Wednesday has most of the league in action with a 14-game featured slate, locking at 7 p.m. ET on DraftKings and FanDuel. There are several options in the player pool worth analyzing to find the top NBA DFS building blocks and NBA DFS picks. Santi Aldama is in an expanded role and he looks like a solid building block, with plenty of options across a fantasy-friendly slate. Let’s dig into the NBA DFS picks and core plays.
NBA DFS Picks & Building Blocks Today: Wednesday, November 22
Core Play of the Day — Santi Aldama: Memphis Grizzlies at Houston Rockets
- Stokastic’s Preliminary Point Projections: DraftKings: 32.54 | FanDuel: 31.76
- Stokastic’s Preliminary Rostered Projections: DraftKings: 11.2% | FanDuel: 11.2%
- DFS Salary: DraftKings: $6,100 | FanDuel: $6,200
There are so many terrific game environments tonight, as well as plenty of pending news that is likely to spawn half a dozen better options between now and lock, but it is worth looking at Santi Aldama. Memphis has been decimated by frontcourt injuries, with Steven Adams having season ending surgery to fix an issue suffered last year and Brandon Clarke likely out through the All-Star Break with a ruptured Achilles. Xavier Tillman had been serving as the pivot, but now he is out with a knee injury. Heck, even Aldama has missed time himself with an ankle issue.
Aldama has really stepped up over the last three games, which includes him moving into the starting lineup. During this stretch he has averaged 33.3 minutes and 19 field goal attempts, which has resulted in 23.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.0 combined blocks and steals. Marcus Smart and Luke Kennard are also out with injuries, which should keep Aldama getting around 20 field goal attempts per night as he is now the third scoring option behind Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr.Â
Charlotte Hornets vs. Washington Wizards
While this game is not likely to push 300-plus points like the Pacers and Hawks did last night, there is still a ridiculous 242.5 projected point total. Both Washington and Charlotte are in the bottom-four when it comes to defensive efficiency and with the Wizards playing at the second fastest pace in the league, it should not be much of a stretch to see them coax the Hornets into a track meet tonight.
This will be the third time these teams have squared off this season, with the Wizards taking the first game 132-116, while the Hornets evened the score two nights later with a 124-117 victory.
LaMelo Ball, Miles Bridges, Gordon Hayward and Mark Williams all have significant projected popularity on FanDuel, with rookie Brandon Miller and basketball nomad Ishmael Smith joining them on DraftKings. Not to be outdone, the Wizards are countering with Kyle Kuzman, Jordan Poole, Deni Avdija and Daniel Gafford.Â
This matchup is going to be well-represented in tournaments with eight players currently among the 16 most popular options on DraftKings and seven among the top-20 on FanDuel. Game-stacks are likely to happen naturally, but there are plenty of differentiation options available on the mega 14-game slate.
Bridges is the best fantasy option and he is fresh off a 40-fantasy point showing on Monday, in his first start since completing his suspension. Gafford currently is the most popular option on DraftKings, just north of 50%, though that figure is likely to recede to the mid-30% range as more news hits the wire. On FanDuel, he is projected to be on just 11% of all rosters, where his center-only eligibility has him battling with the likes of Williams in this game, Alperen Sengun, Nikola Vucevic and half a dozen players with dual-position eligibility.
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Los Angeles Lakers vs. Dallas Mavericks
Though the Lakers played last night, they were at home and walloped the Utah Jazz 131-99. LeBron James became the first player to score 39,000 points in a career and neither he nor Anthony Davis was needed in the final frame. This duo played 24 and 29 minutes respectively, so they should be good to go tonight in a measuring stick game against the Dallas Mavericks. During November, the Mavs have allowed 120.0 points per 100 possessions, which is the fifth worst defensive efficiency in the league for the month. Both teams are playing at an above average pace, which is leading to the lofty 240.5 projected point total.
There is always a chance that one of the dynamic duo is out, but the team is off until Saturday, so the hope is both of the future Hall of Fame Lakers take the floor tonight. With a little planning, savvy gamers can make sure they have outs if someone is a late scratch, with this game being the 10:30 p.m. ET nightcap.
Cam Reddish suffered a groin injury in the first quarter last night and he is doubtful, as is Jarred Vanderbilt (heel) has not played this season. Gabe Vincent (knee) is out for the remainder of this month, so that means additional opportunities are likely to trickle down to Rui Hachimura, Christian Wood and Max Christie, though the latter is best used as an extreme discount dandy on the late-slate.
Kyrie Irving and of course Luka Doncic are fine tournament options for the featured-slate, though both stand out as better plays for the later contests. Because there are 28 teams in the player pool, only James (15.1%) on DraftKings and Irving (11.1%) on FanDuel are projecting to be on more than 5% of all tournament rosters. That makes for some fun differentiation plays from this game.
Additional NBA Building Blocks Pick — Sports Betting Opportunities
Joel Embiid played a whopping 41 minutes last night in a 122-119 overtime loss, so there is some chance he may not suit up tonight. If he does, Â there is some value available in the under 45.5 points + rebounds +Â assists (PRA) prop. which is available at -110 on several books. NBA Bet Pro currently has him projected for 35.2 minutes, 31.48 points, 11.01 rebounds and 4.77 assists for a 47.26. The “True Odds” (how OddsShopper measures the potential expected ROI of a given wager) are -122, which is indicative of nearly a 5% positive expected ROI.
The Timberwolves boast a league leading 106.6 defensive efficiency rating for November, while also being -4.5 point home favorites. While we never want to count on blowouts or lopsided games, but with Embiid already dealing with a sore hip, it would not be a shock if he gets some in-game rest if this matchup gets out of hand.
Final Thoughts on NBA DFS Picks & Building Blocks Today
Ten teams in action tonight also played last night, so there will be ample updates and shifting dynamics throughout the day. Get all the latest news and analysis by tuning into the Stokastic Live Before Lock Show at 4:45 p.m. ET on YouTube, brought to you by Vivid Picks – new users, use this link to receive a $300 first deposit match AND your first play is secured for up to $25 in Vivid credit if it loses.-y
