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The top daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on December 14, 2018. Daniel Benjamin provides NBA DFS analysis and sleeper picks for building optimal DFS rosters.
The ninth Friday of the NBA season is here and upon us. While you shouldn't expect to see a 50-point triple-double like James Harden put up against the Lakers on Thursday, several stars will be on the floor tonight and some of them will be looking to bounce back from subpar performances including Giannis Antetokounmpo, Victor Oladipo, Russell Westbrook, Damian Lillard, Stephen Curry, and Klay Thompson.
Overall, there is not a lot of things to get excited about in terms of quality of games tonight as just three of the eight games on the slate really standout which are the Pacers at the 76ers, the Thunder at the Nuggets and the Raptors at the Trail Blazers. The Pacers, who defeated the Bucks while holding Antetokounmpo to just 12 points on Wednesday, are riding a five-game win streak into Philadelphia, which is 14-2 at home. The Sixers -- currently third in the East- and the Pacers -currently fourth in the East -- may be battling for playoff positioning throughout the season. The Nuggets and the Thunder are in similar positions, but it remains to be seen whether they can maintain their current pace. Meanwhile, the Raptors and Blazers have some intrigue but that is mainly based on seeing how Toronto follows up their big win over Golden State.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 12/14/18. These DFS lineup picks can vary from higher-priced players and elite options to lower-priced players and value picks on DraftKings. You can also check out today's FanDuel lineup picks. As always, don't set your lineups to early and check player statuses before the opening tip.
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Spencer Dinwiddie: PG/SG @WAS ($6,500)
Dinwiddie finally has some job security after signing a three-year, $34 million contract on Thursday. The 25-year-old is coming off a career-high 39-point performance against the 76ers as he knocked down 11 of 18 shots from the floor and four of six from beyond the arc. He also doled out five assists and two rebounds along with four turnovers for 51.0 Draft Kings' fantasy points.
While the fifth-year combo guard is having a career season, Dinwiddie has been particularly effective recently. He has scored in double-figures in five straight games, including 64 points over the last two contests. The 6-foot-6 combo guard is averaging 23.2 points along with five assists, 2.2 three-pointers, and two boards while shooting 51.9 percent from the floor as well as 39.3 percent from the three-point line over the past five contests. Dinwiddie, who is averaging 35.9 fantasy points over his last five games, has a floor of 21 over his last 10 outings.
Dinwiddie has a strong matchup against the Wizards, who rank 29th in scoring defense overall and have allowed at least 107 points in each of his last five appearances. He is producing 16.5 points, eight assists, three rebounds, and 35 fantasy points in two previous games versus the Wizards.
Bojan Bogdanovic: SG/SF @PHI ($5,200)
Bogdanovic is having a career season both in shooting and scoring production as well as efficiency. The 29-year-old, who has scored in double-figures in 19 straight games, has made at least 50 percent of his shots in five of six games. He is averaging 20.5 points along with 4.5 caroms, two triples, and 1.3 dimes while shooting 50.6 percent from the field and 40 percent from long-distance in December. While the 6-foot-8 wing doesn't provide much else besides scoring and three-point shooting, his efficiency and accuracy make him a viable play DFS play as his floor over the last 10 games has been 20.5. J.J. Redick, Fred Vanvleet, Furkan Korkmaz, Tomas Satoransky, and Klay Thompson are other players that I like tonight.
DraftKings DFS Forwards
Kevin Knox: SF/PF @CHA ($4,800)
The rookie combo forward has played pretty well over the last five games, averaging 28.6 Draft King points per game which equates to well over five points per $1,000. Knox has combined to score 45 points and haul in 22 caroms over the past two contests, which includes posting his first career-double with 26 points and 15 rebounds against the Hornets as he made 10 of 25 shots from the field and four of eight from beyond the arc. He set season highs in points, three-pointers, field goal makes, field goal attempts, rebounds as well as blocks against Charlotte. That game also marked the first time that the 19-year-old grabbed double-digit rebounds.
Knox has seen his role increase substantially over the last six games as he has been on the floor for 25 or more minutes in five of the games. Overall, the ninth overall draft selection is averaging 16.2 points along with 7.2 rebounds and two assists in 30.7 minutes of action this month. He also has made multiple three-pointers in four of the six contests.
I also like Kelly Oubre Jr., Jeremy Lamb, Marvin Williams, Juan Hernangomez, Danny Green, JaMychel Green, Nemanja Bjelica tonight as well. There is a caveat with Oubre Jr. and that is depending if Otto Porter (knee) is able to go against the Nets tonight. If Porter is able to play then I would pass on using Oubre. Williams and Hernangomez, as well as both Green's, could be value plays. Williams and Hernangomez can be used at power forward as well while Danny Green and Lamb can also play at shooting guard.
Serge Ibaka: PF/C @POR ($6,300)
Ibaka is getting love here at power forward for a couple of reasons. First, the 6-foot-9 big man is playing his best basketball in years. Second, his role should increase with Jonas Valanciunas (thumb) out for at least four weeks.
While the 10th-year pro has been surprisingly consistent this year, he is currently going through one of his best stretches of the season. Ibaka, who picked up his fourth double-double of the campaign against the Warriors on Wednesday, has scored 20 or more points in each of his last three games. The 29-year-old also has grabbed six or more rebounds in six of his last seven outings. Jeff Green and Marcus Morris are a couple of other power forwards that I like in his spot.
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Steven Adams: C @DEN ($6,300)
Adams is averaging 34.6 Draft Kings fantasy points over his last six games as he has failed to produce at least 30 fantasy point just one in the past 10 games. The 7-footer has played extremely well in December, scoring at least 20 points four times and pulling down six or more rebounds in each of the five contests. He is averaging 19.8 points along with 7.4 boards, 1.2 assists, 1.2 steals and one block during this period. Jarrett Allen, and Markieff Morris are also solid plays.
