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FREE 12/01 NBA Cheat Sheet: Top DFS Plays

12/01 NBA Cheat Sheet: Top DFS Plays

Tonight’s 6-game NBA DFS slate kicks off at 7:00 PM ET and wraps up by 7:30 PM ET, giving us a compact window to build around. With most games starting around the same time, you’ll want to zero in on pace and implied totals early to stack value plays. A few matchups look solid for volume, but the field could spread thin across these options.

The highest totals stand out with Chicago at Orlando at 239.5 and the Clippers at Miami at 236.5, both tipping at 7:30 PM ET. These should drive usage for key guys in fast-paced environments, making them prime for GPP differentiation without chasing too many low-total traps elsewhere on the board.

Game Environment Analysis

ATL @ DET (O/U: 232.5, Spread: -9.5)

  • Pace: ATL (7th) vs DET (11th)
  • Off Eff: ATL (14th) vs DET (10th)
  • Def Eff: ATL (12th) vs DET (4th)

CLE @ IND (O/U: 231.5, Spread: 4.5)

  • Pace: CLE (9th) vs IND (10th)
  • Off Eff: CLE (15th) vs IND (29th)
  • Def Eff: CLE (11th) vs IND (19th)

MIL @ WAS (O/U: 231.5, Spread: 10.5)

  • Pace: MIL (20th) vs WAS (4th) 🏃 (Pace mismatch)
  • Off Eff: MIL (16th) vs WAS (28th)
  • Def Eff: MIL (21st) vs WAS (30th) 🎯

CHA @ BKN (O/U: 229.5, Spread: 4.5)

  • Pace: CHA (23rd) vs BKN (27th)
  • Off Eff: CHA (19th) vs BKN (26th)
  • Def Eff: CHA (25th) 🎯 vs BKN (29th) 🎯

LAC @ MIA (O/U: 236.5, Spread: -6.5)

  • Pace: LAC (28th) vs MIA (1st) 🏃 (Pace mismatch)
  • Off Eff: LAC (21st) vs MIA (12th)
  • Def Eff: LAC (24th) vs MIA (2nd)

CHI @ ORL (O/U: 239.5, Spread: -8.5)

  • Pace: CHI (2nd) vs ORL (13th) 🏃 (Pace mismatch)
  • Off Eff: CHI (17th) vs ORL (9th) 🔥
  • Def Eff: CHI (22nd) vs ORL (8th)

Legend:

🏃 = Significant pace mismatch

🔥 = Strong offense vs weak defense

🎯 = Poor defensive team

⚠️ = Blowout risk

Bold = Favored team

PG - Egor Demin ($4,400)

Egor Demin continues to post consistent production in his recent outings, averaging 28.2 DK points over his last three games while maintaining 28.0 points across the past five. His season averages of 8.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.5 assists reflect steady contributions from a 22.5-minute role, bolstered by an 18.82% usage rate that keeps him involved in Brooklyn’s offense against Charlotte.

Demin’s matchup against the Hornets favors his skill set, as Charlotte ranks near the bottom in defending point guards, allowing ample opportunities for assists and scoring. With projected 29.0 minutes and a 0.92 FPPM, he delivers 6.1x value at just $4,400, positioning him as a boom candidate with a 28.0% rate that outpaces his salary expectations.

More PG Plays:

  • James Harden ($9,800)
  • Cade Cunningham ($10,500)

SG - Jaylon Tyson ($4,800)

Jaylon Tyson trends upward in his scoring efficiency, hitting 29.2 DK points per game over the last three contests compared to his season average of 24.3. He converts at 48.6% from the field and 46.1% from three, pairing 11.5 points with 4.5 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 26.5 minutes nightly, driven by a reliable 15.79% usage.

Tyson operates in Cleveland’s high-tempo attack against Indiana, where the Pacers’ perimeter defense leaks points to wings like him. His 30.5 projected minutes and 0.88 FPPM yield 5.6x value at $4,800, with a 24.0% boom rate making him a cornerstone for lineups seeking balanced output in this favorable environment.

More SG Plays:

  • Donovan Mitchell ($9,500)
  • Desmond Bane ($7,700)

SF - Ayo Dosunmu ($5,400)

Ayo Dosunmu faces Orlando’s middling wing defense on the road, where the Magic surrender the sixth-most points to shooting guards this season, opening lanes for his aggressive drives. Chicago leans on his 20.04% usage rate, as he averages 15.6 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.9 assists while shooting 54.5% from the field and 47.8% from deep.

Dosunmu sustains strong form with 25.1 DK points across his last seven games, building on a season average of 25.0 in 26.8 minutes. At $5,400, his 0.93 FPPM and 31.0 projected minutes generate 5.3x value, with a 20.0% boom potential that solidifies his role in optimal builds.

More SF Plays:

  • Brandon Miller ($6,400)
  • Franz Wagner ($8,700)

PF - Evan Mobley ($8,500)

Evan Mobley averages 46.6 DK points over his last five games, exceeding his season mark of 42.2 with dominant lines of 19.2 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 4.1 assists at 50.0% field goal efficiency. His 22.84% usage and 18.78 PER highlight Cleveland’s reliance on his versatility in the paint and beyond.

Mobley exploits Indiana’s frontcourt weaknesses, where the Pacers rank poorly against efficient bigs, allowing him to rack up blocks and boards in 34.5 minutes. Priced at $8,500 with a 1.31 FPPM and 34.0 projected minutes, he provides 5.2x value and a 22.0% boom rate that anchors contending lineups.

More PF Plays:

  • Giannis Antetokounmpo ($11,500)
  • Jalen Johnson ($10,000)

C - Marvin Bagley III ($3,500)

Marvin Bagley III returns from a three-game hip absence fully cleared for action, ready to reclaim his backup center role behind Washington’s starters against Milwaukee. His recent performances include a 47.5-DK-point explosion with 25 points and 12 rebounds in 31 minutes, showcasing his scoring touch at 1.08 FPPM.

Bagley targets the Bucks’ interior defense, which yields rebounds and easy buckets to athletic bigs, aligning with his projected 23.0 minutes and season potential. At a steal of $3,500, he offers 7.1x value with a league-high 39.0% boom rate among centers, making him an essential low-salary pivot for high-upside builds.

More C Plays:

  • Ivica Zubac ($8,000)
  • Tristan Vukcevic ($3,300)

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!

Please note: The content in our articles is based on data available at the time of publishing. Always double-check your lineups before locking in your players.

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