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DraftKings Daily Fantasy Basketball Picks (11/1/18): NBA DFS Lineups

The top daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on November 1, 2018. Leonard Francis II's NBA DFS analysis and sleepers for building optimal DFS rosters.

It may come to you in the form of religion, maybe it's addiction or any of the countless credences I will not expend the time or energy to list, but us humans have a tendency to believe in something(s) larger than ourselves. In an effort to avoid taking you through a meandering journey into the depths of my cerebrum, I'll just say one such force which I hold true in my life is karma. You reap what you sow. Send out positive vibes, exude morality, and simply, be a good person, and the universe will echo these deeds. Operate in the opposite manner, and, well, you're probably going to have a tough go of things. Which is why I should've just scratched last week's intro and gone in an entirely different direction. It was too late, though, the boastfulness had already made its way into the stratosphere.

The result? Evan Fournier was solid, but Mason Plumlee was meh. Reggie Jackson picked up three fouls in a mere six minutes. Gordon Hayward played (arguably) his worst game of the season. As did Paul Millsap. Don't get me wrong, I do not honestly believe my words had any impact on the events which took place on the hardwood throughout various cities in the United States last Thursday evening. However, that's not the point here... I will not jinx it this week. I will not jinx it this week. I will not jinx it this week.

Six-game slate on tap in the association tonight, with some big-name players lacing them up - Anthony Davis, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid, Russell Westbrook, Nikola Jokic... You'll want to get at least one of them in your lineups. However, as usual, the goal here is not to waste your time (even though that's exactly what I've done to this point) so I'll be highlighting a few mid-tier priced options to lower-priced, value plays in an effort to help you build the optimal DraftKings lineup. You can also read today's FanDuel lineup picks and our Premium DFS Cheat Sheet, as well as, check out the NBA DFS Matchup Ratings tool for daily player projections. Oh, and be sure to check for injury updates prior to the opening tip - I will not be held liable for your negligence in that regard.

 

DraftKings DFS Guards

De'Aaron Fox - PG, @ ATL ($6,700)

This isn't as much about Fox's 17.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, 6.9 assists, 1.5 steals and 35.4 DraftKings fantasy points per game as it is the Atlanta Hawks being a young basketball team. (Excluding Vince Carter; he's ancient.) With youth, comes turnovers - Atlanta has granted opponents 9.6 steals per game (second-most) and Fox ranks in the Top-25 in steals. Youth also brings with it defensive lapses, and the Hawks have been one of the worst teams at defending opposing guards - Fox is a guard. A point guard -- to be exact -- who's likely to be matched up with Trae Young for most of the evening - Young ranks 168th in Defensive Rating of the 199 guards who've played at least 10 minutes per game this season.

These are the two fastest teams in the league, in terms of pace rating, and the Vegas point total is up to 231 (the highest of the night). This one should be a track meet and I like Fox to run through the tape.

Nik Stauskas - SG/SF, vs NO ($3,500)

Not only are the Pelicans shorthanded as Elfrid Payton deals with a sprained ankle (he could return for this one) but they're on the second night of a road, back-to-back and the first half saw Jrue Holiday log 42 minutes. The logical assumption here is that head coach Alvin Gentry will utilize Tim Frazier and/or Ian Clark a bit more off the bench in this one -- should Payton miss this game as well -- both of whom rank among the league's worst guards defensively. Regardless, only seven teams have allowed opposing guards to shoot better from three than the 37.8% the Pels have allowed on the season and Stauskas has knocked down at least two triples in four of seven games - he's also added three rebounds and two assists per game. As with most of the guys in this price range, Stauskas doesn't come without risk, but he has back-to-back double-digit scoring performances and he'll likely make it a third tonight.

 

DraftKings DFS Forwards

 Nemanja Bjelica - SF/PF, @ ATL ($6,200)

Don't fret, you are not required to possess the ability to pronounce his name in order to indulge in his value. His 1.21 DraftKings fantasy points per minute are tied for the seventh-most among forwards on tonight's slate and the 33.2 DK fantasy points per game he's put up on the year are just 3.5 behind Los Angeles Clippers Tobias Harris who is priced at $7,600. Bjelica is averaging 22 points over his last three and has pulled down at least five boards in six of Sacramento's eight games - the Hawks 46.8 rebound rate is the second lowest in the league. Often overlooked, Bjelica is about as consistent as they come and he's seen at least 30 minutes in each of the Kings last four games for good measure.

DeAndre' Bembry - SF, vs. SAC ($4,000)

I'm all in on this Kings/Hawks matchup. In addition to the reasons mentioned above (see De'Aaron Fox) the Thunder, 76ers, Bucks, Celtics, Trailblazers, Nuggets, and Clippers are all in action tonight and I imagine the majority of players are going to flock to those teams when setting their lineups. It's the whole "public perception" effect and the TNT doubleheader only helps to boost this with the whole "I wanna watch my guys" thing. What people fail to realize is that bad teams put up numbers too (there's also this thing called League Pass... And Reddit). Bembry does a little bit of everything -- leading the Hawks' second-unit in minutes, points, assists and steals, and is second in rebounds -- and hasn't failed to put up fewer than 16 DraftKings fantasy points in a game this season.

 

DraftKings DFS Centers

Steven Adams - C, at CHA ($7,300)

Alright, so I lied. I'm vacating the mid-to-low tiers at center tonight. I was going to go with Alex Len or Willie Cauley-Stein but I'm tired of writing about the Hawks and Kings -- we need some diversification here -- and three of the game's top bigs (Joel Embiid, Nikola Jokic, and Anthony Davis) are in action tonight; Adams gives us a puncher's chance against them. No, he won't give you the 50 points those three are virtually guaranteed to put up at this point, but he does have three 40-plus DraftKings performances over his five appearances (four double-doubles) and will save you a whopping $3,000 of your salary cap.

