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The top daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on December 27, 2018. Leonard Francis II provides NBA DFS analysis and sleeper picks for building optimal DFS rosters.
Happy Holidays!
Nine of the league's top teams -- and the Knicks -- are in action tonight in what makes for an intriguing five-game slate. If you haven't heard, LeBron James (groin) is set to miss his first game as a Laker meaning Kyle Kuzma and Brandon Ingram should see a boost in production. Thing is, they're also likely to be among the most widely owned. Not that this is a bad thing (both should meet or exceed expectations) but the goal here is to not epitomize Captain Obvious.
Per usual, I'll be focusing on the mid-to-lower-priced options in hopes of providing you the essential lineup fillers needed to optimize your DraftKings lineup. I find no value in detailing the ways in which Giannis Antetokounmpo is good at playing basketball, and while Kuzma and Ingram lead the list of values plays, fortunately, the list of players who should provide a solid return on investment doesn't end there. PS - be sure to take a look at the injury updates prior to the opening tip.
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DraftKings DFS Guards
Malcolm Brogdon - PG/SG, vs. NY ($5,300)
Much of the success of this Bucks team is attributed to the Greek Freak. Rightfully so. However, it's been the superb play of his sidekicks which has been a major key in Milwaukee sitting second in the league at 23-10. Brogdon might just be Robin.
These two squads are on the second-half of a home-and-home, and the first half saw Brogdon put up 17 points, seven rebounds, four assists, two steals, and a block on Christmas Day. He's recorded double-figure points in all but four games this season, and with the Knicks being one of the worst defensive teams in the league, it's not likely he'll make it a fifth tonight.
Austin Rivers - PG/SG, vs. BOS ($3,400)
The Rockets have been ravaged by injury, and if Rivers' 30-minute Christmas debut is any indication, he'll see plenty of run as a result. With Chris Paul and James Ennis sidelined, Brandon Knight on a minutes restriction, and James Harden dealing with a calf issue, Rivers finds himself in a good spot to build on his 10-point, two-rebound, one-assist premiere. Yes, the Celtics are stout defensively, but opportunity reigns supreme.
DraftKings DFS Forwards
Joe Ingles - SG/SF, vs. PHI ($5,700)
Ingles won't have many sets run for him. In fact, he's tied with Georges Niang for 10th on the team in usage. However, his 4.8 assists per game are good for eighth among forwards and just 0.3 fewer than the Slovenian wonderboy Luka Doncic, his 1.6 steals are good for ninth at the position -- the 76ers average more turnovers than all but four teams -- and while he's far from a beast on the boards, he's pulling down just under four per game. He'll get his shots, but it's the ancillary box score fillers which make him a value tonight given the tough matchup.
Bogdan Bogdanovic - SG/SF, vs. LAL ($5,700)
This Lakers/Kings game has the highest implied point total of the evening (231), and both of these squads rank in the Top-5 in pace - I doubt there will be a lack of offense. De'Aaron Fox and Buddy Hield are the headliners in Sacramento, but Bogdanovic has been a solid source of value in his sophomore campaign averaging 15 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game. Like Ingles, he's a consistent contributor across the stat sheet, and after factoring his scoring ability, I wouldn't be the least bit surprised to see him conclude the evening with the little red flame on top of his score.
DraftKings DFS Centers
Ivica Zubac - C, at SAC ($5,400)
JaVale McGee has missed the Lakers last five after coming down with pneumonia and it seems likely he'll miss his sixth:
Zubac has started the last three games in McGee's absence - averaging an impressive 17.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks. Not only are the points tied with Kuzma for second on the team to LeBron over that three-game stretch, but he's managed to put up a double-double in two of those contests while averaging 37.2 DraftKings fantasy points.
