🏀 NBA DFS Plays for Friday, 11/19

Fridays are my favorite night of the week to play NBA DFS, and we have a solid nine-game slate to navigate tonight! In this article I’ll offer up at least one player to pay up for, one rock-solid value, and one salary saver at each position category. Take note that some players have different position eligibility between FanDuel and DraftKings. The salary structure is also a bit different between the two sites. When you see a player significantly cheaper on FD than DK, it’s a situation worth investigating. 

As of this writing, none of the games tonight have projected totals over 220 points, so it may be more difficult than usual to find value by targeting high-scoring games. We also have some slate-altering injuries to monitor, with Stephen Curry, Luka Doncic, and LeBron James all very uncertain to play tonight. It will be vital to pay attention to late-breaking news as the tip-offs approach.

Let’s dive in! 

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Guards

Paul George (LAC)
FanDuel – $10,100
DraftKings – $10,300

George carries a five-figure salary tonight, but he’s relatively affordable considering some of the other heavy hitters listed above him. He’s one of the most consistent offensive producers in the NBA, scoring at least 20 points in 13 of 15 games this season. He also has the third-highest usage rate in the NBA (34.7%), which should set up for a big night against a Pelicans team with the worst defensive rating in the league. 

LaMelo Ball (CHA)
FanDuel – $8,800
DraftKings – $10,400

Ball has been racking up peripherals at a furious pace recently, averaging 11.0 rebounds and 9.4 assists over his last five games. It’s tough to justify his salary on DK, but at least he can earn double-double and triple-double bonuses there. He’s a screaming value on FD.

Jalen Brunson (DAL)
FanDuel – $6,500
DraftKings – $6,700

It’s doubtful we see Luka Doncic take the court tonight, and Brunson will once again be the direct beneficiary. His salary is climbing as a result, but it still isn’t as high as it should be, assuming Doncic sits again. In the last game without him, Brunson scored 18 points and fell just one assist and one rebound shy of a triple-double. He has a great floor-ceiling combination that makes him usable in any contest, though he’s likely to be very chalky tonight.

Damon Lee (GSW)
FanDuel – $4,000
DraftKings – $3,100

Stephen Curry is extremely questionable for the second leg of Golden State’s back-to-back set tonight as he deals with hip soreness. There are several candidates to soak up his usage if he sits, but Lee is my favorite. He’s seen his minutes and production go up in three straight games since returning from his own hip injury and could see another jump tonight if Curry can’t go.

Others to consider: Russell Westbrook (LAL), Cade Cunningham (DET), Gary Payton II (GSW) 

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Forwards

Domantas Sabonis (IND)
FanDuel – $8,700
DraftKings – $8,900

Sabonis is coming off a dud performance last time out, though he still managed to squeak out his 11th double-double of the season. He should bounce back nicely tonight against a Charlotte team that gives up the fourth-most FD points and third-most DK points to power forwards.

Khris Middleton (MIL)
FanDuel – $7,800
DraftKings – $7,800

After missing eight consecutive games due to COVID-19 protocols, Middleton stepped right back into his usual role. He played 30 minutes and a strong 16/5/6 stat line Wednesday. His three-point shooting has been well below his career average so far this season, but that could be remedied tonight against a Thunder team that’s allowing a 35.3% success rate from deep.

Franz Wagner (ORL)
FanDuel – $5,100
DraftKings – $4,300

Wagner continues to see plenty of time on the court and has outplayed his salary the past two outings. Despite the consistency, his salary is falling on DK. His lack of peripherals limits his upside, but his reliable minutes and scoring make him safe for cash lineups.

Chris Boucher (TOR)
FanDuel – $4,900
DraftKings – $3,300

Boucher is risky, but with OG Anunoby and Precious Achiuwas still out, he should continue to see minutes in the banged-up Raptors frontcourt. He has a history of putting up huge fantasy performances in limited minutes, and he could absolutely smash tonight. His salary on FD isn’t great, but it’s tough to beat as a value on DK.

Others to consider: Jayson Tatum (BOS), Kristaps Porzingis (DAL), Draymond Green (GSW)

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Centers

Nikola Jokic (DEN)
FanDuel – $11,300
DraftKings – $12,000

The centers are thin on tonight’s slate, and Jokic has been red-hot lately. Don’t overthink this one. Find a way to pay up for far-and-away the best player at the position tonight, especially in cash game lineups.

Deandre Ayton (PHX)
FanDuel – $7,800
DraftKings – $6,200

Paying up for Jokic is the obvious play tonight, but Ayton makes sense in tournaments, especially with the double-double bonuses on DK. He’s averaged 20.5 points and 12.5 rebounds over his first two games back from the leg injury that kept him out the previous five games. The matchup against Dallas is a juicy one, as the Mavs have given up the most DK points to centers on the season.

Mason Plumlee (CHA)
FanDuel – $5,000
DraftKings – $4,700

With the lack of value at center so far tonight, I’m not willing to go down any further than Plumlee. As usual, he isn’t an exciting player to roster, but he won’t tank your lineup. He’s the best option at the position if you want to get different and pay up at other positions.

Others to consider: Mo Bamba (ORL), Richaun Holmes (SAC), Isaiah Stewart (DET)

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