RADIO
The NBA schedule has five games on the slate for Monday night. Did you know that three out of five have a 226 or more implied point total? You’ll have a smaller pool of players to choose from, but here are three tips on how to attack it.
First of all, it’s important to look at the pace and Vegas lines. Second, it’s also useful to understand the number of fantasy points a team gives up to a specific position. The final tip is to identify value plays which is critical with a small slate. You don’t have to necessarily go for the cheapest value, but you want to identify players who have a high floor and a high ceiling.
This article will supply you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 12/28/20. 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!
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DraftKings DFS Guards
James Harden - PG, HOU vs. DEN ($11,200)
Harden arrived late to camp, dealt with trade rumors, and played in only two preseason games, but delivered an epic performance on Saturday night against the Blazers. He scored 44 points, accumulated four rebounds, and 17 assists. Harden had a True Shooting Percentage of 76%. This metric measures shooting efficiency by taking into account field goals, three-pointers, and free throws. Harden had a Usage Rate of 34.6%. This metric is an estimate of the percentage of team plays used by a player while he was on the floor. This trend will continue considering the caliber of the supporting cast the Rockets have around Harden. The bearded dynamo takes on a Nuggets defense that’s a tough matchup on paper, but no other point guard on the slate has a higher ceiling than Harden. This game has a high 228-point implied total.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - PG, OKC vs. UTA ($8,000)
Gilgeous-Alexander scored 24 points to go along with seven rebounds, nine assists, and one block against the Hornets on Saturday. He played 34 minutes, finished with a True Shooting Percentage of 49%, and a Usage Rate of 36%. Gilgeous-Alexander should continue to accumulate a high number of minutes and usage against the Jazz in a plus matchup.
Killian Hayes - PG, DET vs. ATL ($4,200)
Were you aware that Hayes has only played 19 and 21 minutes in each of the Pistons for two games? He’s only accumulated 10 points, four rebounds, and five assists during that time frame. This is disappointing because the Pistons are winless and head coach Dwane Casey is not allowing the team’s seventh overall pick to develop as a professional by not providing a steady dose of minutes. This could change against a Hawks team that has been a DraftKings fantasy points bonanza for offensive players. Hayes is a very good value play.
Bonus Guards: Mike Conley ($6,300), Delon Wright ($4,600), Caris Levert ($6,600)
DraftKings DFS Forwards
John Collins - PF/C, ATL vs. DET ($7,600)
Collins finished with 13 points, 10 rebounds, one steal, and two blocks in 27 minutes against the Grizzlies on Saturday. He was limited by foul trouble early in the first half and only played 27 minutes. Collins will go nuclear sooner rather than later especially with Clint Capela still recovering from an Achilles injury. The Pistons have been a favorable matchup for power forwards so far this season. Collins has the ceiling to finish as an elite fantasy option on Monday especially with LeBron James and Kevin Durant possibly being rested due to back to backs.
Montrezl Harrell - PF/C, LAL vs. POR ($7,600)
Harrell only played 19 minutes against the Timberwolves last night. He finished with 12 points, one rebound two assists, a steal, and a block while shooting 60% from the field. Back on Christmas Day, he played 28 minutes against the Mavericks. Harrell finished with 22 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and a steal while shooting 77% from the field. His Usage Rate this season is currently at 20.3%. The reigning Sixth Man of the Year will continue to see a high number of minutes and post significant numbers on a nightly basis. Harrell has a favorable matchup against the Blazers.
Michael Porter Jr. - SF/PF, DEN vs. HOU ($6,500)
Nikola Jokic mentioned to the media that the Nuggets need to do a better job of getting the basketball in the hands of Porter. The Nuggets have opened the season with back to back losses as the team continues to gel. Porter was able to score 24 points on 15 shots back on December 23rd, but only scored 10 points on nine shots during the Nuggets game on Christmas Day. The second-year forward has a True Shooting percentage of 66.7% and a Usage Rate of 22.5%. Porter can create fantasy points in a variety of ways and has notable offensive upside. All of the dots will be connected for him against the Rockets. Houston has allowed a high number of DraftKing fantasy points this season to small forwards.
Bonus Forwards: Al Hortford ($6,000), Jerami Grant ($5,900), Robert Covington ($5,200)
DraftKings DFS Centers
Christian Wood - C, HOU vs. DEN ($7,200)
Wood has been touted this offseason as a top-flight center in fantasy and he delivered in the Rockets season opener. He finished with 31 points, 13 rebounds, and three assists against the Blazers. Were you aware that Wood was one point and rebound short of his career-highs in those statistical areas? His Usage Rate of 28% was very encouraging and that should continue this season especially while DeMarcus Cousins and John Wall are out. Wood should continue to go boom against the Nuggets considering the number of points and rebounds the team has allowed to opposing centers so far this season.
Jusuf Nurkic - C, POR vs. LAL ($6,800)
Nurkic only scored 12 points against the Rockets on Saturday. He made five of 11 field goals and two of six free throws. Nurkic also accumulated 11 rebounds, six assists, and one block in 35 minutes. His Usage Rate of 22% is just inside the top-10 among centers this season. Nurkic has the ability to accumulate fantasy production in multiple ways which is very valuable. The Lakers aren’t the ideal matchup for him, but he has a very high floor and ceiling considering his salary.
Bonus Centers: Rudy Gobert ($7,400), Mason Plumlee ($5,700), Jarrett Allen ($5,800), Enes Kanter ($4,300)
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