Top DFS players to consider for NBA cash games on DraftKings for Nov. 18

UPDATE: Kyrie Irving (shoulder) has been ruled out for tonight’s game vs. the Pacers.

UPDATE: Pacers PF/C Domantas Sabonis is expected to start tonight vs. the Nets, per beat reporter J. Michael.

As always when playing cash games on DraftKings, which are 50/50s and Double-Ups in which you’re trying to place in the upper half of the contest, injuries play a factor. Tonight we have a few big names (Kawhi Leonard, Kyrie Irving) to track, but the one that stands out if Domantas Sabonis ($7,300). His price is very low, though he’s listed as questionable. If Sabonis and Malcolm Brogdon (back) are both out, value galore on the Indiana Pacers!

Let’s dive into some cash plays to get your lineups started.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL at CHI, $11,300

I think if we’re gifted the value on the Pacers and Brooklyn Nets, we’ll have no problem paying up for Giannis on this slate. The Chicago Bulls aren’t an overly great defensive team and can’t rebound to save their lives, dead last in rebounding rate. We saw Giannis smash in this spot a few games ago: 38 points, 16 rebounds and four assists for 71.5 DraftKings fantasy points. And for whatever reason his price is down $400 for the road matchup? If anything the Bulls may keep this closer, which is exactly what we want.

Luka Doncic, DAL vs. SAS, $9,800

If you’re trying to pay down in cash, Doncic is probably the way to go. He offers a similar ceiling to Giannis in an equally good matchup vs. the San Antonio Spurs at home. The Spurs are bottom of the league in defensive efficiency, but play at a decent pace and we all know about Doncic’s high usage rate. Again, Doncic’s price is down (I don’t know why) after being above $10K the past three games. He crushed value in all those contests so I see no reason to believe it won’t happen again.

Hassan Whiteside, POR at HOU, $6,700

This seems like a nice discount on Whiteside, though the big man hasn’t played particularly well overall for the Portland Trail Blazers this season. Aside from picking on basement teams, Whiteside hadn’t had a strong performance against a decent opponent until Saturday vs. the Spurs, going for 21 and 12 for 43 DKFP. The Houston Rockets will get Clint Capela, back from injury, but I’m not so sure that’ll matter as much given the potential pace of this game. I think Whiteside’s floor is safe and he’s relatively affordable.

Myles Turner, IND at BKN, $6,100

It’s a weird slate because all of the elite center plays are in the mid-range as opposed to high-priced studs. Turner could be in line for a lot of playing time if Sabonis is ruled out. Even if that isn’t the case, the Pacers probably won’t have Brogdon and Sabonis and Turner will be their strongest offensive players. The Nets have been better on the glass this season with DeAndre Jordan in town, but still aren’t a tough opponent. Indiana is actually a dog in this one at +4 and the O/U is at 219, which is somewhat high for a game like this. I think Turner is the chalk pivot off Sabonis, and would be highly owned if his teammate were to be out.

Others to consider: James Harden, HOU vs. POR, $12,000; Pascal Siakam, TOR vs. CHA, $9,000; Eric Bledsoe, MIL at CHI, $7,200; Tristan Thompson, CLE at NYK, $5,600; Aron Baynes, PHX vs. BOX, $5,100