NBA DraftKings & FanDuel DFS Primer: Dec. 19
On Monday’s nine-game slate, Trae Younger and the Atlanta Hawks host the Orlando Magic at 7:30 p.m. ET.
It’s been a wild weekend of sports activities. We had NFL and NBA on Saturday and Sunday, which makes issues chaotic from a DFS perspective. It led to certainly one of my greatest days of the season on Sunday, although, using a Washington-Los Angeles stack to certainly one of my higher lineups of the yr. Capitalizing on the correct video games is essential on this racket, and now we have a couple of sensational spots right here. With that in thoughts, let’s have a look at a few of these!
Damage Report
- Anthony Davis (foot) OUT
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (again) OUT
- Karl-Anthony Cities (calf) OUT
- Dejounte Murray (ankle) Questionable
- Keldon Johnson (again) Questionable
- Brandon Ingram (toe) OUT
- Tyrese Maxey (foot) OUT
- Deandre Ayton (ankle) Questionable
- Rudy Gobert (ankle) Questionable
- OG Anunoby (hip) Questionable
- Wendell Carter Jr.(foot) OUT
- Jerami Grant (again) Questionable
- Josh Giddey (sickness) Questionable
- Clint Capela (calf) OUT
- Khris Middleton (knee) OUT
- John Collins (ankle) Questionable
- Collin Sexton (hamstring) OUT
Core Performs
Damian Lillard (PG – POR): $10,700 DraftKings, $10,000 FanDuel
Dame must be within the MVP working, carrying Portland to top-of-the-line data within the NBA when he’s within the lineup. The perennial All-Star has scored at the very least 40 DraftKings factors in 14 of 18 video games this season, averaging 49 DK factors per recreation in these outings. That’s no shock since he’s enjoying 35-40 minutes an evening whereas posting a utilization charge north of 30%. Oklahoma Metropolis actually received’t gradual him down, ranked twenty eighth in defensive effectivity.
Donovan Mitchell (PG/SG – CLE): $8,900 DraftKings, $9,000 FanDuel
Mitchell has been feeling it lately, and he’ll be motivated in opposition to his former crew. The previous Utah standout has at the very least 35 DraftKings factors in 12 of his final 13 video games, posting a 45-point common in that span. His motivation in opposition to Utah is sufficient incentive to make use of him, however the Jazz are additionally surrendering the second-most fantasy factors to opposing taking pictures guards as properly.
Luguentz Dort (SF – OKC): $5,500 DraftKings, $6,100 FanDuel
Dort would be the point of interest of OKC’s offense with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey each lacking this recreation. With out these two over the weekend, Dort dropped a season-high 42 DK factors whereas working many of the offense. That’s unbelievable from a $6K participant, particularly since Portland sits twenty third in defensive effectivity scores.
Money Sport Issues
Luka Doncic (PG – DAL): $12,500 DraftKings, $11,900 FanDuel
Luka has been the perfect money recreation possibility in fantasy all season. The Slovenian has scored at the very least 52 DraftKings factors in all however two video games this yr. That has him main the NBA with 62 DK factors per recreation, due to his league-leading 38% utilization charge. Attending to face Minnesota is magical, too, with the Timberwolves ranked second in tempo and twenty third in factors allowed.
Trae Younger (PG – ATL): $10,300 DraftKings, $9,800 FanDuel
Younger has actually struggled together with his shot this season, however he’s powerful to fade so long as Dejounte Murray stays sidelined. With Murray off the ground, Younger has a 42% utilization charge whereas averaging 1.6 DK factors per minute. These are among the greatest charges you’ll ever see, and it ought to give Trae a 50-point ground in that type of position.
De’Aaron Fox (PG – SAC): $8,300 DraftKings, $8,400 FanDuel
Fox has quietly had an All-Star season in Sacramento, and it’s arduous to know why he’s thus far under $9,000. The speedster has scored at the very least 29 DraftKings factors in all however three video games, with two of these being shortened because of harm. That has his season common north of 40 fantasy factors per recreation, and he ought to preserve that going in opposition to a Twenty seventh-ranked Charlotte protection. That is anticipated to be the highest-scoring recreation of the night time, and Fox will certainly be one of many main beneficiaries of that blistering tempo.
