NBA Daily Fantasy Picks & Playbook: November 14, 2026

Keith Eyster | @eys819dfs | DraftKings and FanDuel main slate

On Saturday, we have a five-game slate on DraftKings and FanDuel. Players such as Nikola Jokic, Cooper Flagg, Cade Cunningham, and LaMelo Ball take the floor. The Pelicans, the Heat, the Cavaliers, the Bulls, and the Grizzlies are on a back-to-back, and Giannis Antetokounmpo is the biggest name on the injury report that's currently in question.

Before actually diving into the meat and potatoes, welcome to the NBA DFS season. If this is your first time reading our column on NBA DFS picks, I just want to welcome you and give you a few tips and tricks on what you should be looking for each night.

• News outlets: reliable sources that give us injury news & starting lineups
• Pace of play: who's playing fast vs. who's playing slow. Which teams get a pace-up spot (more possessions) vs. pace-down (fewer possessions)
• Usage rates: is a percentage of how many plays that player is being used in
• NBA DFS Projections
• Lineup Generator
• NBA Ownership

Slate Snapshot & Injury Updates

Last updated: 3:23 p.m. ET

5 games | Lock: 7:00 p.m. ET

• MEM ruled out Ty Jerome. 

Injury Report

Every player in today's games with an injury designation: 20 out, 17 questionable. Who Benefits is listed for the players whose absence moves the slate.

Game Environments

Each game shows the away team first. DEN @ NOP carries the slate's top total. DEN @ NOP and CHI @ MIN carry blowout risk. CHI @ MIN has the best pace matchup on the slate. Ranks are league-wide, 2026-27; pace rank 1 is fastest, and off and def rank 1 are best. Green marks a better DFS spot and red a worse one, so a weak defense shades green.

DraftKings vs FanDuel Price Differential

• Julius Randle is the 3rd highest priced PF on DraftKings but 6th on FanDuel, so the better positional value is on FanDuel ($7,900 DK, $7,000 FD).
• Jaylon Tyson is the 27th highest priced SF on DraftKings but 15th on FanDuel, so the better positional value is on DraftKings ($4,100 DK, $4,300 FD).
• Isaiah Stewart is the 24th highest priced C on DraftKings but 15th on FanDuel, so the better positional value is on DraftKings ($4,000 DK, $4,500 FD).

Each player is ranked by salary among every player in that site's file eligible at the position, including multi-position players (1 is the highest priced). Players are compared at a position they are eligible for on both sites; when they share more than one, the position with the bigger gap is shown. Rank Gap is how many spots apart the two ranks are; the greener the cell, the bigger the gap. Better Positional Value is the site where the player has the lower position rank (priced lower among players at the position), regardless of the raw salary, since the two sites use different salary scales.

Top Tier Core Plays

Nikola Jokic - C · DEN

Jokic is an elite option against New Orleans, averaging 23.5 points, 10.8 rebounds, 9.0 assists, 1.8 steals, and 1.2 blocks in 36.3 minutes per game this season. He has been particularly productive recently, averaging 25.8 points, 12.0 rebounds, and 8.4 assists over his last five contests. Jokic has also already dominated this matchup twice this season, posting 21 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists in their October 28 meeting, followed by 35 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists on October 24. The 12.5-point spread is a mild concern, but Jokic did play 34 minutes in the 13-point game last time. He has the highest ceiling on the slate, especially if New Orleans stays competitive. 

Giannis Antetokounmpo - PF · MIA

Giannis is averaging 28.5 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game this season while shooting efficiently from the field. His recent production has been equally impressive, averaging 28.6 points and 12.4 rebounds over his last five games, including a 37-point performance against Cleveland and a 30-point, 11-rebound outing against Utah. Giannis also had a strong showing against Detroit earlier this season, finishing with 36 points, 12 rebounds, and five assists. The Pistons are a physical defensive team, but their frontcourt could struggle to contain his strength, transition game, and ability to draw fouls. 

Cade Cunningham - PG · DET

Cunningham is averaging 25.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, 7.9 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.9 blocks in 34.5 minutes per game this season. He has been on an impressive run offensively, most recently exploding for 52 points and 11 assists against Washington in a double-overtime win. Over his last five games, Cunningham has averaged 28.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 8.8 assists, showing he can take over as both a scorer and facilitator. Miami presents a tougher defensive test, but they are playing their second game in as many nights and also play at the third-fastest pace in the league. Cunningham's heavy ball-handling responsibilities and consistent minutes give him an elite ceiling and plenty of opportunities to produce across multiple categories. 

