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DraftKings Daily Fantasy Basketball Picks (8/22/20): NBA DFS Lineups

The top daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on August 22, 2020. Jake Finnen provides NBA DFS analysis and sleeper picks for building optimal DFS rosters.

At one point last night, the air was sucked out of everyone's lungs, and all watching Mavericks-Clippers feared the worst. When Luka Doncic went down holding his ankle, barely able to put weight on it as he left the court, a speedy exit meant a quick return for the young king. It was deemed just an ankle sprain, and while he did try to come back into the game, albeit too late, it still meant that the Mavericks had a chance. Doncic is the reason the Mavericks are winning right now, and it's hard not to want him to continue to succeed. Luckily he has a day off, but Game 4 is right around the corner and leg injuries and basketball players do not mix well. We all hope for a fast recovery.

With the games being played, there was a pretty obvious trend. If you play it safe, the right players are there. You do not have to spend up to make a well-rounded roster, just lacking those big-time superstars always makes you feel like you are going to miss out. Rather than my usual super-value plays, expect some more mid-level options that are set to make a serious splash Saturday.

Without further ado, here are our daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 8/22/20. You can also check out today's FanDuel lineup picks. Remember to monitor injury news as the slate can completely change before lock.

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DraftKings DFS Guards

Chris Paul - PG, vs. HOU ($7,800)

The first player I noticed was Chris Paul. After last game, I don't see any regression, and if you like to take player's words for it, Paul has already talked about himself stepping up even more than he has already. If you want to take that as a sign, which I did, then Paul at just $7,800 doesn't seem too terrible. Especially seeing how the reality of the fact, that Oklahoma City's offense is stagnant without Paul and hitting 3's late in the game should give him more than enough confidence to start Game 3 off the way he ended Game 2. If his price were higher, I'd consider him an easy fade, but I think at below $8K he at least exceeds his projected.

Yes, you can also play Shai Gilgeous-Alecander here as well, both are viable based on how the Thunder offense operates.

 

Justin Holiday  - SG, vs. MIA ($4,100)

The Holiday name doesn't really resonate negatively with DFS players, but Justin Holiday is significantly less of a consistent option. Usually he has a good game every two games or so, but playing against the Heat, Nate McMillan has clearly found something he likes about the matchup. Playing Holiday forces the Heat to take more contested jumpers and forces them to stay home on rebounds more often than they would like to. Since the battle between Bam Adebayo and Myles Turner has become more impactful, other players are having to step up in terms of rebounding and play defense in the paint.

Holiday isn't a paint presence, but he does all those little things the Pacers need right now. Since Holiday plays defense and has shown the ability to score in bunches, playing him alongside Victor Oladipo, Malcolm Brogdon, T.J. Warren, and Myles Turner makes complete sense.

Gary Trent Jr. - SG/SF, vs. LAL ($4,800)

His price shouldn't be this high based on his history against the Lakers, but every game he seems to be slowly figuring things out. He shined before playoffs, and the atmosphere has made an immediate impact on his efficiency. His confidence doesn't look shot, but he does seem slightly more hesitant in terms of producing. Last game was a step in the right direction, and regression hasn't happened with Trent since the bubble started. He's young and will have bad games, but as long as he is getting minutes for this Portland team, and considering they need offense to help Damian Lillard, I expect his production to only go up as the series progresses.

 

DraftKings DFS Forwards

Danuel House Jr. - SF/PF, vs. OKC ($4,700)

Similar to Justin Holiday, just with more upside and consistency, Danuel House Jr. is going to be heavily played today. After improving every game, last game was a defining moment for House and DFS players. He might not focus on statistical output, but he focuses on the things that lead to stats, three's and rebounds. That it his calling card and the Thunder are struggling to really contain that aspect of his game. Oklahoma City cannot afford to lose, but more importantly, they can't afford to gameplan for House with the rest of the Rockets starters. Until Russell Westbrook comes back, House is an easy play, especially at that price.

Terrence Ross- SG/SF, vs. MIL ($5,000)

Does anyone else look at Terrence Ross' game log and see if they can notice the every other game trend? Just me? Ok. Regardless, there is only so much to be said about Ross at this point in DFS' lifespan. He's been around for forever and hasn't really changed his style. You know what you are getting when you play him, but you also know that if you play him on a night where he is hitting, he is, without a doubt one of the best plays that night. Call it a hunch, but Ross didn't play well last game after playing well the game before, and wouldn't you know he didn't play well the game before that, despite playing well the game before THAT. You see where I'm going with this.

Jusuf Nurkic - PF/C, vs. LAL ($8,900)

Jusuf Nurkic might have won Game 1, but he lost Game 2 handily and Anthony Davis made it known what exactly Nurkic has to overcome. It's a steep mountain, but the Blazers don't have a choice, especially if Damian Lillard isn't 100% because of his finger. Nurkic needs to repeat his Game 1 figures and that means he needs to step up his game on the rebounding end more than anything. Nurkic dominated from the jump Game 1, grabbing every rebound he could. Game 2 was a different story and he was out-hustled. Not really a knock being out-hustled by Anthony Davis, but if Portland wants to win, they need more from Nurkic. Expect them to look for him more often than the previous two games.