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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Travis Etienne Jr.

Needs to Bounce Back in 2025
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Wants More Downfield Opportunities this Season
Quinshon Judkins

Arrested on Saturday for Battery and Domestic Violence
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Could be a Holdout at Training Camp
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a Candidate for a Contract Extension?
Max Fried

Exits Start With Blister
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Buccaneers Could Have Difficult Time Retaining Mike Evans
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Could Sign Extension Before Training Camp
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One to Watch Going into Training Camp
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Appears Re-Energized
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Still a Key Piece in Ravens Offense
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Officially Announces his Retirement
Jaylen Waddle

Motivated After Disappointing Season
Tre Harris

Still Unsigned
Hunter Dobbins

to Miss Rest of Season With Torn ACL
Nolan Arenado

Held Out of Lineup on Saturday
Alexandre Sarr

Plays Well in Summer League Loss to Phoenix
Yang Hansen

Looks Good on Friday Night
Carlos Correa

Sitting on Saturday
Austin Riley

Placed on 10-Day Injured List
Nolan Arenado

Exits Friday's Contest With Sprained Finger
Jake Burger

Expects to Play on Saturday
Erik Karlsson

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Zach Hyman

Hopes to be Ready for Start of Next Season
SJ

Jeff Skinner Joins Sharks on One-Year Contract
Wyatt Langford

Records Four-Hit Night
Cal Raleigh

Homers Twice, Drives in Five
Cody Bellinger

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Jake Burger

Leaves With Quad Discomfort on Friday
Carlos Correa

Exits Game With Mild Ankle Sprain
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Dealing with Posterior Elbow Discomfort
Austin Riley

Leaves Game Early on Friday With Abdominal Tightness
Kon Knueppel

Struggles in Summer League Win
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Dealing With Back Inflammation
Walter Clayton Jr.

Plays Well on Friday Night
Cody Williams

Scores 21 Points in Summer League Loss
Kyle Filipowski

Leads the Way on Friday Night
Teoscar Hernández

Teoscar Hernandez Returning on Friday
Sauce Gardner

Wants to be Highest-Paid Cornerback
Rhamondre Stevenson

Heading into an Important Season
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Josh Metellus, Vikings Have Mutual Interest in Extension
Tua Tagovailoa

2025 Could be Tua Tagovailoa's Last Season in Miami
Rashawn Slater

has "Full Confidence" a Deal Will Get Done
Byron Buxton

Returns on Friday
Isaiah Jackson

Signs Three-Year Extension
Jake Meyers

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Calf Strain
Brandon Lowe

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Oblique Tightness
Kodai Senga

Reinstated to Start on Friday
Alex Bregman

Officially Activated and Starting on Friday
Marvin Bagley III

Joining the Wizards
Herbert Jones

Signing Extension with Pelicans
Jacob Toppin

Returning to Hawks
Chicago Bears

Bears Extend General Manager Ryan Poles
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Avoids Serious Injury
MarShawn Lloyd

in a "Much Better Spot" Heading Into Training Camp
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Signs Two-Way Deal
Dustin Hopkins

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Ryan Reaves

Traded to Sharks
Vladislav Kolyachonok

Moves to Dallas
Matt Dumba

Lands in Pittsburgh
Mackie Samoskevich

Re-Signs with Panthers on One-Year Deal
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EDM

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Looks To Extend His Win Streak
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Agrees to Two-Way Deal With Raptors
Tristan Vukcevic

Set to Return to Washington
Anfernee Simons

Celtics Are "Actively Trying to Trade" Anfernee Simons
NBA

Alex Ducas Heading to Australia
Dominick Barlow

Inks Two-Way Deal With 76ers
Jordan McLaughlin

Spurs Re-Sign Jordan McLaughlin to One-Year Deal
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Out Thursday, Expected to Play Saturday
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Diagnosed with a Sprained Thumb
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Brings Consistent Play to Scottish Open
Maverick McNealy

a Solid Value Play at Scottish Open
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Tom Kim

Looks to Rebound at Scottish Open
Brian Harman

a Safe Option at Scottish Open
Luke Clanton

a Sneaky Value Play at Scottish Open
Sam Burns

Looking to Stay Hot at Scottish Open
Nicolai Hojgaard

May Feel More at Home in Europe
Harry Hall

Showing Fine Form Heading to Scotland
Ryan Fox

Playing Well Since Early Spring Struggles
Max Greyserman

has Solid History at the Genesis Scottish Open
Harris English

Aims High for Scotland Next
Corey Conners

Primed for the Genesis Scottish Open
Daniel Brown

Attempts the Scottish Swing Again
Jacob Bridgeman

Needs Putter to Work at Genesis Scottish Open
Scottie Scheffler

Headlines Field at Genesis Scottish Open
Rory McIlroy

a Smart Play for Scottish Open
Adam Scott

Looking to Build on History at The Renaissance Club
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Sepp Straka Not Likely to Find Momentum at Scottish Open
Justin Rose

Hopes Month Hiatus Helps Him Bounce Back at Scottish Open
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Tyler Johnson Retires After 13 NHL Seasons
Jack McBain

Inks New Five-Year Deal with Mammoth
Cam York

Re-Signs with Flyers for Five Years
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Austin Hill

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Tyler Reddick

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has his Worst Weekend of the Season at Chicago
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OF
SP
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