With 14 days left until Christmas, I know everyone can use some extra pocket change. With that said, we have a six-game slate on hand Sunday (6:00 pm EST tip-off), and let’s hope we can give you the tips needed to make it a lucrative one. As always, though, we have a ton of information to dissect. So, let’s get this thing rolling!
Check out our consensus game odds as well as the odds from each sportsbook at BettingPros
Schedule & Odds
- LAL (-5) @ DET (+5) O/U: 233.5
- SAC (+2.5) @ NY (-2.5): 232
- TOR (-6.5) @ ORL (+6.5) O/U: 222.5
- CHA (+10) @ PHI (-10) O/U: 222
- CHI (+2.5) @ ATL (-2.5): 231.5
- MIL (-10) @ HOU (+10) O/U: 230.5
Check out our consensus game odds as well as the odds from each sportsbook at BettingPros
Injury Report
- Wayne Gabriel (shoulder) OUT
- Juan Toscano-Anderson (ankle) OUT
- LeBron James (ankle) probable
- Cade Cunningham (shin) OUT
- Isaiah Livers (shoulder) questionable
- De’Aaron Fox (foot) questionable
- Keegan Murray (thumb) questionable
- Terence Davis (back) questionable
- Obi Toppin (knee) OUT
- Ryan Arcidiacono (ankle) OUT
- Juancho Hernangomez (ankle) OUT
- Otto Porter Jr. (toe) OUT
- O.G. Anunoby (hip) questionable
- Jonathan Isaac (knee) G-League
- Jalen Suggs (ankle) OUT
- Gary Harris (hamstring) OUT
- Chuma Okeke (knee) OUT
- Dennis Smith Jr. (ankle) OUT
- LaMelo Ball (ankle) OUT
- Mark Williams (ankle) OUT
- Georges Niang (foot) questionable
- Danuel House (foot) questionable
- Javonte Green (knee) OUT
- Alex Caruso (back) OUT
- Dejounte Murray (ankle) OUT
- Onyeka Okongwu (foot) questionable
- John Collins (ankle) OUT
- De’Andre Hunter (hip) questionable
- Joe Ingles (knee) OUT
- Wesley Matthews (COVID-19) OUT
- Jae’Sean Tate (ankle) OUT
- Gordon Hayward (shoulder) OUT
- Tyrese Maxey (foot) OUT
- Wendell Carter Jr. (foot) OUT
- Precious Achiuwa (ankle) OUT
- Cody Martin (knee) OUT
Core Plays
Joel Embiid (C-PHI): $11,500 DraftKings, $11,800 FanDuel
Embiid is usually at the top of my list of candidates to anchor my lineups every time he plays, regardless of the contest. Tonight is no different. The big man has been matchup-proof, scoring 50 or more fantasy points in eight of his last nine games. Five games during that span included three 60-point fantasy outings, a 70-point performance, and he dropped a 100 against Utah. Embiid has been incredible, and he should continue to roll against the Hornets. Charlotte is terrible at defending the paint, allowing opponents to score 51.6 points a game. They also give up the sixth most rebounds in the league, allowing 45.3 per contest. So Embiid should have his way tonight, and while he’ll likely be popular, sometimes the popular play is the right play.
Pascal Siakam (PF/C-TOR): $10,200 DraftKings, $10,600
Siakam has also been on fire, scoring 50-plus fantasy points in three of his last four games. He faces off against a young Orlando squad, which he torched the other night for 26 points, eight rebounds, and 10 assists. The Magic have a bottom-ten OPRK against forwards, and they should again have trouble with Siakam’s versatility. Nevertheless, I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s atop the leaderboard when it’s all said and done tonight.
Cash Game Considerations
Clint Capela (C-ATL): $6,500 DraftKings, $6,200 FanDuel
John Collins (ankle) sidelined has thrust Capela into a more prominent role, and he’s taken full advantage of the additional playing time, scoring double-digit points in seven consecutive games. Cap has also become a super reliable fantasy option. The big man has scored less than 30 DraftKings points in only two of his last 14 games. His consistent floor makes him a reliable cash-game option, while his price point easily allows him to be plugged into any lineup build. I’ll have my fair share of exposure to the Hawks’ big man tonight.