 

DraftKings DFS Centers

Bam Adebayo - C, vs. MIA ($7,300)

Even though Bam Adebayo was busy dealing with Myles Turned all game, his stats suffered and he price took a minor dive. Even though he will still be guarding Turner, the Heat were extremely lucky they were shooting hot from the field and Duncan Robinson carried most of the offense. Miami doesn't need to get Adebayo involved, but the more they do, and they more freedom he has to take the ball up and work in the post just multiplies his upside. I'm not saying he has Turner figured out, but based on last game, Adebayo is ready for a heavy defensive workload combined with offensive output.

Brook Lopez - C, vs. ORL ($5,300)

Brook Lopez is shooting well and the rest of the Bucks aren't. It's a simple play and the only downside is whether Lopez is actually hitting. Seeing how this is playoffs and Lopez is one of those players that shines in that envireoment more than shying away, its no surprise that he is one of the more productive options Milwaukee has. If Khris Middleton can't find his stroke, the Bucks have no choice but to resort to outside shooting from their tallest player. The price won't kill your salary, but know the risk, upside, and that Lopez is absolutely a focal point of the Bucks offense. The downside is minimized and that's just science.

 

Good luck to everyone in their NBA DraftKings contests!

NBA DFS News and Injury Alerts

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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

KaVontae Turpin

Arrested on Two Charges
Cole Ragans

to Begin Throwing on Monday
Theo Johnson

Prioritizing his Health this Offseason
Andrés Giménez

Andres Gimenez Hits 10-Day Injured List
Jermaine Burton

Continues to Show Growth
NHL

Hendrix Lapierre Signs One-Year Deal with Capitals
Carson Hocevar

Should DFS Players Consider Carson Hocevar for Chicago Lineups?
Tye Kartye

Kraken Re-Sign Tye Kartye for Two Years
Ross Chastain

May be A Decent DFS Option for Chicago Lineups
Dmitri Voronkov

Signs Two-Year, $8.35 Million Extension with Blue Jackets
Ryan Preece

Should DFS Players Roster Ryan Preece at Chicago?
Austin Dillon

Is Too Great of A Risk to Add to Chicago Lineups
Zane Smith

Is A Value Play Worth Rostering At Chicago
Austin Hill

is A Favorable Value Option for Chicago DFS Lineups
Ty Dillon

Is Ty Dillon A Decent Driver to Add For NASCAR DFS At Chicago?
William Byron

Qualifying Crash Makes William Byron a Likely DFS Must-Have
Alex Bowman

Should Finish Well, but Probably Costs Too Much for Serious DFS Consideration
Joey Logano

Has Been Relatively Mediocre on Road Courses Lately
Ryan Blaney

Doesn't Really Fit Neatly into Optimal DFS Lineups
Austin Cindric

Remains an Overrated Road Racer
Brad Keselowski

Likely to Brush Past Chicago Street Course to Focus on Daytona
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John H. Nemechek One of the Best Underdog Options After Strong Runs at Mexico City and Last Year
Cole Custer

Strong Mexico City Run and Xfinity Series Chicago Win Make Him a Solid DFS Option
Erik Jones

Likely Not Good Enough on Road Courses for DFS Consideration Despite Poor Qualifying Result
Noah Gragson

May Be Better Than Other Cheap DFS Options
Riley Herbst

Despite Decent Mexico City Run, Don't Expect Riley Herbst to Contend at Chicago
Cody Ware

Is a Road Course Veteran, but It's Rarely Helped Him in NASCAR
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Is The Heavy Favorite to Win at Chicago Street Course
Christopher Bell

Should Be Strong Despite Practice Struggles at Chicago Street Course
Cam Ward

"Not Expecting" to be handed Starting Job
Chase Claypool

Eager to Get Back on the Field
Wyatt Langford

Activated, Playing on Saturday
Jay Huff

on the Move to Indiana
Cam Whitmore

Wizards Acquire Cam Whitmore from the Rockets
LaJohntay Wester

Stands out on Special Teams
Clarke Schmidt

Likely to Undergo Tommy John Surgery
Nolan Arenado

Scratched from Saturday's Lineup
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Starting on Saturday
Corbin Carroll

Activated from 10-Day Injured List
Cincinnati Bengals

Shemar Stewart, Bengals Continue Contract Talks, No Progress Made
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Potential Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade may not Happen Until "August, September"
Ha-Seong Kim

Removed Early During Season Debut
ARI

Christian Fischer Retires From NHL at 28
NHL

Spencer Martin Moves to Russia
WAS

Anthony Beauvillier Re-Signs With Capitals for Two Years
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Sitting Out With Foot Issue
Isaiah Neyor

