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DraftKings Daily Fantasy Basketball Picks (12/31/18): NBA DFS Lineups

We have a five-game slate to kick off our NBA week and there are some great options at every position. You can go stars and scrubs build, you can go balanced tonight, there are soo many options across the board it should be a fun night to build lineups.

In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 12/31/18. 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 prior to opening tip. Give me a follow on Twitter @DFS_Tom with questions or comments. Good luck everyone.

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DraftKings DFS Guards

Stephen Curry - PG, GS @ PHO (DK - $9,600)

Curry and the Warriors are having a bit of a weird season, but they can end the calendar year on a high note since they are facing off against the Suns in a game where the over-under is set at 227 points. He comes in with a 32.4% usage rate, along with producing 1.38 fantasy points per minute this season, both of which are second highest on the team. The Suns are giving up 49 DraftKings points per game to point guards this season, which seventh worst in the league, making this an ideal to spot roster, Curry.

Austin Rivers, - SG, HOU vs MEM (DK - $4,900)

It was announced yesterday that Rivers is going to be getting the start for the Rockets tonight due to the injured Eric Gordon. He has posted 21 or more DraftKings points in each of his last two games with his new team, but those are both far below one fantasy point per minute. We know that he will always give up offensive usage to James Harden, so we are looking at Rivers as being a solid salary saver, who should be viable in cash games tonight.

 

DraftKings DFS Forwards

Robert Covington - SF, MIN @ NO (DK - $6,500)

Covington has posted 25 or more DraftKings points in eight of his last 10 games and is now facing off against the Pelicans, who are giving up 43 DraftKings points per game to small forwards, which is fifth worst in the league. We don't have an over-under yet for this game, but we should be looking at one that is higher than 220, so a spot to target with all of it's potential fantasy goodness. He should be good for any format tonight, due to the up pace and high-scoring nature of this game.

Jaren Jackson Jr. - PF, MEM @ HOU (DK - $5,300)

Jackson has produced at or above one fantasy point per minute in seven of his last 10 games and comes in under $6K tonight. It should be noted that his minutes have been fluctuating a bit, everywhere from 22 minutes up to 31. Generally, you want to avoid that type of randomness in cash games, so look to have him in your GPPs lineups tonight versus the Rockets, who are giving up 46 DraftKings points per game to power forwards.

 

DraftKings DFS Centers

Deandre Ayton - C, PHO vs GS (DK - $7,300)

Ayton has been absolutely balling as of late, with 48 DraftKings points or more in four of his last six games. Love seeing that level of production out of a rookie and now has another chance to replicate those numbers against the Warriors, in a game where the over-under is set at 227 points. He's probably not the best cash game option, but with the double-double upside he is showing recently, you should be looking to have him in your GPPs tonight, or even do a bit of a game stack here.

More Fantasy Basketball Analysis




REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Giannis Antetokounmpo

Magic Reportedly Have Giannis Antetokounmpo on Their Radar
Ajay Mitchell

Won't Play Sunday
Dylan Harper

Not on Injury Report for Game 4
De'Aaron Fox

Off the Injury Report Ahead of Game 4
Jalen Williams

Questionable for Sunday Night
Ja'Tavion Sanders

a Dynasty Dart Throw With Potential Untapped Upside
Geno Smith

a Low-Cost Dynasty Add Who Still Comes with Risk
C.J. Stroud

Still a Capable and Undervalued Dynasty QB2
Bhayshul Tuten

More Big Plays in 2026 Could Transform Bhayshul Tuten into a Dynasty Steal
Joe Mixon

Is Joe Mixon's NFL Career Over?
MLB

Orioles-Tigers Game Postponed on Saturday
RJ Harvey

to be Relegated to Third-Down Role After Rookie RB Addition?
Baker Mayfield

A Lot of Uncertainty Surrounding Baker Mayfield Going into Fourth Year in Tampa
Brian Robinson Jr.

a Must-Have Handcuff in Dynasty Leagues?
Sam LaPorta

Could be Excellent Buy-Low Candidate for Risk-Tolerant Managers
Jordyn Tyson

on a "Maintenance Plan" During Offseason Workouts
Kenneth Walker III

One of Dynasty's Biggest Risers for 2026
D'Andre Swift

an Underappreciated Dynasty Buy Candidate
Ray Davis

Still a Dynasty Stash Despite a Lack of Standalone Value
Travis Kelce

Now a Low-Cost Dynasty Rental
DJ Moore

a Reasonable Buy Candidate Now That Dynasty Market Has Cooled
MLB

Rays-Yankees Postponed on Saturday
Devin Vassell

Posts 20 Points in Game 3 Loss
De'Aaron Fox

Struggles From Deep in Friday's Loss
Victor Wembanyama

Held to Four Rebounds in Game 3 Loss
Jaylin Williams

Catches Fire From Deep Friday
Jared McCain

Drops Playoff-High 24 Points in Game 3
Nazem Kadri

Contributes an Assist in Losing Effort
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Guides Thunder to 2-1 Series Lead
Ajay Mitchell

Does Not Return in Game 3 Win
Ross Colton

Nets Lone Avalanche Goal Friday Night
Rasmus Andersson

Extends Assist Streak to Four Games
Pavel Dorofeyev

Focuses on Playmaking in Friday's Win
Jack Eichel

Enjoys Multi-Point Outing in Game 2 Win Friday
Ivan Barbashev

Amasses Three Points as Golden Knights Grab 2-0 Series Lead
Jordan James

Most Likely to be 49ers' RB2 in 2026
Mickey Moniak

Heads to Injured List With Ankle Sprain
Rudy Gobert

Earns Eighth All-Defensive First-Team Selection
Victor Wembanyama

Headlines 2025-26 All-Defensive First Team
Ajay Mitchell

Starting Game 3 Against Spurs
Dylan Harper

Available for Game 3 Against Thunder
De'Aaron Fox

Returns to Action Friday
Jalen Williams

Won't Play Friday Night
Derrick Henry

Remains in RB1 Discussion
Ladd McConkey

is Solid Buy-Low Candidate
Ryan Flournoy

an Intriguing Dynasty Stash Option
Jalen Nailor

is Expected to Have Larger Role in Las Vegas
Frederik Andersen

Hurricanes Keep Faith in Frederik Andersen
Devon Levi

Attracting Interest From Senators
Jacoby Brissett

Cardinals Not Close to a Reworked Deal
Scott Wedgewood

Starting Game 2 Against Golden Knights
Ben Hutton

Scratched for Game 2 Against Avalanche
Mark Stone

Won't Play Friday
Jackson Merrill

has Sore Ribs, Expected to Avoid Injured List
Cale Makar

Remains Out Friday
CFB

Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele Looking to Take Sophomore Leap
CFB

Jadan Baugh Primed to Lead Florida Offense in 2026
CFB

LSU Hires Ed Orgeron As Special Assistant
CFB

North Carolina and South Carolina Cancel Home-And-Home Series
CFB

Confidence High in Mississippi State's Kamario Taylor
MLB

Reds-Cardinals Game Postponed on Friday
Trevor Story

has Hernia Surgery, Expected to Miss 6-10 Weeks
Roman Anthony

Dealing With Sprained Ligament in his Finger
Evan Mobley

Fills the Box Score in Game 2 Loss
James Harden

Held to Two Assists Thursday
Donovan Mitchell

Leads Cavaliers in Scoring in Game 2 Defeat
Sebastian Aho

Picks Up an Assist in Series-Opening Loss
Seth Jarvis

Needs 33 Seconds to Score in Game 1 Loss
Jaccob Slavin

Struggles in Game 1 Against Canadiens
Jakub Dobes

Sharp in Game 1 Victory
Cole Caufield

Bags Two Points in Impressive Road Win
Juraj Slafkovsky

Opens Conference Finals With Three-Point Performance
Nick Suzuki

Notches Three Assists in Game 1 Win Over Hurricanes
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Exits Early, X-Rays Come Back Negative
Alex Tuch

