NBA DFS Picks for Daily Fantasy Basketball on DraftKings and FanDuel (11/4/24)

If you play both sites, tonight's NBA action is VASTLY different. DraftKings has condensed to an eight-game slate, with the last game being the 8:45 EST contest between the Knicks and Rockets. FanDuel, on the other hand, has decided to include every late game, which means you have to deal with ALL 30 TEAMS over there. We've got you covered at RotoBaller whatever your preference, but just keep in mind that FanDuel can be overwhelming with that many games.

There are relevant injury situations to monitor as the day goes on (we've got you covered there too in the RotoBaller Discord), and there are some ideas in the article below on how to attack that. Good luck!

This article will provide my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 11/4/24. Remember to monitor NBA injury news and our excellent NBA injuries report tool, as the slate can completely change before lineups lock at 7:30 p.m. EST on FanDuel and DraftKings. Good luck, RotoBallers!

Today's NBA DFS Core Picks

Here is a look at some of the higher-priced players we can use as building blocks for cash and GPP contests.

Giannis Antetokounmpo is questionable, but Anthony Davis is probable against Detroit in a good matchup. We also have Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic as pay-ups in great spots tonight against Toronto and Indiana, respectively.

However, Domantas Sabonis also projects for 5x value on both sites tonight in a matchup against the Miami Heat. Miami is allowing major production to opposing centers and Sabonis is fresh off a triple-double in his last game.

Let's not forget that Jayson Tatum is off to one of the hottest starts in the league this year and the Celtics are without Jaylen Brown, too.  Tatum has a plus matchup against the Hawks who are on the second half of a back-to-back.

Here's how I would rank the studs tonight.

1. Anthony Davis 
2. Luka Doncic
3. Domantas Sabonis
4. Jayson Tatum
5. Nikola Jokic

Today's NBA DFS Value Picks

This is where we talk about saving salary. Whether it's a severely underpriced backup or even as simple as a guy playing like someone who should be priced higher, this is where you'll find guys who make lineups work.

Sorting the best value picks of the day by fantasy points per dollar, let's take a look.

For the FD peeps, Mike Conley continues to have his price dropped and one of these days, he's going to go off for 7x on that tag. It could be today against a bad Charlotte team.

Jusuf Nurkic is appealing on DK, where you can play two centers and we know big men can put up solid numbers against Andre Drummond.

Sticking with the Suns, Tyus Jones continues to produce solid value as the starting point guard in Phoenix.

On DraftKings, we can give Jaime Jacquez Jr., Tari Eason, and Jake LaRavia all a look for 5k or less.

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Today's NBA DFS Picks: Point Guard

Memphis has my full attention at the PG position this evening. It's a huge pace-down game for them (the Grizzlies are third, the Nets are 28th), but Brooklyn is also currently 23rd in defensive efficiency, and Desmond Bane's absence is huge.

Ja Morant has frustratingly had his minutes managed this year, but he still has a double-double in all but one game. He crossed the 30-minute threshold for the first time last game and you have to imagine it happens again with Bane out. Ja's sub-10k price tags are gifts tonight.

Scotty Pippen Jr. has also shown that he has standalone value regardless of the status of his fellow guards. The Vandy guard is averaging 11.0 PPG and 7.1 APG in 25 minutes per game off the bench, and Desmond Bane and Marcus Smart's absence should keep his minutes in the upper 20s tonight.

Tonight we get a rematch of the Cleveland-Milwaukee thriller from two nights ago. Giannis' status is highly relevant if we're worried about blowout risk, but Darius Garland is in play regardless. He double-doubled in 34 minutes against the Bucks last game, and Milwaukee has allowed the most FPPG to opposing PGs this year, along with the second most assists per game.

Miles McBride is not a ceiling play for GPPs, but he's a mainstay in Thibs' tight Knicks rotation. Deuce is averaging 0.91 FPPM with a regular 25 to 28-minute role off the bench. At his prices, a 20-25 FP game is more than enough to pay off his tag and allow you to roster at least one stud.

Top PG Options:

1. Ja Morant, MEM @ BKN ($9,300 DK, $9,400 FD)
2. Scotty Pippen Jr., MEM @ BKN ($6,000 DK, $6,100 FD)
3. Miles McBride, NYK @ HOU ($4,400 DK, $5,100 FD)
4. Darius Garland, CLE @ MIL ($7,100 DK; $6,300 FD)

Today's NBA DFS Picks: Shooting Guard

Stephen Curry's status is huge for tonight. In Steph's absence, Brandon Podziemski has averaged 36.7 minutes per game in three contests and has crushed his price tag in all three. He gets the nuts matchup against Washington, who is second in pace and 26th in defensive efficiency.

Donovan Mitchell is a great cash play tonight. His price hasn't moved after going for 41.25 FPS in 34 minutes last game against the Bucks, and they'll continue to have no answer for him. Mitchell is fourth in the NBA with a 33.3% usage rate.

On FanDuel, Anthony Edwards is a touch too cheap for his skill level and usage. Charlotte continues to be a mess defensively, and Edwards has a 31.4% usage rate this year. The Hornets rank 29th in defensive efficiency and have allowed the fourth-most 3PA this season.

