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DFS NBA Picks for FanDuel and DraftKings - Thursday 12/2
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Point Guard
Dejounte Murray FD - $9800 DK - $9800
Opponent - POR
Proj Pts FD - 49.25 DK - 51.72
Who remembers the good old days when Murray was in the mid $7K to low $8K range? The huge price jump is completely justified, however, as Murry has been phenomenal lately averaging 19.7 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 7.9 assists over his last 10 games good for an average of 48 DK/47 FD points per game. That is right around what we are looking for tonight which is very attainable considering this game has the highest total(221.5) on the slate and Portland ranks 27th in defensive efficiency. Fire up Murray in all formats as a top guard on this slate.
Alec Burks FD - $7000 DK - $6500
Opponent - CHI
Proj Pts FD - 34.21 DK - 36.35
The sites are catching up in price after Burks' role took a huge shift being named the starting point guard for Knicks. He has thrived in his new role playing 39 minutes in both starts and putting up a team-high 38 shots(17 from behind the arc) while exceeding 40 fantasy points in each game. The matchup is nothing to write home about as the Bulls rank 7th in defensive efficiency but Burks is likely a mid $7K player in his new role so this is still a buy low for me and he is in play in all formats.
Shooting Guard
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander FD - $7900 DK - $8100
Opponent - MEM
Proj Pts FD - 39.39 DK - 42.26
With Giddey out last night, SGA took over shooting 46% on 26 shots en route to 39 real-life points and 49 fantasy points. This is a back-to-back but I am not worried for multiple reasons starting with Giddey most likely missing a second game and then add in the elite matchup as Memphis ranks dead last in defensive efficiency and 9th in pace. SGA is in for another heavy usage night and I will have exposure in all formats.
Desmond Bane FD - $5400 DK - $6400
Opponent - OKC
Proj Pts FD - 32.04 DK - 34.83
Much like the Thunder, the Grizzlies are also dealing with an injury as Ja Morant has been out each of the last two games and is out indefinitely. While Bane hasn't received the biggest spike in usage or fantasy production with the absence, he stands out more for his consistency lately as he has tallied 29 or more fantasy points in six of his last seven games. The price has adjusted accordingly on DraftKings which doesn't make him a must-play but on FanDuel, he is a top PTS/$ play in the mid $5K range.
Small Forward
Scottie Barnes FD - $7300 DK - $7500
Opponent - MIL
Proj Pts FD - 34.99 DK - 37.53
The ongoing theme of this article has been opportunity created by injury ad we have another one in Toronto with OG Anunoby set to miss his eighth straight game. While the on/off numbers suggest Barnes has only seen a marginal increase in production, he has been very consistent playing 35 minutes and averaging 13.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 35 fantasy points in OG's absence. It is a tougher matchup vs. the Bucks but Barnes will get every opportunity to hit and exceed value.
Luguentz Dort FD - $5600 DK - $5700
Opponent - MEM
Proj Pts FD - 29.98 DK - 32.95
The Grizzlies are currently nine-point favorites which is a bit surprising considering they are missing Morant and rank dead last in defensive efficiency. No matter the spread, I love Dort here as OKC will likely be without Giddey once again tonight which saw Dort play 36 minutes in his absence. While I don't see him shooting 54% from the field again, the opportunity will be there in a high pace/minimal defense game and with a price under $6K on both sites, I will have plenty of exposure.
Power Forward/Center
Jaren Jackson Jr. FD - $6900 DK - $7100
Opponent - OKC
Proj Pts FD - 40.44 DK - 40.66
I will now circle back on the Morant injury I mentioned above as Jackson has seen the biggest boost across the board in his absence. I know, they don't play the same position but the shots have definitely funneled JJJ's way going from 24.6% usage with Morant to 30.7% without him over the last two games. The fantasy production is what really stands out as he has gone from 1.12 DK/1.15 FD points per minute up to 1.36/1.39. Either way you slice it, JJJ is underpriced considering his current situation and opportunity and is a core play on both sites.
Julius Randle FD - $8500 DK - $9500
Opponent - CHI
Proj Pts FD - 43.21 DK - 47.62
Randle can be a very frustrating player to roster in fantasy as he is either putting up 50+ fantasy points or somewhere in the 20 range and not much in between. I will say, he does stand out more when he is back down in the $9K range, and even better tonight, he comes in the mid $8K range. He is one of only five players on this slate to average a double-double on the season and he gets a huge rebounding boost tonight as the Bulls rank second to last in that category. I don't think randle is a must-play on DraftKings, but very close to it on FanDuel at his current price.
Jusuf Nurkic FD - $6700 DK - $7000
Opponent - SA
Proj Pts FD - 37.91 DK - 40.12
Another one of those five players to average a double-double on the season is Nurkic who is popping up heavily at the center position today. He isn't a picture of consistency in terms of fantasy production but does get pace up matchup in the highest total on the slate and more good news as the Spurs rank 22nd in rebounding putting another double-double most definitely in play here.
