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The top daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on December 20, 2018. Leonard Francis II provides NBA DFS analysis and sleeper picks for building optimal DFS rosters.
Clippers, Heat, Mavericks, Rockets. That's all we get tonight in the NBA. And with no NFL action on tap, most sports fans' eyes will be glued to TNT for this sneakily intriguing doubleheader. Unfortunately, the two-game slate means less sources of value for us DFS fans, but with James Harden being the only player priced above $10K, everyone essentially comes to us at a discount.
One such now affordable player who may not get the notoriety of some of the bigger named players comes to us in the form of Tobias Harris. Harden (56.5), Clint Cappella (39.6), Hassan Whiteside (38.4), and Chris Paul (38.3) are the only players on tonight's slate averaging more DraftKings fantasy points per game than Harris' 37.5 yet he comes in under $8K and should ball out against a Dallas team who doesn't really have anyone to contain him and could be without DeAndre Jordan to hold down the paint. He's a bonus, 'tis the season.
Per usual, I'll be focusing on the mid-to-lower-priced options here in hopes of providing you those essential lineup fillers needed to optimize your DraftKings lineup. I find no value in detailing the ways in which Luka Doncic is good at playing basketball. PS - be sure to take a look at the injury updates prior to the opening tip as I will not be held liable for your negligence in that regard.
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DraftKings DFS Guards
Dwyane Wade - PG/SG, vs HOU ($5,900)
D-Wade feels much older than he really is, and while he's not out there lighting up the boards, he has been a surprisingly reliable source of value. In 12 games since returning from paternity leave, Wade has put up 14.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 4.4 assists while leading the Heat bench in scoring and ranking second on the team overall in points per game behind Josh Richardson. His 26.8 usage percentage ranks second on the team over this 12-game stretch -- trailing only Goran Dragic -- and Wade figures to see even more work with Dragic out for the next two months after undergoing knee surgery. Perhaps even more so tonight, with Justise Winslow also listed as questionable.
J.J. Barea - PG/SG, at LAC ($4,500)
At 1.2 DraftKings fantasy points per minute, J.J. Barea is responsible for the second-highest production rate among all guards on tonight's slate with only James Harden (1.6) putting up numbers at a higher per minute clip (excluding last night's stats). Barea is only seeing about 19 minutes of court time per game, but has logged 20-plus in two-straight contests and barring the return of Dennis Smith Jr. (questionable), figures to see a decent amount of run again tonight against a Clippers backcourt who all rank in the bottom-half of guards in terms of defensive rating.
DraftKings DFS Forwards
Danuel House Jr. - SF/PF, at MIA ($3,500)
House has struggled to find his shot of late, shooting 23-percent from the from the field and 17-percent from deep over his last three, but a matchup with the Heat should aid in him finding his stroke. Roughly 67-percent of House's field goal attempts this season have come from beyond the three-point arc, and the Heat have allowed opponents to knock down 36-percent from deep which is good for the seventh-highest rate.
Eric Gordon has been moved to the starting five with James Ennis sidelined with a hamstring injury, leaving House, Gerald Green, and Nene as the only consistent contributors off the Rockets bench. Houston is on the second half of a back-to-back, and last night saw each of their starters log over 30 minutes with the exception of Chris Paul (28) so a bit more run for the 25-year old House definitely seems within reason. If not, he saw 25 minutes of action last night, and figures to be in for another 20-plus tonight with all things considered.
Derrick Jones Jr. - SF/PF, vs HOU ($4,400)
As mentioned, the already thin Rockets get the pleasure of playing on back-to-back nights, which is not a death sentence but definitely benefits the rested Heat. Despite his bench role, Jones has seen 25 minutes per game over the Miami's last five, and while the Heat are a bit healthier than they've been in recent weeks, enough of their squad will be in street clothes for this one to figure Jones will continue to see the floor. Especially given his recent production.
Jones has put up nine points, nine rebounds, two steals, and a block over these last five contests while averaging 28.6 DraftKings fantasy points. Bam Adebayo has returned to the bench for the last two games, and while his presence diminishes Jones appeal, he still pulled down eight boards in both of those contests while also scoring in double-figures.
DraftKings DFS Center
Dwight Powell - PF/C, at LAC ($3,600)
Powell is on the shortlist of players who bring me immeasurable joy -- this has nothing to do with his striking facial features or chiseled physique -- he just brings it, every night. Powell isn't likely to drop 20 points or pull down double-digit boards, but he provides a sudden burst of energy for his Mavericks squad every time he steps on the floor and rarely leaves a zero on the box score.
DeAndre Jordan did not participate in this morning's shootaround and will be a game-time decision as he deals with an illness which opens the door for Powell to see a few additional minutes. But, even if Jordan does suit up, the Clippers aren't exactly a dominant rebounding team and Powell's floor of around 15 DK fantasy points makes him well worth the relatively cheap salary when factoring in the upside.
