We have a small three-game NBA DFS main slate for Sunday evening, November 5th, on DraftKings and FanDuel. Although small in size of slate, the slate still brings forth some great action in the association as we get to see the Hornets make way to Dallas in a fast-paced affair against the Mavericks, as well as the late-night hammer in a Western Conference showdown between the traveling win-less Memphis Grizzlies in Portland taking on the Trailblazers. Let's get to it!

Make sure to check out today's NBA DFS projections and NBA DFS ownership projections before finalizing your lineups today. Keep your eyes on the news leading up to and beyond roster lock.

 

Notable NBA Injury Updates

Game Spreads & Over/Under:

 

PACE:

*Green = TOP 15 FASTEST (1st = Fastest)  -  Red = TOP 15 SLOWEST (30th = Dead Last)

 

Favorite Starters to Use for DFS Lineups

Luka Doncic (PG/SG), Dallas Mavericks ($12,000 DK/$12,100 FD):

There is not another player on this slate like a Luka Doncic that if you decide to fade, you will never catch up to. He is simply that good. Even with Kyrie Irving returning to the starting five on Friday night in Denver and seeing 35 minutes at that, Luka STILL dropped nearly 61 DK fantasy points recording 34 actual with 10 boards, eight dimes, and a sweat over 38 minutes on the floor. Despite his lack-luster game vs the Bulls two games ago, Luka is smashing the league game after game and has topped 60 fantasy points in four of the five played already, including three eclipsing 70-fantasy point mark. Not only is he a usage monster (35.4%), this game supports the fastest game environment on the main slate tonight with BOTH teams being denoted in “green” in the PACE section above, and that is even further emphasized with this game having a whopping 236-point total.

Stephen Curry (PG/SG), Golden State Warriors ($9,700 DK/$10,000 FD):

Curry continues to do his thing while the Warriors continue to find wins in any setting. Curry is doing a bit of the opposite here to start this year in terms of home/road split, where he was a monster on his home floor most of last season (and likely will be this year also), but he has shown a nice propensity to rack up fantasy points on the road to start the year here in ‘23-’24. In two home starts so far for Curry, he has only recorded 37.75 and 30.25 DK fantasy points, however, in four road games, Curry has posted fantasy outputs of 55.5, 61.75, 46.25, and 57.5. Typically, we have faded guards against this Cav's backcourt in the years prior, but we all know Curry comes in as an exception here. Not to mention, Klay Thompson is questionable to play, and could be sitting this one out tonight. Looking at last year's usage differentials with Klay OFF the floor, Curry got the biggest boost on the team at a +3.8% clip with him out, and this was with Jordan Poole still on the roster. 

Donovan Mitchell (PG/SG), Cleveland Cavaliers ($9,600 DK/$10,400 FD):

Donny Mitchell is most definitely in play here and have to think he will be ready to play as the Cavaliers host the Golden State Warriors at home tonight. Even with both Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen returning to the lineup on Friday night against the Pacers, it continued to be the Donovan Mitchell show as he poured in 38 actual, grabbed five boards, dished nine dimes, and swiped one steal in route to a 60 DK fantasy point outing. The usage is going to continue to remain in his favor, no matter who is starting alongside him. Mitchell's upside continues to be tremendous, and this game supports a modest total here tonight for a team that typically is on the slower side (22nd in PACE for CLE). I do think they get a small speed-up here as the Warriors, even though playing a bit slower to start the year, are notorious for playing fast. Think this is an excellent spot once again for Mitchell at home.

Evan Mobley (PF/C), Cleveland Cavaliers ($7,900 DK/$8,300 FD):

Mobley was able to move back to his usual position at PF with Jarrett Allen starting at the center spot on Friday night against the Pacers and Mobley went ham racking up nearly 49 DK fantasy points on the night in 36 minutes of action. With both Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. likely coming in slightly chalky in this tier, I really like the leverage we should get with Mobley here, who is in a similar situation as Friday with Allen back in at C (may play only 21-25 minutes again), and Garland back at PG/SG alongside Donovan Mitchell. We all know the Warriors love to play small-ball and this fits Mobley very well. Look for him to play 35 or more minutes, and he should at least 5x his price here.

Others to Consider: Desmond Bane (SG - MEM), LaMelo Ball (PG - CHA - Better w/out Rozier), Jaren Jackson Jr. (PF/C - MEM).

