NBA DFS DraftKings.com & FanDuel.com Lineups & Picks for December 19, 2017
For the NBA DFS slate tonight, we’ll take a look at 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 the Draft Fantasy App.
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.
12/19/17 NBA DFS TOURNAMENT PICKS
DraftKings Excellent 8’s: $8 buy-in, $425k guaranteed
DraftKings Triple Threat: $33 buy-in, $110k guaranteed
DraftKings Sharpshooter: $3 buy-in, $120k guaranteed
FanDuel Layup: $9 buy-in, $99k guaranteed
FanDuel Clutch Shot: $4.44 buy-in, $400k guaranteed
FanDuel Slam: $33 buy-in, $100k guaranteed
PLAYERS RULED OUT
Trevor Booker (ankle)
INJURY NEWS TO MONITOR
Otto Porter (hip)
Dwyane Wade (rest)
De’Aaron Fox (quad)
NBA DFS Slate Breakdown for December 19, 2017
New Orleans Pelicans (+3) at Washington Wizards (Over/Under – 219)
This game sets up perfectly for DeMarcus Cousins ($10.7k, $11.0k) and John Wall ($8.8k, $9.5k) to go head to head as good friends and former Kentucky Wildcats. Wall is producing an efficient per-minute basis and could be ready for more run tonight in a plus matchup against the Pelicans’ shoddy backcourt defense. Meanwhile, Cousins is capable of dominating Marcin Gortat. He could become a virtual must-play if Anthony Davis (who is perpetually listed as questionable by Vegas) doesn’t suit up.
If Otto Porter (hip) is unable to play tonight, Bradley Beal ($7.7k, $8.4k) would likely see a bump in usage. What’s more, Kelly Oubre Jr. ($4.1k, $4.6k) could become one of the best value plays of the night.
Jrue Holiday ($6.4k, $7.7k) is in a groove right now and could take advantage if Wall expends too much energy trying to match Boogie’s offensive output.
There are a couple of sleepers to consider on both sides. For one, Mike Scott ($4.5k, $4.5k) is outplaying Markieff Morris for the Wiz. Then, there’s E’Twaun Moore ($4.6k, $4.6k), who could see more run than Rajon Rondo down the stretch as a superior defensive option for New Orleans.
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Sacramento Kings (+8.5) at Philadelphia 76ers (Over/Under – 207)
The best player to target on this slate could very well be Joel Embiid ($9.9k, $11.5k). The big man got ample rest following his career-high, 49-minute performance on Friday. He’ll face a pathetic Kings front line that coughs up the second-most FPPG (59.06) to opposing centers this season.
Robert Covington ($6.2k, $7.4k) is another good play in a Sixers uniform since the Kings rank 28th in opponents 3PT shooting percentage (.382) this season. Dario Saric ($6.1k, $6.6k) is equally appealing and perhaps a little safer given his ability to produce solid rebounding stats. For value, look at Richaun Holmes ($4.4k, $3.9k), who is seeing more run with Trevor Booker (ankle) out for Philly.
On the Kings’ side, Zach Randolph ($6.8k, $7.0k) remains the best option to consider on a young team. He draws a plus matchup against Saric. George Hill ($4.6k, $4.7k) can’t be fully trusted yet, but he’s worth a look as a cheap option after playing 28, 30, and 33 minutes over his last three appearances.
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Cleveland Cavs (-1.5) at Milwaukee Bucks (Over/Under – 217)
This is clearly expected to be the closest game on tonight’s slate with two ECF contenders going head to head.
LeBron James ($11.6k, $12.0k) is playing out of his mind right now. He’s averaging a triple-double over his last seven appearances and has stepped up in individual matchups against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks. “The King” is wont to do that against the “next guy” or “next team” up in the East.
Kevin Love ($7.9k, $8.0k) is worth a look in GPP formats as a rebounder. He should dominate the Bucks’ weak front line, but his offense is inconsistent. Dwyane Wade ($4.8k, $4.8k) is a little cheaper as he likely returns following a day of rest on Sunday. Lastly, Jeff Green ($4.3k, $4.6k) has established a solid floor as a key reserve for Cleveland.
Giannis Antetokounmpo ($11.4k, $12.3k) is clearly the prized play in a Bucks uniform tonight. He’s averaging a healthy 37 PPG over two meetings with Cleveland this year. Yet LeBron likely remains the preferred play on DK between the two superstars.
Eric Bledsoe ($6.7k, $7.1k) draws a favorable matchup against a Cavs team that’s essentially playing without a PG right now. The same logic increases the outlook for Malcolm Brogdon ($4.8k, $4.9k).
