FanDuel Daily Fantasy Basketball Picks and Helper: Wednesday 11/29/23

Since NBA DFS is easier to predict than baseball or football, it would likely get plenty of votes as the best sport to play on FanDuel. Basketball players usually stick to the same minutes and produce at roughly the same rate. Sounds easy, right? Trust me -- it's not!

As a result, NBA daily fantasy is highly reliant on a player's opportunity, so you'll need to ensure that you're up to date with key injuries. numberFire's projections update up until tip-off to reflect current news. numberFire also has player news updates, and the FanDuel Scout app will send push notifications for pressing updates regarding your players.

In addition to daily projections, numberFire also offers a matchup heat map and a lineup optimizer to help give you an edge.

Here at FanDuel Research, we'll also come at you each day with this NBA DFS primer, which breaks down a few of the day's top plays at each position.

Let's dive into today's main slate on FanDuel.

NBA DFS Picks

Guards

Top Plays

Fred VanVleet ($8,000) -- Fred VanVleet has been projecting well lately, and that's no different today, as numberFire pegs him to score 39.2 FanDuel points (4.91 per $1,000). The matchup is a tough one versus the Denver Nuggets, but FVV just torched them for 48.7 FanDuel points two games ago. He's logged at least 38 minutes in eight straight outings and is a rock-solid play tonight.

D'Angelo Russell ($6,300) -- D'Angelo Russell is a modest-salaried way to get a piece of the Los Angeles Lakers, the team with the night's second-highest implied total (118.25). D-Lo's production has been meh lately, but this is a nice spot for him, as the Detroit Pistons are 23rd in defensive rating while playing at the 6th-fastest pace. Plus, no team gives up more FanDuel points per night to point guards than the Pistons do (53.6). numberFire has Russell projected for 32.8 FanDuel points (5.21 per $1,000).

Others to Consider

Cade Cunningham ($8,100) -- The Pistons are 7.0-point 'dogs versus the Lakers. If Detroit keeps it close, Cade Cunningham will likely be a big part of it. Cunningham has averaged 44.2 FanDuel points per game over his past three, and the Lakers have been giving to floor generals, permitting the 10th-most FanDuel points per game to the position (49.5).

Jalen Suggs ($5,900) -- The Orlando Magic draw a sublime matchup against the Washington Wizards, one that results in Orlando boasting the night's top implied total (122.25). Washington is 2nd in pace and 28th in defense rating. They're allowing the second-most FanDuel points per night to point guards (52.8). This should be a nice spot for Jalen Suggs. The only worry is blowout risk, as Orlando is favored by 10.0 points.

Wings

Top Plays

Devin Booker ($10,400) -- One of the big injury question marks as of early Wednesday is Kevin Durant, who is questionable. If KD sits, Devin Booker would become one of the night's premier picks in what should be a fantasy-friendly affair with the Toronto Raptors (226.5-point total, 3.0-point spread). Sans KD the past two games, Book has produced 54.5 and 62.0 FanDuel points. Despite having to deal with the tough D of OG Anunoby, Booker could nuke the slate if KD is out.

Desmond Bane ($8,300) -- The Memphis Grizzlies-Utah Jazz game has a 223.0-point total and 4.0-point spread. Utah is 26th in defensive rating and presents Desmond Bane with a chance to go off. Bane has underwhelmed lately, with 16.4 and 27.0 FanDuel points over his past two. I hope that keeps him from being too popular. numberFire has Bane forecasted for 41.4 FanDuel points (4.99 per $1,000), but he has upside for a lot more.

Paolo Banchero ($7,700) -- As mentioned earlier, the Magic are in a dope spot tonight, and Paolo Banchero can take advantage. Washington has allowed the most FanDuel points per night to small forwards (48.7) and the eighth-most to power forwards (49.4). Banchero can feast in this spot, especially if the game stays close. Franz Wagner ($7,400) is also worth a look.

Others to Consider

Paul George ($8,600) -- Paul George, James Harden ($7,500) and Kawhi Leonard ($8,500) have all been projecting well lately, and that's the case again today. They've capped each other's ceilings a bit, but we know what these guys are capable of when they're hot. Tonight, the Los Angeles Clippers are facing a Sacramento Kings squad that is on the second leg of a back-to-back and is coming off an emotional win last night. This game's 230.5-point total and 2.0-point spread make it a good one to zero in on.

Austin Reaves ($6,200) -- A move to the bench hasn't been bad news for Austin Reaves' fantasy outputs, as he's gone for at least 31.2 FanDuel points in six of his last eight games. The Pistons (6th in pace) are a pace-up spot for the Lakers (15th), and due to his bench role, Reaves could see run late if this game gets out of hand (7.0-point spread).

Bigs

Top Plays

Joel Embiid ($12,300) and Nikola Jokic ($12,600) -- Other than Durant, the big injury news we're waiting on is the status of Nikola Jokic, who missed the Nuggets' last game. If he suits up, he's an excellent play, as always. But I think I prefer Joel Embiid tonight. I haven't yet touched on the Philadelphia 76ers-New Orleans Pelicans game, but it might be the best game environment of the night (230.5-point total, 2.5-point spread). The Pels have surrendered the seventh-most FanDuel points per night to centers (56.8). Embiid can break the slate.

Anthony Davis ($10,600) -- Early draft percentage projections around the industry have Anthony Davis going overlooked, and that intrigues me. The Lakers are coming off a lopsided loss and get a soft matchup against Detroit, a team that has given up the most FanDuel points per game to centers (61.2). If AD is expected to slip through the cracks, he'll be a high-priority play for me, and I'll be loading up.

Pascal Siakam ($7,900) -- I love the Raptors-Phoenix Suns game for DFS, but if KD plays, there are not many guys in this game who project well. Pascal Siakam is a glaring exception. numberFire projects Siakam for 42.6 FanDuel points (5.40 per $1,000). Power forwards have lit up the Suns for 49.9 FanDuel points per night, the sixth-most. All the boxes are checked here.

Others to Consider

Jaren Jackson ($7,800) -- It feels like Jaren Jackson Jr. chalk nights rarely go well, but he's tough to get away from tonight. numberFire's model has JJJ scoring 40.7 FanDuel points (5.21 per $1,000) against Utah in what profiles as a close, high-scoring clash. I will say this: I think I like Siakam more than JJJ at nearly this exact salary -- especially if Jackson is super chalky -- and I also prefer Bane to JJJ. But Jaren has top-shelf upside when it all comes together for him.

Santi Aldama ($6,200) -- Santi Aldama offers another way to get exposure to the Grizzlies. His minutes have been a little all over the place, but he's logged at least 35 minutes in three of his last five games. He should benefit from the game environment and can serve as a pivot of Jackson.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author’s advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.