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DraftKings, FanDuel Daily Fantasy Basketball Picks (12/23/23): Today's Top NBA DFS Lineups

Nikola Jokic - NBA DFS Lineup Picks, Betting Picks, Daily Fantasy Basketball

The top daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on December 23, 2023. Kyle Ringstad provides NBA DFS analysis and sleeper picks for building optimal DFS rosters.

It's a beautiful Saturday and we have a monster 11-game NBA slate on tap before the Christmas slates get underway. The Magic-Pacers, Spurs-Mavericks, and Grizzlies-Hawks games all profile as top contests to target in daily fantasy, but there are plenty of great spots to pick and choose your plays.

As always, injuries are a key factor here and we will need to monitor for news and make adjustments as we learn more. The key players to monitor are Luka Doncic, Anthony Davis, Tyrese Haliburton, LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, Zion Williamson, Jordan Clarkson, Talen Horton-Tucker, Keldon Johnson, Jalen Duren, and Dante Exum.

This article will provide you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 12/23/23. 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.

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I start my process with a "K-Grade" model shown below, which I've been fine-tuning for about three years. This model takes real metrics like the implied total, fantasy points per game allowed, defensive ratings, offensive ratings, and projected pace, and applies them to a model with weights. It should be used as a directional guide for the slate and I've had plenty of success with it, but stick to your process and DFS best practices. For example, a player on a team with a "D" K-Grade could easily be the top value on the slate due to a significant uptick in minutes and usage rate.

DraftKings and FanDuel Guards - NBA DFS Lineup Picks

Luka Doncic, DAL vs. SAS – PG ($11,700 DK; $12,500 FD)

Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks are in the premier spot of the night, so we should probably be playing the star point guard in daily fantasy lineups. The matchup and game environment can't get much better - the Magic-Pacers contest holds a slightly higher total and faster-projected pace, but the Mavericks-Spurs showdown features the two defenses that allow the most combined fantasy points per game on the slate. The Spurs allow the third-most fantasy points per game to opposing teams and the fifth-most fantasy points per game to point guards, specifically. As long as Doncic plays and Kyrie Irving remains out, this is as guaranteed a "smash spot" as you'll see all month.

Craig Porter Jr., CLE v. CHI - PG ($5,700 DK; $5,400 FD)

Someone has to play guard for the Cavaliers, right? Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, and Ty Jerome are all out tonight, leaving Caris LeVert, Max Strus, Craig Porter Jr., and a questionable Sam Merill as the group of guards left on the roster. LeVert and Strus are expensive, so Porter Jr. is the call here. He holds the highest DK point differential with Mitchell, Garland, Jerome, and Evan Mobley off the floor, as they will be tonight. The game environment is poor, but we have to find value somewhere and Porter Jr. is lined up to provide it tonight.

Others to consider: Trae Young, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Anfernee Simons, Ja Morant

 

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DraftKings and FanDuel Forwards - NBA DFS Lineup Picks

Derrick Jones Jr., DAL vs. SAS - SF ($5,900 DK, $5,800 FD)

There's a lot of uncertainty about the Mavericks' roster for tonight's game, with Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, Dante Exum, Dereck Lively II, and Josh Green all questionable to play. Derrick Jones Jr. doesn't have a designation, though, and I want any under-rostered pieces of this Dallas team that I can reasonably get to. Jones Jr. has had some great games when thrust into additional minutes this season. He's volatile, but we have to embrace volatility in daily fantasy if we want a shot at binking a tournament. Keep an eye on the news and adjust accordingly.

Jalen Williams, OKC vs. LAL, SF/PF ($6,400 DK, $6,700 FD)

Jalen Williams is one of the biggest beneficiaries of Josh Giddey being out of the lineup. The young forward gets a 4.4% usage rate bump and 4-point DK points per game increase with Giddey off the floor this season - only Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sees higher increases in the split. Williams should also benefit from playing the Lakers, a team that's allowing the eighth-most fantasy points per game to opposing teams over their last seven games.

Others to consider: Scottie Barnes, Desmond Bane, Paolo Banchero, Pascal Siakam, Mikal Bridges, Dante Exum

 

DraftKings and FanDuel Centers - NBA DFS Lineup Picks

Nikola Jokic, DEN vs. CHA - C ($11,300 DK; $12,200 FD)

There are a ton of star players to consider anchoring lineups with at the top tonight, but none of them look better than Nikola Jokic (at least on DraftKings). Jokic's salary dropped considerably following a few uncharacteristic games, but it's at a point now where he only needs 56.5 DK points to hit 5x value. He's averaging 61.7 DK points per game this season and has scored over 64 DK points in three of his last five games. Charlotte does not have the horses to slow him down as they're allowing the third-most fantasy points per game to opposing Cs this season.

Others to consider: Chet Holmgren, Anthony Davis, Victor Wembanyama



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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
NASCAR

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