NBA DFS Pick Breakdown on DraftKings (Wednesday, November 20)

On By Littum

Wednesday features an eight-game main draw starting at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Let’s dive into some of the best games on the board using FantasyLab’s tools and projections.

Also, don’t forget that for big tournaments, you can use our Lineup Optimizer to effortlessly create up to 300 lineups or use our Lineup Builder if you like to build your lineups by hand.

You can also use our SimLabs Lineup Generator, a tool that creates the most user-friendly lineup generation process.

Note: Projections and utilization scores/ratings may change during the day after this article is published. The NBA DFS landscape is changing rapidly.

Contact the NBA player models directly for updates as we approach the lockout.

Stud

Damian Lillard missed a few games with an injury recently, but he returned for the team’s last outing. He ultimately finished with 38.5 DraftKings points over 35.6 minutes, posting a double-double with 18 points and 10 assists.

It wasn’t good enough to pay his price tag, but there’s reason to believe in improvement for Lillard on Wednesday. Lillard has averaged 1.24 DraftKings points per minute for the year, so he should be better than he was in his last game, just by default.

He also draws an elite matchup against the Bulls. They’ve been one of the nicest matchups in fantasy this season, ranking first in pace and 24th in defensive efficiency. The Bucks’ 122.5 implied team total is the second highest on the board and represents a huge increase from their season average of 110.5. Lillard also has an opponent plus/minus of +3.47, while his 10 pro trends are tied for the top mark at the position.

Value

Kevin Porter Jr. has had a wild career. He’s been a nightmare at times both on and off the court, and after spending last year playing overseas, he’s back with the Clippers in 2024-25. Porter hasn’t gotten a ton of opportunities so far this season, but he’s been productive when he’s been on the floor, averaging 1.01 DraftKings points per minute.

KPJ has the chance to play a little more than usual on Wednesday. The team is dealing with a few different injuries and driver scores Norman Powell is already excluded. Porter is currently projected for 23 minutes in our NBA models, which is enough to give him a value of $4,200.

Quick break

Fred VanVleet continues to put up big numbers for the Rockets. He has posted a positive plus/minus in five straight games and has scored at least 46.5 DraftKings points in three straight. He remains underpriced at $7,100, resulting in a Bargain Rating of 80%.

While the Bucks have an elite matchup against the Bulls, the reverse is also true. Coby White leads all point guards with a +6.72 Opponent Plus/Minus, and he has averaged 1.08 DraftKings points per minute for the year. He has scored at least 36.5 DraftKings points in five of his last seven games and is eligible for both guard spots.

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NBA DFS Shooting Guard Selection

Stud

Zach LaVine has had an up-and-down season for the Bulls, but he remains a very capable scorer. He provides volume and efficiency at a rate few can match, averaging more than 21 points per game. game while shooting better than 50% from the field and 40% from 3-point range.

On nights when LaVine gets hot, he has an elite ceiling for his price tag. He totaled 56.75 DraftKings points against the Knicks last week, and he has scored at least 38.0 DraftKings points in three of his last five games.

LaVine may not be the same consistent threat he was in years past, but he still averages a +2.00 Plus/Minus with a comparable salary as a member of the Bulls (according to the Trends tool). In a plus matchup, there is merit in targeting him at $7,100.

Value

The Warriors currently hold the best record in the Western Conference, but they do so by an unusual number of marks. It includes Lindy Waters. Waters played a season-high 28.5 minutes in the team’s final outing, and with De’Anthony Melton out and Kyle Andersen doubtful, he’s looking at another extended workload on Wednesday. Projected for 26 minutes in our NBA models, he has averaged 0.81 DraftKings points per minute for the year.

The Warriors are also expected to field a large number against the Hawks. They have the best implied team total on the board, and the Hawks are third in pace and 22nd in defensive efficiency on the year. Waters stands out as a good value source at just $3,800.

Quick break

Ayo Dosunmu is another potential target for the Bulls. He has averaged 0.85 DraftKings points per minute for the year and his minutes are trending in the right direction. He’s projected for 30 minutes against the Bucks, making him underpriced at $5,100.

Jalen Green has had a quiet start for the Rockets, but he is coming off his best game of the season in his last outing. He finished with 35.25 DraftKings points in 29.4 minutes, and more big performances could be coming. He’s shooting just 39.3% from the field this season, and while Green has never been super efficient, he appears to have a bit of positive regression in that department. That could come against the Pacers, who are just 23rd in defensive efficiency.

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NBA DFS small forward picks

Stud

Franz Wagner‘s salary continues to climb, and he’s up to $9,000 for Wednesday’s matchup against the Clippers. It might cause a bit of sticker shock, but Wagner has been worth every penny of late. He has posted a positive plus/minus in six of his last seven games, and he has scored at least 51.75 DraftKings points in three of his last four.

