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It's important not to get caught up in last night's game or a performance from a couple days ago, but instead to focus on the now, the current matchup. Everyone has off nights, and sometimes all it takes is a tight showdown against the New York Knicks or an injury to a starter for a backup to shine in the absence. It's time to examine stars that could break out and sleepers that could very well exceed their projection. Check out my Daily NBA picks for DraftKings, 11/15/15.
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DraftKings Point Guards
Russell Westbrook (vs Bos, 11,600)
Westbrook resembles Looney Tunes' Tasmanian Devil every time he touches the court. Spins, turns, jumps, slides, and moves faster than anyone else around him. And now with Kevin Durant expected to miss about a week, there will be more room for Westbrook to 360 all over the place and potentially pick up his third straight triple-double against the Boston Celtics. According to ESPN.com, Thunder coach, Billy Donovan, said it best: "He can do anything." The only downside to Westbrook is his price, making it difficult to stack your lineup with others who can break out. However with Westbrook capable of dropping over 60, he is certainly worth it.
Ish Smith (at NYK, 5,300)
Smith will face a Knicks team Sunday that has recently added relinquishing leads and points to the skills section of their resume. Despite the return of Pelicans starting point guard, Jrue Holliday, Smith will still see plenty of minutes and has the versatility to drizzle enough stats across the scoresheet. Holliday is still on a minutes restriction and the two will likely continue to share time. Holliday may put the ball in the hoop more often but Smith can get your lineup points in each category.
DraftKings Shooting Guards
C.J. McCollum (at CHA, 6,500)
It's easy to be a shooting guard in the NBA when you're open often. It's even easier when Damian Lillard is passing you the ball. McCollum has excelled in the two-spot, scoring 15 or more points in all games played this season, including two straight of over 20. He won't punch holes in each category, but not many shooting guards will. He's a scorer, heading into a likely close and competitive game against the Bobcats. His upside is consistency. His downside is that he won't exceed that consistency.
Aaron Afflalo (vs. NO, 4,400)
When I said not many shooting guards can punch holes in each category, Afflalo is one that actually can. Two games back from an injury, Afflalo does not appear to be at half speed or limited, clocking in 28 and 3o minutes. He is a guard who can grab boards alongside his capability to score often. Afflalo is still feeling out the Knicks offense, but playing with a Carmelo Anthony who has suddenly learned to pass the ball, results only in opportunity, especially for his price. Afflalo's minutes will remain steady, banking on the Knicks unlikeliness of blowing any team out this season.
DraftKings Small Forwards
Carmelo Anthony (vs NO, 8,300)
Speaking of Melo. The guy might not be a closer but he has certainly been responsible for igniting the Knicks offense early in games. Whether the Knicks have held onto leads or not is irrelevant to DFS. Melo holds plenty of value in daily lineups and the Knicks and Knicks fans are just waiting for him to have a legit breakout game this season. It could very well happen against the Pelicans, who might be forced to take the court without all-star, Anthony Davis, for the third straight game. Keep an eye on the Brow's status for Sunday's game.
Marcus Morris (at LAL, 6,300)
When you look up before taking a shot or before driving through a lane, it's always comforting when you see Andre Drummond under the hoop ready to rebound, if you miss. Morris has benefited from playing with Drummond for sure, but hasn't necessarily been given that deserved extra pat on the back for Detroit's early success. Morris has scored in double digits each game this season and has shown an incredible ability to steal the ball of late. He'll shoot the occasional three, visit the free-throw line, rebound, and assist, all while playing close to 4o minutes a night.
DraftKings Power Forwards
Derrick Favors (at ATL, 7,100)
As long as Rudy Gobert sits, Derrick Favors is a must-start in DFS. I don't care that he followed up his 64 fantasy point night with 22.25 fantasy points. I don't care that he scored only 5 points against a Victor Oladipo-less Orlando Magic team Friday night. The offense runs through Favors in Salt Lake City. If he can stay out of early foul trouble against the Hawks, he'll certainly double his measly 19 minutes played against the Magic. If the Jazz want to return to the win column, they should center their scoring attack around Favors, and not Gordon Hayward.
Ryan Anderson (at NYK, 6,000)
Once again, keep an eye on the status of Anthony Davis. If he can't go, Anderson will step in and benefit, as he already has. Anderson averages close to 30 fantasy points per game but with his increased minutes, is capable of exceeding that. He can dance around double-doubles and is likely to do so in New York. (Is it obvious yet how much I enjoy double-doubles?)
DraftKings Center
Enes Kanter (vs Boston, 5,300)
When Durant went down last year, Kanter and Westbrook displayed undeniable chemistry together. And while Durant continues to miss time this season, Kanter will see increased minutes and has a chance to shine with Westbrook once again. Despite sharing time with Steven Adams, Kanter is affordable and averages close to a double-double each night. Andre Drummond always seems like the obvious choice here, but Kanter will free up cap space and allow you to balance out your team, while contributing.
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