Daily Fantasy Basketball 2015: DraftKings NBA Optimal Lineup for Nov. 23
The NBA welcomes a new week with seven games on Monday night, gracing the schedule with appearances from the Cleveland Cavaliers, Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs.
While there's no marquee matchup League Pass customers will flock to, some of the Association's worst squads create opportunities for DraftKings players. By locating some value picks, gamers can assemble a lineup around studs Russell Westbrook and DeMarcus Cousins.
In six games without Kevin Durant, the Oklahoma City Thunder point guard has registered 63.7 DraftKings points per contest. Cousins, who has exceeded 60 DraftKings points during three of the Sacramento Kings' last four bouts, gets a Charlotte Hornets squad susceptible to scoring big men.
Those guys don't need further explanation, so let's examine the value picks to make the star pairing possible.
| PG | Russell Westbrook, OKC | @ UTA | $12,300 |
| SG | J.R. Smith, CLE | vs. ORL | $4,800 |
| SF | Marcus Morris, DET | @ MIL | $6,200 |
| PF | DeMarcus Cousins, SAC | @ CHA | $10,300 |
| C | Gorgui Dieng, MIN | vs. PHI | $3,600 |
| G | Jeremy Lamb, CHA | vs. SAC | $4,500 |
| F | Tristan Thompson, CLE | vs. ORL | $5,300 |
| UTIL | Shabazz Muhammad, MIN | vs. PHI | $3,000 |
J.R. Smith, SG, Cleveland Cavaliers ($4,800)
Including an overtime game when he logged 51 minutes, J.R. Smith has played 164 minutes over Cleveland's past four games, more than anyone else on the roster. With Mo Williams expected to sit out Monday, the polarizing shooting guard should again see plenty of playing time against the Orlando Magic.
On Saturday night, Smith submitted 15 points and five assists versus the Atlanta Hawks, chucking up 12 three-point attempts. A firm believer of shooting first and asking questions usually never, the 30-year-old has heaved up five deep attempts per game. This is actually a steep decline from last season's 7.3 average with Cleveland.
Endorsing Smith banks on him putting the ball in the basket. Orlando has given up 8.5 three-pointers per game, and opposing shooting guards have scored 22.2 points per game with 2.3 three-pointers.
Give anyone huge minutes and a green light on a championship-caliber club, and he's going to produce. Over the past week, he has stayed in the 23.75-29.75 DraftKings points range, a byproduct of his heavy workload more so than steady shooting. With another 35 minutes on a depleted roster, he should again produce near this area, making him a solid play at $4,800.
Jeremy Lamb, SG, Charlotte Hornets ($4,500)
The Sacramento Kings have worked magic for shooting guards, leading them to an NBA-high 26.2 points per game alongside 5.0 rebounds and assists apiece. Even from the bench, Jeremy Lamb can capitalize on the soft matchup.
Embracing his new surroundings, he's averaging 12.6 points and 4.3 boards per game for the Hornets. He has topped 20 DraftKings points in eight of the last 10 contests, averaging 22.6 fantasy points on the season.
On Friday night, he earned 30 minutes against the Philadelphia 76ers. During the season, he's averaging more minutes (23.9) than starter Jeremy Lin (23.4) while generating a plus-7.5 net rating. In a reserve role, he should keep recording starter minutes.
Lamb is $300 less than Smith, but choosing one isn't necessary. Toss the other into the general guard spot and enjoy both mid-level values.
Marcus Morris, SF, Detroit Pistons ($6,200)
When it comes to Marcus Morris' daily worth, rebounds have proved the decisive variable. Starting alongside Ersan Ilyasova, the 6'9" forward has grabbed a career-high 6.6 boards per game this season. He utilized his size for 20 rebounds over the Detroit Pistons' past two battles, leading him to 71 combined DraftKings points.
| 11/20 | @ MIN | 36 | 16 | 6-14 | 11 | 0 | 35.25 |
| 11/21 | vs. WAS | 37 | 18 | 6-14 | 9 | 4 | 35.75 |
The Milwaukee Bucks' 46.0 rebounding percentage ranks last, and they have relinquished the third-most DraftKings points to forwards. Don't forget their league-worst 109.0 points allowed per 100 possessions, making them a routine target for astute DFS contestants.
Ilyasova is also worth a look for $4,300, but his inconsistency will infuriate anyone who catches him on one of his many off nights. Save him for tournament contests and spend $6,200 on the stabler Morris in cash contests.
As long as Andre Drummond doesn't monopolize the glass, Morris—who will also stretch the floor against a Bucks defense allowing 9.1 three-pointers per night—should enjoy another eventful evening.
Shabazz Muhammad, SF, Minnesota Timberwolves ($3,000)
In order to lock down Westbrook and Cousins, both stable sources of huge points, take a minimum-priced flier on a talented player given a strong matchup and possibility of more playing time.
Last season, Shabazz Muhammad posted 13.5 points per game on 48.9 percent shooting for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Yet the 23-year-old has bizarrely taken a back seat to veteran Tayshaun Prince, logging a measly 17.7 minutes per night despite sinking half of his field goals.
According to the Star Tribune's Kent Youngblood, Minnesota plans to push Prince down the depth chart, clearing up minutes for Muhammad and shooting guard Kevin Martin:
Also take a look at Martin, who can inflict damage in the starting lineup for only $3,900. The Wolves get a home matchup against the 76ers, which makes both of them intriguing bargains on Monday night.
The winless squad has allowed 21.9 points per game to small forwards, and Muhammad continues to flash a high offensive ceiling in brief spurts. For only $3,000, he doesn't need to tear up the arena. Living up to last year's averages and offering 13 points, four boards and an assist would lead him to 19.5 DraftKings points, enough to justify the basement cost.
Gorgui Dieng, C, Minnesota Timberwolves ($3,600)
Staying in Minnesota, Gorgui Dieng could also benefit from the Timberwolves' added emphasis on playing their young guns. Backing up rookie Karl-Anthony Towns, the 25-year-old center has registered at least 20 minutes over each of the team's last three games.
He faced some tough matchups last week, including the Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat and Detroit Pistons. Philadelphia, meanwhile, gets 4.8 shots blocked per game by opposing centers. It also ranks in the bottom 10 of rebounding percentage, allowing another Minnesota reserve to make an impact.
For those not playing Westbrook and/or Cousins, go ahead and instead invest $7,200 on Towns, who is averaging a double-double with 2.4 blocks per bout. Those uncomfortable with this pick could find a forward cheaper than Tristan Thompson, who will become a nightly double-double candidate of his own as Cleveland's starting center.
For this particular lineup, Dieng will do, especially if the third-year pro can utilize his size advantage with a couple of rejections. Given the 76ers' minus-14.1 average scoring margin, a blowout is always on the table, which would afford him more minutes than usual.
All prices courtesy of DraftKings. Statistics via NBA.com and RotoWire.com unless otherwise noted.
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