NBA DFS DraftKings.com & FanDuel.com Lineups & Picks for December 15, 2017
For the 12/15 NBA DFS slate tonight, and for the rest of the season, we’ll be writing up 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 for crafting your strategy on Draft Fantasy.
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 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.
12/15/17 NBA DFS TOURNAMENT PICKS
DraftKings Excellent 8’s: $8 buy-in, $400k guaranteed
DraftKings Triple Threat: $33 buy-in, $180k guaranteed
DraftKings Sharpshooter: $3 buy-in, $110k guaranteed
FanDuel Layup: $9 buy-in, $99k guaranteed
FanDuel Clutch Shot: $4 buy-in, $300k guaranteed
FanDuel Slam: $33 buy-in, $130k guaranteed
PLAYERS RULED OUT
Blake Griffin (knee)
Hassan Whiteside (knee)
D’Angelo Russell (knee)
Evan Fournier (ankle)
Mike Conley (Achilles)
Austin Rivers (concussion)
Danilo Gallinari (hip)
Marcus Morris (knee)
INJURY NEWS TO MONITOR
Tyreke Evans (hip)
Aaron Gordon (concussion)
Will Barton (back)
Jusuf Nurkic (ankle)
Markieff Morris (hip)
Danny Green (groin)
Lauri Markkanen (back)
Best NBA DFS Picks for December 15, 2017
Guards
Kyrie Irving vs. UTA ($8.0k DraftKings, $8.4k FanDuel)
Without Kyrie Irving in the lineup on Monday, the Celtics’ offense looked as bad as it ever has. Then, he returned to save the day with a huge 33-point game on Wednesday. He draws an even better matchup for the second game of this home stand against a Jazz team that’s struggled to defend on the perimeter since acquiring Ricky Rubio. Utah has given up the fifth-most FPPG (49.89) and most RPG (8.92) to opposing PGs over the last month. While he’s been less efficient there, Kyrie is rocking a 32.4 percent usage rate at home this season and clearly feels an increased sense of responsibility to take over in an electric atmosphere at TD Garden.
Jamal Murray vs. NO ($5.6k DraftKings, $5.7k FanDuel)
It seems unlikely Gary Harris replicates his career-high 36-point performance from Tuesday, but Jamal Murray’s been quite consistent as a scorer for the Nuggets. With Nikola Jokic (ankle) working his way back up to speed and Will Barton (hip) also hurt, Murray’s averaging 19.4 PPG with a 26 percent usage rate over his last seven appearances. Tonight, he’ll face a Pelicans team that’s given up the second-most PPG (25.0) and third-most FPPG (52.38) to opposing PGs over the last month. New Orleans also ranks 28th in overall defensive rating while allowing the second-most 3PTM (11.2) per game.
Andrew Harrison vs. ATL ($4.6k DraftKings, $4.5k FanDuel)
The Grizzlies are now 1-15 with Mike Conley (Achilles) out of the lineup. They desperately need to find answers with replacement PG Mario Chalmers doing little to help their situation. Memphis was without its second-leading scorer on Wednesday in Tyreke Evans (hip), which led to Andrew Harrison scoring a career-high 20 points over 30 minutes. He’s posting a 24.2 percent usage rate and averaging 1.03 FPs per minute with Conley and Evans off the floor. If Memphis is ready to plan for the future in the midst of an apparently doomed season, they’d be wise to give their second-year guard more run going forward.
Others to consider: Russell Westbrook, DeMar DeRozan, Chris Paul, Donovan Mitchell, Gary Harris, Kris Dunn, Rajon Rondo, Ish Smith
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Forwards
Paul George @ PHI ($7.7k DraftKings, $7.6k FanDuel)
After understandably struggling in his pressure-filled return to Indiana, Paul George could be in for a bounce-back effort against the Sixers. This year, Philly often provides favorable DFS results. They give up the fourth-most FPPG (43.9) and most SPG (2.23) to opposing SFs, and George leads the league at 2.4 SPG this season. His offense has been boom or bust, but he’s getting plenty of open shots while playing alongside Russell Westbrook. The Sixers are giving up the sixth-most PPG (108.9) while playing at the fourth-fastest pace in the league.
Nikola Mirotic @ MIL ($5.5k DraftKings, $5.9k FanDuel)
The way Nikola Mirotic is playing, it would be very difficult for Fred Hoiberg to take him off the floor, even once Lauri Markkanen (back) is ready to return to action. Mirotic can play small forward and may be asked to tonight in a matchup against the versatile Bucks. Milwaukee is allowing opponents to shoot a league-high 40.2 percent from 3-point range. And to that end, Mirotic is a scorching 11-of-20 from downtown while scoring 72 points over his last three appearances.
Al-Farouq Aminu @ ORL ($4.9k DraftKings, $5.5k FanDuel)
Players facing the fast-paced and often defenseless Magic have extra upside. Al-Farouq Aminu is still rather under priced after missing a couple of weeks with an ankle injury. He posted his first double-double since coming back with 15 points and 13 boards in a tough matchup against the Heat on Wednesday and will now face a team that gives up the second-most FPPG (50.7) to opposing PFs this season. Plus, Orlando gives up the second-most defensive rebounds per game (46.5). Aminu’s posting a solid 22.2 percent defensive rebounding rate this year.
Others to consider: Anthony Davis, Ben Simmons, Khris Middleton, Robert Covington, James Johnson, Serge Ibaka, Bojan Bogdanovic
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Center
Joel Embiid vs. OKC ($9.8k DraftKings, $11.0k FanDuel)
He’s a relative bargain on DK but a tough stud to pay up for on FD tonight. It probably makes more sense to pay all the way up for DeMarcus Cousins ($10.8k, $11.7k) on FD against a Nuggets team that only has Nikola Jokic (ankle) back on a part-time basis. Embiid was able to play a career-high 39 minutes in an OT win over Minnesota. With per 36 minute numbers of 27.8 points, 13.1 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 2.2 blocks, he’s bound to fill it up when given a full slate of run.
DeAndre Jordan vs. WAS ($7.4k DraftKings, $8.5k FanDuel)
The Clippers appear invigorated after dealing with a lot of bad-luck injuries. DeAndre Jordan is rallying as the sole star left active on the team. He’s averaging a lofty 17.1 RPG over his last seven appearances and draws a plus matchup against Washington’s Marcin Gortat. The veteran has struggled on both ends of the floor. As a result, the Wizards are giving up the fifth-most RPG (16.54) to opposing centers over the last month.
Others to consider: Andre Drummond, Dwight Howard, Kelly Olynyk, Jonas Valanciunas
