Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero looks for a shot against the Charlotte Hornets during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
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Opponent - WAS
Proj Pts FD - 32.27 DK - 33.45
Opponent - WAS
Proj Pts FD - 33.39 DK - 36.5
It might end up a popular decision to start a bunch of Magic players on this slate and that would come with good reason. That’s because they are facing off against the Washington Wizards who are about as good a DFS matchup as you can get these days.
The Wizards rank second-to-last in defensive efficiency and second in pace. That’s a near-perfect meeting point when it comes to opponents scoring fantasy points and gives Orlando guys a high-floor expectation nearly across the board.
Jalen Suggs doesn’t have huge minutes upside, but the price is completely reasonable and he should be in line for about 30 at least as long as the game stays close. He’s scored double-digit points in 10 straight games with contributions in nearly every part of the stat line.
Meanwhile, Cole Anthony is coming off the bench but has been able to keep a consistent minutes level with the team not wanting to run rookie Anthony Black out there for major run. Anthony is coming off a 30-point, seven-rebound, seven assist game against the Hornets and has scored 15+ in five straight games. His price is a little risky considering he’s not in the starting unit, but the matchup helps ease that some.
Other Notes:
There are injury pieces we will need to know before ultimately setting lineups.
It looks like Jamal Murray will return to the lineup tonight. But if not, then Reggie Jackson (FD 6000 DK 6300) would be another strong play once again.
Additionally, if Kevin Durant were to sit again then we can instantly vault Devin Booker (FD 10400 DK 10300) into the top plays tier.
Opponent - WAS
Proj Pts FD - 44.39 DK - 47.66
Opponent - WAS
Proj Pts FD - 40.57 DK - 43.08
Like we said with the guards above, the Magic guys are going to likely be a popular stack in cash games on this slate and it makes all the sense in the world. Banchero has played 35 or more minutes in each of the last three games averaging 23 points, six rebounds, and six assists in that span. The assist volume has been a welcome surprise with the Magic playing a particular form of team basketball right now.
And then there is Franz Wagner who is coming off dropping 30 against the Hornets earlier in the week. He’s struggled from beyond the arc this season, shooting just 29% from three but he’s increased his overall usage from last season while also getting on the boards more.
In all, stacking both of these guys at their current price points should probably be the viable strategy in cash games. At 122.5, the Magic have the highest implied total of the slate (by far) and the floor here is going to make it easy to jam as many in cash as possible.
Opponent - DET
Proj Pts FD - 55.11 DK - 58.13
LeBron James and the Lakers are coming off one of the worst losses in his career against the Sixers on Monday. They got crushed and it could be a wakeup call for this squad in a get-right spot against the Pistons. It’s a great matchup against the Pistons and LeBron has a very high floor here. The DraftKings price sitting under $10K makes it pretty easy to fit him in lineups all things considered and the Pistons provide almost no defensive resistance.
Opponent - DET
Proj Pts FD - 59.24 DK - 58.43
The Pistons are down bad right now, having lost 13 straight games and seemingly headed for the bottom of the Eastern Conference once again. The Lakers come in as -7 road favorites and getting some of them in cash could make a lot of sense especially if some other teams return stars and eliminate value from their lineups.
Anthony Davis has had an up-and-down short-term run, getting blown out by the Sixers on Sunday and scoring only 17 points while he dropped 30 the game before that. But then there was the 10-point game against the Mavericks that is still a head-scratcher. In all, he has as much upside as almost anyone in the NBA, but playing him comes with some risk. That being said, the Pistons are an easy matchup, and seeing him pile up points and defensive stats isn’t a stretch at all.
Opponent - LAL
Proj Pts FD - 39.8 DK - 42.48
Jalen Duren returned to the starting lineup against the Wizards and put up another great fantasy line, this time going for 12 points, 14 rebounds, five blocks and a steal. The 33 minutes means the team is fine with his run coming back from injury and he’s way underpriced for his upside. Sure, the Pistons stink, but this isn’t because of Duren who has been one of the best per-minute fantasy guys in the league this season.
Keep an eye on the Kevin Durant situation for guys like Keita Bates-Diop (FD 4800 DK 4600) who would get the start in his place and is coming cheap.
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