NBA DFS Picks Breakdown on DraftKings (Sunday, November 3)

Sunday features a two-game main slate starting at 7 p.m. ET.

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

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

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

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.

Stud

Jalen Suggs is not a “stud” in the traditional sense, but he has stud-like upside on Sunday’s slate. He’s been a fantasy monster to start the year, racking up 1.36 DraftKings points per minute through his first six contests. He played reduced minutes in his first two games of the year, but he’s scored at least 43.5 DraftKings points in each of his last four outings. That alone would be enough to make a slam dunk at just $6,500.

However, Suggs is also going to benefit from the continued absence of Paolo Banchero. Without Banchero, Suggs is going to have to do even more offensively. He’s seen a team-high +5.84% usage bump with Banchero off the floor this season, and he’s responded with an average of 1.55 DraftKings points per minute. In his first full game without Banchero, he racked up 55.5 DraftKings points in 36.6 minutes.

No one on this slate has averaged better than 1.55 DraftKings points per minute this season. Trae Young leads the way at 1.49, while Luka Doncic is down at 1.36. Those players are significantly more expensive than Suggs, but you could argue that his ceiling is just as high. He will likely be the highest-owned player on the slate, but he’s nearly impossible to fade at this price tag.

---

Value

The Pelicans are another team with some key injuries at the moment. Dejounte Murray, C.J. McCollum, and Trey Murphy are all out of the lineup, opening up significant minutes for the rest of the roster.

Jose Alvarado stands out as one of the biggest beneficiaries. He’s played at least 32.4 minutes in back-to-back games, and he’s averaged 0.94 DraftKings points per minute this season. Unsurprisingly, he’s scored at least 35.0 DraftKings points in both contests.

Alvarado’s price tag has come up to $5,600, but that still stands out as too cheap for Sunday’s matchup vs. the Hawks. It’s a juicy matchup, and Alvarado leads the position with a +4.88 Opponent Plus/Minus.

---

Fast Break

If you’re going to target one of the true studs at the position, Young gets the edge over Doncic in our Models. The game between the Hawks and Pelicans stands out as far better than the one between the Mavericks and Magic for fantasy purposes. The total is more than 10 points higher, and Young leads the position with 38 projected minutes. He’s back to being the clear focal point of the Hawks offense after losing Murray this offseason, posting a 31.4% usage rate and 47.6% assist rate through his first six outings.

Don’t forget to check out our NBA SimLabs Lineup Generator to create advanced DFS lineups using the power of simulation:

NBA DFS Shooting Guard Picks

Stud

While Doncic has had a slow start to the year, Kyrie Irving has thrived. He’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in four straight games, and he’s scored at least 47.5 DraftKings points in each of his past three.

The big question is, can he keep it going? He’s undoubtedly run a bit hot as a shooter, particularly from 3-point range. He’s knocked down just under 60% of his 3-point attempts this season, so he’s due for a bit of regression in that department.

Still, Irving’s price tag has remained reasonable at $7,900 on DraftKings, and he’s the only top PG option that is also available at shooting guard. He leads the position with 10 Pro Trends.

---

Value

Anthony Black didn’t have much of a chance to make an opportunity as a rookie. He was limited to just 16.9 minutes per game, and he averaged just 4.6 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game.

However, Black appears poised for a much larger workload in Year 2. He’s averaged 26.0 minutes per game through his first six contests, and he moved into the starting lineup to replace Banchero in their last game. He only finished with 18.0 DraftKings points, but his 27.5 minutes were encouraging for his fantasy prospects moving forward. Black has averaged 0.83 DraftKings points per minute this season, so he should be able to return value at his current salary with that much playing time Sunday.

---

Fast Break

Keep an eye on the Hawks’ injury report before lineup lock. They’ve been without Dyson Daniels and De’Andre Hunter recently, but Daniels is questionable for Sunday’s slate. If he’s unable to go, Garrison Matthews becomes an interesting punt play at just $3,300. He saw 29.6 minutes off the bench in the team’s last outing, and he responded with 36.75 DraftKings points. Matthews still has some appeal even if Daniels does play, but his upside is significantly lower.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has had a brutal start to the year for the Magic, averaging just 0.47 DraftKings points per minute. However, he’s still playing plenty of minutes, and his price has dipped to just $4,000. He’s projected for another 31 minutes Sunday, and players with comparable salaries and minute projections have historically averaged a Plus/Minus of +3.33 (per the Trends tool).

Be sure to check out all the pick’ems Sleeper has to offer with Sleeper promo code LABS1 for a $100 deposit match.

NBA DFS Small Forward Picks

Stud

Franz Wagner is another member of the Magic who should benefit from the absence of Banchero. He was limited to just 30 minutes in his last outing, but he was still able to get to 36.0 DraftKings points. He posted a 33.9% usage rate in that contest, which was easily his top mark of the season.

