Monday, Nov. 12 has a nine-game main slate on all the big daily fantasy sites. Before you lock in your NBA DFS lineups and NBA DFS picks on DraftKings, FanDuel, Yahoo and FantasyDraft, make sure to check out check out Awesemo’s DFS basketball NBA rankings and projections. Let’s dig into some NBA DFS Picks, including Joel Embiid and Cory Joseph.
Don’t forget to check out the NBA DFS Strategy Show with Josh Engelman and Loughy as they break down the NBA DFS slate and give out their thoughts on the Pacers, the D’Aaron Fox injury and more.
NBA DFS Picks: Prime Time Players
Joel Embiid: Philadelphia 76ers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
DraftKings $9,400, FanDuel $10,800, Yahoo $46 Ownership Rating (preliminary run): DraftKings 30.9%, FanDuel 33.7% Yahoo Fantasy 30.8%
We were fired up when Ben Simmons was out and today he is questionable as he works his way back from his sprained shoulder. Al Horford is out for rest and even if Simmons is in, Joel Embiid is going to be a phenomenal play. This looks like a floor of 40 with a ceiling of 55-60 if he gets 32 minutes.
For tournaments or if Simmons plays, our direct pivot would be Nikola Jokic DraftKings $8,300, FanDuel $9,000, Yahoo $39 Ownership Rating (preliminary run): DraftKings 16.3%, FanDuel 19.8% Yahoo Fantasy 9.6%. Jokic has taken 23 and 23 field goal attempts in his last two games so a MONSTER stat line is in play if that continues.
NBA DFS Picks: Good Value
Cory Joseph: Sacramento Kings vs. Portland Trailblazers
DraftKings $3,400, FanDuel $4,100, Yahoo $10 Ownership Rating (preliminary run): DraftKings 27.8%, FanDuel 41.8% Yahoo Fantasy 36.0%
Buddy Hield: Sacramento Kings vs. Portland Trailblazers
DraftKings $4,200, FanDuel $4,300, Yahoo $10 Ownership Rating (preliminary run): DraftKings 20.8%, FanDuel 25.1% Yahoo Fantasy 33.2%
Bogdan Bogdanovic: Sacramento Kings vs. Portland Trailblazers
DraftKings $4,200, FanDuel $4,300, Yahoo $10 Ownership Rating (preliminary run): DraftKings 15.7%, FanDuel 19.2% Yahoo Fantasy 26.8%
D’Aaron Fox is going to be out for the next three or four weeks with a sprained ankle suffered in practice. What was a chance to build on last year’s promising season has been washed away with Marvin Bagley III also out of action.
Cory Joseph is going to be the punt d’jour today. Considering his price across the board and stepping into a starting role it is well worth joining The Masses. Buddy Hield is going to be the clear focal point of the offense and with his proclivity for shooting and actually making buckets, he is a fine core play in all formats.
With Bogdan Bogdanovic we have someone who is going under the radar considering he is actually a good facilitator and can score as well. Ideally he stays with the second unit and sees a major boost in his fantasy production.
NBA DFS Picks: Risky Value
Jakar Sampson: Indiana Pacers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
DraftKings $3,600, FanDuel $3,600, Yahoo $10 Ownership Rating (preliminary run): DraftKings 13.2%, FanDuel 32.5% Yahoo Fantasy 8.2%
It is interesting to see Jakarr Sampson popping with popularity as he has actually started the last five games. Goga Bitadze (concussion) is out indefinitely. Plus Myles Turner (ankle) is questionable having missed the last six games. In his five starts he has averaged 20.8 minutes with 6.8 points, 3.0 rebounds, 0.3 assists and 1.5 combined blocks and steals for 13.9 fantasy points. That 0.67 fantasy points per minute is just not exciting even with 30 minutes.
FantasyCruncher NBA DFS Tip of the Day
Use promo code PRIMETIME to receive 50% off any one-month premium subscription (including FantasyCruncher options).
With the incredibly user-friendly FantasyCruncher, we can take our lineup construction to the next level.
After the Brandon Ingram “late scratch” I wanted to remind everyone that we are still live if we have FantasyCruncher.
Today’s highlighted feature is the “Swaptimizer” that makes life oh so much easier on DraftKings when that unexpected news breaks after the main-slate action has begun.
Step 1: download your current CSV lineup file from DraftKings (you need to have the current file so the “Swaptimizer” knows which players have been locked).
Step 2: in FantasyCruncher select the games that have yet to tip off and adjust any of your rules, exposures, projections, etc. so they are appropriate for the remaining available player pool.
Finally….
Step 3: it’s time to Swaptimize!
Final Thoughts
This should be a fun slate, so do not be afraid to take a few chances. We can follow the herd on some of the chalkier plays, but make sure to have a trick or two available. An otherwise “chalky” lineup can always gain some quick differentiation with the right low owned play.
As always, you can reach out to me in Awesemo.com Premium Slack or on Twitter @EMacDFS if you have any NBA DFS questions about DraftKings, FanDuel, Yahoo or FantasyDraft.
Good Luck NBA DFS Gamers! ~ EMac
If you haven’t signed up for Yahoo Fantasy DFS, click this link and use the promo code Awesemo when making your first deposit and you will be eligible for $30 of free play, which Yahoo will match through the first $30 of your deposit (this bonus will be received in Yahoo Sports Rewards Points, a.k.a. YSRP which can be used to enter any paid contest immediately).
Just a heads up, DK prices for Hield and Bogdanovic are off