DraftKings and FanDuel Daily Fantasy Basketball Picks (12/21/21): NBA DFS Lineups

The top daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on December 21, 2021. Kyle Ringstad provides NBA DFS analysis and sleeper picks for building optimal DFS rosters.

How are you holding up? After dozens of players have entered into the league's COVID protocols and numerous game postponements, the season long fantasy basketball landscape is in disarray. Fortunately for us DFS folk, we have the opportunity to tweak our lineups daily and adjust to the most recent news. Even if every team rolled out their backups, the opportunity to win money still remains. And that's exactly what we're going to do. With that said, let's dive right in to my favorite DFS plays for both DraftKings and FanDuel on Tuesday's slate. There is a total of 10 teams taking the floor, so we'll have plenty of opportunity to build out a winning lineup.

This article will provide you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 12/21/21. Remember to monitor injury news as the slate can completely change before lineups lock.

DraftKings and FanDuel Guards - NBA DFS Lineup Picks

Jalen Brunson - PG/SG, DAL vs. MIN ($7,400 DK; $7,300 FD)

Rolling with Brunson is always a no-brainer when Luka Doncic is out of the lineup. In the eight games that Luka has missed this season, Brunson has produced 18.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 8.3 assists in over 34 minutes per contest. A matchup against the Timberwolves appears to be a good one as well, as they have given up the 11th-most points to opposing teams this season. Brunson is locked into a safe floor and even though he's at his season-high price for both sites, he's an excellent option in cash games.

Alec Burks - PG/SG, NYK vs. DET ($7,600 DK; $5,600 FD)

Burks is an interesting one here, as his price on FD is much more attractive than his inflated price on DK. For what it's worth, he gets the Pistons, who have surrendered the most FD points to his position this season. He's locked into a massive role for the Tom Thibideau Knicks and shouldn't have crazy ownership in a five-game slate. You really can't go wrong playing him on either site, but he is an absolute value on FD against the Pistons on Tuesday.

Kyle Lowry - PG, MIA vs. IND ($8,700 DK; $7,800 FD)

Put simply, the Heat have no one. Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, P.J. Tucker, Cody Martin, and Markieff Morris all continue to be out for a multiplicity of reasons. Tyler Herro has missed the last three games and is questionable but still, Lowry will be asked to shoulder the load once again. He's posted back-to-back games of 40+ DK points and put up 26 points on Indiana in their last meeting. Not to mention the Pacers have been horrible against opposing point guards, giving up the third-most FD points to the position this season.

GPP PG:

Jaylen Nowell - SG, MIN @ DAL ($3,300 DK; $4,000 FD)

Ahh! My favorite play of the night - Father Christmas. Shoutout to NBC Sports' own Zak Hanshew for the nickname. Seriously though, with Anthony Edwards stuck in COVID protocols, the masses and casuals will surely look to Malik Beasley for value. But what if I told you there is a better value? Nowell has put up 15 points over his last two games and has actually seen a 28.5% usage without Edwards in those contests. This is a spicy addition to your lineup that could be a major hit but also allow you to spend up at other positions.

Others to consider: Anfernee Simons ($4,500 DK, $5,000 FD), Kemba Walker ($5,200 DK, $5,700 FD), Caris LeVert ($7,800 DK, $6,500)

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DraftKings and FanDuel Forwards - NBA DFS Lineup Picks

Norman Powell - SF/SG, POR @ NOP ($6,400 DK, $6,300 FD)

Powell has been in a nice groove as of late, scoring just under 23 points per game over his last seven contests. With Damian Lillard questionable to suit up, Powell may be tasked to shoulder more of the offensive burden if the former is forced to sit. As a matter of fact, Powell is seeing a 28% usage rate and averaging 18.4 points in five games without Lillard in the lineup this season. The Pelicans are one of the NBA's worst defensive teams, so he should have plenty of opportunities to get up shots and rack up the fantasy points.

Doran Finney-Smith - SF/PF, DAL vs. MIN ($5,000 DK; $6,000 FD)

DFS is looking like a no-brainer on both sites Tuesday but especially on DK, where he's priced $1,000 cheaper. He posted 23 points in his last outing and with Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber, and Reggie Bullock all out and Kristaps Porzingis questionable, Finney-Smith could be looking at a hefty workload by necessity. The matchup is great too, as the Timberwolves have given up the second-most FD points to his position this season.

Carmelo Anthony - PF/SF, LAL vs. PHX ($4,600 DK; $5,300 FD)

Anthony being priced at only $4,600 on DK is insane considering the circumstances at hand. For starters, Anthony Davis is out, along with Kent Bazemore and Talen Horton-Tucker. This will guarantee Anthony sees a hefty workload. Not to mention LeBron James and Russell Westbrook will likely draw the Mikal Bridges and Jae Crowder treatment, leaving Anthony free to roam the three-point line all game long. He's a much better play on DK for this one, but he's a good bet regardless of the site.

Others to consider: Brandon Ingram ($8,900 DK, $8,700 FD), Jaden McDaniels ($3,400 DK), Duncan Robinson ($4,800 DK)

DraftKings and FanDuel Centers - NBA DFS Lineup Picks

Karl-Anthony Towns - C, MIN @ DAL ($9,900 DK; $9,900 FD)

KAT might just be my favorite play on Tuesday's slate and seeing him priced under $10,000 on both sites is laughable. He's nearly seeing a 32% usage rate with Anthony Edwards out of the lineup and putting up just under 50 fantasy points on both sites during those two contests. The Mavericks may even be without Kristaps Porzingis in this one, as he's questionable with a toe injury, so KAT should have his way. He's the third-highest priced center on DK yet has the highest floor. Take advantage of this value on Tuesday!

Myles Turner - C, IND @ MIA ($6,800 DK; $6,500 FD)

Turner gets a matchup with the Miami Heat here, who will be without Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, and P.J. Tucker, leaving Dewayne Dedmon as the only experienced big man available on the Heat's roster. He dropped 20 points and three blocks in their last meeting and with Domantas Sabonis taking attention away, Turner should be able to feast in the paint all night. He's a boom or bust play, but don't be surprised to see him boom against the short-handed Heat tonight.

Others to consider: Dewayne Dedmon ($5,300 DK, $5,700 FD), Deandre Ayton ($8,200 DK), Isaiah Stewart ($5,100 DK, $5,600 FD)

NBA DFS News and Injury Alerts

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