DraftKings Daily Fantasy Basketball Picks (12/27/20): NBA DFS Lineups

The NBA season continues with an excellent slate of nine games on Sunday. Were you aware that seven out of nine games have a 225 or more implied point total? This provides you with an abundance of players to choose from as you build lineups.

Keep an eye on news surrounding Russell Westbrook. Head coach Scott Brooks said he was unsure if the veteran guard would be rested on Sunday against the Magic. The original plan was for him to sit in one of back to back sets. If Westbrook sits out, then Bradley Beal could become one of the most popular plays on the slate.

This article will supply you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 12/27/20. You can also check out today’s FanDuel lineup picks. It’s also important to monitor injury news as a result of COVID-19 as the slate can completely change before line-up lock. Without further ado, let’s dive into the picks!

DraftKings DFS Guards

Stephen Curry - PG, GSW vs. CHI ($9,300)

Curry has accumulated 39 points, eight rebounds, 16 assists, three steals, and 80 DraftKings points in two games this season. He’s averaging 29.5 minutes per game with a True Shooting Percentage of only 46.4%. This metric is a measure of shooting efficiency that takes into account field goals, three-point field goals, and free throws. Curry’s Usage Rate of 30.6% is very encouraging. The Warriors led the NBA in pace entering Saturday’s slate of games, but it hasn’t translated into points. Golden State’s shooting will eventually catch up to their kinetic pace and that could start against the Bulls' porous defense as the team seeks its first win of the season. This game has a high 227-point implied total. 

Zach LaVine - SG, CHI vs. GSW ($7,900)

The Bulls are off to a rough start this season with back to back losses. Chicago continues to look out of sync, but LaVine has finished as the Bulls’ leading scorer in each of the Bulls' first two games. The veteran guard has shot 47% from the field. New head coach Billy Donovan entered this season wanting to play at a higher tempo this season. LaVine will continue to be the focal point of the Bulls. He and his teammates will be busy trying to keep up with the Warriors. LaVine has one of the highest ceilings of any guards on the slate. 

De’Aaron Fox - PG, SAC vs. PHX ($8,100)

Fox had 24 points, five rebounds, seven assists, a steal, and two blocks last night against the Suns. The 23-year old guard played 35 minutes. This was the Kings' first 2-0 start since the 2003-2004 season. Fox has a True Shooting Percentage of 57% this season and a Usage Rate of 26%. He should continue to thrive as the Kings face the Suns again on Sunday night. This game has a high 226-point implied total. 

Bonus Guards: Devonte’ Graham ($6,500), Lonzo Ball ($6,200), Eric Bledsoe ($5,800), Terrence Ross ($4,700) 

DraftKings DFS Forwards

Giannis Antetokounmpo - PF/C, MIL vs. NY ($10,500)

Antetokounmpo scored 15 points, accumulated 13 rebounds and four assists against the Warriors on Christmas Day. He has a True Shooting Percentage of 50% this season along with a Usage Rate of 38.5% through two games. Antetokounmpo will continue to be the focal point of the Bucks offense and has the ability to accumulate stats across multiple statistical categories. He faces a Knicks team on Sunday that will not be able to contain him defensively.  

Khris Middleton - SF, MIL vs. NY ($7,800)

Middleton has emerged as the No. 2 option offensively for the Bucks even with the addition of Jrue Holiday. He scored 31 points, accumulated five assists, four rebounds, and two steals in just 26 minutes against the Warriors on Christmas Day. Did you know that Middleton has scored 29 or more points in two consecutive games this season? He has a True Shooting Percentage of 74.4% and a Usage Rate of 28%. Middleton will continue to be viable against the Knicks. 

Tobias Harris SF/PF, PHI vs. CLE ($6,600)

Harris has gotten off to a slow start this season despite averaging 30.5 minutes per game in two games this season. He has a True Shooting percentage of only 45.8% through two games. Harris did play better against the Knicks last night. He recorded 17 points, five rebounds, two assists, and two blocks. Harris made seven out of 14 field goals against the Knicks and should continue to thrive against the Cavaliers on Sunday. As a gentle reminder, he averaged a career-high 16.3 field goals per game last season. 

Bonus Forwards: DeMar DeRozan ($7,300), Gordon Hayward ($7,100), Kelly Oubre Jr. ($6,000), Marvin Bagley III ($5,700)

DraftKings DFS Centers

Joel Embiid - C, PHI vs. CLE ($9,800)

Embiid feasted against the Knicks on Saturday night to the tune of 27 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block. He did it all in only 31 minutes. Embiid has a Usage Rate of 31.2% this season along with a Player Efficiency Rating (PER) of 33.7. PER sums up all a player's positive accomplishments, subtracts the negative accomplishments, and returns a per-minute rating of a player's performance. Embiid will continue to see heavy usage and contribute across multiple categories. He’s worth the salary investment at the center position. 

Nikola Vucevic - C, ORL vs. WAS ($8,300)

Vucevic finished Saturday’s game with 22 points, 17 rebounds, three assists, and two steals. He has a Usage Rate of 27% this season with his second consecutive double-double. Were you aware that Vucevic ranks eighth in the NBA last season with 41 double-doubles last season? It has been encouraging to see him shoot more three-pointers this season. Vucevic provides players with a very high floor and one of the highest ceilings on the slate against the Wizards. This game has a high 227.5-point implied total. 

Bonus Centers: Steven Adams ($5,800), Myles Turner ($6,100), James Wiseman ($6,660), Bismack Biyombo ($3,800)

NBA DFS News and Injury Alerts

More DFS Lineup Picks and Analysis