NBA DFS Picks Breakdown (Monday, Nov. 28): Zion Williamson’s Time to Shine

Monday features a 10-game slate starting at 7 p.m. ET.

Let’s dive into some of the top plays on the slate using the FantasyLabs tools and metrics.

Also, don’t forget that for large-field tournaments, you can utilize our Lineup Optimizer to effortlessly create up to 150 lineups, or use our Lineup Builder if you like to hand-build your lineups.

Note: Projections and Leverages Scores/Ratings may change throughout the day after this article is posted. The NBA DFS landscape changes quickly. 

Consult the NBA Player Models directly for any updates as we get closer to lock. Use our FanDuel promo to get three months of free NBA League Pass. 

NBA DFS Point Guard Picks

Stud

Tyrese Haliburton has been remarkable in his first full season with the Pacers. He’s averaged 1.40 DraftKings points per minute, which trails only Shai Gilgeous-Alexander among Monday’s backcourt options. SGA is more than $1,000 more expensive, but both players have similar upside on this slate.

Haliburton will be taking on the Lakers Monday in a fantastic matchup. The Lakers have played at the second-fastest pace this season, and the Pacers rank fourth in that department. That sets up a matchup that should be extremely high scoring, and this game leads the slate with a 237.5-point total. Haliburton has racked up a double-double in five straight games, and he should be able to make it six in a row on Monday.

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Value

The Pelicans are dealing with some key absences at the moment. C.J. McCollum has already been ruled out for Monday’s matchup vs. the Thunder, while Brandon Ingram is doubtful.

That will allow Jose Alvarado to serve as one of the team’s primary facilitators. Alvarado is a fantastic per-minute producer, averaging 1.03 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, and he’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in six of his past seven games. With a boost in minutes and responsibilities vs. the Thunder, he could be looking at a huge performance.

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Fast Break

Theo Maledon is another potential source of value at the position. The Hornets are currently playing without LaMelo Ball, Gordon Hayward, and Dennis Smith Jr., leaving the team without three of their best playmakers. Maledon saw more than 25.5 minutes in his last contest, and he responded with 29.25 DraftKings points. He’s expected to see a similar workload Monday vs. the Celtics, and his $3,600 salary comes with a Bargain Rating of 79%.

Kyrie Irving has not been particularly effective since returning from suspension, which has caused his salary to dip to just $8,100 on FanDuel. It results in a Bargain Rating of 85%, and he has some buy-low appeal at that number. Irving has historically averaged a Plus/Minus of +1.61 with a comparable salary (per the Trends tool), and his matchup vs. the Magic results in an Opponent Plus/Minus of +3.92.

NBA DFS Shooting Guard Picks

Stud

Terry Rozier has carried a massive workload for the Hornets recently. He’s played at least 37.6 minutes in four straight games, and he’s averaged 21.8 field goal attempts in those contests. He hasn’t shot the ball particularly well – he’s just 36.8% from the field and 22.6% from 3-point range – so he has plenty of room for improvement moving forward.

Perhaps that will start Monday vs. his old team. The Celtics have not been the same defensive force this year that they have been in the past, ranking just 20th in defensive efficiency.

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Value

Dyson Daniels has impressed when given the chance to play this season. The rookie has averaged 0.90 DraftKings points per minute, and he’s currently projected for just under 24 minutes in our NBA Models. He’s scored at least 22.75 DraftKings points in two of his past three games, and those were with Ingram in the lineup. He’s increased his production to 0.98 DraftKings points per minute with Ingram and McCollum off the floor, so he has the potential to provide excellent value at just $3,300.

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Fast Break

Joel Embiid has been upgraded to questionable for Monday’s matchup vs. the Hawks, but there should still be plenty of opportunities for Shake Milton even if he’s active. Milton has finished with at least 31.5 DraftKings points in five straight games, including at least 46.75 in three straight. He’s increased his production to 0.98 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, and he should see close to 38 minutes vs. the Hawks in a competitive contest.

The Magic were extremely shorthanded on Sunday, and they’re going to be equally thin Monday vs. the Nets. They’ve already ruled out Jalen Suggs, Wendell Carter Jr., and Terrence Ross, while Mo Bamba and Chuma Okeke are questionable. Gary Harris racked up a 23.8% assist rate for the team on Sunday, and he should be a primary facilitator once again. He racked up 25.1 FanDuel points in 29.1 minutes, and he’s priced at basically the minimum at $3,600.

NBA DFS Small Forward Picks

Stud

LeBron James recently missed five games with a left adductor strain, but he’s suited up in each of their past two games. With James back, it’s apparently time for the Lakers’ other superstar to spend some time on the sidelines. Anthony Davis missed their last game with a calf injury. He’s officially questionable vs. the Pacers, and while the early reports suggest that Davis will suit up, there’s always a chance that he’s forced to sit out again.

With Davis sidelined on Monday, LeBron was forced to carry the load in a high-scoring matchup vs. the Spurs. Neither team played a lick of defense in that contest, and the Lakers ultimately racked up 143 points. LeBron led the way with 39 points to go along with 11 boards and three assists, bringing his total to 64.25 DraftKings points for the evening.