Impresses at Minicamp
Houston Rockets

Jock Landale Waived by Rockets
Bo Bichette

Back in Blue Jays Lineup
Jonas Valančiūnas

Jonas Valanciunas Considering Returning to Europe
Miles Sanders

Works With Starters During Mandatory Minicamp
Jabari Walker

Signs Two-Way Deal With Sixers
Chimere Dike

Titans Could Move Chimere Dike Inside
Keandre Lambert-Smith

KeAndre Lambert-Smith not Guaranteed Roster Spot
Anthony Bradford

Working Hard to Win Back Starting Job
Byron Young

Still Improving?
Cody Simon

Jonathan Gannon has Been Impressed With Cody Simon
SirVocea Dennis

has Impressive Offseason
Trevor Penning

Could Still Have a Role in New Orleans
Jonathan Kuminga

Warriors Decline Recent Offer for Jonathan Kuminga
Orlando Magic

Moritz Wagner, Magic Agree to One-Year Deal
Clarke Schmidt

Placed on Injured List
José Soriano

Jose Soriano Throws Gem Against Braves
Robbie Ray

Earns Ninth Win in Complete Game
T.J. Watt

Likely to Reset the Edge-Rush Market
George Springer

Blasts Two Homers, Drives in Four
James Wood

Goes Yard in Five-Hit Night
Bradley Beal

Suns Discussing Potential Buyout
Los Angeles Lakers

Jaxson Hayes Staying with the Lakers
NBA

Damian Lillard "Open" to Signing With a Team This Offseason
Max Muncy

Out at Least Six Weeks
Clarke Schmidt

Leaves Start with Forearm Tightness
Colson Montgomery

Promoted to the Major Leagues
Pittsburgh Steelers

Omar Khan, Steelers Agree to Three-Year Contract
Max Muncy

Goes on Injured List With Knee Bruise
Max Muncy

Out of Thursday's Lineup
James Wood

Joining Home Run Derby
SJ

Sharks Claim Nick Leddy Off Waivers
SJ

Sharks Sign Dmitry Orlov to Two-Year, $13 Million Contract
CAR

Nikolaj Ehlers Joins Hurricanes on Six-Year Contract
Chau Smith-Wade

Having Stellar Offseason
Ace Bailey

Inks Rookie Contract With Jazz
Divine Deablo

Could be the Quarterback of the Defense
Isaiah Rodgers

a Likely Starter for the Vikings
Boston Celtics

Josh Minott Inks Deal With Celtics
Sandro Mamukelashvili

Heading to Toronto
Jared McCain

Not on 76ers Summer League Roster
Dylan Harper

Unavailable for California Classic
COL

Brent Burns Inks One-Year Deal with Avalanche
STL

Blues Land Pius Suter on Two-Year Deal
Morgan Frost

Agrees to Two-Year Extension with Flames
WPG

Gustav Nyquist Moves to Winnipeg
Cody Glass

Devils Re-Sign Cody Glass to Two-Year Deal
PIT

Anthony Mantha Joins Penguins
Cleveland Cavaliers

Larry Nance Jr. Headed Back to Cavaliers
Eric Gordon

Remaining with 76ers
Los Angeles Lakers

Deandre Ayton Joining Lakers
Emil Heineman

Signs Two-Year Deal with Islanders
Simon Holmstrom

Re-Signs with Islanders for Two Years
UTA

Nate Schmidt Signs Three-Year Deal with Mammoth
UTA

Brandon Tanev Moves to Utah on Three-Year Contract
NJ

Evgenii Dadonov Joins Devils on One-Year Deal
BUF

Sabres Snap Up Alex Lyon on Two-Year Contract
Dallas Mavericks

Dante Exum Returning to Dallas
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Has Surgery to Repair a Turf Toe Injury
Bud Cauley

in Great Form Ahead of John Deere Classic
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

a Player to Avoid at John Deere Classic
Jake Knapp

Riding Momentum Ahead of John Deere Classic
PGA

Sungjae Im Looking for Consistency at John Deere Classic
Ryan Gerard

a Solid Option at John Deere Classic
Rickie Fowler

Looking to Rebound at John Deere Classic
Cameron Champ

a Volatile Option at John Deere Classic
Jackson Suber

Staying Below 70 is Key to Success for Jackson Suber
Kevin Roy

Playing Better Heading into John Deere Classic
Justin Lower

Hoping for Something Positive in Illinois
Ben Kohles

a Long Shot at John Deere Classic
Stephan Jaeger

Attempts to Stop Roller-Coaster Ride
Beau Hossler

Needs a Challenge in Illinois
Harry Higgs

Has Potential at John Deere Classic
Nick Dunlap

Keeps Plugging Through Tough 2025 Season
Kevin Yu

a Near Must-Play at TPC Deere Run
PGA

J.T. Poston Returns to John Deere Classic Looking for Another High Finish
Thriston Lawrence

a Decent Fit For John Deere Classic
Tom Kim

Not Finding Much to be Happy About Ahead of John Deere Classic
Si Woo Kim

is a Prohibitive Fade at John Deere Classic
Ben Griffin

is the Appropriate Favorite at TPC Deere Run
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF