The final month of 2024 has crept up on us all like the Rockets in the West. After a historic night in which the top two seeds in both conferences battled, things have shaken out in an odd way thus far in this 2024-25 NBA season. The Grizzlies have gotten healthy and predictably regained some form; they currently sit in the third seed in the West while the Warriors start to lose steam. The Cavaliers won a nail-biter against the Celtics and stay atop the East with the Celtics and Magic (wow!) trailing close behind.
But while some things this season are new, others are not. LaMelo Ball, unfortunately, suffered his annual injury, sidelining him for at least two weeks while the Hornets wait for his calf to heal. The Wizards went win-less in November, which marks just the 16th time an NBA team has done so. Nikola Jokic still looks like the best basketball player on Earth. DraftKings Network has got you covered for all sports.
We’re shooting the Three Lists of Threes today for your weekly dose of fantasy tips: Buy-lows, sell-highs, and streams.
Here are some buy-lows we can consider.
Buy ’em
Bam Adebayo, C, Miami Heat
Adebayo has been frustrating this season. He’s shooting a woeful 42.6% from the floor, a career-low by a mile. To be fair to him, he’s not exactly known for his offense, and on the defensive end he’s been statistically solid, averaging 1.7 steals and 0.8 blocks, but in general most of his stats are down across the board from where they were last season. I believe some positive regression is due soon, especially in the shooting department. Adebayo’s career average from 2 point distance is 55%. He’s currently shooting 44.7%.
Perhaps it’s due to his willingness this season to expand his arsenal. He’s attempting 2.8 threes per-game this season, a conscious, first-time effort to expand his range on the floor. He’s not doing it very well, and perhaps this struggle is contributing to his poor shooting, but it’s interesting to see the big man try to open up his game in his 8th season.
Paul George, SF/PF, Philadelphia 76ers
George is another frustrating player who’s not giving much this season to those who drafted him. It’s a bit unfortunate because this is mostly due to injury. George hyperextended his knee during a pre-season game and injured a different knee in late-November but has returned. There may be some who are skeptical about George’s future this season on a 76ers’ team that has crashed and burned right out of the gate. After George joined the team over the off season, this 76ers squad drew interest from many who surmised that George could be the final piece of the championship puzzle for Philly. Was that ever a serious consideration? Probably not. Will George be better than this and help Philly turn things around in the East? I’d say that’s likely. They just have to catch up to *checks notes* the Brooklyn Nets, the Indiana Pacers, and the Detroit Pistons. I’d say it’s within range.
Jalen Duren, C, Detroit Pistons
Man is the buy-low list just another name for the annoying-player list? Duren’s minutes are frustratingly low this season. He’s averaging just 24 MPG, the lowest of his three-year career thus far. His rebounding numbers are still strong but his defense has not been. Cade Cunningham’s return has not catalyzed his offensive growth as many had hoped, and now we have a young, rangy, and athletic center who’s out there running around doing nothing but controlling the glass. I think Duren will be better than this. He faces no real threat from the other front court players on this team, and is a player who the Pistons should be focused on developing alongside star point guard Cunningham.
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All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.
I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information
