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Happy Tuesday, RotoBallers! Another solid slate is in front of us, with the national TV double-header on TNT as a headliner. These articles focus on the overall best plays, which are typically more suited for cash games. However, some exceptions may apply, depending on the size of the slate.
This article will provide you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 12/20/22. Remember to monitor NBA injury news and our awesome new NBA injuries report tool as the slate can completely change before lineups lock.
As always, feel free to follow my Twitter (@Maxadelphia) to keep up-to-date with NBA news and for my nightly NBA bets if you're into that sort of thing. Let's go!
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DraftKings and FanDuel Guards - NBA DFS Lineup Picks
Ja Morant - PG, MEM @ DEN ($10,400 DK, $10,700 FD)
Morant is the clear top option at guard tonight. After getting ejected in only 16 minutes on Saturday against the Thunder, this will be Morant's first full game in five days. The matchup is top-tier as well, as the Nuggets have been poor at guarding the perimeter this year.
Chris Paul - PG, PHX vs WAS ($8,300 DK, $8,100 FD)
Paul's price has restabilized after last week's significant discount. However, the premise of his inclusion remains the same injury around him. Devin Booker returned from the injury that kept him out last Tuesday but is being held out of tonight's game for rest purposes. In addition, Cam Payne has been ruled out, too, leaving the Suns incredibly thin in the backcourt.
Ty Jerome - PG, GS @ NYK ($3,500 DK, $4,300 FD)
In the two games since Stephen Curry went down with an injury, Jerome has seen a solid bench role of 19 minutes in each game. He's averaging over a point per minute and is compiling stats across multiple categories, which leads me to believe his floor is higher than the average $3.5k player.
Others to consider: Jalen Brunson ($7,200 DK, $7,800 FD), Max Strus ($5,000 DK, $5,200 FD)
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DraftKings and FanDuel Forwards - NBA DFS Lineup Picks
Jimmy Butler - PF, MIA vs CHI ($9,200 DK, $10,000 FD)
You may or may not be someone who believes in the "Revenge Game" narrative. Personally, I am a believer in that theory, and given Butler's history of taking open jabs at teams that let him leave, I decided to see if there was any merit to this theory. Turns out Butler averages 24.5 PPG against the Bulls compared to his 17.8 PPG career average. Given the Heat have multiple players up in the air (or already ruled out) for tonight, I think Butler has a sneaky chance to be the best play of the night (at cost).
Mikal Bridges - SF, PHX vs WAS ($6,500 DK, $7,500 FD)
Bridges typically sees the biggest increase in usage when the Suns are without Devin Booker. Last Tuesday when Booker was out, Bridges took a season-high 24 shot attempts and faces a Wizards team that ranks 29th against SFs so far this season. Injuries to the Suns are once again shaping the slate, and I think Bridges might be my top forward play of the night.
David Roddy - SG/SF, MEM @ DEN ($3,300 DK, $3,900 FD)
There isn't a ton of cheap value at forward tonight, but if you're pressed for a punt option, Roddy makes for an intriguing choice. He's taken 10+ shot attempts in two straight games and has taken six 3s in each of those two games. The Grizzlies/Nuggets game boasts the slate's highest implied points total (233) and Roddy provides cheap, flexible exposure.
Others to consider: DeMar DeRozan ($8,200 DK, $8,400 FD), Quentin Grimes ($4,800 DK, $4,900 FD)
DraftKings and FanDuel Centers - NBA DFS Lineup Picks
Nikola Jokic - C, DEN vs MEM ($11,800 DK, $12,500 FD)
What else can you say about the 2x reigning MVP? It's simple: you play the guy who just had the single biggest fantasy game of the season (especially when the implied total for his game is 233). Fade him at your own risk.
Jalen Duren - C, DET vs UTA ($4,800 DK, $6,300 FD)
Since taking over the starting role about two weeks ago, Duren has started to flourish. In the five games he's played as a starter, he's averaging 31 DK points per game while playing 29.4 minutes per game. His pricing hasn't caught up to that production yet. In addition, tonight he plays the Jazz, who rank 29th in points allowed to centers and are one of the worst rebounding teams in the league. Duren projects as an above-average play in a vacuum, but when you factor in the matchup, the stars truly align for a breakout performance.
Others to consider: Mitchell Robinson ($5,200 DK, $6,300 FD)
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