Even if Davis is active, LeBron could still provide some value in this matchup. The Pacers have been a below-average team in terms of defensive efficiency, and the Lakers’ 120.25 implied team total ranks second on the slate.

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Value

Trey Murphy III is another player to consider for the Pelicans. The sweet-shooting forward returned to the lineup in the team’s last contest and racked up 28.75 DraftKings points in 26.1 minutes. He wasn’t really needed in that contest, which the Pelicans ultimately lost by 21 points, so expect him to play much more on Monday. Murphy should move into the starting lineup if Ingram is ruled out, and he’s increased his production to 1.07 DraftKings points per minute with Ingram and McCollum off the floor.

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Fast Break

Zach LaVine’s price tag has dipped to just $6,700 on FanDuel, which is as low as it has been in years. It results in a Bargain Rating of 89%, and LaVine has posted a positive Plus/Minus in three straight games. The Bulls are taking on a Jazz squad that has struggled mightily on the defensive end of late, so this is an excellent time to buy low on a talented player.

Jalen McDaniels is another player who has seen a boost in value recently for the Hornets. He’s coming off 31.2 minutes in his last game, and he’s averaged 0.85 DraftKings points per minute this season. He’s priced at just $4,000 on DraftKings, and players with comparable salaries and minute projections have historically averaged a Plus/Minus of +3.42.

NBA DFS Power Forward Picks

Stud

Zion Williamson has been priced down to just $7,900 on DraftKings, and he’s had a relatively quiet start to his season. He’s averaged 22.4 points and 6.3 rebounds per game, both of which are below his career averages. He’s averaged just 37.52 DraftKings points per game after averaging 43.3 in his last full season.

However, this is the perfect spot for Williamson to break out. He’s increased his usage rate by a team-high +9.9% with McCollum and Ingram off the floor this season, resulting in an average of 1.40 DraftKings per minute. LeBron is the only forward on Monday’s slate that averages more than that, and he’s a full $3,000 more expensive.

The Thunder also set up as a perfect matchup for Williamson. They’ve played at the sixth-fastest pace this season, and they allow the fourth-most points per game in the paint.

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Value

Kelly Olynyk has PF eligibility on FanDuel, and he stands out as an elite option on that site. He’s priced at just $5,300, resulting in a Bargain Rating of 87%, and Olynyk has posted a positive Plus/Minus in five straight games. He’s racked up at least 30.7 FanDuel points in three of his past four, and Olynyk has averaged 0.97 FanDuel points per minute over the past month. Olynyk is currently projected for 34 minutes in our NBA Models, and he’s capable of doing a lot of damage with that much playing time.

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Fast Break

Paolo Banchero struggled for the shorthanded Magic on Sunday, but the team struggled as a whole. He’s currently projected for less than four percent ownership on FanDuel, despite owning an 89% Bargain Rating. He has an outstanding ceiling given the Magic’s current injury situation, making him a prime bounce-back target.

If Embiid is ruled out on Monday, Tobias Harris is simply too cheap at $6,800. He’s played very well for the 76ers of late, racking up 43.5 and 46.5 FanDuel points in back-to-back games. He should take on some additional responsibilities even if Embiid is active, and his matchup vs. the Hawks comes with an Opponent Plus/Minus of +3.24.

NBA DFS Center Picks

Stud

The Cavaliers are pretty banged up in the frontcourt at the moment. Jarrett Allen, Kevin Love, and Lamar Stevens are all sidelined, leaving the team with minimal options at power forward and center.

Mobley took on a massive role with all three players on Sunday, racking up more than 39.6 minutes against the Pistons. He responded with 20 points and 13 rebounds, good for 40.75 DraftKings points. Mobley has increased his production to 1.06 DraftKings points per minute with Allen off the floor this season, so he’s a strong option even in a tough matchup vs. the Raptors.

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Value

If Embiid is forced to miss another contest, Montrezl Harrell would become a nice value option at center. The former Sixth Man of the Year is capable of racking up fantasy points quickly, averaging 1.09 DraftKings points per minute over the past month. He’s scored at least 23.25 DraftKings points in three straight games, and he played 28 minutes two games ago. Harrell is worth considering any time he’s expected to play consistent minutes, so make sure to monitor the injury report before lineup lock.

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Fast Break

Nikola Jokic hasn’t posted the same eye-popping stat lines this year that he did regularly in his MVP seasons, but he’s still averaging 1.55 FanDuel points per minute. His price has come down to a reasonable level, and he’s in a potential smash spot vs. the Rockets. There’s plenty of value available on this slate, so paying up for the Joker is definitely viable.

Myles Turner had some foul trouble in his last game, but he’s still way too cheap for his most likely outcome. Turner racked up at least 42.0 DraftKings points in his two previous contests, and he owns an average Plus/Minus of +5.37 for the year. Very few players in his price range have upside for 60 DraftKings points, but he’s one of them.