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It’s great to be back in the swing of things in the NBA, RotoBallers. In these articles, I focus on the top plays, traditionally geared toward cash games. However, with over a decade of NBA DFS experience under my belt—and as someone who rarely dives into cash formats—I'm selecting picks that also typically come with high upside. That means they offer the steady floor needed for cash games while packing the high ceiling we need for tournaments.
We have an exciting eight-game slate on tap this afternoon, though it should be noted that DraftKings has omitted the 5:00 PM EST game between the Heat and Pacers. The Nuggets-Grizzlies matchup grades out as the top game to target in daily fantasy, and it's one we'll be paying close attention to as Nikola Jokic is questionable to play. Cleveland will look to extend their unbeaten streak as they take on the Hornets, while the Mavericks-Thunder affair is another high-profile matchup on the schedule for tonight.
The key to succeeding in NBA DFS is making adjustments during the day as injury information becomes available. But it's always essential to have a game plan and zero in on the best players and spots before making those adjustments. To keep up with all the latest developments and get access to updated projections, grab an NBA season pass and access our RotoBaller Premium Discord, where @chiefjustice6 is talking about the slate up until lineups lock!
This article will provide my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 11/17/24. Remember to monitor NBA injury news and our excellent NBA injuries report tool, as the slate can completely change before lineups lock at 5:00 p.m. EST on FanDuel and 6:00 pm EST on 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.
Nikola Jokic missed his last game and is questionable for tonight's action due to "personal reasons." He's my favorite option on the board if he plays, as he's well-rested, his current form is otherwordly, and he's playing an undersized Memphis frontcourt. He has 90+ DK point potential, which no one on this slate can say.
Luka Doncic is my pick if Jokic sits. He's coming off a disappointing 36 DK point effort in a blowout win yesterday, but he's a great bet to score anywhere from 50 to 70+ DK points on a typical night. Oklahoma City plays excellent defense, but we're playing the guy with a 34% usage rate and 1.57 FPTS/min rate.
Cade Cunningham is another top target of mine on this slate. His high salary feels a little jarring, but he has earned it as the young guard has averaged 53 DK PPG over his last six games. He gets the assists and "stocks" we're looking for, but perhaps most importantly, he contributes heavily on the rebounding side. He hasn't shot well lately, but we have to think this is the matchup for him to snap out of his funk, as the Wizards allow the most fantasy points per game overall and the second-most fantasy points per game to PGs.
- Nikola Jokic, DEN @ MEM - C ($12,000 DK; $12,500 FD)
- Luka Doncic, DAL @ OKC - PG ($11,200 DK; $11,600 FD)
- Cade Cunningham, DET @ WAS - PG ($9,400 DK; $9,100 FD)
- Alperen Sengun, HOU @ CHI - C ($8,000 DK; $8,600 FD)
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 for players priced at $6,000 or less:
Today's slate includes many value options, and I expect we'll see even more value as the day progresses. Robert Williams (aka "Time Lord") leads the pack, as he's minimum-priced and should receive the backup center minutes alongside Donovan Clingan against the Hawks. Clingan scored 50.5 DK points in their latest game, and Williams scored 46.25. They're both clear, evident values to plug into lineups.
Vince Williams Jr. is also massively underpriced. He scored 23.25 DK points over 24 minutes in his first taste of game action on Friday, and I'd expect a similar output from him tonight. Other players I like for value are Caris LeVert, Dillon Brooks, Tobias Harris, Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason, and Shaedon Sharpe. Others will pop up, but I like relying on players who project to see at least 26 minutes in a typical game environment.
Top Value Plays:
- Donovan Clingan, POR vs. ATL - C ($4,200 DK; $5,200 FD) Prefer on DraftKings
- Robert Williams III, POR vs. ATL - C ($3,000 DK; $4,600 FD)
- Vince Williams Jr., MEM vs. DEN - SF/PF ($3,500 DK) DraftKings Only
- Tari Eason, HOU @ CHI - SF/PF ($5,100 DK) DraftKings Only
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Today's NBA DFS Picks: Point Guard
Cunningham is my choice at the high end of the point guard position, but there are a few routes we can take here. Fred VanVleet is popping as the top value at the position, and it's easy to see why. He has been a bit inconsistent this season, but he has games of 48.25 and 49.25 DK points over his last five, and he gets a golden matchup against the Bulls tonight. Chicago allows the most fantasy points per game to PGs this season, particularly struggling with preventing them from racking up assists. FVV can dish it with the best of them, and if he's feeling his shot, he'll be a player we need in lineups on this slate.
Caris LeVert is a bit underpriced, but he's also a streaky fantasy producer who can get lost in the shuffle on a talented Cleveland roster. However, Donovan Mitchell is getting the day off for rest, which opens up a ton of usage and fantasy production in the backcourt. Ty Jerome will also see a boost in minutes and can be mixed in as a dart throw, but the final player I'm prioritizing at the position is the too-cheap Shaedon Sharpe.
