NBA DFS DraftKings.com & FanDuel.com Lineups & Picks for December 21, 2017
For the 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 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.
12/21/17 NBA DFS TOURNAMENT PICKS
DraftKings Excellent 8’s: $8 buy-in, $425k guaranteed
DraftKings Triple Threat: $33 buy-in, $170k guaranteed
DraftKings Sharpshooter: $3 buy-in, $130k guaranteed
FanDuel Layup: $7 buy-in, $60k guaranteed
FanDuel Clutch Shot: $4.44 buy-in, $400k guaranteed
FanDuel Slam: $33 buy-in, $125k guaranteed
PLAYERS RULED OUT
Devin Booker (groin)
Rudy Gobert (knee)
Mike Conley (Achilles)
Marcus Morris (knee)
Tim Hardaway Jr. (leg)
INJURY NEWS TO MONITOR
Joel Embiid (back)
Kristaps Porzingis (knee)
Donovan Mitchell (toe)
J.J. Redick (hamstring)
Danny Green (groin)
Jayson Tatum (finger)
NBA DFS Slate Breakdown for December 21, 2017
Chicago Bulls (+11.5) at Cleveland Cavaliers (Over/Under – 213)
Despite an uncharacteristic lack of rebounding, LeBron James ($11.9k, $12.3k) still topped 60 DK points for an eighth consecutive game on Tuesday. Coming off a loss and facing a Bulls team that’s streaking due to its improved offense, but still weak defense, “The King” should be poised for another big game.
Dwyane Wade ($5.2k, $5.4k) came alive late in a comeback effort at Milwaukee and is a candidate to exceed value against his hometown Bulls. Meanwhile, Jeff Green ($4.3k, $4.6k) has established a solid floor as a key reserve for the Cavs.
Nikola Mirotic ($6.7k, $7.2k) remained hot in an easy win and clearly has a role on this team, especially with Lauri Markkanen ($5.0k, $5.6k) dealing with an ailing back and on the second half of a B2B set. If Markkanen happens to sit, Bobby Portis ($4.9k, $5.0k) would become a great value option in his stead.
Justin Holiday ($5.6k, $4.9k) is also worth a look as a plus shooter facing a Cavs team that gives up the most 3PTM (12) per game this year. Denzel Valentine ($4.1k, $4.1k) finally found a rhythm after a long drought with 28 great minutes last night. He should play with more confidence as a result.
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Toronto Raptors (TBD) at Philadelphia 76ers (Over/Under – TBD)
Joel Embiid ($9.8k, $11.5k) really needs to return and provide a lift for his team. They’ve dropped six of their last seven contests, including an ugly loss to the Kings on Tuesday.
Ben Simmons ($9.5k, $9.8k) would take a hit in usage if Embiid returns but could still meet value by feeding the big man and adding peripheral stats. Meanwhile, Dario Saric ($6.1k, $6.4k) is becoming a bit pricey. He’ll start to lose minutes along with Richaun Holmes now that Trevor Booker ($4.6k, $5.2k) is back from an ankle injury.
As always, the Raptors’ offense will run through DeMar DeRozan ($8.8k, $8.8k) and Kyle Lowry ($8.6k, $8.5k). The latter is an appealing play against his hometown Sixers. Yet DeRozan draws a better individual matchup with J.J. Redick (hamstring) either hobbled or inactive tonight.
Jonas Valanciunas ($5.4k, $5.9k) is a solid value option to consider, especially with Serge Ibaka (knee) banged up. JV would also be a great play if Embiid is out tonight. Otherwise, he’s still worth consideration in GPP formats as the Raptors’ best means of defending Embiid.
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Boston Celtics (TBD) at New York Knicks (Over/Under – TBD)
It’s hard to make any decision on the Knicks’ side of the ball until we know if Kristaps Porzingis ($8.9k, $9.5k) will return from a two-game absence due to his knee injury.
“The Unicorn” would become a virtual must-play at that price tag on DK if he plays against a Celtics team that’s had trouble containing opposing bigs of late. If he’s inactive, Enes Kanter ($6.2k, $6.3k) would step up in that role. Plus, Michael Beasley ($5.2k, $6.3k) has emerged as a high-usage player with Porzingis out. He might still have value if “The Zinger” plays since Tim Hardaway Jr. (leg) is out. This also increases the floor of Jarrett Jack ($4.4k, $4.7k), a very solid value in his own right.
Kyrie Irving ($8.7k, $8.7k) remains the most appealing play on the Celtics’ side of the ball after missing Boston’s initial meeting with the Knicks due to his facial fracture. Zooming out, Jayson Tatum ($5.8k, $5.7k) is dealing with a finger issue. This could force Jaylen Brown ($5.4k, $5.6k) into heavy minutes with Marcus Morris (knee) still out.
Memphis Grizzlies (-1.5) at Phoenix Suns (Over/Under – 204)
The Suns’ revolving door of centers will try to slow down Marc Gasol ($8.2k, $8.3k), who is slightly less appealing in tournaments on the second half of a B2B set. Still, he’s a solid Cash play at center.
Right next to Gasol in terms of posting a lofty usage rate with Mike Conley (Achilles) out is Tyreke Evans ($7.6k, $7.8k). What’s more, Andrew Harrison ($4.0k, $4.3k) is worth a look in this plus matchup. The second-year man could see more work than Mario Chalmers against a fast-paced Suns team.
The Suns are a good team to target for value right now with Devin Booker (groin) out indefinitely. Additionally, Isaiah Canaan ($4.8k, $3.7k) is a great value option. He’s carved out a role and seemingly surpassed the underwhelming Tyler Ulis at point guard.
Finally, Greg Monroe ($4.7k, $5.9k) is at a good price as a pure scorer for an offense-starved team. He could match up with Grizzlies PF JaMychal Green instead of a defensive stalwart in Gasol.
San Antonio Spurs (TBD) at Utah Jazz (Over/Under – TBD)
Kawhi Leonard should play limited minutes tonight after sitting out Wednesday’s game to rest. He’s not a viable option at his price point quite yet. However, his presence decreases the upside of LaMarcus Aldridge ($7.7k, $7.5k) in what’s become a plus matchup against the Rudy Gobert-less Jazz.
With Donovan Mitchell (toe) inactive on Wednesday, Rodney Hood ($5.9k, $5.6k) attempted to carry the Jazz offense. But his 17 points did little to stop a Thunder avalanche. The entire Jazz offense might be worth fading if their best player (Mitchell) is unable to go, in which case this game would go on blowout alert.
