FREE 11/19 NBA Cheat Sheet: Top DFS Plays

Tonight’s 7-game slate kicks off at 7:00 PM ET and wraps up at 8:00 PM ET, giving you some solid late-swap windows to adjust based on how the early games shake out. The highest totals stand out right away with Washington at Minnesota sitting at 238.5 and Charlotte at Indiana just behind at 237.5, both pointing to potential high-scoring environments that could drive value in those lineups.

From a DFS angle, these totals suggest faster paces and more possessions, especially in the Wolves-Wizards matchup where Minnesota’s tempo could push the game over if their defense slips. The Pacers-Hornets game looks similar with Indiana’s up-tempo style likely inflating usage for key guys, so stacking around those totals might be the way to separate from the field without overcomplicating things.

Game Environment Analysis

HOU @ CLE (O/U: 234.5, Spread: 1.5)

• Pace: HOU (28th) vs CLE (6th) 🏃 (Pace mismatch)
• Off Eff: HOU (2nd) vs CLE (16th)
• Def Eff: HOU (12th) vs CLE (9th)

CHA @ IND (O/U: 237.5, Spread: 1.5)

• Pace: CHA (21st) vs IND (9th) 🏃 (Pace mismatch)
• Off Eff: CHA (19th) vs IND (30th)
• Def Eff: CHA (25th) 🎯 vs IND (24th)

TOR @ PHI (O/U: 233.5, Spread: 1.5)

• Pace: TOR (11th) vs PHI (20th)
• Off Eff: TOR (9th) vs PHI (11th)
• Def Eff: TOR (15th) vs PHI (16th)

GSW @ MIA (O/U: 232.5, Spread: -9.5)

• Pace: GSW (16th) vs MIA (1st) 🏃 (Pace mismatch)
• Off Eff: GSW (22nd) vs MIA (15th)
• Def Eff: GSW (11th) vs MIA (13th)

SAC @ OKC (O/U: 232.5, Spread: -18.5)

• Pace: SAC (5th) vs OKC (25th) 🏃 (Pace mismatch)
• Off Eff: SAC (25th) vs OKC (4th) 🔥
• Def Eff: SAC (27th) 🎯 vs OKC (1st)
  ⚠️ Blowout risk

DEN @ NOP (O/U: 234.5, Spread: 14.5)

• Pace: DEN (22nd) vs NOP (27th)
• Off Eff: DEN (1st) 🔥 vs NOP (26th)
• Def Eff: DEN (7th) vs NOP (28th) 🎯

WAS @ MIN (O/U: 238.5, Spread: -16.5)

• Pace: WAS (4th) vs MIN (13th)
• Off Eff: WAS (28th) vs MIN (5th) 🔥
• Def Eff: WAS (30th) 🎯 vs MIN (10th)
  ⚠️ Blowout risk

Legend:

🏃 = Significant pace mismatch

🔥 = Strong offense vs weak defense

🎯 = Poor defensive team

⚠️ = Blowout risk

Bold = Favored team

PG - Donte DiVincenzo ($5,400)

Donte DiVincenzo delivers consistent production at a salary that undervalues his role in the Timberwolves’ backcourt. He averages 28.0 DK points per game this season, with 14.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.4 assists on efficient 43.0% field goal and 38.0% three-point shooting. His 1.00 fantasy points per minute and projected 30.5 minutes position him for steady output, especially as a top pick at point guard where his 17.84% usage rate ensures reliable contributions across categories.

The matchup against Washington favors DiVincenzo’s skill set, as the Wizards struggle to contain perimeter players who mix scoring and playmaking. With a 5.7x value rating and 26.0% boom rate, he projects for 30.5 DK points, making him a core piece despite 16.7% projected ownership. His Hero Rank of 13 and 16.2% optimal lineup rate underscore his upside in this spot.