 

Mispriced Plays to Target (Players Priced to Exceed Value)

Deandre Ayton (C), Portland Trail Blazers ($7,000 DK/$8,200 FD):

Really like the price discount we are getting here on Ayton on DraftKings at just $7k flat. Ayton has seen at least 32 or more minutes in each of his last three games while posting fantasy point totals of 48.75, 43.75, and lastly, 43 against this same Memphis squad last time out (credit the game did go to OT, so most of these players have inflated fantasy efforts). However, this price seems a bit too cheap on Ayton, who I think comes in with the possibly the lowest of ownership percentages in this game of the starters on both sides. Ayton has eclipsed 6x his price tag in his last three games mentioned above, and this game is a rubber match between these teams who just went to OT on Friday night.

Gordon Hayward (SF/PF), Charlotte Hornets ($6,400 DK/$6,500 FD):

As long as Hayward can stay healthy, he is playing some very good ball at the moment for the Hornets, who also could be without starting SG Terry Rozier tonight as they travel into Dallas to face the Mavericks. Hayward has seen at least 30 or more minutes in every game he has played so far to start the season, while also putting up very modest fantasy point efforts of all reaching 30 fantasy points or better. In three of his last four tilts, he outputted 36 or better DK fantasy points recording 39, 36.75, and 41.75. As mentioned above, this is the PACE game to target tonight, and even though the Mavericks are big favorites here, you will likely need pieces of this game regardless. I think Hayward will likely garner a bit more usage in the event that Rozier can't go. 

Others to Consider: Chris Paul (PG/SG - GSW), P.J. Washington (SF/PF - CHA), Caris LeVert (SG/SF - CLE).

 

Favorite Bargain Plays to Use for DFS Lineups

Mark Williams (C), Charlotte Hornets ($5,800 DK/$6,100 FD):

Targeting a DvP (defense vs position) exploit spot here as the Mavericks are currently ranked 1st in fantasy points allowed on average to the Center spot at a clip of nearly 28 FanDuel fantasy points. Williams is coming off one of his best real and fantasy games to start the season against the Pacers, where he erupted for 27 actual points, seven boards, one assist, two blocks, and two steals for nearly 44 DK fantasy points. The good thing here is that Williams continues to see minutes as the starter, and has played at least 21 or more in every game this year, with most going for 25+. Have to like the spot here, game total and PACE is favoring.

Dereck Lively II (C), Dallas Mavericks ($5,500 DK/$5,800 FD):

Not entirely in love with Lively's price here at all, but with the Hornets frontcourt picking right back up where they left off as a spot that hemorrhages fantasy points, I think it warrants a look at least. The Hornets currently rank 2nd in MOST fantasy points on average allowed to the center position (ironically behind Dallas), and are allowing an average of nearly 26.5 FanDuel fantasy points to the spot. For all the same reasons we liked Mark Williams, we have to apply to Lively, except for the safer minutes and floor. Lively is more of a tournament play in my eyes, and should only be looked at in this regard for tonight.

Grant Williams (SF/PF), Dallas Mavericks ($5,100 DK/$5,300 FD):

Really like the price here on Williams for DraftKings tonight. Williams has seen an increase in playing time lately, seeing 30+ minutes in his last three-straight games. This has also increased his usage, and he has been deadly from behind the perimeter to say the least. Grant has attempted 24 three-pointers over his last three contests and has made 14 of those shots. His last three fantasy point outputs on DraftKings have went 23.25, 38.25, and 29.25 in that order. Once again, stacking this game seems like the way to go tonight in all facets.

Dario Saric (PF/C), Golden State Warriors ($4,500 DK/$4,400 FD):

Saric continues to get quality minutes off the bench as a part of this Warriors rotation. I do think he continues to do so here, as once again I don't think Jarrett Allen will play a full allotment of minutes tonight and this should split time with Mobley playing some of the five. Saric has seen 20 minutes in his last four contests, and as a result has essentially topped one fantasy point per minute in terms of fantasy performances. On a small slate with not a ton of value, I think Saric is a nice look to add some value to get those studs. 

*Other Bargains to Consider: Max Strus (SG/SF - CLE Okoro OUT), Nick Richards (C - CHA), Ziaire Williams (SF - MEM), Luke Kennard (SG - MEM), Georges Niang (SF/PF -  Okoro sitting).

Player Pool

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