NBA DFS DraftKings.com & FanDuel.com Lineups & Picks for December 14, 2017
For the 12/14 NBA DFS slate tonight, we’ll take a look at the best picks for the guards, forwards, and centers we’re considering rostering in our Cash and GPP lineups on DraftKings and FanDuel. The info below can also be used when crafting your strategy on Draft.
Please note the advice below is relevant for daily fantasy purposes. A player or team might be better or worse from a fantasy perspective than in real life due to matchup, price, and lots of other factors. This is important to consider when constructing a roster.
Injuries can and will play a huge role in NBA DFS on a nightly basis, and value plays at the various daily fantasy sites can arise at a moment’s notice. Always, always check the starting lineups and injury news right before tipoff.
12/14/17 NBA DFS TOURNAMENT PICKS
DraftKings Excellent 8’s: $8 buy-in, $450k guaranteed
DraftKings Triple Threat: $33 buy-in, $175k guaranteed
DraftKings Sharpshooter: $3 buy-in, $135k guaranteed
FanDuel Layup: $7 buy-in, $66k guaranteed
FanDuel Clutch Shot: $4.44 buy-in, $400k guaranteed
FanDuel Slam: $33 buy-in, $130k guaranteed
PLAYERS RULED OUT
Stephen Curry (ankle)
D’Angelo Russell (knee)
Tim Hardaway Jr. (leg)
Dennis Smith Jr. (hip)
Dewayne Dedmon (leg)
INJURY NEWS TO MONITOR
John Collins (shoulder)
Draymond Green (shoulder)
Dwyane Wade (knee)
NBA DFS Slate Breakdown for December 14, 2017
Detroit Pistons (+3.5) at Atlanta Hawks (Over/Under – 207)
The Hawks have been in some shootouts of late, but the Pistons are 22nd in pace and allow the seventh-fewest PPG (102.7) in the NBA this season.
This is a game with limited appealing options, led by Andre Drummond ($9.3k, $9.4k), who flopped in a plus matchup on Tuesday and could be due for a bounce-back effort along with the rest of the Pistons’ starters. Tobias Harris ($6.3k, $6.7k) is worth deploying in GPP formats against a Hawks team that gives up the second-most PPG (22.33) to opposing SFs this season. Also, keep an eye on Ish Smith ($4.0k, $3.9k) as a potential value given the recent struggles of Reggie Jackson.
While they’re good against some positions, the Pistons allow the most FPPG (44.42) to opposing SFs this season. This puts Kent Bazemore ($5.7k, $5.9k) and Taurean Prince ($5.7k, $6.0k) on the radar after they both exceeded values against the Cavs on Tuesday.
For value, consider John Collins ($5.5k, $5.9k). He’s expected to return from a shoulder injury and would likely be forced into heavy minutes with Dewayne Dedmon (leg) and Mike Muscala (ankle) unavailable.
FREE $3 ENTRY TO PLAY AT DRAFT DFS! CLICK HERE NOW!
New York Knicks (+1.5) at Brooklyn Nets (Over/Under – 212.5)
This is certainly a game to target. Note its virtual pick ’em line and one of the top options on this five-game slate in Kristaps Porzingis ($9.6k, $10.2k). The Zinger kept rolling with a huge 37-point game against the Lakers on Tuesday and will face little opposition against the Nets. Brooklyn gives up the fourth-most PPG (110.6) overall and third-most FPPG (57.65) to opposing centers this year.
With Tim Hardaway Jr. (leg) still out, the Knicks can provide value plays in the form of solid veteran PG Jarrett Jack ($4.4k, $4.9k) and a true tournament play in Michael Beasley ($3.7k, $4.0k). You can also use Enes Kanter ($6.6k, $6.7k) in GPP formats in a fantastic matchup against the Nets’ weak interior defense.
Spencer Dinwiddie ($6.7k, $7.7k) continues to run the Nets’ offense with D’Angelo Russell on the shelf. He’s a strong play against the ancient Jack.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson ($6.1k, $7.2k) has established a very solid floor as a secondary option for the Nets, as has Caris LeVert ($5.4k, $6.1k). Perhaps we finally see Jahlil Okafor ($4.0k, $5.2k) take the floor for a team that should look to feature him eventually.
FREE DRAFTBOARD DFS MONEY! CLICK HERE FOR $1 ABSOLUTELY FREE!
Los Angeles Lakers (+9.5) at Cleveland Cavaliers (Over/Under – 219)
This is a preferred game to target tonight. The young Lakers are capable of playing with anyone when properly motivated, and they should amped up for a matchup against LeBron James ($11.9k, $12.6k) and the Cavs.
Despite his astronomical price tag, LBJ is a great Cash option. He should continue to carry his squad with Dwyane Wade (knee) and Kevin Love (hip) banged up.
The Lakers have a host of quality options, including Lonzo Ball ($7.0k, $7.5k), who is finally finding an offensive rhythm and faces a Cavs team bereft of PG options. Brandon Ingram ($6.5k, $6.9k) is also playing with great confidence, and Kyle Kuzma ($5.5k, $5.7k) is still under priced as a mid-tier option.
Sacramento Kings (+9.5) at Minnesota Timberwolves (Over/Under – 203)
This could turn into a blowout win for Minnesota at home. Still, the T-Wolves continue to struggle to gel with Jimmy Butler ($8.7k, $9.5k) and Jeff Teague in the mix.
Butler is coming off a season-high output and is the strongest play on Minnesota’s side given his recent spike in playing time. But if the Wolves build a lead, this would also be a great time for him to rest. Karl-Anthony Towns ($9.1k, $10.1k) draws the best matchup on paper against a Kings team that gives up the second-most FPPG (57.64) to opposing centers this year. KAT has been far more productive in home games this year.
Value can be found on the Kings’ side of the ball with big men Willie Cauley-Stein ($5.1k, $6.0k) and Zach Randolph ($6.8k, $7.5k), who has been carrying the load for an otherwise hapless offensive team.
If you expect a blowout, consider rookie PG Frank Mason III ($3.9k, $4.2k), who has come on strong lately and would get a chance to run the team if De’Aaron Fox and George Hill strike out. Finally, Jakarr Sampson ($3.5k, $3.7k) is another punt play to consider as a productive per-minute rebounder.
Dallas Mavericks (+11.5) at Golden State Warriors (Over/Under – 211.5)
This is a mismatch on paper. The elite Warriors take on a Mavericks team that’s in last place in the Western Conference.
Even with Steph Curry (ankle) out, Golden State should roll behind a solid performance from Kevin Durant ($11.3k, $11.9k). That said, he might not see enough run to meet value at his lofty price tag.
However, with Draymond Green (shoulder) expected to sit as well, the Warriors could offer value in the frontcourt with young Jordan Bell ($3.6k, $4.3k) and versatile veteran Andre Iguodala ($4.2k, $4.7k). Klay Thompson ($6.9k, $7.6k) is a solid Cash option as the second-most important player for the Dubs tonight.
Harrison Barnes ($6.7k, $6.6k) offers a decent floor as the Mavs’ top option, but the best plays on that side are guards J.J. Barea ($5.6k, $5.5k) and Yogi Ferrell ($4.6k, $4.7k). The latter logged 35 minutes on Tuesday with Dennis Smith Jr. (hip) out. Ferrell should see plenty of run against the small-ball Warriors tonight.
Wesley Matthews ($4.6k, $5.1k) is the best tournament play in a Mavs uniform. He’s a shooter capable of going off in a fast-paced matchup. If you’re willing to pay up for Durant in the hopes this game stays close, Matthews is a good correlation play.
