Daily Fantasy Basketball 2015: DraftKings NBA Optimal Picks for November 13
There are two guys you have to draft if you hope to win your NBA DraftKings contest on Friday. They are the Oklahoma City Thunder's Russell Westbrook ($11,600) and the Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James ($9,900).
Westbrook has been a monster all season averaging 55.8 fantasy points per game (FPPG). OKC hosts the lowly Philadelphia 76ers, but blowout-cautious DK players shouldn't panic.
Without Kevin Durant out of the lineup, per Cliff Brunt of the Associated Press (via Yahoo Sports), the Sixers will stay close enough to keep Westbrook in the game. It seems almost impossible for the Thunder superstar to fall below 50 fantasy points if he plays 35-plus minutes. In fact, he's only been below 50 twice this season.
He's the surest bet in all of fantasy basketball at this point in the season.
James has been his normal productive self all season averaging 48 FPPG. On Friday night, James and the Cavs invade Madison Square Garden to take on the New York Knicks. Marquee stars always get up for games in Gotham.
James has two 50-point games at MSG in his career, but he didn't really produce a mammoth fantasy performance in two contests in New York last season (19 points and 12 assists on December 4, 2014 and 18 points, seven rebounds and seven assists on February 22).
Things are a little different now. Carmelo Anthony is healthy again and Knicks rookie Kristaps Porzingis is making some noise with his play. This is the perfect stage and situation for LeBron to explode with a memorable game. You're going to want him on your team.
Here's a look at the complete optimal lineup for Friday night's games. Here's a hint: roll with the rookies.
Kristaps Porzingis ($5,900)
| Russell Westbrook | PG | Philadelphia | $11,600 |
| Courtney Lee | SG | Portland | $3,800 |
| LeBron James | SF | New York | $9,900 |
| Kristaps Porzingis | PF | Cleveland | $5,900 |
| Steven Adams | C | Philadelphia | $3,800 |
| T.J. McConnell | G | Oklahoma City | $5,500 |
| Doug McDermott | F | Charlotte | $3,500 |
| Emmanuel Mudiay | UTIL | Houston | $6,000 |
The long and athletic Knicks rookie can fill a stat sheet. He's had at least a block and a steal in four of the nine games he's played, and four double-doubles.
On the season, Porzingis is averaging 28.3 FPPG, but if there's any rookie who is seemingly primed for a huge fantasy performance, it's him. Without shooting the ball exceptionally well from the field, Porzingis has still managed to post 32-plus fantasy points in three of his last four games. In the previous meeting with the Cavs, Porzingis had his best shooting night of his young NBA career. He made six of 11 attempts from the field.
Porzingis hasn't shied away from the spotlight, and there's a decent chance he'll be fired up for a nationally televised game against James and the Cavs at home.
It should be an entertaining game and a big performance from Porzingis.
T.J. McConnell ($5,500)
Speaking of stat-sheet stuffers, the Philadelphia 76ers' T.J. McConnell has epitomized that term. In this his rookie season, McConnell is averaging 5.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 8.3 assists and 1.3 steals per game.
That's been good for 26 FPPG.
He and the Sixers will have a tough test on their hands with Westbrook and the Thunder, but McConnell isn't the type of player to back down. It would be foolish to expect him to score much more than his average, but he should run Philly's offense and still get his fair share of steals. Thus far, McConnell has struggled to find his range from deep. He's made just 27 percent of his shots from long distance.
If he can find his stroke from the outside, he may be able to produce a 35-plus-point outing. If not, McConnell will still be valuable because of everything else he does on the floor.
Emmanuel Mudiay ($6,000)
Denver Nuggets rookie Emmanuel Mudiay has some flaws in his game, but he's still proving himself to be a consistent fantasy performer. In his last three games, he has had at least 33.5 fantasy points. Through eight professional games, Mudiay has only failed to reach 20 fantasy points once. It's a good chance he won't add to that number on Friday night.
The Nuggets host the Houston Rockets in what could be a high-scoring game. The two teams are allowing a combined 211.7 points per game this season.
In a contest that figures to be played at a fast pace, Mudiay should feel right at home.
