NBA Fantasy Projections & Optimizer Picks for DraftKings & FanDuel 11/12

On tap for Friday is a huge 11-game slate. With 22 clubs competing, NBA fantasy lineups on DraftKings and FanDuel will be flush with high-level talent and value plays. The Awesemo NBA Starting Lineups page will provide breaking news when starters are announced as well as a full injury report on players who might be missing in action. Below are some NBA daily fantasy options that stand out for tonight’s slate using Awesemo’s Boom/Bust Tool and NBA DFS projections.

NBA Fantasy Projections & Optimal Lineup Picks Tonight

Boom: Zach LaVine: $8,000 DraftKings/$8,400 FanDuel

23.6% DraftKings Boom/15% FanDuel Boom

Nikola Vucevic (COVID-19) has been ruled out for tonight, making LaVine one of the best high-end spends on the slate. When Vucevic has been off the floor this season, LaVine’s usage has skyrocketed 10.3 percentage points to a godly 40%, which has resulted in 1.6 DraftKings points per minute. On the menu for Friday is a matchup with the Warriors, who lead the league in defensive efficiency. However, they also play at the sixth-fastest pace, compared to the Bulls’ sixth slowest. LaVine is always a better target in up-tempo settings, and this game’s total is the sixth highest on the slate (222 points). Additionally, the spread is only 5.5 points in favorite of the Warriors. On BetMGM LaVine’s prop over/unders are 27.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists, which is already 39.25 DraftKings points before defensive stats and bonuses are credited.

All in all, LaVine’s expected role tonight is not reflected in his current price tags, and it trumps any concerns about this matchup. Per Awesemo’s projections, LaVine is that strongest point-per-dollar value among all players priced at $8,000 or higher on DraftKings.

Boom: Isaiah Stewart: $4,300 DraftKings/$4,800 FanDuel

27.2% DraftKings Boom/24.8% FanDuel Boom

With Kelly Olynyk (knee) sidelined, Stewart should be the primary beneficiary. Averaging 23 minutes per game apiece, they have essentially been splitting all the center minutes for the Pistons. Now take Olynyk out of the equation, and Stewart should naturally handle a larger role. Awesemo’s projections have him slated for 27.8 minutes tonight against the Cavaliers, and this season Stewart is contributing 0.92 DraftKings points per minute. Stewart thrived with an increased workload last year, and in the 21 career games he has logged at least 25 minutes, he is averaging 28.9 DraftKings points per game. This Cavaliers are yielding the fourth-most points in the paint this season, and Stewart has a top-three boom score for DraftKings tonight.

Latest NBA DFS Content

Boom: Patrick Beverley: $4,200 DraftKings/$4,800 FanDuel

37% DraftKings Boom/30.1% FanDuel Boom

Beverley is one of the best value plays on the board on both DraftKings and FanDuel. he has been a solid fantasy producer this season, with 0.9 DraftKings points per minute and 24.5 DraftKings points per game. Beverley became a starter for the Timberwolves four games ago and has seen 30.6 minutes per game with the first unit. For Friday, he will be competing in the second-highest total on the slate (223 points), and the Lakers lead the league in pace this season. Beverley should have no issues exceeding 5x value on both sites and is an excellent cheap way to gain exposure to one of the top game environments of the night. No player has a higher boom score for DraftKings than Beverley in Awesemo’s Boom/Bust Tool.

Beverley is popping as one of the best NBA DFS value plays on the slate, which Zach Brunner wrote about in his NBA DFS Grades & Values article using Awesemo’s expert projections and rankings today.

Boom: Nikola Jokic: $11,700 DraftKings/$11,400 FanDuel

19.2% DraftKings Boom/21.8% FanDuel Boom

Coming off his one-game suspension, Jokic has not played since Monday. Tonight he meets a Hawks defense that has been a mess this season, ranking 28th in efficiency. Plus, Jokic will be at home, where he is always more productive. On Monday Jokic destroyed an elite Heat defense for a season-high 70.25 DraftKings points on his home floor. Over the last two seasons, Jokic is averaging 60 DraftKings points per game at home, which is nearly 5 fantasy points more than he has on the road. The Boom/Bust Tool is giving Jokic the second-highest ceiling on the slate, and with him expected to see single-digit ownership on both DraftKings and FanDuel tonight, he is a must-have for GPPs.

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