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The top daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on December 19th, 2023. Max Kulish provides NBA DFS analysis and sleeper picks for building optimal DFS rosters.
Happy Tuesday, RotoBallers! Tonight we've got a five-game slate headlined by the TNT doubleheader of Grizzlies @ Pelicans and Celtics @ Warriors. These articles focus on the overall best plays, which are typically more suited for cash games. However, some exceptions may apply, depending on the size of the slate.
This article will provide you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 12/19/23. Remember to monitor NBA injury news and our awesome new NBA injuries report tool as the slate can completely change before lineups lock.
As always, feel free to follow my X/Twitter (@Maxadelphia) to keep up to date with NBA news and for my nightly NBA bets if you're into that sort of thing. Let's go!
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DraftKings and FanDuel Guards - NBA DFS Lineup Picks
Devin Booker, PG/SG, PHX @ POR – PG ($9,700 DK; $10,200 FD)
Five minutes into the second game of Phoenix's Big Three experiment, Bradley Beal rolled his ankle and is scheduled to miss a few weeks. Booker has been great this year in general, but we saw him and KD be a two-man show at times during Beal's previous injury stint.
CJ McCollum, NO vs MEM – PG ($7,300 DK; $7,700 FD)
McCollum has been incredibly consistent this season for the Pelicans while healthy. He's scored 35.5+ fantasy points in seven of eight games since returning from his collapsed lung, and in that stretch, he's made at least three three-pointers in six of those eight games. The Pelicans are seventh in the NBA in points scored by starters per game, which gives me confidence that all of their big names can produce at a high level.
Jacob Gilyard, MEM @ NO – SG ($4,200 DK; $3,600 FD)
Gilyard probably won't go as nuclear as he did last night in OKC with the return of Ja Morant, but the Grizzlies are so thin at guard that he's still looking like a great play. With Morant returning to game action, and Derrick Rose and Marcus Smart both still missing from the lineup, Gilyard looks like one of the better value plays on the slate tonight.
Also Consider: Steph Curry, ($9,000 DK; $8,700 FD); Eric Gordon, ($5,600 DK, $5,200 FD)
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DraftKings and FanDuel Forwards - NBA DFS Lineup Picks
Kevin Durant, PHX @ POR – PF ($9,600 DK; $10,000 FD)
Durant has been scoring at an elite clip this year, averaging over 30 points per game. The Trailblazers have been a solid defense this season in general, but as of late, they've been a bit leakier, allowing seven more points per game than their average over the last three games.
Keldon Johnson, SAS @ MIL – SF/PF ($6,900 DK; $7,000 FD)
With Victor Wembanyama out, someone is going to have to pick up the slack. Johnson has been the most consistent Spur behind the rookie phenom, and his biggest fantasy games have come when he's able to score 20+ points. He's averaging 36.5 fantasy points per game over his last six games, and with all the extra opportunity it seems like a pretty reasonable expectation he can hit that threshold.
Grayson Allen, PHX @ POR – SG/SF ($5,500 DK; $5,700 FD)
In addition to Beal being out, the Suns are also missing Josh Okogie, and someone will have to step into the starting five in his place. Even if Allen comes off the bench, he's played 33+ minutes in nine straight games, and given the lack of options at his position group, he should be a lock to clear that number again.
Also Consider: Zion Williamson, ($7,900 DK; $7,900 FD); Jonathan Kuminga, ($5,400 DK; $5,300 FD)
DraftKings and FanDuel Centers - NBA DFS Lineup Picks
Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL vs SAS – PF/C ($11,000 DK; $11,900 FD)
After two straight games scoring underneath his season fantasy points per game average, I love this spot for Giannis tonight. The Spurs have no one who can guard him, especially with Wembanyama out. This game has an astronomical implied total of 249, making it the obvious game to target.
Zach Collins, SAS @ MIL – C ($4,900 DK; $5,100 FD)
Collins should slide into the Spurs' starting five with Wembanyama hurt. When he's seen extended minutes this year, he's shown the ability to sniff the upper 20s or 30s in fantasy points. He projects to be widely owned and one of the best plays on the slate.
Also Consider: Brook Lopez, ($6,200 DK; $6,800 FD)
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