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The top daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on December 18, 2023. Mike Barner provides NBA DFS analysis and sleeper picks for building optimal DFS rosters.
The NBA brings plenty of action to the table on Monday with 11 games on the schedule. There are some exciting matchups among them, including when the Lakers host the Knicks. Another matchup that stands out features the Nuggets hosting the Mavericks.
With a busy slate comes a lot of injuries to track. Some players who have already been ruled out include Zach LaVine (foot), Darius Garland (jaw), and Evan Mobley (knee). Some noteworthy players who are listed as questionable are Tyrese Haliburton (knee), Anthony Edwards (hip), and De'Aaron Fox (shoulder).
This article will provide you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 12/18/23. Remember to monitor NBA injury news and our awesome new NBA injuries report tool, as the slate can completely change before lineups lock at 7:00 PM EST. Good luck, RotoBallers!
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DraftKings and FanDuel Guards - NBA DFS Lineup Picks
Scottie Barnes, TOR vs. CHA – PG/SF/PF ($9,400 DK; $9,200 FD)
Barnes is one of the more versatile players in fantasy. Coming into this matchup, he has averaged 20.2 points, 8.9 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 1.6 steals, 1.2 blocks, and 2.0 three-pointers per game. The last time he faced the Hornets, he finished with 31 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, two steals, one block, and three 3-pointers. Considering that the Hornets have the worst defensive rating in the league, Barnes should produce another juicy stat line.
Collin Sexton, UTA vs. BKN – PG/SG ($7,000 DK; $6,300 FD)
Sexton is only averaging 22 minutes per game for the season, but he has averaged 30 minutes over the last four games with the Jazz dealing with injuries. During that span, he put up 25.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game. Jordan Clarkson (thigh) and Keyonte George (foot) remain out, which should keep Sexton in his expanded role.
Jaden Ivey, DET at ATL – PG/SG ($5,300 DK; $5,100 FD)
Despite moving to the bench, Ivey has still averaged 26 minutes over his last six games. The Pistons are going nowhere fast, so it would behoove them to at least keep their young guard in a prominent role within their second unit. The Hawks have played at the fourth-fastest pace and they have the fourth-worst defensive rating in the league, so this could be a matchup that helps Ivey provide value.
ALSO CONSIDER: Trae Young, ATL vs. DET – PG ($10,000 DK; $10,100 FD), Cam Thomas, BKN at UTA – PG/SG/SF ($7,300 DK; $6,400 FD)
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DraftKings and FanDuel Forwards - NBA DFS Lineup Picks
Pascal Siakam, TOR vs. CHA – PF/C ($8,500 DK; $8,300 FD)
Siakam only took 11 shots in his last game Friday versus the Hawks. He’s averaging 15.8 shot attempts per game for the season, so expect him to be more involved in that department Monday. The last time he took on the Hornets, he recorded 25 points, five rebounds, and four assists over 33 minutes.
Saddiq Bey, ATL vs. DET – SF/PF ($6,600 DK; $6,300 FD)
Bey shot just 1-for-9 from the field Saturday against the Cavaliers. The good news is that he logged 36 minutes, which continues a trend that has seen him average 36 minutes since joining the Hawks’ starting lineup. Over that 10-game span, he has averaged 13.1 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 2.0 three-pointers. The Pistons have the fifth-worst defensive rating in the league, so Bey’s heavy playing time could help him produce a valuable stat line.
Ausar Thompson, DET at ATL – SF/PF/SG ($6,000 DK; $6,000 FD)
The Pistons are running out of size. Jalen Duren (ankle) and Isaiah Stewart (shoulder) have already been ruled out for this matchup, so the versatile Thompson could be left with added minutes. He has provided inconsistent production during his rookie campaign, but he has also shown an ability to contribute in multiple areas with averages of 10.3 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.2 blocks.
ALSO CONSIDER: Kawhi Leonard, LAC at IND – SF/PF ($8,600 DK; $9,500 FD), Talen Horton-Tucker, UTA vs. BKN – SF/SG ($6,200 DK; $5,800 FD)
DraftKings and FanDuel Centers - NBA DFS Lineup Picks
Nikola Jokic, DEN vs. DAL – C ($11,700 DK; $12,500 FD)
The Mavericks are in trouble. Dereck Lively II (ankle) and Maxi Kleber (toe) won’t play in this game and Richaun Holmes (illness) is listed as questionable. That could leave just Dwight Powell and Markieff Morris to do battle with Jokic. Even if Holmes is able to take the floor, he’s not going to be able to slow down Jokic. Another triple-double could be in the cards for the Nuggets’ star big man.
Onyeka Okongwu, ATL vs. DET – C/PF ($6,300 DK; $6,200 FD)
The Pistons’ lack of options at center for this game makes Okongwu an intriguing option. He could also be in a leading role with Clint Capela (knee) listed as questionable for the Hawks. Given that Capela was diagnosed with a left knee bone bruise Sunday, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him sit this one out. With Capela out of the lineup Saturday against the Cavaliers, Okongwu recorded 16 points, four rebounds, and one block over 32 minutes.
Marvin Bagley III, DET at ATL – C/PF ($4,900 DK; $5,000 FD)
After not seeing the floor in any of the Pistons’ previous three games, the absences of Duren and Stewart allowed Bagley to enter the starting lineup Saturday against the Bucks. He only logged 22 minutes, but still came away with 12 points, seven rebounds, and two blocks. In just 19 minutes per game this season, he has averaged 9.9 points and 4.9 rebounds. If he can approach 25 minutes in this matchup, he could provide value at his cheap salaries on both sites.
ALSO CONSIDER: Domantas Sabonis, SAC vs. WAS – C/PF ($9,800 DK; $10,200 FD), James Wiseman, DET at ATL – C ($5,900 DK; $4,100 FD)
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