RADIO
We've got a monster slate on deck tonight, and boy do we deserve it after that two game garbage we dealt with last night. I'll give the NBA some credit - the games they scheduled last night were very interesting matchups - but throw a game or two more in there. Anyway, we've got 11 games this mid-November Friday night, and I'll be giving you my favorite cash and tournament game plays.
But first, Vegas! Let's take a look at a few interesting lines to see where the value and upside lies in tonight's schedule. There are four games with very high over/under totals, starting with Suns at Lakers (225), Clippers at Cavs (222), Knicks at Raptors (217) and Pelicans at Nuggets (216). Each of those games is attractive and none of the games appear they have too much blowout potential, as the largest spread among them is just eight points. In terms of exceeding value, it looks as though the Lakers and Cavaliers are in position to shatter their season averages for points, thanks to pace up games and shaky defense.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 11/17/17. The DFS lineup picks will range from some of the elite players to mid-priced options and value plays on DraftKings.
DFS Guards to Consider
Fred Van Vleet - PG, TOR vs NYK (DK - $3,000, FD - $3,300)
This one is bound to be popular, but its a position and situation I don't mind eating the chalk in. For the Raptors, Delon Wright and Norman Powell are both out, and VanVleet stands to gain an increase in minutes (most importantly), Usage rate, and he should enjoy both of these things against a lackluster defense. Of all the teams on the slate, none is allowing a higher +/- than New York, and it should give VanVleet an easy opportunity to smash value. If you're looking to approach this Toronto team looking for an edge, OG Anunoby and CJ Miles should also benefit from the absence of Wright and Powell.
Also Consider: Kemba Walker - PG, CHA @ CHI (DK - $7,900, FD - $8,000)
Jordan Clarkson - SG, LAL vs PHX (DK - $5,100, FD - $5,100)
For whatever reason, DFS pricing analysts don't like to raise Clarkson's price much day to day. He remains greatly under-priced considering his Usage rate (28.7) and minutes steadily in the low to mid 20's. In the Lakers past 10 games, Clarkson has failed to surpass value only twice, and he's coming off back-to-back games where he delivered at least 15 points more than his salary implied total. This game has excellent context, as the Suns play horrific defense and also operate at an incredibly fast rate.
Also Consider: Lou Williams - SG, LAC @ CLE (DK - $6,600, FD - $7,700)
DFS Forwards to Consider
LeBron James - SF, LAC vs CLE (DK - $11,200, FD - $11,400)
The talent drop-off at small forward after LeBron - save for Paul George, who is in a matchup I don't love - is really steep. As such, I think it makes sense to lock LeBron in here in what is pretty good matchup for him right at the same price point we're accustomed to paying. James has delivered performances above his salary implied total in four of his last six and with his Usage rate above 30, his minutes in the 34-36+ range and an excellent PER of 29.8, I think he cruises past his salary implied total again tonight.
Also Consider: OG Anunoby - SF, TOR vs NYK (DK - $3,800, FD - $3,200)
Kyle Kuzma - PF, LAL vs PHX (DK - $6,400, FD - $6,700)
Kuzma's price has risen by more than a thousand on each site in the last 10 games, and for good reason. Not only is Kuzma producing more than 0.8 fantasy points per minute on the court, but he's also a big beneficiary of Larry Nance Jr's absence - Kuzma has played 30+ minutes in every game dating back to November 2nd. This game context is excellent for him, as is the matchup with the abysmal defense of the Suns, and this is an environment I think we can really see him flourish in.
Also Consider: Kristaps Porzingis - PF, NYK @ TOR (DK - $9,000, FD - $9,000)
DFS Centers to Consider
Andre Drummond - C, DET @ IND (DK - $8,900, FD - $9,100)
With so much value to be found across the board tonight, it makes it easier to stomach a somewhat steep price for a guy who has failed to hit his price implied total in back to back games - and that's the direction I'll be taking in tournaments. For cash games, plays like Alex Len and Steven Adams are great, but in tournaments I want to chase Drummond's 60+ point upside, and what makes it extra appealing is that I should be able to roster him at a very depressed ownership percentage this evening. So far this season, Drummond has seen his minutes per game right around 35 and his Usage rate is pretty strong at 22.1. His most impressive stat, however, is his 1.29 fantasy points per minute mark.
Also Consider: Alex Len - C, PHX @ LAL (DK - $5,100, FD - $5,000)
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