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Daily Fantasy NBA Lineup Picks for FanDuel (12/28/16) - DFS Basketball Advice

Gather-round, Rotoballers, for another edition of NBA Wednesday daily fantasy action. Tonight we're back to the standard 10 game slate, and it sure looks like an enticing one. In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for FanDuel on 12/28/16. The DFS lineup picks will range from some of the elite players to mid-priced options and value plays on FanDuel.

Before I get into player selection and analysis, let's take a look at a few Vegas lines that could be of interest - especially for those of you that like to deploy a stacking strategy. As of this writing, not every line has been released, but a few games with high projected point totals that look appetizing are the Pacers at Wizards (213), Nets at Bulls (214), Suns at Spurs (213), Timberwolves at Nuggets (213), and Raptors at Warriors (225.5). Personally, I like the Pacers at Wizards and Timberwolves at Nuggets the most as they feature spreads of less than five points.

 Editor's Note: New users that sign up on FantasyAces, make a $20 deposit, and enter any game will receive BOTH our full season NBA and NFL Premium Passes for free, a $119.99 value. Just email [email protected] with your new FantasyAces username - and boom, that's it! We will email you with your Premium Passes.

 

FanDuel DFS Guards

Ricky Rubio - PG, at DEN - ($5,800)

Rubio has really turned it on of late, exceeding his price implied total in eight of his last 10 games - and all by a wide margin (an average of nearly 5 fantasy points per night). Tonight, he has a terrific matchup against the Nuggets in what Vegas predicts to be a high scoring affair. The Nuggets move at break-neck pace, which should lead to more opportunities for Rubio, and they also allow more fantasy points to opposing point guards than any other team playing tonight. His 32 minutes per game average and consistent production make him a solid cash game and bargain play this evening.

C.J. McCollum - SG, vs SAC - ($7,400)

The case for McCollum tonight is a fairly simple one - he's the best bargain of the group and he has a good (but not great) matchup, too. As the focal point of the Portland offense, McCollum is a high volume shooter. Because of that, he has the chance to hit - and cruise past - his price implied value on any given night. His shooting has been a bit streaky in the past few weeks, but when he's hitting the number of shots he's most certainly capable of, he crushes his value - especially at a low price like the one he's listed at tonight. For the season, CJ has a 25.7 Usage rate and is scoring nearly a point per minute on the floor.

Also Consider: Zach LaVine - SG, at DEN ($6,500)

 

FanDuel DFS Forwards

Jimmy Butler - SF, vs BKN ($8,500)

There are a handful of directions you could go in tonight with your small forward selections, but I think Butler has the highest floor, and is therefore the smart play in cash games and 50/50's. He does also have a matchup against the lowly Nets, which helps raise his ceiling as well. The Nets struggle tremendously on defense and Vegas is projecting the Bulls to put up a ton of points. I'm expecting the bulk of the opportunity to fall into Butler's lap, and he should excel against a team that has no one on their roster that matches up well against Butler's size and versatility. For the season, Butler has been incredibly efficient in his time on the court, posting a 25.09 PER to date.

Thaddeus Young - PF, at WAS ($5,200)

Power forward is the ultimate value position tonight, and I think Young is the player I can not only squeeze the most value out of, but he's also the one that can produce tournament like numbers on occasion. Tonight is a good opportunity to be one of those occasions, as he's priced incredibly low for a guy that plays 35+ minutes per night and is more than capable of pulling down double digit rebounds each night. On top of all that, he faces a Washington team that allows more points to opposing power forwards than the average NBA team, which helps to raise his floor.

Also Consider:  Paul George - SF, at WAS ($7,600)

 

FanDuel DFS Centers

DeMarcus Cousins - C, at POR ($11,000)

Yes, he's pricey, but Cousins has the highest ceiling of any player taking the floor tonight and you'll need him on your team if you're going to take down a tournament. Cousins has produced 50 FanDuel points or more in three of his last four games and tonight he has an excellent matchup which should allow him to cruise past 50 points, once again. Not only does Portland push the ball, which equates to more possessions and opportunities for both teams, but they also allow the most points to opposing centers of any team in action Wednesday night. For the season, Cousins has an excellent Usage rate of 35.4 and he's producing 1.42 fantasy points per minute.