Hopes to Remain in Buffalo
Sidney Crosby

Wants to Play for "as Many Years as Possible"
Robby Snelling

Will Undergo Tommy John Surgery
Jackson Merrill

Tweaks his Back on Wednesday, Pulled Early
CFB

Lincoln Riley Believes USC is Ready for Playoff Run
CFB

Notre Dame-Stanford Rivalry Renewed Through 2028
CFB

Ahmad Hardy Says He's "Back to the Road to Success"
CFB

Texas Tech Graduate Judge Recuses Himself from Brendan Sorsby Case
CFB

UCLA Tackle Jordan Davis Officially Eligible for 2026 Season
CFB

Bret Bielema Supports Significant College Football Playoff Expansion
Michael Thorbjornsen

Brings High Upside to CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Luke List

Carrying Poor Form Into CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Tom Kim

Hoping to Build on Strong Myrtle Beach Finish
PGA

Sungjae Im Brings Upside to TPC Craig Ranch
Billy Horschel

Looking for Turnaround at CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Adam Hadwin

Difficult to Trust at TPC Craig Ranch
Tony Finau

Looking for Consistency at TPC Craig Ranch
Luke Clanton

Searching for Form at CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Aaron Rai

Withdraws From CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Wyndham Clark

Can Wyndham Clark Find Form at CJ Cup?
Si Woo Kim

Looks To Stay Hot at CJ Cup
Scottie Scheffler

to Defend CJ Cup Byron Nelson Title This Week
Jordan Spieth

Looking For Victory at TPC Craig Ranch
PGA

Matti Schmid Looks to Keep Recent Momentum Going at TPC Craig Ranch
Brooks Koepka

a High-Upside Play at CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Yandy Díaz

Yandy Diaz Exits Early on Tuesday After Being Hit By Pitch
Chris Kirk

Continues Search For Putting Form at TPC Craig Ranch
Rasmus Hojgaard

Looking to Shake Off Poor Major Showing at TPC Craig Ranch
Joel Dahmen

is of No DFS Consideration This Week in Dallas
Pierceson Coody

is Not The Fun DFS Play He Used to Be
Gerrit Cole

to Make Season Debut on Friday Against Rays
Drake Baldwin

Braves Place Drake Baldwin on Injured List With Oblique Strain
CFB

Ezavier Crowell has Immediate Opportunity at Alabama
CFB

Mark Bowman a Day 1 Impact Player for USC?
CFB

Bill Belichick Says Relationship with First North Carolina Team "Wasn't Great"
CFB

Kemario Taylor a Breakout Candidate at Quarterback
CFB

Trinidad Chambliss the Undisputed Top SEC Quarterback Entering 2026?
CFB

Rocco Becht The "Unifier" of Penn State's Roster
Jackson Holliday

Orioles Reinstate Jackson Holliday From Injured List on Monday
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Braves Reinstate Ronald Acuna Jr. From Injured List on Monday
Jose Altuve

Astros Put Jose Altuve on Injured List With Oblique Strain
Corey Seager

Going on Injured List With Back Injury
Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Pena Reinstated and Starting on Monday Against Twins
Melquizael Costa

Drops Decision At UFC Vegas 117
Arnold Allen

Bounces Back
Daniel Santos

Suffers Second-Round TKO Loss
MMA

Dohoo Choi Wins His Third Consecutive Fight
Malcolm Wellmaker

Suffers His Second Loss In A Row
Juan Diaz

Scores Second-Round Submission
Christian Edwards

Defeated At UFC Vegas 117
CFB

Transfer Running Back Arnold Barnes Visiting Iowa State on Monday
Modestas Bukauskas

Gets Split-Decision Win
Jhostynxon Garcia

Expected to Join the Pirates on Tuesday
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF