RADIO
Group Play in the NBA Emirates Cup wraps up on Tuesday with a massive 11-game slate for DFS fantasy basketball on FanDuel. Some of these games won't have any impact on who advances to the Knockout Stage, but they do carry a little extra meaning since they are in-conference matchups and all 22 teams are coming off a day off yesterday. There are six games on Wednesday's schedule, and six of the teams in action on Tuesday will finish their back-to-back with another game on Wednesday.
In today's edition of my FanDuel picks, I recommend some higher-priced players for cash games and GPPs while also highlighting some of my favorite value plays and game stacks. If you're looking for a DraftKings-specific perspective, check out Max Kulish's DraftKings picks.
This article will provide you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for FanDuel on 12/03/24. Remember to monitor NBA injury news and our awesome NBA injuries report tool, as the slate can completely change before lineups lock at 7 p.m. EST on FanDuel.
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FanDuel NBA DFS Core Picks
Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL – PF ($12,000)
Giannis and the Bucks face the Pistons with Group B on the line. Both teams are 3-0, and whoever wins will advance, and the loser may advance as well, depending on the point differential. From what we've seen from the Bucks so far, the NBA Cup seems to really matter to them, and Giannis has been straight-up balling the last few weeks.
He's coming off a 42-point triple-double on Saturday against the Wizards that earned him 71.9 FanDuel points.
Giannis over the last 7 games:
59 PTS, 14 REB, 7 AST, 61% FG
22 PTS, 15 REB, 12 AST, 50% FG
20 PTS, 13 REB, 4 AST, 52% FG
41 PTS, 9 REB, 8 AST, 70% FG
37 PTS, 10 REB, 11 AST, 66% FG
32 PTS, 11 REB, 6 AST, 52% FG
42 PTS, 12 REB, 11 AST, 62% FGMVP numbers. 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/CodPu8TtKy
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) December 1, 2024
Over that seven-game span, Giannis is producing 64.0 FanDuel points per game at the rate of 1.80 FanDuel points per minute. He had a 37.7% usage rate during that run, and he should dominate a Detroit team that struggles with frontcourt defense.
In his matchup with the Pistons earlier this season, he dropped 59 points and 98.3 FanDuel points. He may not reach that level again on Tuesday, but he's definitely my favorite superstar to build around, especially since he has so much to play for.
Brandon Miller, CHA – SG/SF ($8,400)
With LaMelo Ball (calf) out for a couple of weeks, Miller has stepped in as the primary option in the Hornets' offense. He has a 28.2% usage rate on the season that spikes to 34.9% with both Ball and Tre Mann (back) off the court. In that scenario, Miller has produced 1.03 FanDuel points per minute.
In the two games since Ball has been out, Miller has averaged 1.2 FanDuel points per minute. He had 37.7 FanDuel points in a one-point loss to the Knicks and 53.6 FanDuel points with 32 points and eight rebounds in a three-point loss to the Hawks last Saturday.
Brandon Miller knocks down the triple to make it his 7th straight game with 20+ points 🔥pic.twitter.com/0Jy6RHe6cP
— Hornets Nation (@HornetsNationCP) December 1, 2024
Miller and the Hornets host the Sixers on Tuesday in one of the games that will have no impact on the NBA Cup. With so much of the offense falling on his shoulders, though, Miller has a very high ceiling and a high floor in a generally favorable matchup in what should be a winnable game.
Deandre Ayton, POR – C ($6,500)
Ayton missed over two weeks with a finger sprain but has quickly re-established himself as a solid mid-priced option down low. He had 16 points, 12 rebounds, and 41.4 FanDuel points in his return against the Pacers and followed that with 26 points, nine rebounds, and 38.5 FanDuel points against the Kings.
DEANDRE AYTON vs KINGS :
◽️26 PTS (11/19 FG)
◽️9 REBBLAZERS WIN, 115-106 ! pic.twitter.com/Dd16SLc2ri
— STEPBACK (@StepBackfr) November 30, 2024
Ayton's Blazers are still alive for a wild card spot in the Knockout Round, so expect them to go all out on Tuesday. He was limited by foul trouble and was a little quieter on Sunday with 18 points, seven rebounds, and 28.9 FanDuel points against the Mavs, but he should be in a good spot to bounce back in the late game on Tuesday night against the Clippers.
The big man played 41 minutes in that win over the Kings, so he definitely can be a workhorse if needed. During the season, he averaged a solid 1.04 FanDuel points per minute.
