Daily Fantasy Basketball 2015: NBA DFS DraftKings Optimal Rankings for Nov. 11
The player who will more than likely be the most commonly drafted star on winning DraftKings squads is: the Houston Rockets' James Harden ($10,100). After getting off to a slow start this season, Harden has strung together some spectacular games.
Over the last four contests, Harden is averaging 57 fantasy points per game (FPPG). In other words, he's hot. Harden and the Rockets are at home against the Brooklyn Nets, and that bodes well for scoring. Brooklyn's opponents are shooting 47 percent from the field and 40 from three-point range.
The way Harden is going, it's safe to expect him to have a big day against the Nets. He's the top-ranked shooting guard and player overall on Wednesday.
Here's a look at the rest of the top dogs at shooting guard and a closer look at the best players to draft at the other positions.
| 1 | James Harden | Houston | at Dallas | $10,500 |
| 2 | Victor Oladipo | Orlando | L.A. Lakers | $7,800 |
| 3 | DeMar DeRozan | Toronto | Philadelphia | $7,200 |
| 4 | CJ McCollum | Dallas | Dallas | $6,700 |
| 5 | Marcus Thornton | Houston | Brooklyn | $5,200 |
Point Guards
| 1 | Steph Curry | Golden State | Memphis | $10,500 |
| 2 | Reggie Jackson | Detroit | Sacramento | $7,300 |
| 3 | Kyle Lowry | Toronto | Philadelphia | $8,000 |
| 4 | Chris Paul | L.A. Clippers | Dallas | $8,800 |
| 5 | Jeff Teague | Atlanta | New Orleans | $6,600 |
The Memphis Grizzlies have traditionally been known for their defensive intensity, but they haven't lived up to their reputation so far this season. Memphis is ranked 26th in the NBA in opponent field-goal percentage and 29th in three-point percentage.
Those are not good signs heading into a game against Stephen Curry ($10,500) and the Golden State Warriors.
Wednesday night's game will be the second meeting between the two teams. The first game ended with an embarrassing 119-69 loss for the Grizzlies in Oakland. Expect Memphis to be fired up for the rematch, but Curry is the extinguisher.
He's averaging 54.5 FPPG this season. He's had less than 40 fantasy points in just one game this campaign, and he tallied 38 in that contest. The price is steep, but teaming Curry with Harden on Wednesday is a smart choice.
Power Forward
| 1 | Blake Griffin | L.A. Clippers | Dallas | $9,500 |
| 2 | Anthony Davis | New Orleans | Atlanta | $10,700 |
| 3 | Draymond Green | Golden State | Memphis | $6,900 |
| 4 | Greg Monroe | Detroit | Sacramento | $8,300 |
| 5 | Julius Randle | L.A. Lakers | Orlando | $6,500 |
Things are getting expensive with this lineup, but if you believe in the Big Three concept, then the Los Angeles Clippers' Blake Griffin ($9,500) is the right man to fill out your trifecta.
Griffin has solidified himself as one of the game's premier power forwards, and he's averaging more FPPG than the New Orleans Pelicans' Anthony Davis. On Wednesday, the Clippers are on the road against the Dallas Mavericks.
Every Mavs fan will likely be heckling DeAndre Jordan, but meanwhile, the consistent and steady Griffin will extend his run of 20-and-10 games to five in a row as he proves himself to be the premier fantasy stud at power forward on Wednesday night.
Small forward
Paul George of the Indiana Pacers figures to be the top performing small forward on Wednesday night, but let's be honest, with Curry, Harden and Griffin, you can't afford PG13 at $8,800.
| 1 | Paul George | Indiana | Boston | $8,800 |
| 2 | Giannis Antetokounmpo | Milwaukee | Denver | $7.400 |
| 3 | Marcus Morris | Detroit | Sacramento | $7,200 |
| 4 | Kawhi Leonard | San Antonio | Portland | $8,200 |
| 5 | Evan Fournier | Orlando | L.A. Lakers | $6,000 |
It's time to go bargain shopping, and the Atlanta Hawks' Thabo Sefolosha ($3,100) is calling your name.
More than likely, the most fantasy points you can hope to get from Sefolosha are 18-20, but the good news is he probably won't generate less than 15. He's averaging 18.1 FPPG and has fallen short of 15 fantasy points just once so far this season.
On Wednesday, he and the Hawks host the New Orleans Pelicans, and the latter have been a generous bunch. New Orleans is 29th in opponent's field-goal percentage and dead last in three-point percentage against. Because of the Pelicans' defensive struggles and Sefolosha's consistency, he's a solid play.
Center
| 1 | Andre Drummond | Detroit | Sacramento | $9,400 |
| 2 | DeMarcus Cousins | Sacramento | Detroit | $9,800 |
| 3 | DeAndre Jordan | L.A. Clippers | Dallas | $7,800 |
| 4 | Al Horford | Atlanta | Atlanta | $6,700 |
| 5 | Jahlil Okafor | Philadelphia | Toronto | $6,600 |
Everything I said about George at the small forward spot, we can copy that for the Detroit Pistons' Andre Drummond. At $9,400, his price tag is too high for this squad. Instead, finding another bargain is advisable.
The Boston Celtics' Kelly Olynyk ($3,900) is one to watch.
With the Celtics set to host the Indiana Pacers, there will be definite opportunities for Olynyk to shine. He exploded for a 19 points, seven rebounds and a block on Saturday against the Washington Wizards. That line was good for 43.8 fantasy points.
Like Harden, Olynyk got off to a rough start, but he has steadied himself. Having splurged on the Big Three, a steady Olynyk is exactly what DraftKings players want.
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Stats and references per Baketbhall-Reference.com.