More PG Plays:

• Tyrese Maxey ($10,000)
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ($10,600)

SG - Anthony Edwards ($9,100)

Anthony Edwards faces a Washington defense ripe for exploitation, boosting his status as the premier shooting guard option on the slate. He logs 34.0 projected minutes with a 1.43 fantasy points per minute pace, drawing from his season averages of 25.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.6 assists on 46.7% field goals and 38.8% from deep. Even with a slight recent dip to 41.2 DK points over the last three games, his 32.96% usage rate and 23.49 PER signal a quick return to elite form.

Edwards thrives in high-tempo environments like this Minnesota-Washington clash, where his athleticism overwhelms slower guards. Projecting 48.7 DK points with a 28.0% boom rate and 5.3x value at $9,100, he ranks 8th in Hero Score and appears in 19.4% of optimal lineups. At 20.6% ownership, he anchors builds with his scoring volume and multi-category appeal.

More SG Plays:

• Quentin Grimes ($6,100)
• Donovan Mitchell ($9,300)

SF - Kevin Durant ($8,500)

Kevin Durant trends upward with 44.4 DK points across his last three outings, solidifying his edge as the top small forward play. He sustains 35.5 projected minutes and a 1.17 fantasy points per minute clip, backed by season lines of 25.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 3.4 assists on impressive 51.0% shooting from the field and 40.0% from three. His 26.75% usage and 20.16 PER highlight his efficiency as Houston’s primary scorer in this road test.

The Cavaliers’ defense exposes weaknesses against versatile forwards, allowing Durant to dictate pace and volume. He projects for 41.5 DK points at 4.9x value, with a 15.0% boom rate that fits seamlessly into winning GPP strategies. Holding a Hero Rank of 5 and 11.9% optimal rate at 9.8% ownership, Durant maximizes salary efficiency while delivering superstar ceilings.

More SF Plays:

• RJ Barrett ($6,900)
• Moses Moody ($5,600)

PF - Naz Reid ($5,300)

Naz Reid has averaged 39.3 DK points over his last three games, elevating him to the standout power forward/center hybrid on this slate. At $5,300, he cranks out 26.5 projected minutes with 1.18 fantasy points per minute, translating to 12.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 2.1 assists on 45.8% field goals and 36.0% threes. His 21.70% usage and 15.34 PER reflect growing involvement in Minnesota’s frontcourt rotation.

Reid exploits Washington’s porous interior defense, where his floor-spacing and rebounding shine in favorable matchups. With a 5.9x value rating, 30.0% boom rate, and 31.4 DK point projection, he ranks 15th in Hero Score and slots into 24.1% of optimal lineups. Despite 26.2% ownership, his recent surge above a 27.1 season average makes him indispensable for value-driven builds.

More PF Plays:

• Julius Randle ($8,200)
• Evan Mobley ($8,000)

C - Andre Drummond ($6,200)

Andre Drummond operates in a rebound-heavy role that Toronto’s frontcourt cannot contain, marking him as the elite center selection. He projects for 33.0 minutes at 1.05 fantasy points per minute, dominating with 8.5 points and 9.6 rebounds alongside 0.8 assists on 59.7% field goal efficiency. His consistent 35.2 DK points over the last three games align with a 19.67 PER and low 12.90% usage that focuses on high-percentage opportunities.

Philadelphia’s pace against the Raptors creates rebounding chaos where Drummond excels, padding stats in double-doubles. At $6,200, he offers 5.6x value with a 31.0% boom rate and 34.6 DK projection, earning a Hero Rank of 19 and 19.3% optimal inclusion. With 26.3% ownership, his reliability above a 25.4 season average anchors cash game cores effectively.

More C Plays:

• Nikola Jokic ($13,000)
• Alperen Sengun ($9,500)

Make sure to check the Lineup Optimizer for latest updates before lock. Visit DFS Hero for our full suite of DFS tools including the Lineup Optimizer, Contest Simulator, Player Projections, and Ownership Projections. Use code HEROPLAY15 to get 15% off your first month!