NBA DFS DraftKings.com & FanDuel.com Lineups & Picks for December 20, 2017
For the 12/20 NBA DFS slate tonight, and for the rest of the season, we’ll be writing up the best picks for guards, forwards, and centers that we’ll be considering for 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.
12/20/17 NBA DFS TOURNAMENT PICKS
DraftKings 10 out of 10 Monster Jam: $10 buy-in, $525k guaranteed
DraftKings Finger Wag: $55 buy-in, $200k guaranteed
DraftKings Sharpshooter: $3 buy-in, $110k guaranteed
FanDuel LEGENDARY Layup: $9 buy-in, $500k guaranteed
FanDuel Shot: $3 buy-in, $100k guaranteed
FanDuel Slam: $33 buy-in, $125k guaranteed
PLAYERS RULED OUT
Blake Griffin (knee)
Hassan Whiteside (knee)
Devin Booker (groin)
Stephen Curry (ankle)
Aaron Gordon (calf)
D’Angelo Russell (knee)
Rudy Gobert (knee)
Kawhi Leonard (rest)
James Johnson (ankle)
Avery Bradley (groin)
Tim Hardaway Jr. (leg)
INJURY NEWS TO MONITOR
Draymond Green (shoulder)
Steven Adams (concussion)
Donovan Mitchell (toe)
Gary Harris (elbow)
Evan Fournier (ankle)
Goran Dragic (elbow)
Dennis Smith Jr. (hip)
Derrick Favors (concussion)
Kyle Anderson (knee)
Best NBA DFS Picks for December 20, 2017
Guards
Jimmy Butler @ DEN ($8.8k DraftKings, $9.4k FanDuel)
An overlooked factor in the potential absence or limitation of Nuggets SG Gary Harris (elbow) tonight is the prospects of Jimmy Butler. The new Minnesota star could have his way with the shorter Jamal Murray or offensive-minded wing Will Barton. Butler’s been rolling with averages of 25.6 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 4.6 APG, and 2.2 SPG over his last five appearances. Plus, he’s exceeded value in eight of his last nine outings despite playing huge minutes and dealing with back spasms at times. Denver ranks 29th in opponent FG shooting percentage (.481) and 22nd in defensive rating this year. Tonight marks a huge tilt between the division-leading Wolves and the second place team in the Northwest.
Mario Hezonja @ CHI ($4.7k DraftKings, $4.8k FanDuel)
Despite his designation as a SG on DraftKings, Mario Hezonja is likely to start at PF once again with Aaron Gordon (calf) ruled out. The confident Croatian knocked down 10 of 18 attempts for 28 points over 31 minutes in a loss at Detroit on Sunday. He’s averaging 12.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per 36 minutes this year. Therefore, consider him a boom-bust option in what should be a high-scoring matchup with the streaking Bulls. At forward, Jonathon Simmons ($6.9k, $6.6k) is a much safer play. He leads the Magic with a 30.7 percent usage rate (5.5 percent increase) when AG is off the floor. Finally, Nikola Vucevic ($9.4k, $10k) is a stud worth paying up for at center.
Isaiah Canaan @ LAC ($4.5k DraftKings, $4.1k FanDuel)
The Suns have been searching for answers with Devin Booker (groin) out indefinitely. They may just have found one in Isaiah Canaan. The journeyman PG is off to a great start with 32 points and 13 assists over two games with Phoenix. Tonight, he could see more than the 27 minutes he’s played in those contests. The Clippers are no longer a fearsome defensive team in the backcourt with Patrick Beverley gone. Milos Teodosic and Austin Rivers are below average on that end of the floor, so Canaan has a good chance to keep rolling in what’s become a plus matchup.
Reggie Bullock @ DAL ($3.8k DraftKings, $3.7k FanDuel)
Here’s another great value to consider at guard tonight in an attempt to pay up for studs at other positions. Reggie Bullock stands to benefit the most from extended playing time with Avery Bradley (groin) shut down over the next week at least. The young guard is averaging 15 PPG over his last three appearances. Plus, he played 31 minutes with AB inactive on Sunday. Bullock sees a 3.2 percent rise in usage rate when Bradley is off the floor this season. In Dallas tonight, he faces one of the weaker defensive teams in the NBA.