Others Under Consideration: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - PG, ($10,800), Nikola Jokic - C, ($12,200), Evan Mobley - PF/C, ($8,100), Scottie Barnes - PF/SF, ($9,100), Jonathan Kuminga - PF/SF, ($5,500)
FanDuel NBA DFS Tournament Pivots
James Harden, LAC – PG ($9,800)
Harden has caught fire in his last three games, posting over 54 FanDuel points in each contest. He was just one rebound short of a triple-double in Sunday's win over the Nuggets and posted a season-high 64.3 FanDuel points.
James Harden COOKED on his HISTORIC night...
39 PTS | 11 AST | 9 REB | 6 3PM | W@JHarden13 joined Steph Curry as the only players in NBA history with 3k 3PM! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/iYEqX9GY3y
— NBA (@NBA) December 2, 2024
Like their opponent, the Trail Blazers, the Clippers have a shot for the wild card if they win, so look for Harden to try and stay hot and carry his team to the Knockout Round. He has averaged 1.37 FanDuel points per minute this season and 1.70 FanDuel points per minute over his last three.
Jalen Williams, OKC – PF/SF ($8,900)
The Thunder don't have to use Williams at center anymore with Isaiah Hartenstein ($8,300) back from injury, but Williams continues to be a great play for OKC. He has produced 1.36 FanDuel points per minute on the season and has been an ideal running-mate for superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
The Thunder have a great matchup against the Jazz and can advance if they win and win by a lot. Look for Williams and SGA to fill it up and the Thunder to offer great production across the board.
Fred VanVleet, HOU - PG ($7,500)
The Rockets have already advanced by sweeping through West Group A, and they're coming to Sacramento on a high note after out-battling the Thunder on Sunday. FVV went off for 38 points and 43.9 FanDuel points in that emotional and impressive victory.
Fred VanVleet had it ROLLING in the @HoustonRockets win!
🚀 38 PTS (season high)
🚀 5 3PM
🚀 52.6 FG%Houston is now a 0.5 GB of OKC for the West's No. 1 seed 👀 pic.twitter.com/WvQPEHDN3r
— NBA (@NBA) December 2, 2024
VanVleet usually doesn't score that many points, but he has the Rockets' offense firing at an elite level. He has over 33 FanDuel points in three straight and nine of his last 11 games. Over that span, he has averaged 1.14 FanDuel points per minute and 39.3 FanDuel points per game.
Alexandre Sarr, WAS - PF/C ($6,100)
For GPP, I love the upside that Sarr brings. The rookie has been "boom-or-bust" but at this price point and with plenty of playing time coming his way, I love his potential.
Alex Sarr has been Washington’s most consistent player recently, giving us a glimpse of who he can be in the future as he improves further
During this stretch, he averages:
- 16.7 ppg (50% FG)
- 2.3 3pm (47% 3PT)
- 8.7 rpg
- 2.0 apg
- 1.0 spg
- 1.3 bpg— Point Made Basketball (@pointmadebball) November 30, 2024
The Wizards will be without Kyle Kuzma (ribs) again, and without Kuzma on Saturday, Sarr logged a career-high 36 minutes. He struggled with his shot and had to deal with Giannis on the defensive end, so he only managed 13.9 FanDuel points. However, there were still plenty of positives to take away from the game, including his large workload.
Sarr has played over 30 minutes in three of his last four games and had 45.3 FanDuel points and 38.9 FanDuel points in losses to the Pacers and Bulls last week. He's still a work in progress but has the ability to go off on any given night.
Others Under Consideration: Victor Wembanyama - PF/C, ($11,600), Franz Wagner - SF/PF, ($9,700), Andrew Wiggins - SF/PF ($6,200), Tyrese Maxey - PG ($8,800), Isaiah Hartenstein - C ($8,300), Karl-Anthony Towns - C ($9,400)
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FanDuel NBA DFS Value Picks
Vasilije Micic, CHA – PG ($5,100)
Micic has started two games since Ball landed on the bench with his latest injury. In his first start of the season, he had nine points, eight assists, and 21.4 FanDuel points against the Knicks. He followed that up with 15 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and 35.1 FanDuel points against the Hawks last Saturday.
Vasilije Micic impresses with back-to-back season-best performances 😤
15 PTS | SEASON-HIGH
8 AST | SEASON-HIGH
5 REB
34 MIN | SEASON HIGH pic.twitter.com/pgq4XkcWcC— BasketNews (@BasketNews_com) December 1, 2024
Micic's salary has jumped with his extra work, but he's still under-priced at barely over $5,000 with such a good ceiling and floor due to his multi-category potential.
