DraftKings Preview: Best Value Plays 11/18

With 10 games set to tip off tonight, there will be plenty of players to choose from for your DraftKings lineup. Several high-priced players will be available, but we’re here to help you pick players that won’t break the bank.

Finding these hidden gems is critical to succeeding in the large tournaments. Each Wednesday, we’re helping you build your lineups with players facing favorable match-ups that will be cheap plays. Here are six players to consider for your team. If you haven’t already be sure to enter our DraftKings league tonight (which has a $3 entry – or FREE for first-time users – and a $20,000 first-place prize):

PG: Elfrid Payton, Orlando Magic – $5,700

Since playing a season-low 15 minutes against the Toronto Raptors on Nov. 6, Payton has turned in five consecutive performances with at least 28 fantasy points. Payton was benched early in that game after missing his first four shots from the field. That’s the impact that new head coach Scott Skiles has – he’s not afraid to bench players to send a message. It’s clear that message was received by Payton as he’s put up good numbers since.

Over his last five outings, Payton has averaged 13.2 points, 6.2 assists, 4.4 rebounds and two steals per game, which has translated to an average of 31.4 fantasy points. He put up just two points in one of those games, but also added 10 rebounds, eight assists and a steal. The upside with Payton is he will give you a variety of different stats which will make up for potential low-scoring nights.

Honorable Mention: Zach LaVine – salary: $5,400

SG: Alec Burks, Utah Jazz – $5,400

Burks could be a cheap option if you don’t want to overpay for shooting guards like James Harden, Jimmy Butler or DeMar DeRozan (who faces a tough matchup against Burks’ Jazz). In a reserve role off of the bench, Burks is averaging 26.1 fantasy points per game while playing an average of 28 minutes a night.

Burks is inside the top-10 in scoring for shooting guards over the past week as he’s put up 19.3 points during that time frame and is averaging nearly 30 fantasy points per game. DraftKings gives bonus points for three-pointers, so Burks should be a good option as he’s shooting 52 percent (12-23) from behind the arc this season.

Honorable Mention: Jeremy Lamb – salary: $4,500

SF: Joe Johnson, Brooklyn Nets – $5,300

Despite playing on a bad Nets team, Johnson has been one of the few bright spots (as long as you’re a fantasy sports person). If you took our advice last Wednesday, Johnson came through big for you. Last Wednesday against the Rockets, Johnson dropped 16 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists, which was good for 41.8 fantasy points.

Johnson is going to give you that sort of production just about every night and the possibility of hitting a double-double or even a triple-double should warrant a spot in your lineup if the price is cheap. Last night against the Hawks, Johnson had 38.3 fantasy points after he recorded 13 points, nine assists and seven rebounds. The three spot tonight isn’t extremely loaded with top players, so this could be a position you try to go cheaper on with Johnson.

Honorable Mention: Al-Farouq Aminu – salary: $6,000

PF: Ryan Anderson, New Orleans Pelicans – $5,900

Anderson could become a must-add tonight if Anthony Davis is unable to go. Davis left last night’s game against Denver mid-way through the first quarter after suffering a shoulder injury. Anderson stepped up big in place of Davis by leading the Pelicans with 24 points, six rebounds and two assists, which was good for 35 fantasy points.

Anderson is a solid play regardless of whether he starts or not, but he could be in for an even bigger night if he starts in place of Davis. In two of Anderson’s three starts this season, he’s put up at least 31 fantasy points. DraftKings rewards bonus points for double-doubles, so that could be something to keep an eye on as well as Anderson has picked up two double-doubles this season and has come close to adding a couple of more. He’s also usually good for a couple of three-pointers.

Honorable Mention: Dwight Powell – salary: $5,000

C: Mason Plumlee, Portland Trail Blazers – $5,500

Plumlee has put up solid numbers so far this season for Portland. He’s putting up 9.3 points, eight rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.3 steals per game for an average of 26.2 fantasy points. Plumlee faces a favorable match-up tonight against a Houston Rockets team that ranks 22nd against opposing centers.

Vegas is predicting a lot of possessions in this one with the over/under set at 209, so there will be plenty of opportunities for scoring and rebounding for Plumlee. He’s put up at least 20 fantasy points in each of his last five outings, so he should be worth considering as a cheaper option.

Honorable Mention: Zaza Pachulia – salary: $5,600

UTIL: DeMarre Carroll, Toronto Raptors – $5,600

Since missing three games last week with a foot injury, Carroll has bounced back to have three consecutive outings with at least 22 fantasy points. On the year, he’s averaging 25.3 fantasy points per game, and can give you a little bit of everything. Last night against the Golden State Warriors, Carroll had 35.5 fantasy points after producing 17 points, six steals, two rebounds and two assists. He’s a very streaky shooter, but when he gets hot, he can light it up. He’s had four games in which he’s hit at least three three-pointers, so that’s something to monitor given the bonus points DraftKings gives you for three-pointers.

*****

We encourage you to give these players a look as you build your starting lineups for tonight. Here are three contests you can enter now:

$300K Sharpshooter: This $3 league features $300,000 in prizes and a $20,000 first-place prize. Also, if this is your first time playing DraftKings, the $3 entry fee will be waived.

Massive $5 Double Up: This league costs $5 to enter and the top 50 percent of teams double their entry fee to win $10. Basketball Insiders highly recommends these leagues. Even though there isn’t a huge first-place prize, you can consistently win in these leagues and the money adds up. Beat half of the field and you double your money.

$400K Crossover: This $20 league features $400,000 in prizes and a $50,000 first-place prize.