Note: Keep an eye on the Kings’ backcourt with De’Aaron Fox (quad) unlikely to play and George Hill (illness) in danger of missing a second straight contest. Frank Mason III ($4.0k, $4.2k) could be forced into heavy usage. What’s more, Buddy Hield ($4.7k, $4.9k) could build on Tuesday’s great game in a plus matchup tonight.
Others to consider: Russell Westbrook, Victor Oladipo, Lonzo Ball, Tyreke Evans, Eric Gordon, Milos Teodosic, Lance Stephenson, Langston Galloway
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Forwards
Kevin Durant vs. MEM ($11.6k DraftKings, $11.9k FanDuel)
It took a few extra minutes in overtime, but Kevin Durant produced another fantastic line. He dropped 36 points with 11 rebounds, eight assists, and three blocks while maintaining a very high usage rate. Steph Curry’s still on the shelf, and Draymond Green is questionable to return tonight. Look for KD to carry the load once again in a matchup against the struggling Grizzlies, who uncharacteristically rank 26th in opponent 3PT percentage (.377) and allow the third-most FTA (24.1) per game this season. This, of course, bodes well for a high-volume player like Durant. Plus, he gets to the line relentlessly.
Nikola Mirotic vs. ORL ($6.4k DraftKings, $7.1k FanDuel)
Despite his rising price tag and move to the bench, Nikola Mirotic is a mid-tier option with a great floor-ceiling combination. Once again, he led the streaking Bulls to a win with clutch shooting on Monday against Philly. He finished with 22-plus points for a fourth straight game despite playing just 26 minutes. He can play alongside PF Lauri Markkanen and should do so if Orlando goes small with Hezonja and Simmons at the forward spots. The Magic ranks 24th in defensive rating and 27th in opponent 3PT percentage (.380). Mirotic should get plenty of open looks in a game with a 210-point over/under.
Maxi Kleber vs. DET ($4.0k DraftKings, $4.5k FanDuel)
Given consistent playing time on a last-place team, Maxi Kleber seems to have found his confidence lately. He’s produced 27 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, and four blocks over his last two appearances. Most importantly, he’s playing 30.1 MPG over his last six outings. That makes him a relatively safe value, especially as the Mavs prepare to play three games over the next four nights, further limiting the minutes of ancient PF Dirk Nowitzki.
Others to consider: Jonathon Simmons, Zach Randolph, Brandon Ingram, Ersan Ilyasova, Kyle Kuzma, Kelly Olynyk, Julius Randle, Stanley Johnson
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Center
Clint Capela vs. LAL ($7.5k DraftKings, $7.9k FanDuel)
The Lakers officially lead the league in pace of play. They also cough up the fifth-most PPG (109.6), so this is clearly a matchup to target. Clint Capela is one of the safer plays to consider in this price range. He’s the primary recipient of lobs from both James Harden and Chris Paul. His heel injury didn’t appear to limit him as he went off for 24 points and 19 boards in a blowout win over the Rudy Gobert-less Jazz on Monday. Now, he’ll face a Lakers team that just lost Brook Lopez (ankle) for three weeks and happens to give up the most PPG (29.89) and BPG (2.56) to opposing centers over the last month.
Bam Adebayo @ BOS ($4.6k DraftKings, $4.9k FanDuel)
A versatile rookie big man with ball skills and a quick first step, Bam Adebayo is exactly the type of center who can give the Celtics’ excellent defense trouble. Despite ranking atop the league in overall defensive rating, Boston is actually giving up the sixth-most FPPG (57.19) to opposing centers over the last month. Adebayo started on Monday with Hassan Whiteside (knee) still inactive. In that spot, he exceeded value with 11 points and 10 rebounds over 30 minutes. With James Johnson (ankle) and Justise Winslow (knee) also out, Miami is forced to ride its rookie for extended stretches.
Others to consider: Nikola Vucevic, Karl-Anthony Towns, DeAndre Jordan, Jonas Valanciunas, Ekpe Udoh