Also Consider: Karl-Anthony Towns - C, at DEN ($9,100)

 

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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

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Takes Over as Canucks GM, Sedins Promoted to Co-Presidents
Drew Helleson

Won't Play Thursday
Radko Gudas

Unlikely to Play Thursday
Jeremy Lauzon

Remains Out Thursday
Mark Stone

Misses Third Consecutive Game
EDM

Kris Knoblauch Fired as Oilers Head Coach
Micah Parsons

Expected to Miss the Early Part of the Season
Colby Parkinson

a Clear Dynasty Sell-High Candidate Entering 2026
Omarion Hampton

Poised for Year 2 Breakout in Los Angeles
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Dynasty Stock Rising After Encouraging 2025 Campaign
Jaxson Dart

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David Montgomery

Dynasty Stock Rising Following Move to Houston
Chris Godwin Jr.

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Malik Willis

Not Set Up for Immediate Success in Miami
Terrance Ferguson

has Promising Receiving Skills in Crowded TE Room in L.A.
Brenton Strange

Is Brenton Strange a Top-15 Dynasty Tight End?
T.J. Watt

Steelers Ready to Move on From T.J. Watt?
Jacory Croskey-Merritt

Must Make Gains as Pass-Catcher to Take the Next Step
CFB

Virginia Tech Lands Commitment from Four-Star QB Peter Bourque
Kaytron Allen

Could Kaytron Allen Take on a Big Role Right Away?
Demond Claiborne

Has Long-Term Appeal in Minnesota
Byron Buxton

Scratched on Thursday With Hip Soreness
Cal Raleigh

Heading to Injured List With Oblique Strain
Adam Randall

to Contribute as a Pass-Catcher Right Away?
Francisco Alvarez

has Knee Surgery, Expected to Miss Eight Weeks
Nicholas Singleton

Could Contribute Right Away
Bryce Lance

a Perfect Fit in New Orleans?
Mike Washington Jr.

Can Mike Washington Jr. Force a Backfield Split in Vegas?
Paul Reed

Makes Big Impact Off the Bench Wednesday
Adonai Mitchell

Unlikely to be Phased Out of Jets Offense
Daniss Jenkins

Contributes 19 Points As Starter
Cade Cunningham

Tallies 39 Points in Losing Effort
Tony Pollard

an Affordable Add for Contending Dynasty Managers
Max Strus

Notches 20 Points With Six Triples
Evan Mobley

Close to Triple-Double Wednesday
Mason Taylor

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Jarrett Allen

Records Double-Double in Game 5 Win
James Harden

Leads the Way for Cavaliers in Game 5 Victory
Quinn Hughes

Finishes Postseason With 15 Points
Matt Boldy

Posts Two Assists in Season-Ending Loss
Scott Wedgewood

Perfect in Relief Effort
Martin Necas

Records Another Multi-Point Game
Brett Kulak

Sends Avalanche Into Conference Finals
Brayden McNabb

Suspended for One Game
Cal Raleigh

Exits With Apparent Side Injury on Wednesday Night
Juan Soto

X-Rays Come Back Negative on Juan Soto's Ankle
Jacob Misiorowski

Pulled Early With Possible Leg Injury
Juan Soto

Exits Wednesday's Game Early with Ankle Injury
Kevin Huerter

is Cleared to Return for Game 5
Caris LeVert

is Available for Game 5 on Wednesday
Duncan Robinson

is Out for Game 5
Keegan Murray

Undergoes Ankle Procedure
Josh Giddey

Undergoes Ankle Surgery
Pete Fairbanks

Returns From Injured List
Christian Yelich

Out With Back Tightness on Wednesday Night
Nathan MacKinnon

Chasing History Wednesday
Ryan Poehling

Won't Be an Option for Game 6
Sam Malinski

Set to Miss Second Straight Game
Artturi Lehkonen

Unlikely to Play Wednesday
Matthew Schaefer

Wins Calder Trophy
TOR

Maple Leafs Fire Head Coach Craig Berube
Robby Snelling

Placed on 15-Day Injured List with Elbow Sprain
Francisco Alvarez

Mets Place Francisco Alvarez on Injured List With Torn Meniscus
Max Fried

Dealing With Left Elbow Posterior Soreness
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NFL Veteran Tom Moore Joins Iowa Coaching Staff
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ACC, Big 12 Support 24-Team College Football Playoff
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Kwazi Gilmer Set for Big Impact at Nebraska
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Riding Strong Form Into PGA Championship
Patrick Reed

Looking to Make Another Run at PGA Championship
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Sam Burns

