RADIO
Happy Thursday, RotoBallers! Sometimes the Thursday games can be as few as three, so it's a welcome sight to get five in this early in the year. Injuries are the major headline to follow as several key-DFS contributors will miss or may miss their respective contests.
Despite the Philadelphia-Detroit game coming in with a lowly 209.5-point over/under, there are many intriguing options to play. Tobias Harris and Danny Green are definitely out, and Joel Embiid could be a rest candidate with the 76ers on the second night of a back-to-back. These absences will open up several minutes and shots for Georges Niang, Seth Curry, Furkan Korkmaz, Tyrese Maxey, and Andre Drummond. So make sure to keep an eye on the lineup news for this game, as it could entirely alter what you do with the rest of the slate.
This article will provide you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 11/4/21. You can also check out today's FanDuel lineup picks. Remember to monitor injury news as the slate can completely change before lineups lock.
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DraftKings Guards - NBA DFS Lineup Picks
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - PG, OKC at LAL ($8,400)
After a bumpy start, Gilgeous-Alexander is putting all his talent together and becoming a night-in, night-out DFS option for the 2020-21 season. Knocking off the rust is understandable for a player who missed 37 of 72 games last year, and he's turning it on over the previous five games. The fourth-year guard has returned five times his salary in four of five contests while averaging 25.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists, a steal, and three triples in this stretch. Tonight, he will face a Lakers defense allowing a league-high 57.57 fantasy points per game to points guards. In a high-paced matchup, I love SGA as one of the pieces to build my lineup around.
Tyler Herro - PG/SG, MIA vs. BOS ($6,400)
We may never find out what happened to Herro during his sophomore slump, but he's certainly making amends for it through the first two weeks of his third year. He looks like bubble Tyler Herro again, and it's launched the Miami Heat into contending status. The Miami guard is consistently returning five times his value this season and has even reached eight times his return on several occasions. Herro is averaging 37.3 FPPG in 31.3 minutes each night and is a perfect running mate with one of the other high-priced guards. On Thursday, Herro will see a Celtics unit that sounds on the brink of collapse. This defense gives up the second-most FPPG to shooting guards this year, and Herro will have plenty of chances to exploit them.
Others to consider: Chris Paul ($8,500), Tyrese Maxey ($5,500), Furkan Korkmaz ($4,700)
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DraftKings Forwards - NBA DFS Lineup Picks
Anthony Davis - PF/C, LAL vs. OKC ($10,300)
The first forward recommendation was a close race between Davis and Jimmy Butler, but I've already mentioned a Heat player, so I'll grab someone from the purple and gold. The Brow carries another questionable tag into this game, but he's managed it so far this year, and I expect him to take the court on Thursday. Davis' ceiling is unlimited, but he has yet to deliver consistent returns on the young season. He's had three games with at least 50 fantasy points and one with 70.75, and yet he still feels slightly disappointing. I'm banking on this high price tag and early-season lull to sneak Davis in at a low roster percentage in an elite matchup. Oklahoma City allows 54.44 FPPG to power forwards, and it clocks in as the second-worst defense in the league.
Georges Niang - SF/PF, PHI at DET ($4,400)
Tobias Harris (protocols) is on the shelf for the short-term future, and Danny Green (hamstring) will miss time. The 76ers, still without Ben Simmons, need healthy bodies to fill up the 240 minutes each night. Enter Georges Niang. The 28-year old journeyman is getting a chance to shine in Philadelphia and is a perfect short-term fix for a team with postseason aspirations. In his first two games without Harris, the former-Iowa State Cyclone averaged 19.5 points, four rebounds, three assists, and 3.5 three-pointers for 32.5 fantasy points. At $4,400, Niang will be a trendy pick for the managers trying to fit more studs on their roster on this small, five-game slate.
Others to consider: Jimmy Butler ($9,600), Carmelo Anthony ($5,300), De'Andre Hunter ($4,000)
DraftKings Centers - NBA DFS Lineup Picks
Deandre Ayton - C, PHX vs. HOU ($6,600)
Ayton (leg) missed Tuesday's game against New Orleans, but if he can take the court on Thursday against Houston, he will be in a prime matchup. The Rockets give up 59.28 FPPG to centers, and Ayton has started the season on quite a run. The fourth-year big man had a 21-point, 21-rebound game against the Kings last week for 53.75 fantasy points, followed by a further 17 points and 12 rebounds against the Cavaliers. If Ayton can't go, Frank Kaminsky showed he is a worthwhile replacement on DFS rosters and will open up a ton of salary to spread among the rest of your lineup.
Hassan Whiteside - C, UTA vs. ATL ($4,100)
Rudy Gobert (heel) is already out for the game against Atlanta, leaving Whiteside with a fantastic opportunity. I should mention that the 32-year old is dealing with an ankle issue of his own, but he is expected to suit up as of this writing. Against the Hawks, Whiteside will see a stingier-than-most defense as John Collins and Clint Capela lead the frontcourt. However, with a $4,100 salary, Whiteside has an opportunity to provide sky-high returns on a slate with several $10,000-players available. The former-Heat man only sees 16.2 minutes per game this year, but his per 36 numbers return 16.1 points, 17.1 rebounds, and 3.2 blocks. So the sky really is the limit for Whiteside tonight.
Others to consider: John Collins ($7,100), Andre Drummond ($6,500), Frank Kaminsky ($3,500)
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