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The top daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on December 31, 2019. Dale Johnson provides NBA DFS analysis and sleeper picks for building optimal DFS rosters.
Injuries have been a common theme in recent slates and this will continue Tuesday with Luka Doncic (heel/back), James Harden (toe), Clint Capela (heel), Dennis Schroder (ankle), Jaylen Brown (illness), D'Angelo Russell (illness), Malcolm Brogdon (hamstring), Paul Millsap (quad) and Tim Hardaway Jr. (hamstring) all on the injury report.
Tuesday is a little wonky with a two-game "early" slate, a featured four-game "night" slate and a game in between. For this article, we will focus on the featured four-game slate for Tuesday night.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 12/31/19. You can also check out today's FanDuel lineup picks. Remember to monitor injury news as the slate can completely change before line-up lock.
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DraftKings DFS Guards
DeMar DeRozan - SG/SF, SA v. GS ($7,100)
DeRozan may be in the midst of his best stretch this season, yet his DraftKings price tag has not increased much. Over his past four games, DeRozan has knocked down an incredible 71.4 percent of his shots for averages of 25.0 points, 6.3 assists, and 4.0 rebounds. Over this stretch, DeRozan posted at 20 points and 30 DraftKings fantasy points in each game. He now gets to face an undermanned Warriors team at home. The Warriors have already ruled out D'Angelo Russell (illness) and Willie Cauley-Stein (illness) for Tuesday's game. The Warriors are also ranked 21st in fantasy points allowed to opposing shooting guards this year. DeRozan will look to keep up his hot shooting.
Damion Lee - SG/SF, GS @ SA ($6,300)
Lee is having a career-saving stretch right now in the middle of his two-way contract. Lee has posted at least 29.0 DraftKings fantasy points in five straight games and recorded a double-double in two of his past three. The Warriors are shorthanded yet again in the absence of D'Angelo Russell (illness) and Willie Cauley-Stein (illness) for Tuesday's game, leaving a ton of usage on the court here. Lee has been dominant on the boards, even with Cauley-Stein on the court, so this only helps his cause even further. Lee is on track for another 35+ minutes Tuesday and is almost a shoo-in for a double-double. Lee will be a popular option in this slate.
DraftKings DFS Forwards
Isaiah Hartenstein - PF/C, HOU v. DEN ($5,400)
Hartenstein has burst onto the fantasy scene in the absence of Clint Capela (heel). In the past two contests without Capela, Hartenstein put up an average of 14.0 points, 11.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.0 blocks per game. Capela is listed as questionable for this game and is in danger of missing his third straight. Hartenstein's fantasy value is directly tied to Capela's health and only a recommended play if Capela sits again.
Jerami Grant - PF/C, DEN @ HOU ($4,600)
Here is another player who has taken advantage of recent opportunity. Grant started Sunday in place of Paul Millsap (quad) and posted 18 points, two three-pointers, two rebounds, two blocks and a steal which was good for 26.50 DraftKings fantasy points. With Millsap already ruled out ahead of Tuesday's contest against the Rockets, Grant is in prime position to start again. Houston has given up the sixth-most DraftKings fantasy points to opposing forwards this season. The Rockets are also second in the league in pace which could bode well for the athletic, high-flying Grant. There is a chance Denver decides to start Mason Plumlee, but Grant is the more likely starter due to his recent performances and the match up. Grant's fantasy value is much higher as a starter Tuesday.
DraftKings DFS Centers
Nikola Jokic - C, DEN @ HOU ($9,300)
With a ton of uncertainty in this featured slate, it is hard to ignore Jokic at the center position. What more is there to say about how good he has been? Jokic is nearly averaging a triple-double this month with 20.0 points, 9.5 rebounds, 7.7 assists and 1.6 three-pointers per game. He recorded four triple-doubles this month alone, yet it feels as if he's had one every time he touches the floor. Jokic faces a Houston squad who may be missing their defensive anchor Clint Capela (heel). In the past two games without Capela, the Rockets gave up 12 points and 16 rebounds to Derrick Favors and 16 points and 12 rebounds to Jarrett Allen. Jokic is in a great spot to build around in this slate.
