time continues to increase for good reason. 

Others to consider: Kevin Durant, Kristaps Porzingis, Robert Covington, Jaylen Brown, Harrison Barnes, Derrick Favors, Juancho Hernangomez, John Collins

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Center

Marc Gasol vs. DAL ($8.3k DraftKings, $8.3k FanDuel)
Mario Chalmers is a nice mid-tier option to consider as the direct replacement for Mike Conley, but Marc Gasol is the biggest fantasy beneficiary of Conley’s absence. He boasts a 30.4 percent usage rate and averages 1.22 FPs per minute with Conley off the floor. Gasol’s rocking career-best marks in terms of usage rate (28.1 percent), defensive rebounding rate (27.5 percent), and block rate (five percent). Dallas gives up the third-most APG (4.75) and eighth-most RPG (16.69) to opposing centers this year.

Greg Monroe vs. MIL ($4.6k DraftKings, $4.6k FanDuel)
The Suns’ return on the Eric Bledsoe trade, Greg Monroe also comes into this meeting with increased motivation. He’s a good source of salary relief and draws a fantastic matchup against a Bucks team that coughs up the ninth-most RPG (16.53) and PPG (22.6) to opposing centers this year. Milwaukee is also without Monroe’s replacement in John Henson. Thon Maker stands to start in place of Henson, and Monroe should take the 20-year-old to school with his wide array of post moves.

Others to consider: Nikola Jokic, Hassan Whiteside, Dwight Howard, Alex Len