Overall, Wagner has averaged 1.18 DraftKings points per minute with Banchero off the floor this season, and he was at 1.16 in that split last season. He’s capable of racking up fantasy points in a variety of ways, and he stands out as an excellent combination of value and upside vs. the Mavericks.

---

Value

David Roddy has been getting the job done for the Hawks all season. He’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in four straight games, and he’s averaged 1.01 DraftKings points per minute. He’s seen a spike in playing time over his past two contests, and he’s responded with 26.0 and 27.5 DraftKings points. He could be looking at another 30+ minutes if Daniels is unable to go on Sunday, but he should be locked into around 24 minutes, regardless.

---

Fast Break

Zaccharie Risascher was the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, but he’s a bit of a project at the moment. There’s going to be some growing pains, but he also has clear natural talent. He struggled mightily in his last outing, finishing with just 4.25 DraftKings points in 19.9 minutes, but he had 33.0 DraftKings points the game prior. He’s a boom-or-bust option, but he has more upside than his salary suggests.

The Pelicans lead Sunday’s slate with a 118.0 implied team total, and Brandon Ingram is certainly in play. He’s averaged 1.32 DraftKings points per minute, but he’s played fewer minutes than usual to start the year. However, he got to 35.3 minutes in his last outing, and he responded with 50.5 DraftKings points. He’s averaged 1.32 DraftKings points per minute this season, so he should post better performances with more consistent playing time.

NBA DFS Power Forward Picks

Stud

Zion Williamson finally had the true breakout game we were waiting for in his last outing. He racked up 34 points, 10 assists, and six rebounds, resulting in 61.0 DraftKings points. After some awful shooting results in his first four games, Williamson knocked down 14 of his 20 attempts vs. the Pacers.

Williamson should continue to command an elite role for the shorthanded Pacers. He’s had a usage rate of at least 29.9% in his past two contests, and he’s taken on a larger role as a distributor as well. He’s increased his assist rate by +3.51% with McCollum and Murray off the floor this season, giving him even more upside than usual.

Add in an elite matchup vs. the Hawks, and Williamson is arguably the strongest pay-up option on the entire slate.

---

Value

Finding value at PF is tougher than at some of the other positions, but P.J. Washington is worthy of some consideration. He’s seen consistent minutes for the Mavericks this season, and he’s responded with at least 30.25 DraftKings points in three straight games. Some of that production is fluky, as he’s racked up eight steals and five blocks in those contests, but Washington has averaged 28.31 DraftKings points with a comparable minutes projection as a member of the Mavericks.

---

Fast Break

Jalen Johnson is up to $8,400 on DraftKings, which might induce a bit of sticker shock. However, Johnson has scored at least 54.75 DraftKings points in two of his past three games. He’s not an elite scorer, but he’s capable of piling up the peripherals. He’s averaged 10.0 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game this season, so on nights where he is scoring, he has legit upside.

Onyeka Okongwu had a big game to start the year, but he’s posted a negative Plus/Minus in four straight. His minutes are going to be inconsistent behind Clint Capela, so he’s overpriced for his median projection at just $5,400. Still, he has also has some upside, and he should command minimal ownership on a two-game slate.

NBA DFS Center Picks

Stud

There are a few key injuries to monitor at center Sunday, including Wendell Carter Jr. He’s currently questionable with a knee injury, but if he’s able to go, he stands out as one of the strongest options at the position. He’s averaged just under a fantasy point per minute this season, and he’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in four of five games. He hasn’t displayed a ton of upside, but he’s very reasonably priced at just $5,400.

If Carter is unable to go, Mo Wagner becomes a very appealing option at $4,900.

---

Value

Yves Missi was the 21st pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, and he’s had a solid role for the Pelicans in his rookie season. He’s played at least 20 minutes in five of his first six games, and he’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in each of those outings. He’s coming off 26.2 minutes in his last contest, and he’s averaged 0.96 DraftKings points per minute this season. Missi is projected for another 25 minutes Sunday, and he leads all centers in projected Plus/Minus.

---

Fast Break

Dereck Lively II may come off the bench for Dallas, but he typically plays more minutes than starter Daniel Gafford. Lively is the superior fantasy producer of the two, as he’s averaged 1.13 DraftKings points per minute and has posted a positive Plus/Minus in four of his first five games. He failed to return value in his last outing, so this is a decent buy-low opportunity.

Capela is the reverse correlation play to Okongwu; when one player struggles, it tends to benefit the other. Capela’s playing time has ticked up recently, culminating in 28.8 minutes in his last outing. He’s always been an excellent per-minute producer, so some extra playing time typically results in Capela having a strong performance. Playing one of the two Hawks centers seems like a nice way to differentiate your lineups Sunday without sacrificing too much upside.