Terance Mann, LAC - SG/SF ($3,900)
Mann's ceiling isn't extremely high since he continues to come off the bench for the Clippers, but his salary is so low that he is hard to pass up, given his recent increased involvement. He has played 20+ minutes in five straight games and has scored double-digit points in three of those contests.
He looked great on Sunday, missing just one shot and finishing with 15 points, three rebounds, and 19.1 FanDuel points. He had multiple steals in each of his previous two games and posted 25.2 FanDuel points against the Wizards last Wednesday.
He isn't likely to post a huge number but can easily return value under $4,000, saving plenty of salary to spend up in other spots.
Mason Plumlee, PHX – C ($4,100)
If you opt to go cheap at center, Plumlee is a great bargain option to consider. With Jusuf Nurkic (thigh) out for at least a week, Plumlee will likely remain in the starting lineup for the Suns. In his three games without Nurk, Plumlee is averaging 26.6 FanDuel points per game in 21.9 minutes with a 19.4% usage rate.
He only had 14.7 FanDuel points in a start on Saturday against the Warriors but only made one shot from the field. He should do better in a more traditional matchup on Tuesday night at home against the Spurs. Both the Suns and Spurs have a chance to advance if things go their way, so this should be one of the most entertaining games on the slate.
Ochai Agbaji, TOR – SG ($4,500)
Agbaji has had some impressive performances for the Raptors this season but has also disappeared at times. Last Monday, he went scoreless in 23 minutes against the Pistons but then roared back with 24 points and 40.2 FanDuel points on Wednesday against the Pelicans.
Ochai Agbaji : Season-high 24 points on 9-10 shooting, 6-7 from 3 & 6 rebounds in 28 minutes pic.twitter.com/Lh7jG5HbKm
— Lee Harvey (@MusikFan4Life) November 28, 2024
He had over 20 FanDuel points in both halves of the Raps' home-and-home set with the Heat over the weekend and has produced 24.6 FanDuel points per game in his 21 contests this season. A little like Sarr in the section above, he's a high-risk, high-reward play whose ceiling I love on Tuesday. The Raptors will be hosting the Pacers as they close out Group Play.
Others Under Consideration: Trayce Jackson-Davis - C/PF ($4,400), Tidjane Salaun - PF/SF ($4,900), Cason Wallace - PG ($4,600), Oso Ighodaro - PF/C ($4,400), Josh Green - SF/SG ($4,800)
Today's Top NBA DFS Game Stacks
Memphis Grizzlies at Dallas Mavericks (241.5 total)
Both teams are alive for the wild card and need to score a lot of points to rack up point differential. Both teams are also relatively healthy for the first time in a while, so there are stars to consider on both sides.
Ja Morant ($8,800), Jaren Jackson Jr. ($8,200), and Desmond Bane ($6,800) are the obvious places to start for the Grizz, while Brandon Clarke ($4,700) and Jake LaRavia ($4,700) bring very solid value under $5,000.
The Mavs would have been much more included in my lists above, except that many of their players are priced up for their rotation without Luka Doncic ($11,500), and now Luka is back to claim his sizable usage.
Daniel Gafford ($6,100) could be a great value if Dereck Lively II ($5,400; knee, questionable) is sidelined. There could also be a little value on the wing since Naji Marshall (illness) has been ruled out, and Klay Thompson ($4,900; foot, questionable) is uncertain.
Golden State Warriors at Denver Nuggets (239.5 total)
In the other game from West Group C, the Warriors are already through to the Knockout Stage, but the Nuggets need a win and some help.
Stephen Curry ($8,500) is probable, but Draymond Green ($6,300; calf, questionable) is not expected to play, opening up great potential value for Jonathan Kuminga ($5,500), Andrew Wiggins ($6,200), Trayce Jackson-Davis ($4,400), and Kevon Looney ($4,000).
The Nuggets will face a tall task of trying to run up the score against the Warriors, but having Aaron Gordon ($5,600; calf, probable) definitely helps their rotation. Satking Gordon with Jamal Murray ($7,700) or Nikola Jokic ($12,200) makes sense if you think the Warriors opt to coast in this one since they've already secured their advancement to the next stage.
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: Giannis Antetkounmpo
- My favorite CASH play on the slate: Deandre Ayton
- My favorite GPP play on the slate: James Harden
- My favorite VALUE play: Mason Plumlee
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