The NBA Daily Plays for Wednesday, December 16th breaks down the best Stud, Value and GPP plays at each position for FanDuel and DraftKings daily fantasy sports contests. The Stud & Value plays should be considered relatively chalky and are ideal for cash games. The GPP plays dig a little deeper to hopefully find some low owned talent who could pay off big in a tournament. Make sure you check out our NBA projections page to help in your DFS research.
Game Lines
Point Guard
Studs
Steph Curry, Golden State Warriors (FD $11,100, DK $10,700) –
The Warriors projected total tonight comes at a whopping 119 points, and it all starts with Steph Curry. The Chef has a beautiful matchup tonight vs. Brandon Knight’s lackluster defense, and will cook all night long.
GPP Plays
Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers (FD $9,200, DK $8,800)-
CP3 seems to have broken out of his lengthy slump, as the point guard has put up two healthy double-doubles in a row. Tonight, he’ll face an abysmal Bucks’ defense that won’t have an answer for his points or dimes. The only concern here is a lopsided victory, which limits Paul’s upside.
Shooting Guard
Studs
Eric Bledsoe, Phoenix Suns (FD $9,200, DK $8,400) –
You’ll want plenty of exposure to the 220 O/U featured in PHO/GS, and Bledsoe will be a main contributor to that total. The guard has scored an average of 23 points over his last five games, and although Golden State is stingy vs. opposing SGs, I can’t imagine a scenario where Bledsoe doesn’t get his.
Values
Jeremy Lamb, Charlotte Hornets (FD $4,400, DK $4,300)-
Shooting guard is extremely thin tonight, so value will be hard to come by. Lamb is likely the most reliable cash saver tonight, as he’ll battle against Orlando’s weak second unit.
GPP Plays
Dwayne Wade, Miami Heat (FD $6,900, DK $6,800)-
Wade is in an ideal spot tonight, as he’ll face a Nets team that is helpless on the wing. Brooklyn has also struggled mightily in the paint, where DWade is at his best. Many will be put off of the aging guard due to his price, which only strengthens his tournament appeal.
Small Forward
Studs
Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs (FD $8,800, DK $8,600)
Alas! The worst team in the league vs. small forwards finally faces a great small forward! Kawhi is set to play the Wizards tonight, and has an advantageous matchup vs. Otto Porter. Vegas is projecting this one to be a blowout, but I think it’ll stay reasonably close, allowing Leonard to strut his stuff.
Values
Matt Barnes, Memphis Grizzlies (FD $4,900, DK $5,100)-
Barnes’ price has risen quite a bit, but I’m not too mad about it. He’s nearly scored an average of 35 fantasy points over his last two games, and is exceling in his new starting role. The Bulls are strong defensively, but at his price point, Barnes would struggle to not make value.
GPP Plays
Gordon Hayward, Utah Jazz (FD $6,700, DK $7,300) –
Hayward had a bad case of Kawhi-itis on Monday, and is bound to bounce back vs. the Pelicans tonight. The Jazz have a projected team total of over 100 points, and Hayward will look to rekindle the flame of his hot scoring streak.
Power Forward
Studs
Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors (FD $8,800, DK $8,500) –
The top play at power forward tonight is without a doubt Draymond Green. The do-it-all dominator will be a top producer in the best game of the evening, and comes at a sub-$9k price tag. Green is a vital piece for any lineup vs. a weak Phoenix front court.
Values
Jon Leuer, Phoenix Suns (FD $5,000, DK $5,900)-
Even with a tough matchup, it’s tough not to play Leuer until his price justifies his play. Leuer has been a rebounding machine for the Suns, and allows for inexpensive exposure to the top game of the slate.
GPP Plays
Derrick Favors, Utah Jazz (FD $7,700, DK $7,600)-
Favors seems to have hit a slump, and will be tough to trust in cash until he snaps out of it. However, he’s a fine play in tournaments, particularly vs. a weak New Orleans front court. Vegas seems to think that the Jazz will score plenty vs. the Pelicans defense, with Favors likely to be a heavy contributor.
Center
Studs
Andre Drummond, Detroit Pistons (FD $9,100, DK $9,100) –
Drummond will be the chalk play at center tonight, as he takes on a Boston front court that doesn’t defend very well. Drummond is still underpriced, and is in a great spot to make value. Over his last four games, the center is averaging 16 points and 15 rebounds.
GPP Plays
Nikola Vucevic, Orlando Magic (FD $7,300, DK $6,800)
If you read these articles frequently, you know that I love targeting centers vs. Charlotte. Vucevic is tonight’s candidate, and the Hornets simply won’t have an answer for him. Vucci Mane is always capable of a big night, and could pay dividends at his lowered price.
