NBA DFS Picks: FanDuel Plays and Lineup Strategy for Wednesday, November 26
Tonight's seven-game slate holds some important NBA injuries that will influence how we construct our lineups. Late swaps could come into play for some of these players, so vigilance will be required to take advantage of these scenarios. I'll combine the latest NBA news, RotoWire's world-class NBA projections, and our customizable NBA DFS optimizer to provide the best possible outcome for your FanDuel contests.
SLATE OVERVIEW
For the latest spreads and over-unders, visit RotoWire's NBA Odds page. There, you can also find player props, futures, picks articles and sportsbook bonus codes.
Although Vegas numbers didn't point directly at Houston, we made several endorsements there against the Trail Blazers. MIL/MIA came through as the highest projected total of the night, but we didn't go beyond injury pivots for either team this evening. We liked two elites for the Knicks, and we could probably go beyond our single Minnesota recommendation with other options on the roster as well. Although the Spurs are figuring out a way forward without two star players, value will spring up here often this season, and tonight is no exception.
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.
MIL Giannis Antetokounmpo (adductor) - QUESTIONABLE
Giannis is nearing a return, but he holds a questionable tag for Wednesday. Bobby Portis ($6,000) will step in for him if he is sidelined again.
MIA Andrew Wiggins (hip) - QUESTIONABLE
MIA Jaime Jaquez (hip) - QUESTIONABLE
MIA Nikola Jovic (hip) - QUESTIONABLE
Norman Powell ($7,200) is probable, and he has a shot to step up in this scenario. I could also see the Heat slide Bam Adebayo ($8,300) over and go with Kel'el Ware ($7,400) at center.
OKC Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (illness) - QUESTIONABLE
While he could eventually be upgraded to probable, Isaiah Joe ($4,200) would likely take up the reins if SGA is sidelined.
TOR RJ Barrett (knee) - OUT
A backup pivot is yet to stand out in this spot, so the alternative is to spread out some exposure to the starters.
MEM Ja Morant (calf) - OUT
MEM Zach Edey (head) - QUESTIONABLE
Vince Williams ($6,200) is still a great pivot for Morant, and Santi Aldama ($6,600) should see a larger role if Edey is out.
NOP Herbert Jones (calf) - OUT
Saddiq Bey ($5,500) has the best shot for a production bump in Jones' absence.
HOU Kevin Durant (personal) - OUT
There wasn't a notable spike for a backup during Durant's Monday absence, but Amen Thompson ($8,200) had an excellent line Monday and will absorb a lot of the scoring gap.
PHX Jalen Green (hamstring) - OUT
PHX Grayson Allen (quad) - OUT
PHX Ryan Dunn (wrist) - OUT
Options for the off-guard spot are getting thin, but Collin Gillespie ($5,800) is healthy and should be the best pivot alternative.
ELITE PLAYERS
The eight-game slate features three players at the top of the player pool with five-figure salaries, but two of them carry questionable tags tonight. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Giannis Antetokounmpo are limited to late-swap duties as a result and won't get much exposure from me tonight. I do like Anthony Edwards ($10,100), especially if SGA takes a seat tonight against Minnesota.
In the $9k tier, Karl-Anthony Towns ($9,600) is getting more expensive but is still viable against Charlotte, but teammate Jalen Brunson ($9,300) is also playing well after a two-game absence and is a bit cheaper.
In the $8k tier, my smash spot will be Devin Booker ($8,900), and he will have a spot in 100 percent of my lineups against the Kings. I also think the Spurs will continue to lean on De'Aaron Fox ($8,600) with extended absences from Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle, and the Trail Blazers may be without one of their best defenders in Shaedon Sharpe.
Also consider: Pascal Siakam, IND ($8,400) @ TOR
EXPECTED CHALK AND VALUE PLAYS
Brandon Ingram, TOR ($8,000) vs. IND
Although Scottie Barnes is perfectly fine in this spot, Ingram is probably the most likely candidate to absorb Barrett's missing output tonight. The Pacers' defense gets a downgrade without Aaron Nesmith in the lineup, and I think Ingram will have the advantage against whoever Indiana decides to line up against him. Ingram is more expensive than I'd like, but he still works on a night when I won't go beyond Edwards.
Jabari Smith, HOU ($6,200) @ GSW
If you're looking for someone other than Thompson to absorb Durant's production, you could do a lot worse than Smith, who has a solid floor with maximum upside due to the All-Star's absence. I'd like him more below $6k, but the salary is still enough to warrant consideration.
Devin Vassell, SAS ($6,100) @ POR
We already mentioned Fox's promise in this game, but Vassell is another candidate who will benefit from the absences. He's consistently beaten 5x value since Wembanyama's injury, and with Castle out, he'll have the off-guard position sealed up.
Mark Williams, PHX ($5,800) @ SAC
Williams will return after a one-game absence, and I think he'll have some success against a Sacramento interior that continues without Domantas Sabonis' input. Although he probably deserves his own mention, Keegan Murray ($6,300) has played exceptionally well and might end up defending Williams. Both players have promise in my projections.
Harrison Barnes, SAS ($4,600) @ POR
Barnes is a fine stack with Fox, but taking Barnes and Vassell is more of an either-or proposition. Relative to Barnes' salary, he's playing exceptionally well in Wemby's absence, which is one reason why he's a favorite dart throw at the low price. Like most budget targets, he's not without risk, but he could pay off against Portland.
