NBA DFS Advice for November 9, 2021

A lot of our priorities showed out last night, as we saw big games from our favorite stars in Anthony Davis, Nikola Jokic, and Russell Westbrook. You did not want to miss our fade yesterday, as Kyle Lowry scored 0 points for the second time since early 2013. His 12 FPTS would have crashed any lineup that didn’t fade him yesterday. Tonight is one of the smallest NBA DFS slates we have had all season, as we only have three games to breakdown for this one. Despite the shorter slate here, we have a lot to talk about for this one. This slate has no shortage for injuries, as we already know that Joel Embiid, Khris Middleton, Tobias Harris, and Brook Lopez are among the guys who remain out tonight. We have a ton of value on this slate, as we have a lot of guys we can go to with all the injuries. The Philadelphia 76ers and Milwaukee Bucks will be our favorite teams to go after tonight. The Sixers present a ton of value with Embiid out, as there are a few guys who are doing way more then usual from Philadelphia. For the Bucks, a lot of guys feel underpriced, and we have a lot of value with Middleton’s injury. Our core plays today will be a few priorities from the Bucks and the Sixers. We will also get to one fade we are looking at, which is always interesting on a shorter slate. In our premium content we will get to some more contrarian options from around the slate, as well as the rest of our Cash locks. We will also get to our general strategy for dealing with Cash games opposed to tournaments tonight. 

Here’s Two Core Plays For DFS Basketball 11/9/21 (using DraftKings Values)

Giannis Antetokounmpo was one of our core plays last time out, and he did not disappoint with 67 FPTS.  Antetokounmpo took the most shot attempts of the season last time out, as he put up 26 attempts from the field. That was not a big surprise, as we always expect Antetokounmpo to take more shots when Middleton is off the floor. All the Bucks score more without Middleton, and it starts with Antetokounmpo. Antetokounmpo is the most expensive play by a significant margin at $11,400 tonight, but he is the best producer on this slate by an even bigger margin. The Freak is averaging 55.9 FPTS on the season so far, and we love tonight’s matchup. The Sixers lose all their defensive prowess with Embiid and Ben Simmons off the floor, as they will really lack defenders that can slow down Antetokounmpo tonight. Paired with a usage boost from Middleton’s absence, we could be looking at another monster night for the Greek Freak.

Some people might be turned off by the price jump Andre Drummond has seen coming into tonight’s slate, but he is still a lock for us on this one. Drummond has been priced up to $7,700 here, but he really should be over $10,000 in this spot. The key thing to remember about when Embiid is out, is that there is no Drummond to back up Drummond. Which is why we have seen him play 34 minutes in the first game without Embiid, and 38 minutes last night. We expect Drummond continues to play massive minutes, and we know that he is one of the best per minute producers in the NBA. Drummond casually grabbed 25 rebounds last night, leading to 51.75 FPTS. There are a ton of ways Drummond can stack the stat sheet, and we love him in this matchup against the Bucks missing Brook Lopez.

Here’s a Fade DFS Basketball 11/7/21 (using DraftKings Values)

Given the usage that he is taking Paul George always has the upside for a big game. However, on tonight’s slate, we know that we want to play Antetokounmpo as much as possible. Furthermore, most of the value we like tonight is around $5,000 as opposed to being closer to $3,000. In consequence, if we try fitting two superstars in we wont really have salary for anything else. George really does not fit with how we are looking to build our lineup tonight, so he is a guy we are passing on. 

Point Guar

Tyrese Maxey – PG ($6,200 DK) We knew that Maxey would be in for a massive step up this season as Simmons starts the season inactive for the Sixers, but he is producing at a rate higher than we even expected. The recent injuries to the Harris and Embiid have left Maxey as the first option for the Philadelphia 76ers, a concept that would seem absurd a year ago. Maxey has played 45, 44 and 39 minutes in his past three games, averaging over 35 FPTS in that time. Maxey saw one of the highest usage games of his career last night with Embiid out, getting up 19 field goal attempts. We expect Maxey to see another super high usage game tonight, as the Sixers really lack scoring options without Embiid or Harris. The Bucks are playing at a fast pace right now, so we are happy taking Maxey in this matchup.

Shooting Guard 

Jrue Holiday – ($6,400 DK) Holiday has dealt with some injuries early this season, as he has only played four games so far on the year. Holiday came back to action two games ago with 20 minutes, and we saw those minutes climb all the way to 30 last time out. We expect Holiday to be playing a pretty normal mid 30’s minutes load for tonight, which means he is now way too cheap at $6,400. Holiday may be averaging a measly 22.8 FPTS right now, but do not let that number dissuade you at all. Holiday saw a big usage game last night with 16 shot attempts, and we expect him to take on a big role with Middleton out. 

Small Forward 

Furkan Korkmaz – ($4,900 DK) Korkmaz has become one of our premier value plays as of slate with all the injuries adding up for the Sixers. Specifically, the Harris injury allowed for Korkmaz to step into much bigger role. Korkmaz saw his biggest role of the season last night as Embiid was sidelined. Korkmaz played 40 minutes last time out and put up a season high 16 field goal attempts. We expect Korkmaz continues to play a solid role for the gutted Sixers, and he will prove to be too cheap at this price point.

Power Forward 

John Collins – ($6,800 DK) Collins has been up and down this season, and he has not been consistent enough that we want to get to him in Cash games. However, we do like going to Collins as a tournament option here, as he does have a lot of upside. Collins can put together some monster performances when he gets the opportunity, and he is cheap for tonight’s slate. If we can squeeze Collins besides a few bona fide stars we are happy doing so.

Center

Bobby Portis – ($5,400 DK) The Milwaukee Bucks changed things up last time out, starting Portis at center. If we see the same thing happen tonight, Portis is going to be a priority for us. Portis played a season high 31 minutes last night, putting up a whopping 17 shot attempts. Portis ended up going for over 45 FPTS starting at center yesterday, so he is going to be an obvious play if he gets the nod at center tonight. The Sixers are a lot easier a matchup for opposing big men with Embiid out, so we also really like the matchup here.        

General strategy 

Tonight, feels like a great slate for NBA DFS. The injuries we have talked about give us enough value that we do not have to take any plays we are not confident with, but its only being three games means there are not too many options too choose from. For Cash games tonight we know we are building around Drummond, Antetokounmpo, Korkmaz, and Portis if he starts. We are also happy plugging Maxey and Holiday in if we can. We like each of these guys individually for tournaments, but we want to get a few more contrarian picks in for bigger tournaments as well. Collins is a nice tournament play, and we are happy getting some exposure to Trae Young or Damian Lillard. We do not have many pressing questionable tags as of now, but anything can happen before lock so keep an eye out. We are also watching for starters tonight, as the Bucks and the Sixers have been trying different things lately.

Go win your lineup and tell us how you did. Twitter (@FantasyDFSX) is a good place for that.