DraftKings and FanDuel Daily Fantasy Basketball Picks (12/18/22): NBA DFS Lineups

The top daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on December 18, 2022. Mike Marteny provides NBA DFS analysis and sleeper picks for building optimal DFS rosters.

We have a five-game main slate in the Association. We can turn our attention to some true talent after the NFL dies down. We have a couple of huge injuries on this slate with Stephen Curry being out a month and Anthony Davis needing further evaluation on his foot. KAT is still out and Rudy Gobert is banged up. I'll make this simple: if Rudy is out...PLAY Naz Reid!

With both FanDuel and DraftKings having multi-position eligibility players, we'll have to attack slates accordingly to make our lineups as optimal as possible. That's where I come in! I'll look to find my personal top plays and values for tonight's slate. Things can change during the day as well, so I'll do my best to update as news comes out!

Here are my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for FanDuel and DraftKings on 12/18/22. Keep an eye on RotoBaller’s NBA injury news and also our full NBA injury report today to stay up to date before lineups are locked.

DraftKings and FanDuel Guards - NBA DFS Lineup Picks

Kyrie Irving - at DET (FD: $8,700, DK: $8,600)

NBA talk radio has been conspicuously silent these days because they can't make a scapegoat of Kyrie. Like him or hate him, you can't deny what he's doing on the court lately. Kyrie is averaging 46.8 DraftKings points per game in December. That's a hell of a bargain for this price range. There is plenty of value with all of the known injuries we have lingering on today's slate. I feel like Kyrie is a must at this price on both sites.

Donte DiVincenzo - at TOR (FD: $7,700, DK: $7,900)

This is why the Warriors picked up the veteran in the offseason. Just in case Curry or Klay went down. In the last two games with both of them out, DiVincenzo has 76 DraftKings points. If Klay returns, I'll pivot to Jordan Poole because he'll take on most of the ball-handling duties. If Thompson sits again, DiVincenzo is going to camp out on the perimeter and drain threes all game again.

Jaden Ivey - vs. BKN (FD: $6,000, DK: $4,900)

Cade Cunningham is done for the season, so that will open things up for the rookie from Purdue. I also like Cory Joseph if you need to go cheaper and Joseph should be a cash lock. However, Ivey has solid upside in GPP formats. At some point, Detroit will turn him loose. I'm hoping we see some of that upside here.

Also consider: LaMelo Ball (FD: $8,000, DK $8,500); Fred VanVleet (FD: $9,400, DK $8,300); Jordan Poole (FD: $7,700, DK: $7,900); Austin Reaves (FD: $5,500, DK: $4,100)

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DraftKings and FanDuel Forwards - NBA DFS Lineup Picks

LeBron James - vs. WAS (FD: $11,000, DK: $10,000)

Anthony Davis is out, so LeBron is playing like an MVP again. He has at least 50 DraftKings points in the last three games and became the first player with back-to-back-to-back 30-point games from the geriatric ward since Michael Jordan in 2003. The offense is going through LeBron right now and will until Davis gets back. Lock him in at this price!

DeMar DeRozan - at MIN (FD: $8,300, DK: $8,200)

DeRozan struggled in the second game of a back-to-back against the Knicks at the United Center, but I'm not going to let that sway my opinion against Minnesota. Prior to that game, DDR was dumping in tons of points. I really like this play, especially if Rudy is out. If Gobert makes his return tonight, I'll move down to Scottie Barnes, who is raking with OG out.

P.J. Washington - at DEN (FD: $5,700, DK: $5,500)

Washington missed Friday's game, but it was not due to injury, so I feel pretty good about using him here. His floor is a bit frightening, but Washington also has 40+ fantasy point potential, which is unheard of at this price. I like this play a little less if Jokic plays as expected. I'll use Washington on the cheap in GPPs and Anderson in cash games.

Also consider: Pascal Siakam (FD: $9,600, DK: $10,200), Bojan Bogdanovic (FD: $6,100, DK: $6,600), Kyle Anderson (FD: $5,500, DK $5,800); Patrick Williams (FD: $4,500, DK: $3,900)

DraftKings and FanDuel Centers - NBA DFS Lineup Picks

Kristaps Porzingis - at LAL (FD: $9,400, DK: $9,400)

Even if Bradley Beal makes his return tonight, Porzingis might be Godzilla and the Lakers are Tokyo without A.D. in the middle. LeBron isn't going to get in his way and I'm not scared of Thomas Bryant. If I'm using LeBron, I'm definitely running it back with PorzinGODZILLA.

Also consider: Bam Adebayo (FD: $12,200, DK: $12,000); Nicolas Claxton (FD: $6,300, DK: $6,200)

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