DraftKings NBA DFS Fades – The Fantasy Sports Coach

DraftKings NBA DFS Must Plays, Stay Aways & The Bargain Bin – November 25

Stop watching Steph Curry cross over Jordan Clarkson for a second (If you haven’t seen it yet – it’s nasty) and take a look at some DraftKings NBA DFS picks.

Must Plays

Tristan Thompson – PF ($5,800) @ Toronto Raptors

Here’s the thing. Thompson is playing centre but is listed as a power forward on DraftKings. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t slide him at a cheap $5,800 into your lineups. With Timofey Mozgov out, Thompson is getting a lot of minutes and I mean a lot (40 vs ATL, 34 vs ORL). He’s matched up against Bismack Biyombo who cannot make a shot for the life of him. Missed shots = rebounds and that’s the name of Thompsons game. He’s been in double digit rebounds over his last three games. Look for that to continue tonight against the Raptors.

Russell Westbrook – PG ($11,300) vs Brooklyn Nets

I know. Westbrook is really expensive. The most expensive player on DraftKings tonight, but for good reason. The projected point total for the BKN @ OKC game is set at a lofty 210.5. Westbrook consistently flirts with a triple double and has the second most double doubles in the league (10). The Nets can’t guard against point guards at all, giving up an average of 52 DK points per game to the PG position. If you thought Clarkson getting crossed up by Curry was nasty, I can’t wait to see what Westbrook does to Jarret Jack tonight.

Stay Away

John Wall – PG ($8,300) @ Charlotte Bobcats

I don’t like back to backs for DFS purposes and I’m assuming NBA players don’t like them either. In Wall’s last game out he matched his season high of eight turnovers and that’s a big no-no in DraftKings. He’s up against a stiff Hornets defence (CHA gives up the 5th least DK points to the PG position) and things just don’t look good for Wall tonight.

Zaza Pachulia – C ($5,800) @ San Antonio Spurs

The price tag is more than appealing but the matchup is revolting. The Spurs know how to defend against bigs and they do it well. They give up a league low 40.3 DK points against opposing centres. Pachulia has been hot as of late, but expect that to come to a screaming halt tonight against Tim Duncan and LaMarcus Aldridge.

The Bargain Bin

Alonzo Gee – SF ($3,000) @ Phoenix Suns

This is a steal. Literally and figuratively. Gee is known for his defensive play (5 steals in his last three games) but has started to chip in offensively for the Pelicans. That’s great news because the Suns give up the second most DK points to the small forward position (43.7). If you’re putting a guy like Westbrook in your lineup, Gee is perfect salary relief.

Thabo Sefolosha – SF ($4,200) @ Minnesota Timberwolves

Sefolosha has been more than ok starting in place of the injured Kent Bazemore. He was lights out from the field (7-8 FGM-FGA) and was all over the stat sheet (15 pts, 7 reb, 3 ast, 3 stl, 3 blk) in his last game out. Sefolosha won’t be owned in many GPP’s across DraftKings which makes him a perfect Wednesday night play.

Thanks for reading! If you have any questions regarding DFS strategy or season long leagues across all sports, feel free to tweet at me! (@BESTofMATT)

DraftKings NBA DFS Must Plays, Stay Aways & The Bargain Bin, November 18

10 games on the schedule for DraftKings NBA DFS so there’s plenty of selection tonight. The trick is finding out who you can blow the bank on, who you need to avoid like the plague & who you can pull out of the bargain bin.

Must Plays:

Damien Lillard ($8,800) @ Houston Rockets

With the Trailblazers and Rockets projected point total at 211.5, it makes it the second highest projection next to the Pelicans and Thunder game. All signs are pointing to a big night from Lillard. Houston ranks 28th in the NBA giving up a whopping 108.5 points per game. They constantly let opposing point guards put up monster DraftKings points against (52.7). Not to mention that tonight will be the Rockets first game without former head coach Kevin McHale. If you can afford Lillard, slot him into your lineups.

Paul George ($9,500) @ Philadelphia 76ers

Projected to be the second lowest scoring game of the night, you typically would want to stay away from this matchup entirely. However; you just can’t do that with the way Paul George is playing. George has gone seven straight games with at least 26 points and hasn’t had less than 40 DK points since November 3rd. He’s been heating up from beyond the arc over his last two games (8/11) and that shouldn’t slow down against a very shorthanded 76ers squad. With George Hill, Rodney Stuckey and Myles Turner out – look for PG to get a lions share of the minutes.

Stay Aways

Rajon Rondo ($8,700) @ Atlanta Hawks

Remember the good ol’ days when Rondo was $5,800? With a price tag up to $8,700, it just doesn’t make sense to blow your budget on a streaky player like Rondo. His last game out against Toronto (with a $8,500 price tag), he struggled to put the ball in the net (TO allows opponent PG’s to only shoot 37.5% from the field). Look for the same production against the Hawks who are right behind the Raptors in that category as well (Opponent PG’s shoot just 39.1% from the field). There are much better options out there.

James Harden ($10,000) vs Portland Trail Blazers

No. Just don’t do it. Stay far away. Far, far away. Harden is averaging 27 points, 6 assists and 6 rebounds a game but his shooting percentage is atrocious. 37% while turning the ball over nearly five times a game. With a new coach and the Rockets already in desperation mode – expect Harden to throw up way too many shots. Tonight’s not the night for the beard.

Bargain Bin

Ben McLemore ($3,100) @ Atlanta Hawks

McLemore has seemed to have found his shot over the last two games. What a coincidence, as he’s started the previous two matches as well. He’s up against Kyle Korver who may be rested because of Atlanta’s back to back situation. Over the last five games, the Hawks have given up the 11th most DK points to shooting guards (45.3). Want some salary relief? Get some McLemore in your lineup

Thanks for reading! If you have any questions for me (Last minute DFS adjustments, start/sit, what you should make for supper) feel free to reach out on Twitter (@BESTofMATT) and I’ll be more than happy to help you out.