DraftKings, FanDuel Daily Fantasy Basketball Picks (12/2/23): Today's Top NBA DFS Lineups

December 2, 2023

The top daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on December 2, 2023. Kyle Ringstad provides NBA DFS analysis and sleeper picks for building optimal DFS rosters.

The calendar has flipped to December once again, giving all of us degenerates a chance to win some bonus DFS money to use on presents for the holidays. We have a very rare instance of a Saturday filled with games - including the ten games on the main slate that I'll be breaking down for you in this article - so there will be more than enough options for our lineups tonight. The Hawks-Bucks, Pacers-Hear, and Thunder-Mavericks games grade out as the best environments for fantasy production on this slate, but the Nuggets-Kings matchup is appealing as well.

As always, injuries are a key factor here and we will need to monitor for news and make adjustments as we learn more. There are plenty of notable pieces that currently hold questionable tags, including Luka Doncic, Tyrese Haliburton, Devin Booker, Anthony Davis, LeBron James, Jimmy Butler, DeMar DeRozan, Aaron Gordon, Jamal Murray, Victor Oladipo, Keegan Murray, Ausar Thompson, tTm Hardaway Jr., Dante Exum, Dennis Smith Jr., and Jose Alvarado.

This article will provide you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 12/2/23. Remember to monitor NBA injury news and our awesome new NBA injuries report tool, as the slate can completely change before lineups lock at 7:00 pm EST.

I start my process with a "K-Grade" model shown below, which I've been fine-tuning for about three years. This model takes real metrics like the implied total, fantasy points per game allowed, defensive ratings, offensive ratings, and projected pace, and applies them to a model with weights. It should be used as a directional guide for the slate and I've had plenty of success with it, but stick to your process and DFS best practices. For example, a player on a team with a "D" K-Grade could easily be the top value on the slate due to a significant uptick in minutes and usage rate.

DraftKings and FanDuel Guards - NBA DFS Lineup Picks

Luka Doncic, DAL vs. OKC – PG ($11,500 DK; $12,100 FD)

Nikola Jokic is on the second half of a back-to-back set and facing a brutal matchup with the Kings, so we're going with a rested Luka Doncic as the core high-salaried play of the night. Doncic missed last night's game due to personal reasons. The superstar put up 71.25 DK points in his latest outing and is averaging 60 DK points per game over his last five contests, so we know the median output and ceiling are where we'd like them to be. The Thunder rank middle of the pack in fantasy points allowed to opposing teams and point guards, but the game environment is pristine as it features a high implied total and two of the top offenses on the slate. Get to the best player on the floor in situations like this.

Cole Anthony, ORL vs BKN - PG/SG ($7,100 DK) DraftKings Only

This isn't going to be a comfortable play as Cole Anthony is coming off one of his worst performances of the year and holds an elevated salary at a loaded guard position. However, he only posted a dud yesterday due to an uncharacteristic game where he picked up five personal fouls and only saw 17 minutes. Before that, he posted games of 45 and 54.75 DK points while seeing 26 and 32 minutes, respectively. It's not a great matchup by any means, but the game environment is solid, and I think Anthony will be under-rostered thanks to game-log watchers.

Others to consider: Fred VanVleet, Damian Lillard, Darius Garland, Craig Porter Jr., Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Keyonte George, Andrew Nembhard, Trae Young

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DraftKings and FanDuel Forwards - NBA DFS Lineup Picks

Evan Mobley, CLE vs. DET, PF/C ($7,800 DK, $8,300 FD)

Evan Mobley is in an elite spot to produce tonight against the Pistons' shoddy defense. The big man averages 40 DK points per game and has reached 55+ DK points twice already, so his price tag is pretty appealing with the matchup he has on tap. Detroit allows the fifth most fantasy points per game overall and the most fantasy points per game to centers, and I don't see any combination of Jalen Duren, Isaiah Stewart, or Marvin Bagley III slowing him down.

Jarrett Allen, Mobley's teammate, looks like the better play on FanDuel with their respective pricing.

Buddy Hield, IND vs. MIA ($6,400 DK, $5,500 FD)

While Buddy Hield is more of a FanDuel play at his pricing, he's in a great spot to produce on both sites tonight. The Pacers' sharpshooter has had a tough three-game stretch shooting the ball, but the Heat are a sneaky-good matchup for him to get right. Miami allows the 11th-most fantasy points per game to small forwards, and they allow opponents to make 25-29 foot (3-pointers) shots at the fourth-highest mark in the NBA.

Others to consider: Jarrett Allen, Giannis Antetokounmpo, LeBron James, Jerami Grant, Jabari Smith Jr. 

DraftKings and FanDuel Centers - NBA DFS Lineup Picks

Chet Holmgren, OKC vs. DAL, C ($7,800 DK; $8,500 FD)

DraftKings has the likely Rookie of the Year frontrunner too cheap, plain and simple. Chet Holmgren had a rough game against the Lakers last time out, posting just 29.25 DK points in 28 minutes while shooting 1-for-6 from three. He had games of 40.5, 51.5, and 47.75 DK points in the three games prior, though, and I expect him to get back to those levels tonight against the Mavericks. Dallas finally has a competent big man in Derek Lively II, but they still can't defend opposing frontcourts as they're allowing the fourth-most fantasy points per game to the position. Points and rebounds are where they struggle the most - Holmgren will be adding to his award-contending resume in this one.

Others to consider: Deandre Ayton, Walker Kessler, Alperen Sengun, Jalen Duren, Myles Turner

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