NBA Daily Fantasy Picks & Playbook: November 9
It is Thursday and we get a double-header in the Association tonight featuring the daunting duo from the Atlanta Hawks in Trae Young and Dejounte Murray traveling into the Mexico City to take on the Orlando Magic, as well as the Giannis Antetokounmpo-led Milwaukee Bucks heading to Indiana to face-off against Tyrese Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers! Let's talk about these exciting games for Thursday night!
Make sure to check out today's NBA DFS projections and NBA DFS ownership projections before finalizing your lineups today.
P.S. Here's the link to our discord to get ALL of your questions answered throughout the day: https://discord.gg/AjSfwD2k
Tune into today's NBA DFS Preview Show!
Milwaukee Bucks @ Indiana Pacers
Total: 243
Spread: MIL -3
NBA Injury Report
Bucks
- Damian Lillard - OUT (calf)
- Giannis Antetokounmpo - PLAYING (ankle)
Pacers
- NONE
Bucks vs Pacers NBA DFS Breakdown
Happy Thursday, everyone! Our first game of the TNT double-header features the Milwaukee Bucks taking on the Indiana Pacers at 7:00 PM ET! Both the Bucks and the Pacers are back in action tonight, as they both played in games last night on Wednesday, so that is something we want to keep in mind tonight as we breakdown this game. Giannis Antetokounmpo was ejected in last night's tilt playing just 22 minutes after getting assessed his second taunting technical foul. Antetokounmpo was well on his way to a masterful performance recording nearly 40 fantasy points in just the 22 minutes of action scoring 15 points, grabbing nine rebounds, dishing five assists, and swatting three shots! Needless to say, Giannis will likely be one of the more well-rested Bucks on this back-to-back set. Some good news for the Bucks tonight, as it should remain that Khris Middleton, who sat last night on the front end of this back-to-back set, should be back in action tonight as he continues to work his way back through injury management. The Bucks head into tonight's road game in Indiana with a 5-2 record, having won three-straight games.
The Pacers staved off a late run from the Utah Jazz in last night's 134-118 home win behind strong performances from their start PG in Tyrese Haliburton, who amassed 46 fantasy points (has topped 40+ in every game this season so far), on 16 points, 13 assists, six boards, and a steal across just 31 minutes of action. Myles Turner also turned in a strong performance in recording 35 fantasy points, now topping 35 in three of his last four contests, needing just 21 minutes on the court to do so scoring 22 points, grabbing six rebounds, and swatting three shots. The Pacers look to continue their winning ways against one of their tougher tests to start the '23-'23 NBA season against Milwaukee, however, the Pacers have won back-to-back games while scoring at least 125 or more points in the last three-straight contests.
When looking at these two head-to-head, I think there is quite a bit to like on both sides. For one, Indiana has struggled mightily against good paint players, so this likely sits very well for Giannis Antetokounmpo, and also against PGs. Let's look at some tidbits for Bucks vs Pacers!
Bucks @ Pacers Tidbits:
*These two teams met for a total of four times in the ‘22-’23 regular season. These four games saw the Bucks cover the point spread in three of the four, while the OVER total points hit in every single match up. The average score of the four contests - a whopping 267.5 points!
*The Bucks currently rank 6th (102.9) in terms of PACE (average amount of possessions measured per team over 48 minutes or full game), while the Pacers currently sit at 2nd in PACE (104.06). This game should have LOTS of possessions and that is enforced by a 243 game total. Both teams love to get up and down the floor and wok in transition in trying to catch opposing defenses off guard.
*Some DvP (defense vs position) Numbers (FanDuel scoring) to Keep in Mind For Tonight:
- Pacers allowing 4th MOST FD fantasy points on average to SF position (45.48).
- Bucks allowing 5th MOST FD fantasy points on average to SF position (45.41).
- Bucks allowing the MOST FD fantasy points on average to the PF position (53.57).
- Pacers allowing 2nd MOST FD fantasy points on average to the PF position (52.06).
BUCKS PLAYERS TO TARGET:
Top Plays: Giannis Antetokounmpo, .
Secondary Plays: Brook Lopez, Bobby Portis, Khris Middleton (still on mins limit ~ 23-25 mins), Jae Crowder, Cameron Payne
Darts (GPP/Tournaments ONLY): Malik Beasley, Pat Connaughton, Marjon Beauchamp
PACERS PLAYERS TO TARGET:
Top Plays: Tyrese Haliburton, Myles Turner.
Secondary Plays: Bennedict Mathurin, Buddy Hield, Bruce Brown, Aaron Nesmith.
Darts (GPP/Tournaments ONLY): Andrew Nembhard, Jalen Smith
Atlanta Hawks @ Orlando Magic (Mexico City Arena)
Total: 231
Spread: ATL -3.5
NBA Injury Report
Hawks:
- Mouhamed Gueye - QUESTIONABLE (back)
- Wesley Matthews - OUT (calf)
- Kobe Bufkin - OUT (thumb)
Magic:
- Wendell Carter Jr. - OUT (hand)
- Markelle Fultz - PLAYING
- Jonathan Isaac - PLAYING (Injury Management/hamstring)
- Gary Harris - OUT (groin)
- Kevon Harris - OUT (knee)
Hawks @ Magic NBA DFS Breakdown
In the late-night hammer for tonight's double-header, we have the Atlanta Hawks taking on the Orlando Magic at 9:30 ET in Mexico. Both of these teams currently sit with a win-loss record of 4-3. The Hawks were on a four-game winning streak until they were halted in their tracks last time out against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder on the road in a 126-117 loss to snap their streak. The Magic have dealt with a plethora of injuries, as you can see above in the injury report, and are having to string together a team that has an unstable starting unit. The Magic were also on a small two-game win streak before their last time out as well, where it was snapped by the Dallas Mavericks at home in a 117-102 loss on Monday night.
Both backcourts have essentially been one of the brighter spots for both of these teams, as we know we will be looking at mainly Trae Young to keep rolling with his performances, but the bright spot lately not only has been Dejounte Murray, who has racked up four-straight 40+ fantasy point efforts, but rookie power forward Jalen Johnson has stepped in a starting role and has put up some really good numbers, as well. Johnson has now recorded back-to-back 40+ fantasy point efforts in his last two contests and is really starting to get a feel in his role. The Magic will seemingly rely heavily on their starting trio of Jalen Suggs, Franz Wagner, and stud power forward Paolo Banchero tonight to do the heavy lifting for this team on both sides of the ball, but it does seem they may likely have Markelle Fultz back in the line up today as he able to log a full practice yesterday. Orlando will be using their back-up center in Goga Bitadze once again in lieu of injured Wendell Carter Jr. and he will need to stay out of foul trouble here tonight against the duo of Clint Capela and Onyeka Okongwu in the frontcourt of the Hawks. Both teams will utilize a couple of six-man guards off the bench in supplementing their scoring and facilitating in Orlando's Cole Anthony, and the Hawk's Bogdan Bogdanovic, who both have been playing extremely well in their roles off the bench. Let's talk about some tidbits for this clash!
Hawks vs Magic Tidbits:
*These last three meetings (last season) between these two Eastern Conference foes resulted in the Hawks winning straight up twice, as well as covering the spread two of the three times. The lines maker favorite has covered two of the three games, also. The total has gone OVER in three of those three to boot with an average score of 247.5 points!
*Looking at PACE here for these two teams - the Hawks currently rank 3rd in terms of PACE at 103.50, while the Magic currently rank 21st on the season at 99.79. With the Hawks running at such a fast PACE, much like last season, this should speed the Magic up quite a bit here tonight. The Hawks love to push the pace and Trae Young and Dejounte Murray are both very good at transition offense. The Magic will likely try to control the pace however, and look to slow this game down. It will be heavily reliant on their defense to get back and defend well in transition.
*Let's Talk DvP (FanDuel scoring) For The Hawks and Magic:
- The Hawks currently sit right outside the top-five in allowing the 7th MOST FD fantasy points on average to the SG position (45.01).
- The Hawks also sit in 7th MOST allowing FD fantasy points on average to opposing PFs (49.69).
HAWKS PLAYERS TO TARGET:
Top Play(s): Trae Young, Dejounte Murray.
Secondary Play(s): Jalen Johnson, Clint Capela, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Onyeka Okongwu.
