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The top daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on December 28, 2018. Daniel Benjamin provides NBA DFS analysis and sleeper picks for building optimal DFS rosters.
The 11th Friday of the NBA season is here and upon us. Unlike last week, there are some interesting matchups with a few that are kind of surprising. Of the 10 games on the docket, about five of the contests have some sort of intrigue, starting with the Nets at the Hornets. These two teams played a whale of a game on Wednesday that ended with the Nets picking up their ninth win in their last 10 outings with a 134-132 double-overtime victory as Spencer Dinwiddie outdueled Kemba Walker. The other games that possess some interest include the Pistons-Pacers, Mavericks-Pelicans, Spurs-Nuggets, and Lakers-Clippers. The Spurs-Nuggets and Mavericks -Pelicans matchups are also rematches from Wednesday. San Antonio pulled away from Denver in the fourth quarter behind DeMar DeRozan and LaMarcus Aldridge who combined to score 57 points. Meanwhile, Dallas overcame a big game by Anthony Davis and a fourth-quarter deficit to win 122-119 as they received 47 points from their bench.
Of the 20 teams in action tonight, the Lakers are the only team that played on Thursday. While the Lakers fell to Kings 117-116 after being outscored 33-21 in the fourth quarter, there were a lot of positives for the team. Kyle Kuzma led the way with 33 points and nine rebounds while making 12 of 24 shots from the field. Brandon Ingram also had a fairly good game while Lonzo Ball nearly missed a triple-double with 20 points, 12 assists, and nine rebounds. Today's slate of games possibly provides the best chance, of all the previous Friday's games, to nab some of the stars of the game at reasonable prices as several of them have fantastic opportunities to put up mega numbers due to their matchups.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 12/28/18. These DFS lineup picks can vary from higher-priced players and elite options to lower-priced players and value picks on DraftKings. You can also check out today's FanDuel lineup picks. As always, don't set your lineups to early and check player statuses before the opening tip.
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DraftKings DFS Guards
J.J. Barea - PG/SG @NO ($5,100)
The guard positions are loaded tonight with several high priced players who could have monster games. I chose to go with a value play here and went with Barea for a couple of reasons. First, the 6-foot combo guard has been playing extremely well this month. Also, with Wesley Matthews (foot) already having been ruled out for the game, he should get all the run he wants. Especially consideringDennis Smith Jr. (wrist) is questionable for the contest as well. If Smith is unable to go, that essentially leaves Barea, Devin Harris and Jalen Brunson as the only healthy guards on the roster, although Luka Doncic can, of course, play in the backcourt.
Barea was awesome against the Pelicans on Wednesday as he poured in 18 points on seven of 13 shooting from the field and four of six from beyond the arc in 29 minutes. The34-year-old also chipped in five rebounds, seven assists, and one steal although he did commit four turnovers. It was the fourth time he has scored in double-digits in his last five games where he is averaging 13.4 points, three rebounds, 6.8 assists, and 1.4 triples during this stretch.
Barea compiled 36.8 DK fantasy points in his last outing and is averaging 27.7 fantasy points over the last five games despite playing just 23.2 minutes a game. While he is a little worse on the road than at home, the Pelicans rank in the bottom half of the league in defending opposing backcourts. Barea, who put up 14 points in 18 minutes against the Pelicans in New Orleans in an earlier matchup, is averaging 16 points, three three-pointers and 5.5 assists along with 31 DK fantasy points against them this year. I also like Monte Morris as a value play as well as Dennis Schroder, particularly if Paul George (quad) is unable to go. High-priced players that I like include Russell Westbrook, Kemba Walker, John Wall, Jrue Holiday, Devin Booker, and D'Angelo Russell. I like Derrick Rose if Jeff Teague is unable to go again. Zach LaVine, Lou Williams, Trae Young, and Ingram could have big games as well.
Lonzo Ball - PG vs. Clippers ($5,900)
Ball has struggled most of this season, but with LeBon James (groin) out and Rajon Rondo (finger) likely to miss tonight's game as well, he will be able to run the show which is what he likes to do. Now, if Rondo does play that will severely hurt the second year pro's value and make him probably unplayable in DFS.
Ball was terrific against the Kings last night as totaled 57.8 DK points. The 21-year-old made eight of 13 shots from the floor, including four of six from long distance. However, he was dealing with leg cramps following the game, which is something to keep an eye on before tip-off, although Ball added he should be able to go.
The former UCLA star has totaled 43 points, 15 assists, 15 rebounds, four steals and five turnovers in the previous two outings where he played at least 30 minutes. Over the last five games overall, he is averaging 13 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 2.2 turnovers, 2.4 treys, while shooting 47.3 percent from the field and 37.5 percent from beyond the arc. I also like Dwyane Wade, Bryn Forbes, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as value plays. In addition, Bradley Beal and DeRozan have solid matchups in the high-end market while Andrew Wiggins and Joe Harris are solid plays as well.
DraftKings DFS Forwards
Aaron Gordon - SF/ PF vs. Tor ($6,500)
Blake Griffin is the top play here, however, I do not like his matchup against Thaddeus Young a whole lot. So, I decided to go with Gordon as he is playing at home and is less expensive. While the 23-year-old has struggled shooting from the floor over his last 10 outings, he has been fairly solid overall as he is averaging 13.6 points along with 7.9 caroms and 4.3 assists.
He has produced at least 30 DK fantasy points with a ceiling of 50 during this stretch. Gordon totaled 16 points, nine rebounds, one assist and three blocks despite making just five of 15 shots in the teams last matchup. George and Doncic could also be solid plays on the high-end if they are able to play as both are dealing with injuries. Tobias Harris and Robert Covington have the potential to go off in their matchups as does Kyle Kuzma. Trevor Ariza and Juan Hernangomez are value plays with upside.
Julius Randle - PF/C vs. DAL ($7,900)
I really like this matchup. Randle is having a career year and he has been better when playing with the first unit, which he will continue to do as long as Nikola Mirotic is out. The 23-year-old is coming off an outing versus the Mavericks where he put up 23 points, four rebounds, and three assists in 37 minutes.
It was his worst shooting performance of the year when he has attempted at least 10 shots, although the fifth-year pro did make two of four attempts from deep. He is producing 43.8 DK points a game against the Mavs and he gets this matchup at home where he has been much more effective this season. John Collins, LaMarcus Aldridge, and Montrezl Harrell also have an opportunity to turn in big games.
DraftKings DFS Centers
Steven Adams - C @PHO ($6,800)
There are several options at center, which includes some of the players I mentioned in the forward section, but I decided to go with a mid-priced guy in Adams. Adams has not dominated De'Andre Ayton in this matchup but he has had the upper hand and it is likely to continue tonight. The two big men haven't gone head-to-head the whole game in their meetings, so Adams numbers do not totally represent how Ayton has played against him.
The Thunder's 7-footer has compiled 22 points, 8.5 rebounds and one block while shooting 71.5 percent from the field against the Suns this season. Overall, he is averaging 16.6 points along with 10.4 rebounds over his last five games. However, Adams could see an increase in usage if George does not play. Nikola Vucevic could also have a huge night against Toronto. Meanwhile, Myles Turner has a very enticing matchup against the Pistons and Wendell Carter Jr. is a value play. I also like Bam Adebayo and Kelly Olynyk but only if Hassan Whiteside is not able to play against Cleveland.
