NBA DFS: Top Daily Fantasy Expert Picks for DraftKings, FanDuel (11/23/24)

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.

For the first time in what seems like a while, we have matching six-game slates starting at the same time on both sites tonight. The three games with implied totals over 233 points are the most appealing to get players from in contests tonight, as the Knicks-Jazz, Nuggets-Lakers, and Grizzlies-Bulls matchups should all be high-scoring and fast-paced. We'll be getting players from across the slate, particularly value plays on the shorthanded Hornets and Grizzlies.

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 11/23/24. Remember to monitor NBA injury news and our excellent NBA injuries report tool, as the slate can completely change before lineups lock at 7:00 p.m. EST and 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.

With all the value available tonight, we can get to Giannis Antetokounmpo, Anthony Davis, LeBron James, and Franz Wagner without hesitation. Wagner, in particular, has been an unstoppable force for the Magic since Paolo Banchero was injured. He scored 71 DK points last game and has at least 50 in four of his previous six outings. Detroit won't be able to slow him down, but the low implied total and projected pace have me looking elsewhere.

I like Nikola Jokic, LaMelo Ball, and Alperen Sengun from this group. Jokic returned from a four-game absence last night and didn't miss a beat, producing his fifth-straight game with at least 71 DK points. The Lakers rank middle-of-the-pack at defending opposing centers, but they're allowing the ninth-most fantasy points per game overall, and the game environment is pristine.

Ball still isn't shooting well, but he's capable of soaring past the 48 DK points he needs to hit 5x value tonight. He has put up at least 53 DK points in three of his last five, and this matchup sets up well for him as Milwaukee allows the fifth-most fantasy points per game to PGs this season.

Sengun is the final core piece I'll be building lineups around. We've seen his highs and lows lately, as he has produced totals of 29, 52.5, 36.25, 55.5, and 56 DK points over his last five outings. His ceiling may be slightly muted with the entire Rockets team now healthy, but Portland doesn't have the personnel to defend against his point-center style, and I could see him getting major revenge for his letdown in this same spot last night.

1. Nikola Jokic, DEN @ LAL - C ($12,200 DK; $12,400 FD)
2. LaMelo Ball, CHA @ MIL - PG ($9,600 DK; $9,600 FD)
3. LeBron James, LAL vs. DEN - PF/C ($10,200 DK; $10,000 FD)
4. Alperen Sengun, HOU vs. POR - C ($8,900 DK; $8,900 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:

There is a lot to sort through here, and we have to assume we'll only be getting more value pieces opening up as the day goes on. We're getting a smattering of Hornets, Grizzlies, and select pieces from the Bulls and Warriors. The Hornets are missing Miles Bridges, Mike Williams, Nick Richards, and Tre Mann, so we should get another game with Grant Williams at the four and Moussa Diabate playing center. Both project as top-tier value plays, while Cody Martin is another cheap piece who won't start but should provide value in a substantial bench role.

Trayce Jackson-Davis and Duop Reath are not my cup of tea. They project for under 20 minutes, and I wouldn't say I like risking tanking my lineups for players like that. Brandon Clarke and Luke Kennard are a few cheap Grizzlies to consider. They don't project for a ton of minutes, but they're solid FPTS/min players who should see a boost in their rates with an elite game environment against the Bulls. Ayo Dosunmu can be mixed in as part of the same matchup, while I also like Donovan Clingan, Amen Thompson, Dillon Brooks, and Jake LaRavia as value options.

Top Value Plays:

1. Moussa Diabate, CHA @ MIL - C ($4,400 DK; $5,200 FD)
2. Grant Williams, CHA @ MIL - PF/C ($5,000 DK; $5,600 FD) Prefer on DraftKings
3. Cody Martin, CHA @ MIL - PF/SF ($3,900 DK) DraftKings Only
4. Ayo Dosunmu, CHI vs. MEM - PG/SG ($5,000 DK) DraftKings Only

FanDuel-specific value plays: Scotty Pippen ($5,400), Jaylen Wells ($4,100)

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Today's NBA DFS Picks: Point Guard

As mentioned above, Ball is my favorite option at point guard tonight. No one comes remotely close to his potential ceiling, and this could be the game where he finally sees his shot start to fall against a Bucks defense that struggles with opposing point guards. Cody Martin will see starter-level minutes at just $3,900 in the same matchup, so he will be among the top-value options on this slate.

Ayo Dosunmu and Jalen Suggs are my final two picks at the position. Dosunmu has been maddeningly inconsistent, but he also has a 30-40+ DK point upside that we can't find elsewhere at his price point. Suggs is a little trickier as he's spendy and in the worst game environment on the slate, but he just put up 45.75 DK points as he continues as the Magic's second scoring option after Wagner.

Top PG Options:

1. LaMelo Ball, CHA @ MIL ($9,600 DK; $9,600 FD)
2. Cody Martin, CHA @ MIL ($3,900 DK) DraftKings Only
3. Ayo Dosunmu, CHI vs. MEM ($5,000 DK) DraftKings Only

FanDuel-specific PG plays: Scotty Pippen ($5,400)

Today's NBA DFS Picks: Shooting Guard

Desmond Bane fits into any lineup build on tonight's slate, as he's appropriately priced on both sites. Ja Morant is doubtful to play, so Bane will continue working as the "1B" on the team next to Jaren Jackson Jr. This game sets up well for a Bane blowup spot, as the Bulls allow the most fantasy points per game to SGs while permitting the second-most three-pointers made to the position. Luke Kennard gets the same favorable matchup, and he's worth taking shots on, as he should be playing around 25 minutes at a near-minimum salary.

Brandon Miller is another piece to consider from the Hornets, and I think having him in lineups with Ball is viable as they seem to correlate well. Miller produced a monster 63.25 DK point game on Thursday against the Pistons, and while tonight's game environment isn't ideal, Miller is priced low enough for us to take shots on his upside.

Top SG Options:

1. Desmond Bane, MEM @ CHI ($7,100 DK; $7,400 FD)
2. Luke Kennard, MEM @ CHI ($3,300 FD) DraftKings Only
3. Brandon Miller, CHA @ MIL ($7,200 DK; $7,300 FD)

Today's NBA DFS Picks: Small Forward

We can also play Bane, Martin, and Miller at SF, and they will be my priorities at the position. Zach LaVine, Amen Thompson, Dillon Brooks, and Franz Wagner are popping out as values at differing price points. Brooks and Thompson can be confidently mixed in as cheap and mid-range value options.

Wagner shouldn't be faded with the way he's playing, but he's not fitting my lineup builds with Jokic, Ball, and Sengun. LaVine is intriguing, though, as he has a 50+ DK point upside in this match against Memphis. His production relies too much on making shots, though, and I prefer building around players who provide fantasy production across the board.

Top SF Options:

1. Desmond Bane, MEM @ CHI ($7,100 DK; $7,400 FD)
2. Brandon Miller, CHA @ MIL ($7,200 DK; $7,300 FD)
3. Cody Martin, CHA @ MIL ($3,900 DK) DraftKings Only

Today's NBA DFS Picks: Power Forward

Whether or not we're ready for it, it's Grant Williams time. The veteran put up a miserable 20.75 DK points over 40 minutes on Thursday, but he had provided solid value with games of 35.25 and 33.25 DK points in his previous two outings. He's not a high-usage player, but he's sitting at 0.88 FPTS/min, and that should get the job done at his 34-minute projection.

LeBron James is the pay-up at the position, and I have no qualms about getting to him as a core piece. Surprisingly, the Nuggets allow the sixth-most fantasy points per game, so this matchup has upside potential. I will mix him into my non-Jokic lineups, but it's challenging to fit two high-priced players in lineups we can feel comfortable with.

Tobias Harris is another mid-range piece to consider tonight. The matchup and game environment are brutal, but he's starting to find his stride on the Pistons, as he has scored at least 30 DK points in nine of his last ten games.

Top PF Options:

1. Grant Williams, CHA @ MIL ($5,000 DK; $5,600 FD)
2. LeBron James, LAL vs. DEN ($10,200 DK; $10,000 FD)
3. Tobias Harris, DET @ ORL ($6,400 DK; $6,800 FD)

Today's NBA DFS Picks: Center

Moussa Diabate is the cream of the crop at center tonight. He's way underpriced at $4,400 on DraftKings despite playing 32 minutes and scoring 28 DK points in his first action as a starter on Thursday. He put up a viable game despite going 0-for-2 from the field and not scoring; there's upside for a slate-breaking game here.

Jokic is my favorite player to spend on for tonight's action. We need to do everything we can to get to a guy averaging 78.3 DK points per game over his last five outings. It's as simple as that.

Top C Options:

1. Moussa Diabate, CHA @ MIL ($4,400 DK; $5,200 FD)
2. Nikola Jokic, DEN @ LAL ($12,200 DK; $12,400 FD)
3. Grant Williams, CHA @ MIL ($5,000 DK; $5,600 FD) Prefer on DraftKings
4. Alperen Sengun, HOU vs. POR ($8,900 DK; $8,900 FD)

Today's Top NBA DFS Game Stacks

1. Nuggets @ Lakers (o/u 235)
2. Grizzlies @ Bulls (o/u 240.5)

Today's Top NBA DFS Avoids

This could quickly bite me, but I won't be playing Victor Wembanyama tonight. He has missed his last three games with a knee contusion, and he'll likely have some minutes limit if he is active against the Warriors. I can't get there with Jokic, Giannis, AD, LeBron, and LaMelo healthy and in great spots to produce.

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: Nikola Jokic
• My favorite CASH play on the slate: Moussa Diabate
• My favorite GPP play on the slate: Giannis Antetokounmpo
• My favorite value play: Moussa Diabate / Grant Williams

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