DeMar DeRozan (SF/PF-CHI): $8,200 DraftKings, $8,200 FanDuel
DeRozan isn’t on the tare he was last season, but he’s still putting up impressive numbers. The veteran has a 28.5% usage rate with an average of 25.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 0.8 steals per game. I like DR for cash because he’s so consistent and will rarely sink your lineups. He has scored 40 or more fantasy points in nine of his last eleven games, and he gets a favorable matchup tonight against a Hawks team that’s down two of their top defenders. So a big game could be in store for DR.
GPP Targets
Domantas Sabonis (C/PF-SAC): $9,300 DraftKings, $9,000 FanDuel
Sabonis could have easily landed in the cash game segment. However, with his high ceiling, I’ll be targeting him more in larger field tournaments. He’s been an excellent addition to the Kings and has meshed well with his fellow lefty, De’Aaron Fox. He’s having a fantastic season, averaging a double-double with 17.0 points and 11.3 rebounds per contest while having a current streak of three straight. He is scoring the rock, rebounding at an elite level, and getting his teammates involved, dishing out six or more dimes in 10 straight games. I’ll be getting a lot of exposure to Sabonis tonight.
Jrue Holiday (PG/SG-MIL): $7,800 DraftKings, $8,100 FanDuel
Jrue has quietly been lighting it up. In the last five games, he has averaged over 40 fantasy points, with 45.1 on DraftKings and 43.3 on FanDuel. Over that span, he hasn’t had less than five rebounds or assists in any game, and he’s scored 17 or more points in all of them. He draws a cake matchup against a Rockets team that is dead last in the NBA against point guards. With the Bucks favored by 10 points, there is some blowout risk, but I’m willing to bet on Jrue having a big night regardless.
Value Plays
Jalen Duren (C-DET): $3,600 DraftKings, $5,000 FanDuel
With Duren being $1,400 cheaper on DraftKings, that’s where all my exposure to him will be. The rookie has seen an uptick in playing time over the last two games playing north of 25 minutes in both while not cracking 20 in the previous three. He’s taken advantage of the added minutes, tallying a double-double the past two games while putting up over 25 DKFP’s in each. At just $3,600, he only needs 18 fantasy points to return five times the return on investment. I like his chances against a Lakers squad carrying an OPRK of 26th against the center position.
Khris Middleton (SF/SG-MIL): $6,400 DraftKings, $6,900 FanDuel
We’re getting a discount on Middleton as he continues to work his way back from injury. The good thing is he’s trending upward. His minutes and production have increased each game, and he cracked 30 minutes last game against the Mavericks for the first time since returning to the court. There’s no better matchup than Houston for a player trying to shake off the rust. So take the discount on Middleton while you can because we will likely see his salary increase once he’s back to full strength.
Advantageous Pricing
- Trae Young (PH-ATL): $10,400 DraftKings, $9,700 FanDuel
- Jalen Brunson (PG-NY): $6,900 DraftKings, $7,900 FanDuel
- Shake Milton (PG-PHI): $5,900 DraftKings, $5,000 FanDuel
- Dennis Schroder (SG/PG-LAL): $4,100 DraftKings, $4,800 FanDuel
- Kelly Oubre (SF/SG-CHA): $7,000 DraftKings, $7,800 FanDuel
- Khris Middleton (SF/SG-MIL): $6,400 DraftKings, $6,900 FanDuel
- Jalen Duren (C-DET): $3,600 DraftKings, $5,000 FanDuel
- Lonnie Walker (SG/SF-LAL): $4,500 DraftKings, $5,200 FanDuel
- RJ Barrett (SF/SG-NY): $6,200 DraftKings, $6,800 FanDuel
- Giannis Antetokounmpo (PF/SF-MIL): $12,100 DraftKings, $11,600 FanDuel
Thank you for reading today’s NBA DFS Primer for DraftKings and FanDuel. If you enjoyed the content, please follow me on Twitter @ev_ritt3. Any and all support is greatly appreciated. Good luck tonight!
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