Christian Braun is an easy value on FD, averaging 28.4 FPPG across 34.5 minutes per game. He doesn't have a ceiling with Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray active, but there's a touch more upside to his price tag tonight as Toronto ranks sixth in pace and dead last in defensive efficiency on the season.

Top SG Options:

1. Brandin Podziemski, GSW @ WAS ($6,300 DK; $6,100 FD)
2. Christian Braun, DEN vs. TOR ($5,500 FD)
3. Donovan Mitchell, CLE vs. MIL ($8,200 DK; $8,500 FD) 
4. Anthony Edwards, MIN vs CHA ($9,100 FD)

Today's NBA DFS Picks: Small Forward

Jayson Tatum is my favorite per-dollar overall play on the slate. Atlanta is not playing as fast as they once did but they're still a disaster on the defensive end, ranking 28th in overall team defense. Jaylen Brown is out again tonight, and Tatum saw a 4.6% usage boost in that scenario last year. His usage was 35.7% last game with Brown out, and he's averaging 32.2% on the year. I'm paying for him.

LeBron James continues to run in the 9k range, which is a tad too cheap for averaging 43.8 FPPG. He's sacrificed usage to Anthony Davis (rightfully so), but the King is still playing heavy minutes and Detroit is 24th in defensive efficiency.

Josh Hart continues to defy all sense of logic with his rebounding. He's averaging a double-double (14.1 PPG and 10.0 RPG) which is just insane for a 6'4" player in the NBA. Hart has averaged 38.5 MPG over the past four, making him the quintessential mid-tier cash play.

Top SF Options:

1. Jayson Tatum, BOS @ ATL ($10,000 DK, $10,300 FD)
2. Josh Hart, NYK @ HOU ($6,100 DK, $6,600 FD)
3. LeBron James, LAL @ DET ($9,000 DK, $9,000 FD)

Today's NBA DFS Picks: Power Forward

A lot of the above SFs are also PF-eligible on DraftKings, which puts them into this conversation as well. Cam Johnson does stand out at his sub-6k price tags, however. Johnson is playing heavy minutes for a tight Nets rotation, and his 30.1 FPPG average is basically 5x his price tag for his floor. It's a huge pace-up game as well, as Memphis ranks third.

There are a couple of FD-unique plays on the high end. Victor Wembanyama's lack of preseason usage has shown with some rusty floor games, but he flashed his ceiling two games ago with a 5x5 against Utah. The Clippers are no picnic of a matchup, but they allow the fifth most blocks so far and Wemby's price has dropped.

Pascal Siakam is simply too cheap. In addition to his 22.8% usage, Siakam has registered five assists or more in all but one of his games this year (the Knicks held him to two - woot). Dallas isn't an easy matchup, but

Top PF Options:

1. Cameron Johnson, BKN vs MEM ($5,800 DK, $6,000 FD)
2. Victor Wembanyama, SA @ LAC ($10,900 FD)
3. Pascal Siakam, IND @ DAL ($7,700 FD)

Today's NBA DFS Picks: Center

Anthony Davis continues his magical season against Detroit who were just eviscerated by Karl-Anthony Towns. Davis is rocking a 31.6% usage rate on the season and has double-doubled in three straight. He's a bit more valuable on FD where stocks are weighted heavier (Davis is averaging 4.1 per season) and he has PF eligibility.

Speaking of Towns, he's in another solid spot tonight against Houston. The Knicks big man has four straight double-doubles and has taken 43 shots over the last two games. Alperen Sengun defends the interior well, but he can't keep up with the Brunson-Towns pick-and-roll.

On the FanDuel late slate, Jusuf Nurkic is a screaming value despite passing 25 minutes only once this season. Philadelphia currently ranks dead last in rebounding rate and Joel Embiid remains out.

If you want to spend a little more on FanDuel, Jakob Poeltl has been thriving without Immanuel Quickley and Scottie Barnes. Denver is tenth in rebounding rate but also allows the seventh most FPPG to centers.

If you want to go ALL the way up on FD, Nikola Jokic is the highest-ceiling play on the slate. Toronto is sixth in pace, last in defensive efficiency and 29th against centers. He's a tough sell for cash with other high-ceiling options available for cheaper, but no one would fault you.

Top C Options:

1. Anthony Davis, LAL @ DET ($10,800 DK, $11,200 FD)
2. Jusuf Nurkic, PHX vs PHI ($5,200 FD)
3. Jakob Poeltl, TOR vs. DEN ($7,400 FD)
4. Karl-Anthony Towns, NYK @ HOU ($8,000 DK, $8,700 FD)
5. Nikola Jokic, DEN vs TOR ($12,000 FD)

My Favorite NBA DFS Picks for Today

Here is where I leave you with some of my favorites.

• My favorite overall play on the slate: Jayson Tatum
• My favorite CASH play on the slate: Ja Morant
• My favorite GPP play on the slate: Nikola Jokic (FD only)
• My favorite value play: Jusuf Nurkic (FD only), 

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