Alex Hunter breaks down his top DraftKings DFS targets and value plays for the NBA slate on Wednesday, November 5.
Wednesday’s main NBA DFS slate on DraftKings begins at 7:00 PM EST and includes the first eight games of the night. DraftKings continues to offer huge contests for DFS players, and below, I break down some of my favorite NBA DFS options at each position for Wednesday’s NBA action.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $400K Zone Special [$100K to 1st]
Guard
Stud
Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers at Cleveland Cavaliers, $10,000
Maxey has been outstanding this season, amassing 59.1 FPTS per game. The guard has benefited from Paul George (knee) being out and Joel Embiid (knee) being limited to start this season. The 76ers are coming off a tough loss to the Bulls last night, in which Maxey went off for 61.75 FPTS and Embiid will almost certainly be rested tonight after playing Tuesday.
Maxey’s already huge role will become even stronger with Embiid sidelined and he will have a ceiling north of 60 FPTS, regardless of this being a tough matchup vs. the Cavaliers, who rank sixth in defensive rating this season. With Embiid off the floor this season, Maxey’s usage rate rises 1.2 percentage points to 31%.
Other Options: Cade Cunningham ($10,200), Jamal Murray ($7,700), Keyonte George ($7,100)
Value
D’Angelo Russell, Dallas Mavericks vs. New Orleans Pelicans, $6,100
Russell gets an elite matchup vs. the Pelicans, who rank second-to-last in defensive rating and are playing their second game in two nights. More importantly, Anthony Davis (calf) is out, leaving Russell with an expanded role for the Mavericks. Davis has missed two in a row and with him sidelined, Russell has scored 45.75 and 34 FPTS.
With Davis off the court this season, Russell leads Dallas with 1.3 FPTS per minute and a 31.2% usage rate, which is a 1.5 percentage point lift from his average. This $6,100 salary is far too low for Russell with this role and he is a core play for this slate.
Other Options: Ben Sheppard ($4,700), Duncan Robinson ($4,500), Jose Alvarado ($3,300)
Forward
Stud
Pascal Siakam, Indiana Pacers vs. Brooklyn Nets, $9,500
Siakam has been the Pacers’ featured player with the team so shorthanded this season and he has delivered on many occasions, with over 50 FPTS in four of his seven starts. Siakam is leading Indiana with a career-high 31.3% usage rate and 1.4 FPTS per minute.
On the menu for tonight is a matchup with the 0-7 Nets, who rank dead last in defensive rating this season. The Pacers carry a large 119.5-point implied team total on DraftKings Sportsbook despite their crowded injury report and Siakam is a sensational spend at his sub $10,000 salary, that has a ceiling over 60 FPTS.
Other Options: Jaylen Brown ($8,400), PJ Washington ($7,000)
Value
Isaiah Stewart, Detroit Pistons vs. Utah Jazz, $5,300
Stewart got the spot start with Tobias Harris (ankle) out Monday vs. the Grizzlies and Stewart exploded for 59.5 FPTS across 33.6 minutes with the starting role. Stewart is shooting a career-best 48% on three pointers this season and Harris will remain out tonight. In the 100 minutes Stewart has played with Harris off the floor this season, Stewart has been terrific, scoring 1.4 FPTS with a 20% usage rate.
After torching the Grizzlies on Monday, which was a 12-point road win for the Pistons, Stewart now faces a Jazz defense that ranks 20th in rating this season. While he is unlikely to score near 60 FPTS again, Stewart should have no trouble surpassing five-times value in this situation.
Other Options: Jarace Walker ($5,800), Josh Minott ($4,700), Terrance Mann ($4,300), Ron Holland ($4,000)
Center
Stud
Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets vs. Miami Heat, $12,000
Per usual, Jokic is the No.1 option on the slate and building around him is a strong move tonight, with many appealing cheap values at our disposal. The center is leading the NBA with 64.9 FPTS per game this season, while handling a 22.9% usage rate and a career-high 47% assist rate.
Jokic is facing the Heat tonight, who rank third in defensive rating, but Miami is a much faster team this season, leading the league in pace, after ranking third-to-last in the category last season. The Nuggets boast the highest implied team total on the slate in this up-tempo spot – at 125.5 points on DraftKings Sportsbook – and Jokic is a strong investment for at least 60 FPTS.
Other Options: Alperen Sengun ($9,400)
Value
Neemias Queta, Boston Celtics vs. Washington Wizards, $4,500
Queta’s salary has dropped to $4,500 after being priced up to $5,200 last week and he is in a gorgeous spot tonight vs. the Wizards, who rank second in pace, 28th in defensive rating and are allowing the fifth-most points in the paint. As the Celtics’ starting center this season, Queta is producing 23.8 FPTS in 23 minutes per game and the big man has topped 20 FPTS in five of his eight starts.
Queta has double-double upside tonight and he is an attractive, cheap way to attack Boston. Hosting the 1-6 Wizards, the Celtics present the third-highest implied team total on the slate at 123.5 points on DraftKings Sportsook.
Other Options: Alex Sarr ($6,700), Jusuf Nurkic ($5,300), Daniel Gafford ($4,700), Isaiah Jackson ($4,600)
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