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The NBA brings a packed schedule Friday consisting of 10 games. There are plenty of marquee matchups, the best of which might be the Nuggets hosting the Thunder. There will also be plenty of poor defensive teams in action, including the Wizards and Hornets.
There are some important injuries to keep in mind when creating your DFS lineups. Joel Embiid (ankle) and Jabari Smith Jr. (ankle) are among the players who have been ruled out. Some notable players who are listed as questionable include Donovan Mitchell (illness), Kawhi Leonard (hip), Jayson Tatum (ankle), and Bradley Beal (ankle).
This article will provide you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 12/29/23. 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 ET. Good luck, RotoBallers!
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DraftKings and FanDuel Guards - NBA DFS Lineup Picks
De'Aaron Fox, SAC at ATL – PG ($9,400 DK; $10,300 FD)
The Hawks are a team to attack in DFS. They have played at the fifth-fastest pace and have the fourth-worst defensive rating in the league. Fox is already having a spectacular season, averaging 30.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, 6.1 assists, and 1.7 steals per game. Given their defensive deficiencies, don’t expect the Hawks to be able to slow him down.
Terry Rozier, CHA at PHX – PG/SG ($8,700 DK; $8,800 FD)
The Hornets have already ruled out LaMelo Ball (ankle) and Gordon Hayward (calf) for this matchup, while Mark Williams (back) is doubtful. With all three players out Thursday against the Clippers, Rozier contributed 18 points, six rebounds, eight assists, and one steal. His stat line could have been even better had he not shot just 5-for-14 from the field. With all of the playing time and shot attempts that he can handle likely coming his way, Rozier has the potential to produce a juicy all-around stat line.
Grayson Allen, PHX vs. CHA – SG/SF ($5,600 DK; $5,900 FD)
Allen continues to be an important member of the Suns’ supporting cast, averaging 13.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 2.4 three-pointers per game. He has also logged 33 minutes per game, which is the highest mark of his career. With Beal being upgraded as questionable, his impending return could eventually take some shot attempts away from Allen. However, given how many injury issues he has dealt with this season, even if Beal does return Friday, his minutes will likely be limited. Allen is still worth considering in tournament play.
ALSO CONSIDER: Trae Young, ATL vs. SAC – PG ($9,900 DK; $10,200 FD), Cam Thomas, BKN at WAS – PG/SG/SF (6,900 DK; $7,100 FD)
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DraftKings and FanDuel Forwards - NBA DFS Lineup Picks
Miles Bridges, CHA at PHX – SF/PF ($8,100 DK; $8,300 FD)
Bridges also stepped up with the Hornets missing so many starters Thursday, producing 20 points, five rebounds, five assists, and one block over 33 minutes. Over his last 15 games, he has averaged 20.5 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 2.5 assists. He and Rozier should lead the way offensively for the Hornets, making both of them appealing options.
Tobias Harris, PHI at HOU – SF/PF ($6,800 DK; $7,900 FD)
Embiid will be missing his third straight game for the 76ers. When he was out Monday against the Heat, Harris contributed 27 points, seven rebounds, and six assists. He then followed that up with 22 points, seven rebounds, and two assists Wednesday against the Magic. The key to his increased scoring was that he attempted a total of 41 shots across the two games. Expect his usage rate to continue to be high until Embiid returns.
Cody Martin, CHA at PHX – SF/PG/SG ($4,800 DK; $4,200 FD)
Martin has been limited to just three games this season because of injury. He only logged 20 minutes Thursday against the Lakers, but some of that might have been attributed to the lopsided score. Even in limited playing time, he chipped in five points, four rebounds, two assists, and one steal. The Hornets’ lack of depth could push him to play closer to 25 minutes in this second game of a back-to-back set, so he’s someone to at least consider in tournament play at his cheap salaries.
ALSO CONSIDER: Kevin Durant, PHX vs. CHA – SF/PF ($10,100 DK; $10,500 FD), Bogdan Bogdanovic, ATL vs. SAC – SF/SG ($6,600 DK; $7,000 FD)
DraftKings and FanDuel Centers - NBA DFS Lineup Picks
Alperen Sengun, HOU vs. PHI – C ($8,400 DK; $8,900 FD)
The 76ers not having Embiid should help Sengun stay out of foul trouble. They don’t exactly have a ton of talent behind Embiid with Paul Reed and Mo Bamba likely to get the bulks of the minutes at center. With Smith and Dillon Brooks (oblique) out, Sengun also has the potential for added shot attempts. Put it all together and Sengun could produce one of the better stat lines for centers this evening.
Jusuf Nurkic, PHX vs. CHA – C ($7,100 DK; $7,900 FD)
Williams likely sitting again means that the Hornets should give another start to Nick Richards. He’s been serviceable, but when he checks out of the game, the Hornets usually have to go small. Being thin up front is not a good position to be in against Nurkic, who has averaged 13.0 points, 13.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.0 blocks over his last seven games.
Paul Reed, PHI at HOU – C ($5,300 DK; $5,900 FD)
Reed is in line to play a lot Friday, if he can stay out of foul trouble. He couldn’t do that while starting in place of Embiid on Monday, which limited him to 17 minutes against the Heat. Fouls weren’t an issue for him Wednesday against the Magic, which helped him provide 15 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, and three blocks across 32 minutes. His salary is cheap enough on both sites to take a chance on him avoiding foul trouble again.
ALSO CONSIDER: Nikola Jokic, DEN vs. OKC – C ($11,200 DK; $12,200 FD), Neemias Queta, BOS vs. TOR ($4,400 DK, $4,000 FD)
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