RADIO
The NBA’s Christmas Day slate comes with an added intensity during 2020, as the season remains in its infancy. As has become tradition, five games featuring 10 of the league’s premier squads and stars take center stage on the holiday.
With that comes a bushel of talent. There are enough high-priced stars to build endless lineups around whomever fantasy managers favor, so today’s piece will be focused on complementary pieces, even more so than usual. Offensive output is to be expected with all five games facing a total of at least 223.5 points. Hopefully everyone enjoys both the holiday and the hoops, so let’s dig in.
This article will provide you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 12/25/20. You can also check out today's FanDuel lineup picks. With COVID-19 a significant factor globally, remember to monitor injury news as the slate can completely change before line-up lock.
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DraftKings DFS Guards
Donte Divincenzo - PG/SG, MIL vs. GS ($4,700)
Now entrenched among the starting five at the two-guard spot for Milwaukee, DiVincenzo has seen his role increase to begin the year. A true multi-category contributor, he managed to get up 11 shots (making six) in 27 minutes versus a strong Boston defense, which bodes well for his chances of success against a Warriors defense that lacks lockdown wing defenders. With the projected points total sitting at 232 as of Christmas Eve, getting hands to as many members of the Warriors/Bucks that are set to play key roles could be paramount in GPP formats.
Duncan Robinson - SG, MIA vs. NO ($4,400)
Having become renowned as one of the game’s premier sharpshooters during the Heat’s run to the NBA Finals last season, Robinson figures to be a hot commodity across the five-game Christmas slate, and with good reason. After going 3-for-6 from deep in his season opener Wednesday, he now draws a Pelicans team that finished tied for second in the NBA last year in pace, which should allow him additional looks from long range. In New Orleans’ first game to open 2020-21, they allowed the Raptors to fire up 46 three-point attempts, a frequency that could play into Robinson’s favor.
Jeff Teague - PG, BOS vs. BKN ($4,200)
The Celtics appear content to roll with Teague as the leader of the second unit, but after a sterling performance in his team debut Wednesday, his value potential is considerable versus a fast-paced Brooklyn group. Teague knocked down all four triples that he attempted against Milwaukee, and while he may not get first unit run to maximize his assist potential, his minutes should remain in the 25-28 department, which makes him a more than serviceable option at the guard spot.
DraftKings DFS Forwards
Jaylen Brown - SG/SF, BOS vs. BKN ($7,000)
It’s virtually impossible to ignore Brown in the wake of his 33-point performance Wednesday, especially in light of his flexible price tag and positional usage. Brooklyn and Boston appear destined for an up-tempo affair much in the same ilk of the Celtics’ last contest, which should give Brown the chance to excel across the stat sheet. In four games versus the Nets last season, Brown averaged a 116 oRTG, which was an above-average increase from his overall yearly number (110). In the two most recent meetings, Brown exceeded the 20-point mark and fired up nine three-point attempts, a likely indicator of the role in the offense that he’ll continue to play with Kemba Walker (knee) sidelined.
Montrezl Harrell - PF/C, LAL vs. DAL ($6,000)
Harrell’s first game in purple and gold solidified the assumption that his tenacious style of play would carry over to the Lakers’ second unit and lead to considerable production. While the Clippers boasted a stout interior, Harrell managed to compile 17 points and 10 rebounds; his matchup Friday against Dallas boasts less interior concerns with no obvious challenger to Harrell’s yeoman-like attitude to the glass. Even more reassuring was the role that he played, getting up seven shots and shooting seven free throws while headlining the second unit, a role that he should reprise moving forward.
Paul Millsap - PF/C, DEN vs. LAC ($4,900)
While the strong showings from Nikola Jokic and Michael Porter Jr. dominated headlines for the Nuggets coming out of Wednesday’s season opener, Millsap also put together a premier showing indicative of his upside. Last season, Millsap’s season high in minutes played was 35, which he reached on three occasions; he played 36 minutes out of the gate versus the Kings, which allowed him to pack the stat sheet and be a multi-category operator. In the same ilk, he fired up 13 shot attempts in the opening game, a mark that he reached just seven times in 51 contests last year. An aggressive Millsap is a fantasy relevant Millsap, one who could factor into Friday’s crowded slate as a low-priced forward that balances out high-priced stars.
DraftKings DFS Centers
Zion Williamson - PF/C, NO @ MIA ($8,100)
The sky remains the proverbial limit for Williamson as he kicks off his second pro season, making a statement in his first game that double-doubles may be coming with a larger frequency now that he has his feet under him. After logging just two double-doubles in 24 games as a rookie, Williamson went for 15 points and 10 rebounds in Game 1, all while shooting 7-for-9 from the field. The 1-for-4 performance from the free-throw stripe and six turnovers are reason for pause, but from a DFS perspective, they’re also reason for encouragement that his deficiencies can be rectified moving forward. Having snared four offensive boards Wednesday, his intensity has clearly been ramped up, and with the national spotlight of a Christmas Day game, Williamson should be oozing with intrigue.
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