NBA DFS Picks: FanDuel Plays and Lineup Strategy for Monday, November 24
We have a Monday 10-game slate with some interesting twists and turns, so it will be a challenging beginning of the week for our DFS pursuits. I'll combine the latest NBA news, RotoWire's world-class NBA projections, and our customizable NBA DFS optimizer to provide the best possible outcome for your FanDuel contests.
SLATE OVERVIEW
For the latest spreads and over-unders, visit RotoWire's NBA Odds page. There, you can also find player props, futures, picks articles and sportsbook bonus codes.
This is an odd slate for a few reasons. The pool is top and bottom-heavy and devoid of quality options around FanDuel's median, where one can usually find several options. The result is a match for a budget pick so that you can afford someone much higher than usual. We may need to single out more players in the $5k range as a result, and I've provided for that in my endorsements. Teams that I went lighter on but are worth further exploration are Chicago, Golden State, and Utah.
INJURIES
For all the latest updates, visit RotoWire's NBA Injury News page and our comprehensive NBA Injury Report. Below are some of the most recent and relevant injuries for Monday. Keep in mind that this is not a complete list. Use your best judgment when evaluating ongoing injury scenarios elsewhere on the slate.
CLE Jarrett Allen (finger) - QUESTIONABLE
CLE Sam Merrill (hand) - QUESTIONABLE
Both Merrill and Allen have a shot at returning tonight, but usage would flow to Jaylon Tyson ($4,100) and Dean Wade ($3,800) on the budget end. Obviously, Evan Mobley gets a significant boost ($8,400) if Allen misses.
TOR RJ Barrett (knee) - DOUBTFUL
The Raptors hope that the knee injury sustained over the weekend isn't serious, but he'll miss at least one game. Gradey Dick ($3,500) will step in, and pressure will be on Brandon Ingram ($7,700) to produce more.
DAL Brandon Williams (back) - QUESTIONABLE
If Williams is sidelined, D'Angelo Russell ($5,300) would be the favorite to step into his role.
MIA Andrew Wiggins (hip) - QUESTIONABLE
MIA Nikola Jovic (hip) - QUESTIONABLE
MIA Tyler Herro - PROBABLE
Herro is set to make his season debut tonight, but we shouldn't make much of his return from a DFS perspective. His minutes are likely to be capped as he's eased back in, so dealing with his insertion will be a short-term frustration more than anything else. It's obviously bad news for Davion Mitchell. Elsewhere, Jaime Jaquez ($7,000) is the best pivot for the other injuries.
NYK OG Anunoby (hamstring) - OUT
Anunoby's extended absence has benefited Josh Hart ($6,900), and it's an angle I'll take until Anunoby returns.
CHI Kevin Huerter (illness) - QUESTIONABLE
CHI Isaac Okoro (back) - OUT
Coby White's ($7,600) return is helpful, but Ayo Dosunmu ($5,300) is a cheaper way to get involved in this scenario.
NOP Herbert Jones (calf) - OUT
Jones' absence leaves a big gap to fill, but Saddiq Bey ($5,000) should come off the bench and provide support for the Pelicans during his absence.
POR Shaedon Sharpe (calf) - QUESTIONABLE
POR Jrue Holiday (calf) - OUT
Caleb Love ($4,500) and Sidy Cissoko ($3,600) will see additional action with two key starters still absent.
MIL Giannis Antetokounmpo (thigh) - OUT
Bobby Portis ($6,700) will continue to start in place of Giannis. We've also seen a streak of encouraging totals from Kyle Kuzma ($6,500), but his salary is a bit too high compared to his output.
DEN Aaron Gordon (hamstring) - OUT
DEN Christian Braun (ankle) - OUT
DEN Julian Strawther (back) - OUT
Gordon joins Braun as another long-term absence for the Nuggets. Gordon's role will be Peyton Watson's ($5,300) to lose for now, but I don't have confidence in Spencer Jones as a starter right now.
MEM Ja Morant (calf) - OUT
MEM Jaren Jackson (ankle) - QUESTIONABLE
Vince Williams ($6,200) is a safe pivot for Morant. Jackson could return, but Santi Aldama ($7,200) can be considered if he misses.
ELITE PLAYERS
Although the slate is a good size, we only have three players with five-figure salaries for Monday. I typically give one endorsement from this group, and I would go with Cade Cunningham ($10,800) over Nikola Jokic and Alperen Sengun. This isn't my favorite play, but the ability to potentially go lower at the center position is the driving force behind going with Cunningham, who is in a decent spot against the Pacers.
In the $9k tier, I'm all over Anthony Edwards ($9,600) against the Kings, and I'll also take Karl-Anthony Towns ($9,100) in a favorable duel with the Nets.
The $8k tier has 15 players. We already mentioned Mobley's potential, but Pascal Siakam ($8,700) is another player at his position who might receive lower public exposure. There are several other potential targets in this group, so I recommend giving the entire range a look between $8k and $9k. You can do that easily by clicking ALL on FanDuel and scrolling to that salary level.
Also consider: Devin Booker, PHX ($8,800) vs. HOU, Amen Thompson, HOU ($8,100) @ PHX
EXPECTED CHALK AND MID-RANGE TARGETS
Options are surprisingly bleak at our usual tier in this section, so I will merge the value column because some options are at the cusp of the $6k range. Remember to head back to the injury report for the deep values.
Trey Murphy, NOP ($7,600) vs. CHI
Jones' absence should favor Murphy, who sizes up well against a Chicago defense that will be occupied with Zion Williamson. It will be interesting to see who the Bulls choose to defend against Murphy, as he could have a size advantage against a couple of potential foes.
Cooper Flagg, DAL ($6,900) @ MIA
I've been burned by Flagg a couple of times this season, but Miami is a fascinating spot where both Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo will be getting back up to speed, and their quick spin into the rotation might unsettle things a bit for the Heat. Dallas will also be short-handed at point guard, which should give Flagg extra opportunities.
P.J. Washington, DAL ($6,700) @ MIA
I'll also single out Washington for Dallas, as he may have a step on Adebayo as he gets up to speed. Andrew Wiggins is also set to miss, which softens the team's overall defensive mettle at Washington's position.
Rudy Gobert, MIN ($6,200) @ SAC
Domantas Sabonis' absence is an exploitable spot for Gobert, and although other Minnesota targets will excel here, Gobert's salary is one I'm interested in exploring. Drew Eubanks hasn't defended particularly well in relief, so Gobert may get a slight point boost and his share of rebounds in this contest.
Keegan Murray, SAC ($5,600) vs. MIN
Although Murray is ramping back up and faces an imposing Minnesota interior, his salary is still alluring. He's on his way to maximum minutes, and he scored 19 points against a challenging Denver frontcourt in his last game, so he should be able to handle what Minnesota throws at him.
Cameron Johnson, DEN ($5,000) @ MEM
With Gordon and Braun out for the foreseeable future, the time for Johnson to step up has come. Michael Porter is having a good season with the Nets, and Johnson looked like a regret early on. He's shown signs of life recently, however. He will have plenty of usage to absorb in this new scenario, and with that potential, $5,000 is a very attractive salary to target.
Also consider:
- PG/SG Reed Sheppard, HOU ($5,300)
- SF/PF Jabari Smith, HOU ($5,600)
- C Jusuf Nurkic, UTA ($6,100)
- PF Noah Clowney, BKN ($4,500)
