NBA DraftKings & FanDuel DFS Primer: Friday (12/15)

We’ve reached the end of the week! It feels like we’ve seen more games over the last five days than at any point all season, and it’s likely because these teams need to make up time missed due to the NBA In-Season Tournament. It’s a great time to play DFS, though, because we love it when there are plenty of games to pick from!

View the best player prop bets for tonight’s slate with our NBA Prop Bet Cheat Sheet

NBA DraftKings & FanDuel DFS Primer:

Schedule and Odds

• DET at PHI (PHI -16.5) O/U: 235
• IND at WAS (IND -8.5) O/U: 257.5
• NOP at CHA (NOP -6.5) O/U: 232.5
• ORL at BOS (BOS -5.5) O/U: 222
• LAL at SAS (LAL -7.5) O/U: 233.5
• ATL at TOR (TOR -2.5) O/U: 244.5
• HOU at MEM (HOU -4.5) O/U: 211
• NYK at PHX (PHX -5.5) O/U: 230

Check out our consensus game odds and the odds from each sportsbook at BettingPros.

Injury Report

• Jalen Duren (ankle) OUT
• LaMelo Ball (ankle) OUT
• Zion Williamson (ankle) Questionable
• Markelle Fultz (knee) OUT
• Wendell Carter (hand) OUT
• LeBron James (calf) Questionable
• Ja Morant (suspension) OUT
• Mitchell Robinson (ankle) OUT
• Anthony Davis (groin) Questionable
• Desmond Bane (illness) Questionable
• Eric Gordon (leg) Questionable
• Jordan Poole (ankle) Questionable
• Mark Williams (back) Doubtful
• Marcus Smart (ankle) OUT
• PJ Washington (shoulder) Questionable

Core Plays

Anthony Davis (PF/C – LAL): $10,300 DraftKings, $11,300 FanDuel
We’ve been waiting for AD to play like the beats we saw in New Orleans, and we’re finally getting glimpses of it right now. Davis has scored at least 51 DraftKings points in seven straight games, which doesn’t even include his absurd 41 points, 20 rebounds, five assists, and four blocks in the IST Championship. He’s simply one of the best players in the league right now and shouldn’t be avoided against a 29th-ranked Spurs defense.

Julius Randle (PF/C – NYK): $8,800 DraftKings, $8,700 FanDuel
Randle got off to a slow start this season, but his numbers have skyrocketed since Mitchell Robinson went down. That’s led to Randle scoring at least 47 fantasy points in six of his last seven outings. He’s also showcased a 62-point upside twice in that span and should continue to clean up the glass with Robinson still sidelined. In his last two matchups with Phoenix, Randle is averaging 28 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game!

Kyle Kuzma (SF/PF – WAS): $8,400 DraftKings, $8,300 FanDuel
Kuzma has quietly been the Wizard’s best player this season and is a monster in DFS. The Washington forward is leading the team in usage, averaging nearly 40 fantasy points per game. That’s no surprise since he’s locked into 35-40 minutes and 15-20 shots, making him an excellent option against Indiana. The Pacers play at the fastest pace in the NBA while ranked 29th in total defense.

Cash Game Considerations

Joel Embiid (C – PHI): $11,800 DraftKings, $12,600 FanDuel
Embiid was a surprise pick for MVP last season, but he’s playing even better this year. The big man is seeing a bump in usage with James Harden out of town, scoring at least 62 DraftKings points in eight consecutive outings. That’s right on par with his season average, and it could be his floor against Detroit’s disastrous defense. Embiid dropped 67 DK points against them just a few days ago, which is far from shocking since they’re surrendering the second-most fantasy points to opposing centers.

Tyrese Haliburton (PG – IND): $11,300 DraftKings, $10,900 FanDuel
Hali has developed into the best point guard in the NBA. He’s scored at least 39 DraftKings points in all but one outing, providing a 54-point average for the year. That’s no surprise since he’s doing everything for the fastest-paced team in the league, and he could have a ceiling game against Washington. The Wizards rank last in both points allowed and defensive efficiency.

Terry Rozier (PG/SG – CHA): $8,700 DraftKings, $9,100 FanDuel
Scary Terry is always an elite fantasy option whenever LaMelo Ball is out of the lineup. That’s what we have right now, with Rozier scoring at least 45 fantasy points in seven straight outings. He’s also scored 54 and 60 DK points in his two most recent outings and is impossible to avoid against the Pelicans. New Orleans is 18th in total defense, posting a 28th OPRK against opposing guards.

GPP Targets

Myles Turner (C – IND): $7,500 DraftKings, $7,700 FanDuel
Turner is always a risky option with his volatility, but we love him in this matchup. This Indy-Washington game is projected to be one of the highest-scoring games of the season, and Turner should thrive against the worst defense in the NBA. We’re still talking about a guy with a 35-point average, but that could be his floor in such a terrific matchup.

Jordan Poole (PG/SG – WAS): $6,400 DraftKings, $6,300 FanDuel
Poole has been pitiful this season, but he will have some upside games. One of those could be in line against Indiana, ranked first in pace and 29th in total defense. That’s an excellent way for JP to get back on track because he should have a higher usage for this woeful Wizards team. If he gets the 35 minutes and 15-20 shots we expect, Poole could go off in this favorable spot.

Nick Richards (C – CHA): $5,400 DraftKings, $5,400 FanDuel
With PJ Washington and Mark Williams both nicked up, Richards is the only true center left on this roster. That’s led to Richards starting in three of the last four games, scoring at least 25 fantasy points in three of those. That’s all you can ask for from such an affordable player, but he’s always been an elite per-minute producer when given the opportunity. Not to mention, New Orleans is allowing the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing centers.

Value Plays

OG Anunoby (SG/SF – TOR): $6,400 DraftKings, $6,500 FanDuel
OG was atrocious through the first month of the year, but this defensive stud is starting to get hot. Anunoby has scored at least 35 DraftKings points in three of his last four games, scoring 42 or more DK points in half of those. That’s a tantalizing total from a $6K player, but we’ve seen Anunoby perform at a $7K level throughout the last two years. Atlanta is an astounding matchup, too, ranked 25th in total defense.

Donte DiVincenzo (SG/SF – NYK): $4,800 DraftKings, $4,600 FanDuel
DiVincenzo has always been a great player when given a chance, and it looks like his role will expand with Robinson injured. That earned DD a start on Wednesday, scoring 41 DK points across 27 minutes of action. It’s the third time he’s played at least 27 minutes, and he’s got over 40 DK points in two of those. Good luck finding that sort of upside from another player in this price range!

De’Anthony Melton (PG/SG – PHI): $6,000 DraftKings, $6,400 FanDuel
Melton has always been a great stat-stuffer, and we love this expanded role with Harden out of the picture. That’s led to Melton scoring at least 25 fantasy points in 13 of his last 14 outings, generating a 33-point average in that span. That production should be easy to duplicate against Detroit, with the Pistons allowing the most fantasy points to opposing guards.

Advantageous Pricing

• Anthony Davis (PF/C – LAL): $10,300 DraftKings, $11,300 FanDuel
• Buddy Hield (SG/SF – IND): $6,600 DraftKings, $5,700 FanDuel
• Cole Anthony (PG/SG – ORL): $6,600 DraftKings, $5,800 FanDuel
• Victor Wembanyama (PF/C – SAS): $9,100 DraftKings, $10,300 FanDuel
• Tari Eason (PF – HOU): $5,200 DraftKings, $6,100 FanDuel
• Jordan Goodwin (PG/SG – PHX): $5,500 DraftKings, $4,500 FanDuel

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