Since lost Paolo BancheroWagner has taken over as the team’s clear no. 1-option offensively. He has increased his usage, assist and rebound rates with Banchero from the floor this season, resulting in an average of 1.33 DraftKings points per minute.

Wagner may be a bit overpriced for his most likely outcome, but he still has the highest ceiling projection at the position.

Value

The Pelicans’ injury situation continues to get uglier by the day. On top of all the injuries they’ve already dealt with, the team is going to be without Brandon Ingram, Trey Murphyand Jaylen Nowell on Wednesday. That leaves the team without nine rotation players, including probably their top eight options.

With that in mind, the Pelicans will provide significant DFS value on this board. Their remaining guys will have to play huge minutes and there will be significant usage available as well.

Jamal Cain stands out as one of their best pure values. Priced at just $3,800, he is currently projected for 32 minutes in our NBA mocks. Historically, players with comparable salaries and minutes projections have averaged a plus/minus of +4.23. Cain has averaged 0.89 DraftKings points per minute with Ingram, Zion Williamson, CJ McCollumand Dejounte Murray off the floor this season, so he should provide tremendous value on this board.

Quick break

Tari Eason continues to do Tari Eason things for the Rockets. When he’s on the floor, he’s averaging an elite 1.20 DraftKings points per minute. He’s not a lock to play big minutes on a nightly basis, but he did hit 30 in his last outing. He responded with more than 40 DraftKings points, giving him an excellent ceiling at a price of $5,600.

Lu Dort continues to stand out as underpriced at $5,200. He has seen a significant uptick in value since the team lost Chet Holmgren to an injury. He has posted a positive plus/minus in six straight games and has scored at least 30.0 DraftKings points in three straight. Dort is playing more consistent minutes, and he has increased his production to 0.97 DraftKings points per minute with Holmgren off the floor.

NBA DFS Power Forward pick

Stud

With the Pelicans, a bunch of value opens up to come up to Giannis Antetokounmpo will be much easier on Wednesday. He’s priced at $11,500, but he still stands out as an elite option. He leads the PF position in projected Plus/Minus, and his ceiling projection clears the entire field by nearly 15 points.

Antetokounmpo has averaged 1.69 DraftKings points per minute this season and has put in some monster performances. He had 97.5 DraftKings points against the Pistons last Wednesday and followed that up with a triple-double in his next outing.

His stock took a bit of a hit when Lillard returned to the lineup on Monday, but there should be enough points to get past the Bulls. On a board without a lot of true DFS superstars, Giannis should be one of today’s highest owned options.

Value

Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and Javonte Green are two other potential targets for the shorthanded Pelicans. Neither player has been particularly productive this season — JRE has averaged 0.76 DraftKings points per minute, Green 0.69 — but both players are expected for 35 minutes Wednesday vs. Cavaliers.

Quick break

Robert Williams is being brought back into action for the Blazers, but he has played well in his limited action this season. He’s played about 25 minutes in back-to-back games, and he’s responded with 29.5 and 46.25 DraftKings points. Overall, he has averaged 1.44 DraftKings points per minute for the year, giving him plenty of upside at $4,400.

Jonathan Isaac has spent most of his career sidelined with injuries, so the Magic are unsurprisingly wary of him. However, he has seen a bit more burn lately. He’s played at least 19.5 minutes in three straight games, and that’s enough to make him viable. He’s always put up fantasy points when he’s on the floor, averaging 1.06 DraftKings points per minute so far this season.

NBA DFS Center Picks

Stud

The Alpine Sengun warming up for the Rockets. He has posted a positive plus/minus in five of his last six games, scoring at least 56.0 DraftKings points in three of them. The only exception was his last outing, but he still played a lot in that competition. Minutes have been the big problem for Sengun all season; when he’s on the floor, he’s one of the best per-minute producers in all of fantasy.

Ultimately, $8,000 is simply too cheap for a player of his caliber, especially in a matchup against the Pacers. The Rockets’ 119.25 implied team is third on the board, so Sengun is in a phenomenal spot.

Value

While the Pelicans are the clearest source of value on this board, don’t sleep on it Jalen Smith for the Bulls. He has averaged an outstanding 1.19 DraftKings points per minute on the year and is projected for 23 minutes on Wednesday’s slate. The Bulls are going to miss out Patrick Williams and Lonzo Ballwhich opens up a few extra minutes for the rest of the shift.

Quick break

Trey Jemison and Yves Missi are the value options to consider for the Pelicans at center. Missi has seen the majority of the minutes there recently, but Jemison is the superior minute producer. Both guys are in play.

Jalen Williams continues quietly with production for Thunder. He is getting 59.5 DraftKings points in his last outing and has posted a positive plus/minus in four of his last five outings. He’s only eligible at center at the moment, but he’ll put up big numbers wherever the Thunder install him.