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DraftKings Daily Fantasy Basketball Lineup Picks (12/31/17): NBA DFS Advice

There are plenty of games today, but DraftKings has broken it down into two slates. The early slate only has three games, while the late slate features five games. This article will strictly use plays from the larger, later slate.

In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 12/31/17. I play both cash and GPP, so I will be looking for both players who have consistency, along with value plays that have upside from a favorable match up, or other factors.

If you have any questions or comments, let me know @BalesSJustin on Twitter. You can also read more DFS advice and lineup picks for sites like FanDuel, and other sports too. Let's get to it.

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DraftKings DFS Guards

Jordan Clarkson - PG/SG, at HOU ($6,500)

Clarkson has recently taken over for an injured Lonzo Ball, and that will continue tonight. In three games without Ball, Clarkson is averaging 38.1 fantasy points per game. He has played at least 35 minutes in each of those games, and he is leading the team with usage rating. He can contribute in multiple categories, as well. Furthermore, Clarkson gets a great matchup against the Houston Rockets, who will be looking to push the pace in this game. Clarkson can safely be used in all leagues.

George Hill - PG/SG, vs MEM ($4,700)

Hill has been playing well recently, averaging 11.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.4 assists in 32.4 minutes per game over the last 10 days. He hasn't necessarily been the most consistent option, but he has scored at least 24 fantasy points in six of his last 10 games, including two games with 35+ fantasy points. It's a short slate, making Hill even more valuable for his low price tag. He can be used in all leagues.

 

DraftKings DFS Forwards

Brandon Ingram - SG/SF, at HOU ($6,400)

Ingram has been playing big minutes over the last 10 days, as he is averaging 39.1 minutes per game over that span. He is a player that relies heavily on scoring, and he will be in one of the fastest paced and highest scoring games of the slate. Ingram is also averaging 15.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.5 steals per game against the Rockets this season. He makes a great option on the slate tonight.

Dwight Powell - PF/C, at OKC ($3,300)

Powell is an interesting option. He is only averaging 19.1 minutes per game over the last 10 days, but he is also averaging 10.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.0 steal per game over that span. He has scored at least 15 fantasy points in each of his last five games, and he still comes with an extremely low price tag. He doesn't necessarily have a high ceiling, but he is a safe option for a low price tag on a limited slate. He'll allow you to get some of the bigger names, as well.

 

DraftKings DFS Centers

Joel Embiid - C, at PHX ($9,900)

Embiid was given the game off last night, suggesting he will be well rested and ready for big minutes tonight. He has been a dominant option on the road this season, averaging 1.59 fantasy points per minute through 12 road starts. He also was able to dominate the Suns in their only matchup this season, scoring 49.5 fantasy points in 34 minutes. Phoenix does not have anyone that is going to be able to defend Embiid, making him an elite option tonight.

 

NBA DFS News and Injury Alerts





REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Josh Jacobs

Arrested on Five Charges, Booked Into Jail
Claude Giroux

Planning to Return for 20th NHL Campaign
Josh Sweat

Cardinals Receiving Trade Calls on Josh Sweat
Carter Hart

Aiming for Sixth Consecutive Win Tuesday
Tetairoa McMillan

Working With the Training Staff on Tuesday
Evgeni Malkin

Inks New One-Year Deal With Penguins
Mackenzie Blackwood

in Net for Game 4 Against Golden Knights
Valeri Nichushkin

a Game-Time Call Tuesday
Nathan MacKinnon

Will Suit Up Tuesday
Jerome Ford

Is it Time for Dynasty Managers to Drop Jerome Ford?
John Metchie III

Poised for Breakout Season with New Team in 2026?
Jalen Milroe

Is Jalen Milroe Still Worth Stashing in Dynasty Formats Entering 2026?
Kyle Pitts Sr.

Is Kyle Pitts Sr. a Dynasty Sell-High Candidate Coming Off Breakout Season?
Nico Collins

Agrees to Contract Adjustment with Texans
Chris Brooks

Carries Buy-Low Dynasty Appeal into 2026
Ben Griffin

Looking to Repeat This Week at Colonial
Rasmus Hojgaard

a Player to Avoid at Charles Schwab Challenge
Hideki Matsuyama

Needs Solid Driving Week at Charles Schwab Challenge
Justin Thomas

Trending Well Ahead of Charles Schwab Challenge
Akshay Bhatia

Lacking Driving Prowess Needed at Colonial Country Club
NFL

NFL Unlikely to Expand to 18 Regular-Season Games by 2027
Sahith Theegala

Searching For Swing at Charles Schwab Challenge
Lamar Jackson

in Attendance at OTAs This Week
Bucky Irving

Expected Back in the Summer or Fall
CFB

DJ Lagway Looking to Rebound at Baylor
CFB

Josh Hoover Tasked With Leading Indiana Back to the Playoffs
CFB

Braylon Staley the Next 1,000-Yard Tennessee Receiver?
Jalen Tolbert

Does Jalen Tolbert Have Short-Term Dynasty Appeal?
CFB

Ahmad Hardy's Return Timeline Remains Unclear
Travis Etienne Jr.

