3 NBA DraftKings Studs to Target on 11/14/17

James Harden, PG/SG, Houston Rockets

DraftKings Salary: $12,300

It isn't going to be easy to fit in James Harden at this price tag, but on a three-game slate with few truly elite options, you almost have to have Harden. If he has a huge performance on a 12-game slate, you aren't necessarily out of it. If he goes nuts at high ownership on a small slate like tonight's, though, not having him basically eliminates you in tournaments.

Aside from any game theory that goes into playing or not playing Harden, the price really is fair. His salary-implied value at this price tag is 61.5 DraftKings points. Harden has topped 60 in three of his past four games, a stretch during which he is averaging an obscene 71.9 DraftKings points. He's really not overpriced given the way he is playing right now.

As far as the matchup goes, the Toronto Raptors haven't been as good defensively as most would have expected, ranking just 16th in defensive efficiency. They had no answer for Harden in two meetings last season, as he averaged 67.3 DraftKings points against Toronto, despite an uncharacteristic 22 turnovers in those games. He is the top play on the board and a tough fade in any format.