Welcome to our NBA DFS picks for the massive 10-game FanDuel slate on Wednesday, Nov. 12. This slate is defined by injuries, with stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Donovan Mitchell, and Bam Adebayo all OUT. This opens up tremendous value. I'll identify the "one elite to rule them all," plus the best mid-range and value plays, including a hot bargain from Boston.
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SLATE OVERVIEW
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INJURIES
For all the latest updates, visit RotoWire's NBA Injury News page and our comprehensive NBA Injury Report. Below are some of the most recent and relevant injuries for Wednesday. Keep in mind that this is not a complete list. Use your best judgment when evaluating ongoing injury scenarios elsewhere on the slate.
CHI Josh Giddey (ankle) - QUESTIONABLE
Giddey was available for morning practice, so he is trending toward playing today.
DET Cade Cunningham (hip) - QUESTIONABLE
DET Jalen Duren (ankle) - QUESTIONABLE
DET Tobias Harris (ankle) - OUT
DET Ausar Thompson (ankle) - OUT
DET Isaiah Stewart (ankle) - DOUBTFUL
I would get confirmation on Detroit's first unit before submitting your final lineup edits, as you should be able to pivot for value in this spot, especially if all the tags hold. Ronald Holland ($4,400) and Javonte Green ($4,300) are already projected starters, but we could also see increased involvement from Paul Reed ($3,800) and Caris LeVert ($4,300) if Cunningham and/or Duren are limited or out.
CHA LaMelo Ball (ankle) - OUT
CHA Brandon Miller (shoulder) -OUT
Starting backcourt duties will continue to be in store for Collin Sexton ($5,800) and Sion James ($3,900) during this injury scenario.
MIL Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) - OUT
His absence will send ripples through the lineup, and we'll see a lot more from Bobby Portis ($4,700).
CLE Donovan Mitchell (rest) - OUT
CLE Darius Garland (toe) - DOUBTFUL
CLE Evan Mobley (rest) - OUT
It looks like this trio will get the night off. Jarrett Allen ($6,500) becomes much more valuable if he plays, and Lonzo Ball ($3,900) may get a chance with the first unit alongside Sam Merrill ($4,300) due to Jaylon Tyson's absence.
MIA Bam Adebayo (toe) - OUT
Kel'el Ware ($6,600) will start again, as Adebayo is set to miss a fourth consecutive game.
DAL Anthony Davis (calf) - QUESTIONABLE
Although Davis is close to returning, it's unlikely that he'll take the floor. Naji Marshall ($5,100) would likely be added to the first unit if he's out, allowing P.J. Washington ($6,600) to slide into Davis' role.
ATL Nickeil Alexander-Walker (back) - QUESTIONABLE
With Alexander-Walker's status in doubt, Luke Kennard ($3,900) and Keaton Wallace ($4,500) can be teed up as possible replacements.
LAC Kawhi Leonard (ankle) -OUT
LAC Bradley Beal (hip) -OUT
I expect the Clippers to use John Collins ($5,100) frequently as a Leonard replacement this season, and Kris Dunn ($4,100) is the likely starter with Beal out.
ELITE PLAYERS
We have six players with five-figure salaries tonight, but Cade Cunningham and Giannis Antetokounmpo hold injury tags currently. I think the strongest elite play lies with Victor Wembanyama ($12,200), who should have success against the Warriors. Luka Doncic has a tough match against the Thunder, and despite Nikola Jokic's dominance, I don't see a pressing need to spend this much at the position. If you don't like Wembanyama's chances, Jokic would be my second choice.
James Harden jumps to the forefront for me in the $9k range, as Leonard's continued absence will force the vet to pump out big totals for the Clippers. Devin Booker ($9,100) is $100 cheaper, and I'm equally fine with him against the Mavericks. After Jokic, the next center on the board is Alperen Sengun ($9,600), and I believe the $2,600 point-per-dollar discount would make the Houston center an exponentially better value.
We have a whopping 14 options in the $8k range, and I can find a few spots I like quite easily. Deni Avdija ($8,700) is in a great spot against the Pelicans, and Karl-Anthony Towns ($8,600) continues to be one of my favorite DFS adds through the first month of the season. Good things could also be in store for Domantas Sabonis ($8,300), who has dual eligibility and is about as cheap as you'll ever see him. A pair of Rockets round out the tier, and I think Amen Thompson ($8,1000) and Kevin Durant ($8,000) both have chances to shine with near-identical projections.
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EXPECTED CHALK AND MID-RANGE TARGETS
Jaren Jackson, MEM ($6,400) @ BOS
Jackson's season totals haven't been up to par yet this season, but his salary is becoming harder to ignore. An upside game is coming for Jackson, and he may have a shot to get there against Boston, a team that is weakest up front. With Ja Morant around to distract the backcourt, Jackson may be able to find extended opportunity against a less-experienced center. He could draw Jaylen Brown on defense, but he could use his height as an advantage if that happens.
De'Andre Hunter, CLE ($6,100) @ MIA
With Cleveland sitting many starters, Hunter could have a prime opportunity to post a big number. He's already shone with two consecutive value-beating totals over his last two games, and he's one reason why the team can hand the rock over to the backups on this rest day. Great salary, great spot.
Andrew Wiggins, MIA ($6,400) vs. CLE
With that game in mind, the Heat also have a chance to succeed with a host of Cleveland elites missing, and Mobley's absence will likely have the biggest impact. Allen will be occupied with Ware, and Cleveland will likely have to settle for Dean Wade to cover Wiggins. While Wade is no slouch defensively, he'll be less effective if Wiggins' shot starts to hum. He can sting you from the perimeter, and his three-point stroke has been on point recently.
Mark Williams, PHX ($6,000) @ DAL
Williams is a sneaky selection for the center spot, but his salary is exceptionally low relative to his current production. The Mavericks are banged up inside, and it may fall to P.J. Washington to defend Williams. I'd be persuaded to take him off the board if Davis made a surprise return, but otherwise I think the Phoenix big man is a stable option.
Also consider: Shaedon Sharpe, POR ($6,200) @ NOP
VALUE PLAYS
We have some excellent bargains in the injury section, but I'll single out two of my favorite sub-$6,000 plays, accompanied by a short list of additional discounted players.
Toumani Camara, POR ($5,400) @ NOP
The Trail Blazers are off to a decent start, and this is a great spot for them to earn their sixth win. Camara's numbers haven't wowed me, but he may get more opportunities against the Pelicans, especially if the game gets out of hand. If you can ignore some of his recent inefficiency, you'll see some excellent value-beating totals that could emerge again tonight.
Jordan Walsh BOS ($4,000) vs. MEM
It's hard to ignore Walsh's recent success off the bench. While Josh Minott's recent poor performances may be outliers, Walsh has quickly unseated Minott and his other teammates as the best player off the bench over the past week. He's a cinch to beat value at this salary if he can continue the run, and he's better than a dart throw for this slate.
Also consider:
- SF/PF Matas Buzelis, CHI ($5,400)
- C Donovan Clingan, POR ($5,600)
- PG/SG Tre Johnson, WAS ($4,200)
- SG/SF Marcus Smart, LAL ($5,900)
