Strategy and Stats for 11/20/24 NBA Daily Fantasy Slate

As the clock strikes 08:30 PM EST tonight, the NBA offers a thrilling 8-game slate that promises to captivate Daily Fantasy Sports enthusiasts. The spotlight shines brightly on the Fiserv Forum where the Chicago Bulls clash with the Milwaukee Bucks in what’s expected to be a high-scoring affair, boasting an Over/Under of 239.0. This marquee matchup not only features elite talent but also sets the stage for fantasy dominance, with players from both teams poised to rack up significant points. As we dive deeper into today’s games, keep an eye on the top projected players at each position, whose performances could make or break your fantasy lineups. Stay tuned as we break down each game, providing you with the insights needed to craft your winning strategy.

Top Picks for PG in Today’s NBA Daily Fantasy Sports

James Harden ($9600), Los Angeles Clippers – Projected 56 pts

James Harden, currently leading the NBA in generating fantasy points from the PG position, continues to be a dominant force on the court. Over his last five games, Harden has maintained an impressive average of 44.8 daily fantasy points. Despite a slight dip in scoring from 21.0 points to 17.8 points per game compared to his previous five-game stretch, his overall contributions in assists and rebounds remain robust. His assists slightly decreased from 9.2 to 9.0, while his rebounds increased from 5.8 to 7.0 per game, showcasing his ability to contribute across multiple facets of the game. Harden’s shooting efficiency has seen a notable improvement, with his field goal percentage rising from 34.3% to 45.7%. However, his three-point shooting has slightly decreased by 2.2%, now standing at 34.2%. With an average of 34.9 minutes on the court per game, up from 34.0, Harden continues to be a central figure for the Clippers. Facing the Magic, who rank #9 in defense against PGs, Harden’s matchup is moderately challenging. However, his all-around game and slight improvements in shooting and rebounding make him a valuable asset. With a DraftKings salary of $9600 and a projected point total of 56.0, Harden holds a DFS value score of 5.8, positioning him as a strong value pick for today’s fantasy slate.

Shooting Guard Daily Fantasy Analysis

Brandon Boston Jr. ($0), New Orleans Pelicans – Projected 34 pts

Brandon Boston Jr. has been a revelation for fantasy managers looking for value. Over his last five games, Boston Jr. has averaged 30.2 daily fantasy points, a significant uptick from his previous five-game stretch where he averaged 22.1 points. This improvement is highlighted by his increased contributions across the board: points per game rose slightly to 11.2, assists jumped to 5.2 from 3.2, and rebounds surged to 6.2 from 3.0. Despite a slight dip in shooting efficiency from the field (37.1% down from 45.0%) and beyond the arc (33.3% down from 38.5%), his overall impact has grown due to his increased playing time, now averaging 34.0 minutes per game. Facing the Cavaliers, who rank third in defense against SGs, poses a challenge. However, Boston Jr.’s recent form and a DraftKings salary of $0 make him an intriguing, potentially undervalued pick. His DFS value score being infinite, due to no salary cost, positions him as a unique asset in daily fantasy lineups. Given his recent performance trajectory and substantial role in the Pelicans’ setup, Boston Jr. is poised to outperform expectations once again.

Top Small Forward Picks for Today’s NBA Daily Fantasy Slate

Trey Murphy III ($0), New Orleans Pelicans – Projected 34 pts

Trey Murphy III has been a notable presence for the New Orleans Pelicans, especially considering his recent performances. Over the last five games, Murphy has averaged 26.9 daily fantasy points. Although this marks a decrease from his previous five-game stretch where he averaged 35.5 points, his current output is still solid. His scoring has dipped slightly to 13.8 points per game from 20.0, alongside a minor reduction in assists and a significant drop in three-point shooting efficiency from 48.7% to 25.0%. However, his rebounding has slightly improved, and he’s taking more shots per game now, 12.8 compared to 10.4 in the earlier games. Despite these fluctuations, Murphy’s consistent court time, averaging 30.7 minutes per game, and a projected increase to 34.0 fantasy points in the upcoming game against the Cavaliers, who rank #3 in defense against SFs, indicate potential. Given the Cavs’ strong defensive stance, Murphy’s performance could be pivotal. His DraftKings salary stands at $0, making him an intriguing, high-risk, high-reward option in today’s fantasy lineup.

Power Forward Analysis for Today’s DFS Slate

Jalen Johnson ($8400), Atlanta Hawks – Projected 40 pts

Jalen Johnson has been a beacon of consistency for the Atlanta Hawks, especially in his recent outings. Over his last five games, Johnson has averaged 44.4 daily fantasy points, a slight dip from his previous five-game stretch where he posted 51.6 points. Despite this decrease, his performance remains robust with an average of 20.2 points, 5.4 assists, and 9.0 rebounds per game. His shooting efficiency stands out with a solid 58.5% from the field and an improved 39.1% from three-point range, up significantly from 22.2% in his earlier games. The upcoming matchup against the Warriors, who rank #7 in defense against PFs, poses a challenge. However, Johnson’s ability to maintain high productivity in terms of scoring and rebounding, coupled with his increased shooting accuracy from downtown, makes him a valuable asset. His DFS value score of 4.8 categorizes him as a core value pick at a DraftKings salary of $8400. Given his recent performance and the high number of minutes he’s logging (36.4 per game), Johnson should be a pivotal player in today’s fantasy lineups, especially considering his ability to outperform expectations against tougher defenses.

Center Position Analysis

Joel Embiid ($9800), Philadelphia 76ers – Projected 48 pts

Joel Embiid’s recent performance has shown a dip compared to his explosive outputs earlier in the season. Over the last five games, he’s averaged 42.1 daily fantasy points, a notable decrease from the 59.8 points in the previous set of five games. His scoring has dropped to 20.4 points per game from 36.2, alongside slight decreases in assists and rebounds. His shooting accuracy has also suffered, with his field goal percentage at 44.1% down from 48.4%, and a significant drop in three-point shooting from 41.9% to 22.7%. Despite these challenges, Embiid’s upcoming matchup against the Grizzlies, who rank #18 in defense against centers, might offer him a chance to bounce back. His DraftKings salary of $9800 reflects a high expectation, which aligns with his potential to dominate given his average of 35.7 minutes on the court. His DFS value score of 4.9 positions him as a core value pick for the upcoming slate, suggesting that while he’s not at his peak, he remains a crucial player to consider for your DFS lineups.