Darts (GPP ONLY): Saddiq Bey, De'Andre Hunter.
MAGIC PLAYERS TO TARGET:
Top Plays: Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner.
Secondary Plays: Markelle Fultz (QUEST - Practiced Wednesday), Cole Anthony, Jalen Suggs, Goga Bitadze.
Darts (GPP ONLY): Moritz Wagner, Anthony Black, Joe Ingles
Player News
Kristaps Porzingis (illness) said after Wednesday’s Game 2 loss to the Knicks that his current stamina issues may be related to the problem that sidelined him for eight games late in the regular season.
After an illness limited him to 13 first-half minutes in Boston’s series-opening defeat on Monday, Porzingis came off the bench in Game 2. Unfortunately, he could only give the Celtics 14 minutes. Following the game, Porzingis said his current problem may be related to the upper respiratory ailment that sidelined him for eight games late in the regular season. “Probably, probably,” Porzingis said. “I’ve had like ups and downs throughout until this point. Just now, had a big crash. Now, my energy, my everything, hasn’t been good, but who cares? Have to move forward and it will get better from this point.” While Boston’s shot selection was the focus following its two home defeats, Porzingis’ limited availability has also been a factor. He’ll hope to return to full health in time for Game 3 on Saturday afternoon.
Nikola Jokic finished with 17 points (6-of-16 FGs), eight rebounds, six assists, one steal, one block, two three-pointers and six turnovers in Game 2 against the Thunder on Wednesday.
This was Jokic’s worst performance of the postseason, and it came to an end in the third quarter. He fouled out with 1:17 left in the third, which brought his night to a close after he played 32 minutes. OKC was up 41 points when Jokic fouled out, so his night may have been close to over anyway. Jokic dominated Game 1, and the Thunder adjusted. Denver will need other players to step up if they want to have a chance of winning this series, but Jokic will also need to be better than he was in this game.
Michael Porter Jr. struggled on Wednesday and finished with just eight points (2-of-10 FGs), five rebounds, one steal and two three-pointers in Game 2 against the Thunder.
MPJ was slightly better in the second half, as all eight of his points came in the third quarter. However, the game was already out of hand at that point after a terrible first half for both Porter Jr. and the Nuggets. MPJ shot 1-of-8 in Game 1, and they’ll need him to be much better moving forward. The series will now shift back to Denver, and MPJ will look to get back on track during the two home games before the series heads back to Oklahoma City.
Russell Westbrook provided a boost off the bench with 19 points (5-of-11 FGs, 8-of-10 FTs), one rebound, five assists and one three-pointer in a 149-106 loss to the Thunder in Game 2 on Wednesday.
Despite an ugly first half for Denver, Westbrook was productive and entered the break with 15 points. He didn’t add much in the second half, though he sat the entire fourth quarter, still it was enough to lead the Nuggets in scoring. Russ has been awesome over Denver’s last five games, and his continued success will be key to the Nuggets winning this series. Though this game was ugly, they still have homecourt advantage in this series. They’ll look to keep it in Game 3 on Friday.
Chet Holmgren recorded a double-double on Wednesday with 15 points (3-of-8 FGs, 7-of-7 FTs), 11 rebounds, two assists, two steals, two blocks and two three-pointers in Game 2 against the Nuggets.
After struggling in Game 1, Holmgren bounced back and recorded the fourth postseason triple-double of his career, with three of those coming this season. Aside from Game 3 against Memphis, Holmgren has swatted at least two shots in every game during these playoffs, which was a trend that continued in this game despite him only playing 26 minutes. Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein (14/8/5/1/1) will look to continue to limit Nikola Jokic (17 points) in Game 3 on Friday.
Jalen Williams bounced back on Wednesday with 17 points (6-of-11 FGs), four rebounds, seven assists and two blocks in Game 2 against the Nuggets.
Williams was criticized for his poor performance in the Thunder’s Game 1 loss, but he responded well in OKC’s blowout victory. He was on pace for a bigger night, but he only played 26 minutes and sat the entire fourth quarter due to the lopsided score. He shot the ball much better after shooting 5-of-20 in Game 1, and he’ll need that success to carry over into Game 3 in Denver on Friday.