Top PG Options:
- Cade Cunningham, DET @ WAS ($9,400 DK; $9,100 FD)
- Caris LeVert, CLE vs. CHA ($5,200 DK; $5,800 FD)
- Shaedon Sharpe, POR vs. ATL ($4,900 DK) DraftKings Only
Today's NBA DFS Picks: Shooting Guard
We can play LeVert and Sharpe at SG on DraftKings, and they project so well that I'll be getting some combination of them in most of my lineups. Coby White, Jamal Murray, and Jalen Green are fine plays that could pop for a ceiling game, but their mid-to-high price points are unappealing when we're trying to fit in Jokic, Doncic, and Cunningham. Delano Banton, Lu Dort, and Carlton Carrington can be mixed in as value darts, but LeVert and Sharpe will be the focus here.
Top SG Options:
- Caris LeVert, CLE vs. CHA ($5,200 DK; $5,800 FD)
- Shaedon Sharpe, POR vs. ATL ($4,900 DK) DraftKings Only
- Jalen Green, HOU @ CHI ($6,900 DK; $6,800 FD)
Today's NBA DFS Picks: Small Forward
Here's where we can get a little funky. Vince Williams Jr. will be the popular play, as he's massively underpriced for his current role on an undermanned Memphis team. He's a near-lock type of play in all formats. Dillon Brooks looks fine because he's so cheap and is likely to play at least 30 minutes, but his low ceiling makes him unappealing for tournament formats.
I'd look elsewhere in Houston, where we have the emerging Tari Eason crushing value over his last five games. Considering his recent uptick in production, he's still too cheap, but his upside potential is sky-high. The Bulls allow the most fantasy points per game overall and the fifth-most fantasy points per game to SFs this season.
Top SF Options:
- Vince Williams Jr., MEM vs. DEN ($3,500 DK; $4,800 FD)
- Tari Eason, HOU @ CHI ($5,100 DK; $6,300 FD) DraftKings Preferred
- Amen Thompson, HOU @ CHI ($5,400 DK) DraftKings Only
Today's NBA DFS Picks: Power Forward
It's crazy that Time Lord qualifies as a power forward on DraftKings, but we'll take it all day and night. He's inexplicably priced at the minimum, so we're playing him everywhere. I'll take shots on Tobias Harris in a great matchup against the Wizards, but rotating Time Lord, Vince Williams, and Tari Eason at PF will be my preferred route on this slate. Patrick Willimas has been playing very well (34.6 DK PPG over his last four games) and should see around 30 minutes, so he'll be another piece to consider for the position.
Top PF Options:
- Robert Williams, POR vs. ATL ($3,000 DK; $4,600 FD)
- Tobias Harris, DET @ WAS ($6,300 DK; $6,500 FD)
- Patrick Williams, CHI vs. HOU ($4,600 DK) DraftKings Only
Today's NBA DFS Picks: Center
There is no shortage of options at the center position tonight. It bears repeating - Robert Williams is the minimum price. We're playing him. Donovan Clingan is $4,200 despite racking up 50.5 DK points with 17 points, 12 rebounds, and eight blocks in his last game. We're playing him too.
If Nikola Jokic plays tonight, we're building lineups around him. He has scored at least 71.25 DK points in four consecutive games, including a 92 DK point eruption on 11/10.
Alperen Sengun is a high-priced center that could explode on this slate, so he gives us a reason to pivot off the chalky options. He is averaging 51.8 DK PPG over his last four games, and the Bulls aren't stingy against bigs as they allow the 11th-most fantasy points per game to the position this season.
Lastly, Jarrett Allen can be prioritized if Evan Mobley sits this out. He put up 51.5 DK points with Mobley out last game and would be in line for another ceiling-type game if he's out again.
Top C Options:
- Nikola Jokic, DEN @ MEM ($12,000 DK; $12,500 FD)
- Donovan Clingan, POR vs. ATL ($4,200 DK; $5,200 FD)
- Robert Williams, POR vs. ATL ($3,000 DK; $4,600 FD)
- Alperen Sengun, HOU vs. CHI ($8,000 DK; $8,600 FD)
Today's Top NBA DFS Game Stacks
- Nuggets @ Grizzlies (o/u 228.5)
- Rockets vs. Bulls (o/u 234)
Today's Top NBA DFS Avoids
I could see myself getting to most of the stars at the top of the salary board tonight, but Jalen Brunson is not on my radar. He scored 37 real-life points and 51.25 DK points against the Nets his last time out, but he puts up too many lineup-killing games for my taste. He's not going to hit value if his shot isn't falling, and the Nets surprisingly allow the ninth-least fantasy points per game to PGs this season.
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: Cade Cunningham
- My favorite CASH play on the slate: Robert Williams III
- My favorite GPP play on the slate: Tari Eason
- My favorite value play: Donovan Clingan / Vince Williams Jr.
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