Cooper Flagg - SF · DAL

Flagg is averaging 24.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 6.5 assists in 33.5 minutes per game this season, showing he can contribute across multiple categories. His recent performances have been impressive, highlighted by a 43-point, 10-rebound, six-assist explosion against Indiana and a 25-point, 12-assist outing against Brooklyn. Cleveland missing Mobley creates a more favorable frontcourt matchup, potentially opening more opportunities for Flagg to attack the paint, finish at the rim, and grab rebounds. If Allen is also ruled out, the matchup becomes even more attractive, as Cleveland would lose its primary interior presence. Flagg's scoring upside, playmaking responsibilities, and rebounding ability make him a strong target with considerable upside. 

Mid-Tier Core Plays

Daniss Jenkins - PG/SG · DET

Jenkins has taken a significant step forward recently, averaging 24.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.0 assists over his last three games. He has scored at least 21 points in each of his last three contests, including 31 points against the Lakers and 22 against Washington. His expanded role has boosted his fantasy production, making him a particularly appealing value option whose price hasn't fully adjusted. 

James Harden - PG · CLE

Harden has gone for over 45 DK points in each of his last two games, and his salary is now under $7k. The Cavs injury report is a mess, with Mobley and Merrill already ruled out, and Harden, Mitchell, Allen, and Watson all questionable. As long as Harden is active, he's a great play even in a tougher matchup against Dallas. 

Cedric Coward - SG · MEM

Coward is averaging 12.9 points, 8.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.5 steals in 28.4 minutes per game this season. His recent performances have been encouraging, recording 14 points, seven rebounds, and six assists against New Orleans, following a 15-point, 11-rebound double-double against Denver. Coward has also demonstrated a strong rebounding floor, collecting at least seven boards in four of his last five games. Brooklyn has struggled defensively, allowing 115.3 points per game this season, which creates opportunities for Memphis' offense. Coward's ability to contribute rebounds, steals, and three-point shooting gives him multiple ways to accumulate fantasy points without needing a high-scoring total. 

Duncan Robinson - SG/SF · DET

Robinson is averaging 18.1 points, 1.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 4.1 three-pointers made in 31.7 minutes per game this season. His recent production has been inconsistent, but he has shown scoring upside, averaging 19.6 points over his last five games, including 27 points against Philadelphia and 24 against Charlotte. Robinson also scored 17 points with five three-pointers in his first meeting with Miami this season.

Value Tier Core Plays

Jaylon Tyson - SG/SF · CLE

Mobley and Merrill have been ruled out, which is already enough to make Tyson playable. Mitchell, Harden, Allen, and Watson are also all questionable, and Tyson's appeal changes if even one of them misses the game. There's a decent chance he ranks among the top plays on the slate once the injury news shakes out.  Tyson is averaging 8.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 22.4 minutes per game this season, but his recent performances show encouraging upside. He scored 16 points with four three-pointers against Miami in his most recent outing, playing 30 minutes in his first start of the season. 

Cameron Johnson - SG/SF · DEN

Johnson is averaging 12.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 2.3 three-pointers made in 28.2 minutes per game this season. His recent production has been more encouraging, averaging 16.3 points over his last three games, highlighted by a 23-point, four-rebound performance against Memphis and an 18-point outing against Indiana. Johnson has consistently been getting around 30 minutes, giving him a dependable opportunity to contribute offensively.

Kevin Huerter - SG/SF · DET

His recent performances have been mixed, but Huerter showed considerable upside with 24 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists against the Lakers. He has also scored in double figures in three of his last five games. Huerter faces a Miami defense that can make perimeter scoring difficult, so his ability to knock down outside shots will be important. His biggest appeal is his three-point shooting, which gives him a path to fantasy production without requiring heavy usage. 

Christian Braun - SG/SF · DEN

Braun is averaging 12.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 2.0 steals in 34.4 minutes per game this season. His recent production has been somewhat inconsistent offensively, averaging 9.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.8 assists over his last five games. However, he continues to receive substantial playing time, logging 37 minutes in his most recent outing against Memphis. Overall, Braun offers a solid combination of minutes security, defensive production, and occasional scoring upside, making him a reasonable value option. 

Late-News Core Plays

Players we are considering core plays based on late-breaking news and research

• Cedric Coward and Cam Spencer are now core plays with Jerome out. 

Core Lineup

Cash Core: Jaylon Tyson, Cam Spencer, Daniss Jenkins, Cedric Coward. 

GPP Leverage: Cooper Flagg, Davion Mitchell, Day'Ron Sharpe, Meleek Thomas. 

Player Pool

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Stacks

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