DraftKings Daily Fantasy Basketball Picks (12/9/18): NBA DFS Lineups

The top daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on December 9, 2018. Jake Finnen provides NBA DFS analysis and sleeper picks for building optimal DFS rosters.

We aren't messing around today with some serious rivalry games. They may not have a ton of history, but both the Raptors and Bucks are fighting for a top spot in the East these games could absolutely determine a tiebreaker. While the Raptors do have the talent to make this game high-scoring and competitive, I have faith that Milwaukee's big three will be too much. I'm banking on Kawhi Leonard to have a big game, and there is almost no reason to fade any superstar in this game. The defense will be tight on every player, but time and time again each one has shown why defense doesn't matter.

If you know DFS and pay attention to the pace of games, you already know why Spurs-Jazz is a rivalry game. It's basically that Spiderman meme if it was a basketball game. LaMarcus Aldridge meets an up-trending Derrick Favors. Rudy Gay meet Jae Crowder and Rudy Gobert. Ok, so this isn't saying DeMar DeRozan is worse than Joe Ingles, but seeing how they are the best wings on their respective teams...DeMar DeRozan meet Joe Ingles. Rudy Gobert is the major imbalance in this game and could be where the usage lies so do not hesitate to roster him. Hopefully, most players will be scared off by the Spurs top-15 defense versus opposing centers. For the Knicks-Hornets game, Kemba Walker, Enes Kanter, Jeremy Lamb round off my players you need to consider playing. I do know I skipped over the early game between the Pelicans-Pistons.

In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 12/9/18. 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 before the opening tip.

DraftKings DFS Guards

Ricky Rubio - PG, at SA ($6,300)

If you are stuck in the awkward middle ground, where you want to pull away from another superstar to get Kyle Lowry, but can only afford Ricky Rubio, stick with Rubio. Lowry has upside every night, but Eric Bledsoe is not an easy match. Compare this to Rubio going against the likes of Bryn Forbes and Patty Mills, and you might as well go with Rubio since he has much more upside. Rubio is already a consistent facilitator, so his floor is fairly high, so add in the fact that the guards he will be facing seriously struggle with on-ball defense and the upside favors Rubio over Lowry.

Danny Green - SG/SF, vs. MIL ($4,000)

If you are already planning to stack this game and want value, here it is. You will be banking on Green having another high-scoring night because he is very point/three dependent, but he absolutely rises to the occasion in big games like this. The Bucks don't have many gaps in their defense, but there is a glaring 29th versus opposing shooting guards stat staring me in the face. Last game Danny Green only took two shots in 34 minutes. That's the fewest shots he has taken in a Raptor uniform. Toronto lost, and I'm not saying that's part of the reason but expect him to take closer to nine or 10 shots tonight, an increase from the six he took last game against the Bucks.

DraftKings DFS Forwards

Mario Hezonja - SF/PF, vs. CHA ($3,200)

This is such a bold pick, and I'm still not over the fact that Mario Hezonja thought stepping over Giannis Antetokounmpo was a good idea, but confidence is confidence. Luckily for whoever plays Hezonja, he always takes shots whether they are good or bad. Sadly it determines his minutes but you never know, he has been able to put together multiple 15 point games this season. I highly doubt the Hornets plan anything around Hezonja so look for him to get plenty of opportunities. I have about 70% faith in this pick, and honestly, I'm going to ride it out for the sake of him possibly being an under-the-radar sleeper pick tonight.

Pascal Siakam - PF/C, vs. MIL ($6,000)

I would prefer to put Serge Ibaka here, but that is riskier seeing how Ibaka is only relevant when he is hitting it's hard to value him over the more versatile Pascal Siakam. The Bucks frontcourt isn't bad defensively, but they will struggle to stay with Siakam in the post. He will get his backdoor cut opportunities and chances to score on his own so once again, don't fade him just because you stacked this game. There should be a ton of points to go around, and this game might not go into overtime, but the key players and shooters will be seeing a ton of usage and time on the court. Siakam and Ibaka can play together, but I would suggest Siakam due to his higher level of energy and recent consistency.

DraftKings DFS Center

Cody Zeller - PF/C, at NY ($4,000) 

I trust Enes Kanter to hit his projected, but that shouldn't keep Zeller from double-doubling in his minutes. Zeller is in elite company when it comes to upside because he can rebound against anyone. He can defend at a high level, and to top it off, he is part of a Hornets rotation that has played more minutes than any other 5-man lineup. The minutes will be there, and he is actually the second-best big playing in this game, only behind the widely-known, DFS-stud Enes Kanter. His price, along with Danny Green's and Mario Hezonja frees up the rest of your lineup to go in whatever direction your heart desires. Have fun with it tonight.

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