RADIO
All throughout the 2014-15 campaign, RotoBaller will be giving you the top NBA DFS lineup picks at the guard, forward and center positions as well as a couple of sleepers for the day. Below are our favorite picks for December 21st, 2014.
Keep in mind, fantasy basketball is a fickle game when it comes to injured players, so be sure to check all lineups prior to tip-off. If you want to chat about your roster picks, check out the DFS chat room at the bottom of this post.
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Worth the Investment
Russell Westbrook (OKC, G) - $9,000
Westbrook has been an absolute terror since making his return to the court. He has scored at least 21 points in every game this season except the one he got injured in. The star point guard does everything, racking up monstrous stat lines in the process. He is a stud no matter how you slice it, but he always receives a bump in value when Kevin Durant does not play.
His usage rate has gone through the roof this season. It currently sits at 38.5, which is easily tops in the NBA. It climbs even higher when Durant is not on the court. Whether Durant plays or not on Sunday, Westbrook should easily pay off his price tag. Until he shows any signs of slowing down, he is a must-play in daily leagues.
Rudy Gay (SAC, F) - $7,500
Gay has done a terrific job this season of carrying the load for the Kings during the extended absence of DeMarcus Cousins. He is averaging 21.1 points, 6.5 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.0 three-pointers this season. His ability to produce across the board makes him an attractive target in daily leagues.
He draws a favorable matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday. The Lakers cannot defend anyone at all, so Gay should have his way with them. He has actually played better with Cousins on the floor because Boogie draws so much attention. Gay flirted with a triple-double in his last game, which coincidently was Cousins’ first game back. Get him in your lineups.
Nikola Vucevic (ORL, C) - $7,400
DeMarcus Cousins makes for a great play, but I have already picked on the Lakers, so I am going in a different direction. Now it is time to pick on the 76ers, who are equally as putrid on the defensive end of the floor. Vucevic should dominate in this matchup.
Orlando’s big man missed six games at the beginning of this month due to a back injury, but has picked up right where he left off since his return. He is averaging 18.2 points, 11.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.0 blocks per game this season. Vucevic is a double-double machine, and should easily post another one on Sunday versus Philadelphia.
Sleeper
Shabazz Muhammad (MIN, SF) - $2,200
Muhammad has been on fire of late, scoring more than 20 points in three straight games. His strong play earned him a promotion to the starting lineup at shooting guard in his last game, and he responded with flying colors. He scored 26 points with five rebounds, five assists, and two three-pointers in 38 minutes.
Minnesota just traded Corey Brewer to the Houston Rockets, so the playing time should continue to be there for Shabazz. With all the injuries the Timberwolves have sustained this season, Muhammad has become one of the primary offensive weapons. His price tag is as low as it gets right now, making him a no-brainer selection. Enjoy the ride while it lasts, he will not be this cheap for very long.
