Core Plays LIVE: NBA DFS Picks for Monday, November 25th

by Derek Farnsworth (Notorious) Last Updated 2024-11-25 23:10:23 Premium Content Part of the product NBA DFS

A daily fantasy sports OG, Notorious has been roaming the DFS streets ever since they were invented. He has racked up multiple live final seats and several six-figure tournament wins in his DFS career and has long been one of the top NBA DFS minds in the industry. On weekends, Taylor Smith takes the reins. Their Core Plays LIVE article will zoom out on the slate as a whole, zoom in on the best NBA DFS picks, and constantly update as news breaks. Whether you are diving into the slate 5 hours before it starts or 5 minutes before it starts, Core Plays LIVE has everything you need for your DraftKings and FanDuel lineups.

Happy Monday!

And yes, this is actually a happy Monday because it’s a short week for most. Thanksgiving is only 3 days away. I can already taste the mashed potatoes and gravy. I’ve been having a lot of fun with ChatGPT the last week, so I had it cook me up another introduction for tonight’s NBA slate:

As we gather ‘round the NBA DFS table on this Thanksgiving slate, let’s dig into some players who could turn your fantasy lineup into a cornucopia of points. First off, think of Nikola Jokić as your trusty turkey centerpiece. Consistently filling stat sheets with triple-doubles, the Joker faces a defense tonight as flimsy as a paper plate, setting the stage for him to serve up a smorgasbord of fantasy goodness. Investing in him might cost you, but like the best cuts of turkey, he’s worth every fantasy point calorie.

On the other side of the table, we have Jayson Tatum, whose recent performances have been mixing up the main course in a spicy way. He’s primed to perform against any defense, ensuring your lineup has a hearty helping of scoring, assists, and rebounds. Think of him as the smooth mashed potatoes—reliable, versatile, and always delivering that comfort you crave. Tatum’s ability to fill different roles on the court might be just what you need to keep your DFS menu fresh and competitive.

For those on a budget, consider adding Jalen Duren, this slate’s green bean casserole—he might not be the first to catch your eye, but there’s potential for some real flavor. With increased minutes due to lineup shuffles, he’s a low-cost gamble that could pay off big, offering the cap space flexibility you need. Pair him with Fred VanVleet, whose potential to heat up from downtown could be the extra sweet potato candied delight your fantasy squad needs. Keep tabs on those injury updates and last-minute lineup changes to ensure your DFS plate is as mouthwatering as your Thanksgiving spread. Happy slate building, and may your fantasy points rise like the dough on Aunt Susan’s famous dinner rolls!_

Cue the Larry David GIF… pretty, pretty, pretty good!

We have an interesting schedule this week due to the holiday. There are 9 games tonight, 5 games on Tuesday, and 14 games on Wednesday. As usual, there aren’t any games on Thanksgiving, but we get right back at it with 10 games on Friday. It will be a busy week, especially for those of you who grind the NFL slates. Regarding tonight’s NBA slate, FanDuel has all 9 games on its main slate, while DraftKings only has the first 7 games on its main slate. We have 7 teams playing on the second half of a back-to-back, so it could be a very busy day for the “News Updates” section.

Let’s dive into the team breakdowns. Happy holiday season everyone!

NBA DFS Picks: Core Plays LIVE for Monday, November 25th

• 9-game slate
  - 7:00 PM ET – Orlando Magic at Charlotte Hornets
  - 7:00 PM ET – New Orleans Pelicans at Indiana Pacers
  - 7:00 PM ET – Toronto Raptors at Detroit Pistons
  - 7:30 PM ET – Dallas Mavericks at Atlanta Hawks
  - 7:30 PM ET – Los Angeles Clippers at Boston Celtics
  - 8:00 PM ET – Portland Trail Blazers at Memphis Grizzlies
  - 9:00 PM ET – New York Knicks at Denver Nuggets
  - 10:00 PM ET – Brooklyn Nets at Golden State Warriors
  - 10:00 PM ET – Oklahoma City Thunder at Sacramento Kings
• Front end of a back-to-back: None
• Back end of a back-to-back: Raptors, Pacers, Mavericks, Clippers, Celtics, Nets, Kings
• NBA DFS Optimizer
• NBA Starting Lineups
• NBA DFS Injury Report: The Situation Room
• Scroll to FanDuel and DraftKings Rankings & Core Plays

Editor’s Note: Looking for more places to play? Check out our PrizePicks promo code and Underdog Fantasy promo code, two of the best DFS sites available today.

News Updates

This section will be updated as injury news is released throughout the day.

Team Previews

Orlando Magic (at CHA)

The Magic are still without Paolo Banchero and have listed both Wendell Carter and Jalen Suggs as questionable for tonight’s game. A matchup against the Hornets isn’t as prime as it used to be, but facing Charlotte is still an above-average spot for DFS. Franz Wagner has averaged 47.5 fantasy points in the 13 games that Banchero has missed this season. His usage will only go up if Suggs is unable to suit up. If Carter ends up being out, Goga Bitadze would become an interesting value play. He has topped 30 fantasy points in 3 of his last 6 games. Moe Wagner would also see an uptick in minutes off the bench if Carter is out.

Charlotte Hornets (vs. ORL)

The Hornets will be very shorthanded, as they have already ruled out Mark Williams, Grant Williams, Nick Richards, Tre Mann, and Miles Bridges. That’s essentially their two best centers, their 6th man off the bench, and two of their key wing players. There are plenty of minutes and usage to go around, although a matchup against the Magic is far from ideal. This season, Orlando is 26th in pace and 1st in points allowed per game. LaMelo Ball has scored 75 and 59 fantasy points in the last 2 games and has a solid RGValue with a relatively low ownership projection. Brandon Miller should have a high usage rate tonight, Cody Martin and Josh Green are projected to play 30+ minutes, and Moussa Diabate should draw the start at center. Despite the difficult matchup, there’s a lot to like on the Hornets in DFS.

Here is an example of the DFS tables that are provided to our Premium Subscribers

Want to read more? Sign up for Premium!