Is Travis Etienne Jr. Still a Dynasty RB1 Following Change of Scenery?
Breece Hall

Extension Solidifies His Dynasty Outlook
Devin Singletary

Faces a Difficult Path to Relevance
Jordan Whittington

Does Jordan Whittington Have Any Dynasty Value Left?
Caleb Williams

Bears Want Caleb Williams to "Do Less"
Xavier Worthy

Has Xavier Worthy Become a Post-Hype Dynasty Sleeper?
DeMario Douglas

A Playing-Time Blockage Could Make DeMario Douglas a Dynasty Drop Candidate
Elijah Sarratt

Can Elijah Sarratt Emerge From the Middle Rounds of Dynasty Rookie Drafts?
Evan Mobley

Finishes Season-Ending Loss With 15 Points
James Harden

Wants to Stay in Cleveland
Donovan Mitchell

Remains Committed to Cavaliers
Mikal Bridges

Cools Off in Game 4 Against Cavaliers
OG Anunoby

Active on Both Ends in Blowout Win
Karl-Anthony Towns

Leads Knicks in Scoring During Series-Clincher
Jalen Brunson

Named Eastern Conference Finals MVP
Ivan Demidov

Contributes an Assist in Losing Effort
Lane Hutson

Records Power-Play Goal in Game 3 Loss
Frederik Andersen

Enjoys Another Easy Night at the Office in Game 3
Shayne Gostisbehere

Scores First Postseason Goal
Taylor Hall

Ends Four-Game Goal Drought
Andrei Svechnikov

Scores Game 3 Winner in Overtime
Gage Jump

Athletics to Promote Top Pitching Prospect Gage Jump to Major Leagues
Tatsuya Imai

Two Relievers Combine to No-Hit the Rangers on Monday
Dennis Schröder

Dennis Schroder is Ruled Out for Game 4 on Monday
Michael Porter Jr.

Nets Could Trade Michael Porter Jr.
Ajay Mitchell

is Ruled Out for Game 5
Jalen Williams

is Tagged as Questionable for Game 5
Valeri Nichushkin

Nathan MacKinnon, Valeri Nichushkin Uncertain for Game 4
Oliver Kapanen

Sitting as Healthy Scratch Monday
Max Domi

Out Indefinitely Due to Offseason Surgery Complications
Dylan Cease

Heading to Injured List With Hamstring Injury
Daniel Suarez

Wins at Charlotte in Rain-Shortened Coca-Cola 600
Christopher Bell

Finishes as the Runner-Up in the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte
Denny Hamlin

Falls Short of Winning and Places Third at Charlotte
Tyler Reddick

Places Fourth After Leading Laps at Charlotte
Kyle Larson

Strong and Consistent Day Ends in Fifth at Charlotte
Devon Toews

Logs Two Assists In Game 3 Defeat
Brett Howden

Nets 10th Postseason Goal
Mitchell Marner

Delivers Two Assists in Comeback Victory
Mark Stone

Returns With Multi-Point Effort
Valeri Nichushkin

Exits Early Sunday
Nathan MacKinnon

Hurt in Game 3 Loss
Isaiah Hartenstein

Provides Steady Production in Defeat
Chet Holmgren

Has a Quiet Offensive Night on Sunday
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Held Under 20 Points in Game 4
Stephon Castle

Hands Out Six Assists in Game 4 Win
Devin Vassell

Tallies 13 Points in Game 4 Win
De'Aaron Fox

Records Double-Double as Spurs Even Series
Victor Wembanyama

Sets Tone Early as Spurs Force a Pivotal Game 5
Jamal Murray

Earns First Career All-NBA Selection
Kevin Durant

Becomes First Player to Make All-NBA Team With Five Franchises
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Victor Wembanyama Lead All-NBA First Team
Dylan Cease

Removed From Sunday's Start With Hamstring Discomfort
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Exits Sunday's Game Early with Elbow Contusion
MLB

Reds-Cardinals Game Postponed on Sunday
Edward Cabrera

Cubs Place Edward Cabrera on the 15-Day Injured List
Denny Hamlin

the Favorite to Win at Charlotte
Tyler Reddick

on Pole for Coca-Cola 600
Christopher Bell

Could Break Out of Slump
Kyle Larson

May have A Solid Day at Charlotte
Ryan Blaney

Is A DFS Risk for Charlotte Lineups
William Byron

Could have A Great DFS Performance at Charlotte
Chase Briscoe

Is A Solid Tournament Option for Charlotte DFS Lineups
Ty Gibbs

May not be Worth his Salary for Charlotte DFS Lineups
Chris Buescher

May be a Sneaky Tournament Option for Charlotte Lineups
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Has Favorable Upside for Charlotte DFS Lineups
Ross Chastain

Is A Strong Addition for DFS Lineups at Charlotte
Austin Dillon

Should Fantasy Managers Roster Austin Dillon for Charlotte DFS Lineups?
Chase Elliott

Should Be Strong at Charlotte
Carson Hocevar

Confident for Coca-Cola 600
Corey Heim

a Chalk DFS Pick at Charlotte
Michael McDowell

Is Michael McDowell A Tournament Option for Charlotte Lineups?
MLB

Orioles-Tigers Game Postponed on Saturday
MLB

Rays-Yankees Postponed on Saturday
Mickey Moniak

Heads to Injured List With Ankle Sprain
Jackson Merrill

has Sore Ribs, Expected to Avoid Injured List
CFB

Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele Looking to Take Sophomore Leap
CFB

Jadan Baugh Primed to Lead Florida Offense in 2026
CFB

LSU Hires Ed Orgeron As Special Assistant
CFB

North Carolina and South Carolina Cancel Home-And-Home Series
CFB

Confidence High in Mississippi State's Kamario Taylor
MLB

Reds-Cardinals Game Postponed on Friday
Trevor Story

has Hernia Surgery, Expected to Miss 6-10 Weeks
Roman Anthony

Dealing With Sprained Ligament in his Finger
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Exits Early, X-Rays Come Back Negative
Robby Snelling

Will Undergo Tommy John Surgery
Jackson Merrill

Tweaks his Back on Wednesday, Pulled Early
RANKINGS
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1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

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QB
RB
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TE
K
DEF