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The top daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on November 17, 2021. Alex Burns provides NBA DFS analysis and sleeper picks for building optimal DFS rosters.
Wednesday is here, and with it comes 11 NBA games for us to enjoy. With 7-of-11 games sporting O/U of at least 215, we are certainly in for a fast-paced night of hoops. Before diving into my favorite plays on Wednesday's slate, let's take a look at every matchup and see if anything jumps out.
- IND @ DET - O/U 216.5
- WAS @ CHA - O/U 209.5
- NOP @ MIA - O/U 216.5
- CLE @ BKN - O/U 208
- BOS @ ATL - O/U 215.5
- LAL @ MIL - O/U 216.5
- ORL @ NYK - O/U 209.5
- SAC @ MIN - O/U 225
- HOU @ OKC - O/U 211
- CHI @ POR - O/U 219.5
- DAL @ PHX - O/U 216
Out all 11 games, the SAC/MIN and DAL/PHX matchups are the ones I will be attacking for DFS purposes. Three of those four teams rank four, five, and six respectively in PACE rating this season, meaning there should be plenty of offense. The HOU/OKC matchup also has some sneaky appeal as well, with both teams being among the worst in the league, meaning it should be a close competitive game all the way till the end. It's always important to attack games with higher O/U's, as players from those contests will likely have greater opportunities to produce fantasy points.
With all that said, let's dive into my favorite plays for Wednesday's slate. This article will provide you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 11/17/21. You can also check out today's FanDuel NBA DFS lineup picks. Remember to monitor injury news as the slate can completely change before lineups lock.
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DraftKings Guards - NBA DFS Lineup Picks
Jalen Brunson - PG, DAL @ PHX ($5,700)
Brunson is my favorite play on the entire slate. He's been terrific this season even with Luka Doncic on the floor but he gets a massive boost with the latter ruled out with an ankle injury. It's easy to forget just how good Brunson was last season in games where Luka sat but let me remind you. He put up 19.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and just under one DK point per minute in over 35 minutes in six games. Believe it or not, he's actually pacing better without Doncic on the floor this year, as he's averaging more than one DK point per minute. If you take ANYTHING away from this piece, let it be to PLAY BRUNSON!
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - SG, OKC vs. HOU ($8,700)
SGA is coming off of an absolute stinker of a performance in Monday's loss to the Heat but finds himself in a great bounce-back spot against the lowly Rockets. Part of his early-season struggles has come by way of the Thunder getting blown out early, which is something we likely won't have to worry about in this one. The masses may pivot away from him after his last game, making him a tempting option in this slate.
Tyler Herro - SG, MIA vs. NOP ($7,500)
Herro has been nothing short of spectacular throughout the first part of the season and gets a mouth-watering matchup against the Pelicans. If Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo are held out again, he would get an even bigger boost in value. With Butler sitting out the 3 3/4 games, Herro has seen 46 minutes per game in that span and would be in for another massive workload on Wednesday. Not to mention the Pelicans give up the fifth-most DK points to guards this season. Buckle up!
Jrue Holiday - PG vs. MIL ($7,300)
Holiday has done a nice job finding his groove after a shaky start to the year, as he's gone for at least 32 DK points in each of his last four games. The Lakers play and have been among the league's worst defensive units, specifically against guards, where they've given up the MOST DK points to the position this season. I actually believe that Khris Middleton's presence will help Holiday's production overall in this one. Make sure to lock him into your lineups!
Others to consider: Cole Anthony ($7,900), Kyle Lowry ($7,800), Ricky Rubio ($6,500), Tyrese Haliburton ($5,900)
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DraftKings Forwards - NBA DFS Lineup Picks
Saddiq Bey - SF, DET vs. IND ($6,300)
Bey has put together back-to-back impressive games for the Pistons, putting up 39 and 42 DK points respectively. He takes on a Pacers squad that has been abysmal defending forwards this season, surrendering the fifth-most DK points to the position. Even after his 42 fantasy point outing in Monday's loss to the Kings, Bey has seen his price tag decreased by $100. Take advantage!
Kristaps Porzingis - PF, DAL @ PHX ($7,400)
The Unicorn has been on fire over his last three games, averaging 27.6 points, 10 rebounds, 3.3 three-pointers, and 48 DK points during that stretch. He gets a massive boost with Luka Doncic sitting Wednesday's game out with an ankle injury in what should be a pace up game against the Suns. This is the correct time to get Porzingis into your lineups.
Cedi Osman - SF, CLE @ BKN ($4,000)
If we're being honest, Osman might be the best value on the slate behind only the aforementioned Jalen Brunson. The Cavaliers will be without Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen, and Lauri Markkanen for this one, so they'll have no choice but to play small if they don't trust Tacko Fall with a full workload. Osman is already coming off of his best game of the season and will look to keep it going against the Nets, who will be playing on the second night of a back-to-back set.
Talen Horton-Tucker - SF, LAL @ MIL ($4,800)
THC has been impressive in his first two games of the season and will get one more opportunity to produce before LeBron James makes his anticipated return on Friday. This matchup against the Bucks should be a fast-paced one and THC is coming off of a 28-point game in Monday's loss to the Bulls. Even at $4,800, he's still cheap enough to be considered a value.
Others to consider: Brandon Ingram ($8,600), Anthony Edwards ($8,100), Kyle Kuzma ($6,800)
DraftKings Centers - NBA DFS Lineup Picks
Al Horford - C, BOS @ ATL ($7,500)
Horford is typically a good play but with Robert Williams questionable to play, he instantly becomes a plug and play priced only at $7,500. In his lone game without Williams, Horford played 40 minutes and put up eight points, grabbed 10 rebounds, blocked five shots, and scored 40 DK points. Be sure to pay close attention to Williams' status prior to Wednesday's 7:30 PM ET tip.
Deandre Ayton - C, PHX vs. DAL ($6,200)
Outside of Jalen Brunson, Ayton may be the best value on Wednesday's slate. Making his return after an 11-day absence, he put up 22 points, 12 rebounds, and 39 DK points in Monday's win over the Timberwolves. The Suns wasted no time easing him back in either, as his 33 minutes were the second-most of the short season for the big man. Priced at only $6,200 against the Mavericks -- who give up the MOST DK points to opposing center this season -- feels blasphemous.
Kevin Love - C, CLE @ BKN ($5,300)
While it seems crazy to write about Love being a recommended fantasy play these days, he finds himself in a great opportunity to produce with Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley sitting this one out. The only other semi big man on the Cavs' roster is Dean Wade, so Love should be quite busy in this one. I have no issue sliding him into my lineup at $5,300.
Others to consider: Karl-Anthony Towns ($10,400), Domantas Sabonis ($9,200), Mitchell Robinson ($3,800), Tacko Fall ($3,000)
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