RADIO
Happy Tuesday, RotoBallers! I'm still a tad perplexed by my substitute appearance on the 10-game Monday slate. It's a totally different way of thinking than the 3-6 game slates I usually write about on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Still, it was a ton of fun, and I learned some tips for future slates with the help of our Premium Slack channel. I would highly encourage anyone playing DFS to get in there as soon as possible.
Tonight, there are some critical injuries to monitor as we get closer to tip-off. If Luka Doncic (ankle) remains out, a lot of Mavs come into the fold, including Jalen Brunson ($7,300) and Kristaps Porzingis ($8,500). Meanwhile, in Denver, Nikola Jokic (wrist) could sit out a third-straight game, and it would up the volume for his teammates like Will Barton ($7,400) and Aaron Gordon ($6,700).
This article will provide you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 11/23/21. 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
Cade Cunningham - PG/SG, DET vs. MIA ($7,400)
Eight days ago, Cade Cunningham's salary on DraftKings sat at $5,500. Now, we are looking at a $1,900 increase over four games, and it's tough to argue the rookie shouldn't command this kind of investment. After a slow start, the Pistons have unleashed him as they do everything they can to jump-start this franchise. Over his last four games, the No. 1 overall pick averaged 18.3 points, 8.5 rebounds, 7.5 assists, 2.5 threes, and 2.3 steals over 35.8 minutes per night. It all adds up to 47.25 FPPG (fantasy points per game) and proves he can still return six (and approaching seven) times his salary even with the price hike.
Detroit welcomes Miami to the Motor City tonight, and it's a defense with a weird split versus backcourt. They are the most formidable defense in the league against point guards but come in as the third easiest matchup for shooting guards. It'll be interesting to see who the Heat put on Cunningham, as it could dramatically affect the outcome of his Tuesday-night performance.
Talen Horton-Tucker - SG/SF, LAL at NYK ($5,900)
LeBron James (suspension) will miss tonight's game, and it should blow the door wide open for Talen Horton-Tucker to return to his early-season form. When James is on the court, he is the sun. The entire team revolves around him, and it's usually good for the team. However, he devours his teammate's fantasy points like a black hole. Therefore, without James on the floor tonight, THT can return to his DFS-relevant ways. Just check how his season has gone so far with and without LeBron.
| Talen Horton-Tucker 2021-22 Splits | ||||||
| GP | PPG | RPG | FGA | 3PM | FPPG | |
| W/ LeBron | 2 | 5 | 4 | 9.5 | 0 | 14.75 |
| W/out LeBron | 3 | 23.3 | 7.3 | 17 | 2.6 | 40.3 |
Even as I put that table together, I didn't expect the differences to be that big. A lot of DFS players will see James out and flock to Russell Westbrook and Anthony Davis. I can't blame them because that's where my brain would go first as well. However, Horton-Tucker is $4,600 less than Brodie and $5,000 less than the Brow. I'll take my savings and allocate them in a different spot of my lineup.
Others to consider: Russell Westbrook ($10,500), RJ Barrett ($5,600), Frank Jackson ($4,000)
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DraftKings Forwards - NBA DFS Lineup Picks
Jimmy Butler - SF, MIA at DET ($9,700)
Butler missed three games after suffering an ankle injury versus the Lakers on Nov. 10. Since returning, the five-time All-Star has been on a scorching hot shooting streak. Before the injury, Butler was averaging 23.6 points per game on 15.2 attempts. However, in the three games since, the 32-year old is up to 30.7 points per game on 18.7 attempts. As a result, his DFS numbers have shot up.
Butler will always contribute across the entire box score, but he becomes a great DFS play when he gets more involved in the scoring department. He's now hit at least 50 fantasy points in three of his last four healthy games and gets a plus matchup with Detroit. The Pistons give up the ninth-most FPPG to small forwards, and, even in a slow-paced game, Butler should grab the elusive five times return on value.
Kristaps Porzingis - PF, DAL at LAC ($8,500)
Many casual fans will look at Porzingis' box scores and roll their eyes, thinking he's only producing while Luka Doncic (ankle) is on the trainer's table. However, you, my friend, are no casual fan because you are out here reading NBA DFS columns on a cold (depending on where you are) November Tuesday. Therefore, you should know the Latvian unicorn was turning the corner, and while he's in form and healthy (things that don't usually happen together), he is a differential DFS asset.
Since returning to the Mavs on Nov. 6 (eight games), Porzingis averages 23.1 points on 16.9 shots, along with 9.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.3 three-pointers, and 1.4 blocks per game. He's shooting 50.4 percent from the floor and 37.5 percent from three. Plus, the 2018 All-Star has at least 21 points in six straight contests and scored 25 against these same Clippers on Sunday. Therefore, even if Doncic returns, I'll be playing Porzingis, just at a lower roster rate than you'd expect.
Others to consider: Aaron Gordon ($6,700), Saddiq Bey ($6,000), Obi Toppin ($3,500)
DraftKings Centers - NBA DFS Lineup Picks
Anthony Davis - PF/C, LAL at NYK ($10,900)
In my Talen Horton-Tucker recommendation, I mentioned grabbing him and saving some serious cash compared to the more significant, more expensive Laker pieces. While I still feel that way, I have to talk about Anthony Davis' potential on Tuesday. On Sunday night against the Pistons, the Brow raised several eyebrows across the league with a monstrous 30 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, five blocks, and four steals for a whopping 70 fantasy points.
The eight-time All-Star has racked up at least 65 fantasy points in four of his last 10 games and could be in for another huge night with LeBron James (suspension) missing the game in Madison Square Garden. Davis is managing a thigh injury heading into the game, but he is already listed as probable and should make the starting five. Thus, a five-time return on value seems almost guaranteed for a LeBron-less Davis, and outside of the injured Jokic and Doncic, the 2020 NBA Champion has the highest ceiling on the schedule.
Ivica Zubac - C, LAC vs. DAL ($5,100)
Zubac is not a tournament play. He is an "I spent too much at other positions, and oh crap, I need a center" free square. The big man from Bosnia and Herzegovina is usually priced from $4,900-$5,100 and always returns five times his value. It's not exciting, it's not worth watching, but it is reliable, and I don't mind that from a $5k center.
Zubac averages 9.8 points on 63.2 percent shooting in his last six games, with 10 rebounds and 1.2 blocks. He faced Dallas on Sunday night and put a 16-point, 10-rebound double-double together for 29.5 fantasy points. Plus, with Zubac, you can go to bed early without watching the game because you know exactly what he's getting you. So grab some shut-eye for Wednesday's monster 13-game slate, and send me a thank you tweet when you wake up nice and refreshed.
Others to consider: Julius Randle ($10,000), Jusuf Nurkic ($6,300), JaMychal Green ($3,900)
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