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Happy Tuesday, RotoBallers! Tonight we've got a nine-game slate with plenty of decisions to be made. 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 12/26/23. 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
Ja Morant, PG, MEM @ NO – PG ($9,800 DK; $10,000 FD)
Morant made his return from suspension one week ago against this Pelicans team and finished with 34/6/8 and a game-winner. He's played 35 minutes per game in his three games since returning and is taking over 20 shots per game on average.
JA MORANT GAME WINNER IN HIS RETURN 🔥 pic.twitter.com/WV9cDWxvWc
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 20, 2023
Jordan Clarkson, UTA @ SAS – PG ($7,100 DK; $7,100 FD)
Clarkson returned from a 10-day injury stint and picked up right where he left off, dropping 30/3/6 on the Raptors for 45.75 fantasy points. With both Keyonte George and Talen Horton-Tucker in danger of missing the game, or facing a minutes restriction if they do suit up, Clarkson should see a healthy workload against a leaky defense.
Cason Wallace, OKC vs. MIN – SG ($4,200 DK; $4,400 FD)
Wallace got a shot in the Thunder starting five on Saturday after Josh Giddey had to leave their prior game early with an ankle injury. Even if Giddey can suit up, Wallace is averaging right around 20 minutes per game through the month of December, which is much higher compared to other options around his price point.
Also Consider: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, ($10,500 DK; $11,600 FD); Jaden Ivey, ($6,200 DK, $5,900 FD)
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DraftKings and FanDuel Forwards - NBA DFS Lineup Picks
Lauri Markkanen, UTA @ SAS – PF ($8,600 DK; $8,500 FD)
There are not any truly elite forward options tonight, so when all else fails, look at game environments. Jazz/Spurs has an implied total of 241.5 at the time of writing, which is 4.0 points higher than any other game on the slate. Markkanen is coming off a 56.25 fantasy point game against the Raptors on Saturday and now gets the Spurs, who are second-to-last defending the perimeter. Markkanen is a 38% 3-point shooter and takes over 8 3's per game, making this an enticing matchup.
DeMar DeRozan, CHI vs. ATL – SF/PF ($8,200 DK; $8,600 FD)
DeRozan has really benefited from the absence of Zach LaVine, averaging nearly 44 fantasy points per game over the last 11 games. Tonight he gets an amazing matchup with the Hawks, who rank fifth in pace and allow the third-most points to opposing SFs. DeRozan projects as a great play tonight, and should Nikola Vucevic miss the game (currently listed as questionable), DDR will be a borderline must-play.
Julian Champagnie, SAS vs. UTA – SG/SF ($4,200 DK; $4,100 FD)
It's no secret that the Spurs have struggled this year, so in an effort to shake things up, Champagnie was inserted into the starting lineup for Saturday's game in Dallas. The Spurs still lost by 25, but Champagnie responded well to the change in role. He had his best game in a month (12/5/1 for 22.75 fantasy points), and as a potential cheap starter in the best game environment of the night, he makes for an appealing salary saver.
Also Consider: Zion Williamson, ($7,700 DK; $8,100 FD); Buddy Hield, ($6,100 DK; $6,200 FD)
DraftKings and FanDuel Centers - NBA DFS Lineup Picks
Victor Wembanyama, MIL vs. SAS – PF/C ($9,000 DK; $10,200 FD)
After rolling his ankle in pregame warmups and being a slate-altering late scratch on Saturday, I'm all in on the #1 pick tonight. I've already touched on the game environment, but the main reason I think Wemby can hit his ceiling tonight is that the Jazz are the second-most blocked team in the NBA (6.3 per game).
Duop Reath, POR vs. SAC – C ($3,800 DK; $4,200 FD)
This play is almost entirely dependent on whether or not Deandre Ayton suits up or not after being a surprise addition to the injury report the Blazers released Monday night. If Ayton does miss the game, Reath will take his spot in the starting five, and would instantly become the best bang for your buck by projection on the slate.
Also Consider: Andre Drummond, (if Nikola Vucevic sits) ($4,700 DK; $6,800 FD)
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