GPP Targets
Jalen Williams (SF – OKC): $4,700 DraftKings, $5,200 FanDuel
Oklahoma Metropolis shall be lacking its two main ball handlers, and it ought to pressure Williams right into a profession position. That’s superior since this rookie has already established himself as one of many key gamers on this crew, averaging 23 DK factors per recreation throughout half-hour an evening over the past month. He’s proven flashes of brilliance in that span, and it’ll be enjoyable to see what he does with Oklahoma Metropolis lacking its two greatest gamers.
Naz Reid (PF/C – MIN): $4,700 DraftKings, $6,000 FanDuel
With Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Cities each nicked up, it’s lastly time for Reid to take over this middle job. This gifted teen has constantly proven the power to be an excellent per-minute producer, and he confirmed that with 52 DK factors throughout 37 minutes in a begin over the weekend. That’s ridiculous from a participant on this worth vary, and he’d be unattainable to fade if each of these facilities stay out.
Onyeka Okongwu (C – ATL): $5,200 DraftKings, $5,200 FanDuel
The Hawks frontcourt has been obliterated by accidents, enjoying with out John Collins and Clint Capela. The absence of Capela is the massive one for Onyeka, with Okongwu getting the beginning middle job in his absence. The Uconn product is averaging over 30 fantasy factors per recreation when beginning for Capela over the past two years, and he’s merely top-of-the-line bets for a double-double from a $5K participant. Atlanta will want him to play half-hour to oppose this large Orlando frontcourt, which solely provides to his worth.
Worth Performs
Alperen Sengun (C – HOU): $6,500 DraftKings, $6,300 FanDuel
Sengun has the expertise to be an elite middle, and it’s encouraging to see Houston lastly give him a full allotment of minutes. The large man is averaging 31 DK factors per recreation throughout 27 minutes an evening over his final 11 video games performed. We now have to imagine he’ll be a 30-minute participant from right here on out, and he has the perfect matchup in fantasy right here. The Spurs sit final in each defensive effectivity and factors allowed. Of their final matchup, Sengun scored 33 DK factors throughout simply 28 minutes!
Thomas Bryant (C – LAL): $4,200 DraftKings, $5,800 FanDuel
With Anthony Davis out for the following month, Bryant will begin at middle in LA. He obtained that position on Sunday, amassing 14 factors and 10 rebounds. That’s his second straight recreation with at the very least 33 DK factors, and it’s clear he shall be requested to play a substantial position with Davis sidelined. That makes it arduous to imagine that he’s nonetheless simply $4,200, particularly since he’s confirmed to be an elite per-minute participant all through his profession.
Bismack Biyombo (C – PHX): $3,900 DraftKings, $5,200 FanDuel
That is one other unusual worth by DraftKings. Biyombo is one other middle filling in for an injured stud, with Bismack beginning within the absence of Deandre Ayton. He’s been doing that for 2 years now, averaging 25 DK factors per recreation in his 5 begins because the begin of final yr. All you want is 20 fantasy factors to be a very good worth at this sub-$4K price ticket, and he really has a 40-point upside if he dominates the paint on this worthwhile matchup. Going through a Lakers crew with out Davis is incredible, with LA proudly owning a twenty sixth OPRK in opposition to opposing facilities.
Advantageous Pricing
- Naz Reid (PF/C – MIN): $4,700 DraftKings, $6,000 FanDuel
- Thomas Bryant (C – LAL): $4,200 DraftKings, $5,800 FanDuel
- Bismack Biyombo (C – PHX): $3,900 DraftKings, $5,200 FanDuel
- Fred VanVleet (PG/SG – TOR): $8,500 DraftKings, $9,500 FanDuel
- Thaddeus Younger (PF/C – TOR): $3,600 DraftKings, $5,000 FanDuel
- Bol Bol (C – PHX): $5,300 DraftKings, $6,400 FanDuel
- Markelle Fultz (PG – ORL): $5,100 DraftKings, $6,300 FanDuel
- Aleksej Pokusevski (PF – OKC): $4,300 DraftKings, $5,500 FanDuel
- Larry Nance (PF/C – NOP): $4,600 DraftKings, $5,800 FanDuel
- LeBron James (SF/PF – LAL): $10,000 DraftKings, $11,100 FanDuel
- Russell Westbrook (PG – LAL): $7,300 DraftKings, $8,300 FanDuel
- Austin Reaves (SG/SF – LAL): $4,100 DraftKings, $5,500 FanDuel
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Joel Bartilotta is a featured author at FantasyPros. For extra from Joel, take a look at his archive and comply with him @Bartilottajoel.