Must Keep Ball in Play at PGA Championship
Jordan Spieth

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Not the Best Option for the PGA Championship
Rasmus Hojgaard

a Volatile Option at PGA Championship
Ayo Dosunmu

Has Busy Night in Game 5
Maverick McNealy

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Harry Hall

a Boom-or-Bust Option at Aronimink
Jaden McDaniels

Notches 17 Points in Game 5 Loss
Hideki Matsuyama

Attempts to Improve Over 2025 PGA Championship
Scottie Scheffler

Looks to Defend PGA Championship at Aronimink
Julius Randle

Posts a Double-Double in Losing Effort
Nicolai Hojgaard

Wants to Keep Momentum Rolling in Philadelphia
Anthony Edwards

Held to 20 Points in Game 5 Loss
Ben Griffin

Attempting to Bounce Back After Truist Championship
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Transfer Defensive Lineman Devarrick Woods Commits to Clemson
Keldon Johnson

Comes Alive in Game 5 Against Timberwolves
Harris English

Will Need His Putter to Thrive at Aronimink
Stephon Castle

Makes All-Around Impact in Game 5
Victor Wembanyama

Leads Spurs to Big Win in Game 5
Akshay Bhatia

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Keegan Bradley

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Mason McTavish

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Pavel Dorofeyev

Pots Two Goals in Vital Game 5 Win
Josh Doan

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Si Woo Kim

Struggles at Truist Championship
Gary Woodland

Can Continue Incredible 2026 Season at PGA Championship
Xander Schauffele

In Excellent Form Heading to PGA Championship
Brandon Nimmo

Leaves Game on Tuesday with Apparent Ankle Injury
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76ers Part Ways With Daryl Morey
Kevin Huerter

Iffy for Game 5 Against Cavaliers
Jacob Wilson

A's Place Jacob Wilson on Injured List With Shoulder Subluxation
Christian Yelich

Brewers Reinstate Christian Yelich From Injured List
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Isaac Brown Has All-American Upside in 2026
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Nyck Harbor Heading into Breakout Year?
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Notre Dame, USC in Discussions to Resume Rivalry Series
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Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele Has Eyes on ACC Title
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Ahmad Hardy's Gunshot Wound Not Viewed as Career-Threatening
A.J. Ewing

Mets to Call Up Top Prospect A.J. Ewing
Mookie Betts

is Officially Back on Monday
Nathan Eovaldi

Scratched From Monday's Start With Side Tightness
Henry Bolte

Athletics to Promote Top Outfield Prospect Henry Bolte to Major Leagues
Khamzat Chimaev

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Sean Strickland

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Tatsuro Taira

Suffers Fifth-Round TKO Loss
Joshua Van

Defends Flyweight Title
MMA

Waldo Cortes-Acosta Drops Decision
Alexander Volkov

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Shane Van Gisbergen

Dominates Watkins Glen for First Win of 2026
Michael McDowell

Finishes Second for Best Run of the Year At Watkins Glen
Ty Gibbs

Scores New Career-Best Finish of Third at Watkins Glen
Tyler Reddick

Continues His Strong Season With Fifth-Place Run at Watkins Glen
Austin Dillon

Earns his First Top-10 Finish of 2026 at Watkins Glen
Mookie Betts

Dodgers Expect Mookie Betts to Return on Monday
CFB

Ahmad Hardy Sustains Gunshot Wound, in Stable Condition
Connor Zilisch

Will Start Fifth in his First Watkins Glen Cup Series Race
Tyler Reddick

Is A Top DFS Option for Watkins Glen Lineups
Christopher Bell

Is Likely to Bounce Back This Week at Watkins Glen
Carlos Rodón

Carlos Rodon Activated for Season Debut on Sunday
William Byron

Is William Byron Playable in DFS Lineups at Watkins Glen?
Kyle Larson

May have A Positive Day at Watkins Glen
Chase Briscoe

May Compete for A Top-10 Finish at Watkins Glen
NASCAR

A.J. Allmendinger May have Another Solid Outing at Watkins Glen
Ty Gibbs

Should Fantasy Managers Roster Ty Gibbs at Watkins Glen?
Ross Chastain

Is Ross Chastain Worth Rostering for Watkins Glen Lineups?
Austin Cindric

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Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen the Heavy Favorite at Watkins Glen
Chase Elliott

Is Chase Elliott a No-Brainer DFS Pick at Watkins Glen?
Chris Buescher

Qualifies 14th at Watkins Glen
Ryan Blaney

Has Upside at Watkins Glen After Signing Contract Extension
Michael McDowell

Still Searching for First Top-Five Finish at Watkins Glen
Carson Hocevar

Is Carson Hocevar Too Aggressive for Road-Course Racing?
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF