DraftKings NBA DFS Picks for Today (Monday, 11/25/24): Daily Fantasy Basketball Advice

I've been on a major heater over the past several days in DFS NBA, so here's hoping the magic continues into this upcoming Holiday week.

Tonight we have seven games on the schedule for DraftKings, and a weirdly small amount of "five-figure studs" available.

One of the main points of decision tonight will come down to "to Jokic or not to Jokic", as his floor and ceiling appear to be in a tier of their own (see below). Make sure to follow us in the RotoBaller Discord, as we'll be continually updating the strategies around tonight, and help you build the best chance at a winning roster!

DraftKings NBA DFS Core Picks

Hey hey! Look at all those flames from last Friday's cash lineup!

Nikola Jokic, DEN - C ($12,000)

Nikola Jokic's $12,000 price tag may seem prohibitive at first, but today's high-end is unique in the fact that other high-priced players aren't in the best spots (or are hurt). For that reason, my first inclination is to make every effort to pay for him. His floor and ceiling are unmatched on this slate.

The Knicks are an offensive powerhouse, but the defense has not been there to start the season. They're 23rd in defensive efficiency and have allowed the fifth-highest FG% at the rim. Jokic is averaging a massive triple-double this year (30.3 PPG, 13.9 RPG, 11.3 APG) and looks primed for another MVP run.

Karl-Anthony Towns may sit in this one which would improve Jokic's outlook even further, and the game environment is positive to attack. Keep an eye out for values, because the more that open up, the more Jokic will be a priority.

Kyrie Irving, DAL - PG/SG ($9,700)

Kyrie Irving is not getting the massive usage boost that we had hoped for with Luka Doncic on the shelf, but he still looks like the best option up top if you're not paying for Jokic.

Dallas-Atlanta is the premier game environment of the night, with a 3.5-point spread and 237.5 O/U. Dallas is getting a massive pace boost (Atlanta is third) and the Hawks are 19th in overall defensive efficiency. Kyrie Irving should get the Dyson Daniels treatment, but the game environment should mitigate risks.

With other Mavs getting bigger usage boosts (more on that later) and a potentially tough individual matchup, I do question Kyrie's ceiling in this one for GPPs. However, he's played 39 MPG without Doncic this season and makes for a rock-solid cash floor.

Others Under Consideration: Jayson Tatum, BOS - SF/PF ($10,200), Franz Wagner, ORL - SF/PF ($9,600), Karl-Anthony Towns, NYK - C ($9,300)

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LaMelo Ball, CHA - PG ($10,000)

LaMelo Ball is potentially the biggest wild card on this slate. I'm listing him as a GPP play only as of now, but I'm curious to see where his ownership lands as the day goes on. Orlando remains one of the top defensive teams in the league, and Ball's matchup with Jalen Suggs is difficult.

There's the bad. Now for the good.

Over the past two games without Miles Bridges, Ball has posted an insane 44.5% usage rate and 41.2% assist rate. In those two games, he's hoisted up 65 shots, scored 85 real points, and put up DK scores of 59.0 and 75.75. With Tre Mann also out tonight, Ball may maintain a 60+ point ceiling even in a rough matchup.

Jalen Brunson, NYK - PG ($8,800)

Other than a 39.5-point "dud" in the Knicks' recent loss to Utah, Jalen Brunson has started flashing his ceiling. He averaged 53 DK points in the two games prior and has double-digit assists in three of his last four games. Karl-Anthony Towns may miss this one, and Miles McBride is also still questionable.

Denver is 11th in defensive efficiency but is much more vulnerable to guards, allowing the tenth most FPPG to the PG position along with the sixth most assists.

Others Under Consideration: Trae Young, ATL - PG ($9,200), Scottie Barnes, TOR - SF/PF ($8,500), Tyrese Haliburton, IND ($8,100)

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DraftKings NBA DFS Value Picks

Jaden Ivey, DET - PG/SG ($6,800)

With Cade Cunningham doubtful, Jaden Ivey at $6,800 is my favorite value play of the night (and likely a core play for cash games). Toronto is a solid attack point for the remaining Pistons, as they rank 24th in overall defensive efficiency.

Ivey has tangibly been the primary beneficiary of Cunningham's absence, and it's significant. With Cunningham off the court, the Purdue second-year player is posting a 33.8% usage rate and 32.3% assist rate and is averaging 7.5 more DK PPG.

Even in a tough matchup last game against Orlando, Ivey still managed to average 1.31 FPPM, which gives him a terrific ceiling beyond his price tag in addition to an excellent cash floor.

P.J. Washington, DAL - PF ($6,000)

P.J. Washington has come on like a wrecking ball (please don't sue me, Miley Cyrus) in the absence of Luka Doncic. His usage rate is almost 5% higher with Luka off the court, and he's averaging a whopping 11.94 DK PPG. In the past two games, Washington has scored 45.25 and 43.0 DK points, which is over 7x his price tag for tonight.

In this matchup against the third-ranked Hawks in pace, Washington is another easy click for cash games at 6k. In addition to his offensive prowess, he's also contributing in the defensive stats with eight stocks (steals/blocks) over the past two games.

Robert Williams III, POR - PF/C ($4,800)

Thanks to his extensive injury history, Robert Williams has yet to top 25 minutes in any game this year. However, he's making the most of his court time, averaging a robust 1.31 FPPM for Portland. Injuries to Deandre Ayton and Donovan Clingan could push the Time Lord into the starting lineup, and potentially push his minutes into the high 20s (and Jerami Grant is also questionable).

Williams is also getting a tremendous pace boost, as Memphis has taken over as the fastest team in the NBA. At his current per-minute production, Williams could easily outstrip his price tag.

Others Under Consideration: Jalen Duren, DET - C ($6,400), Clint Capela, ATL - C ($5,600), Malik Beasley, DET - SG/SF ($5,400), Moussa Diabate, CHA - C ($4,900), Cody Martin, CHA - PG/SF ($4,400)

Today's Top NBA DFS Game Stack

Mavericks at Hawks (O/U 237.5)

This stack benefits Dallas more than Atlanta based on the pace boost, but there are ways to attack both teams with the upside of this game. For Dallas, Kyrie and P.J. Washington lead the way, but Klay Thompson offers a unique upside as well. Atlanta is the biggest 3-point funnel in the NBA, allowing 43% of the shots taken against them to be from beyond the arc. Dereck Lively also has an amazing per-minute upside.

For Atlanta, Dallas is much more vulnerable inside, allowing the most FPPG to opposing centers. They're eighth in rebounding rate, but this still looks like a smash spot for Jalen Johnson and Clint Capela (and to a lesser extent Onyeka Okongwu). Trae Young is obviously in play for all GPPs.

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: Nikola Jokic
• My favorite CASH play on the slate: Jaden Ivey
• My favorite GPP play on the slate: LaMelo Ball
• My favorite VALUE play: Robert Williams III

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