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Daniel Benjamin highlights the top FanDuel NBA DFS lineup picks for 12/2/18, and a couple of sleepers to consider while building daily rosters.
Another Sunday and another light slate of NBA games! Tonight's docket of games features just four contests that lock at 6 p.m. ET and two more contest on an "All Day" slate that locks at 3:30 p.m. ET.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for FanDuel on 12/2/18. With the Lakers-Suns (3:30 p.m.) matchup as well as the Pelicans-Hornets (5 p.m.) contest starting prior to main games, they will not be included in this article. These DFS lineup picks can vary from higher-priced players and elite options to lower-priced players and value picks on FanDuel. You can also check out today's DraftKings lineup picks.
Make sure you don't set your lineups too early and also be sure to check player statuses and availability prior to opening tip.
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FanDuel DFS Guards
Damian Lillard - PG @ SAS ($9,600)
Lillard had his streak of six straight games of scoring 20 or more points as he finished with 15 points, eight assists, one rebound in a loss to Denver on Friday. He was 6-for-16 from the floor and 3-for-8 from three-point territory. It was the fourth straight game of him draining at least three trifectas and doling out four assists. His one turnover was his fewest in six outings and his 16 shot attempts were his second fewest during this stretch.
Lillard had a tremendous game the last time the Blazers-Spurs met on Oct. 30. In that matchup, the 28-year-old poured in 29 points and dished out nine dimes while making nine of 15 shots from the field and three of six from the three-point line. He was also 8-for-8 from the charity stripe and didn't commit a turnover.
Lillard has played better on the road than at home, which is saying something. The seventh-year pro is producing 28.2 points, 6.3 assists, and 5.0 rebounds while shooting 44.1 percent from the field and 34.6 percent from beyond the arc. Somewhat amazingly, he is attempting over three more free throws away from the Moda Center.
Avery Bradley - SG @ DAL ($3,500)
Bradley is another value play. The 28-year-old is in the midst of the worst season of his career. However, he is coming off the best game of the campaign as he registered 16 points, six assists, three rebounds and one block along with three turnovers against the Kings on Thursday. The ninth-year pro shot 6-for-10 from the field and 4-for-7 from beyond the arc in the game.
Bradley, who has played at least 29 minutes in each of his last five contests, is averaging 7.4 points as well as 2.4 boards and 2.2 assists along with one block in 32.0 minutes of action during this span. The Mavericks are surrendering the third most points to opposing backcourts in the league. The Mavs are allowing opposing backcourts to shoot 44.7 percent from the field and 37.5 percent from beyond the arc.
FanDuel DFS Forwards
Josh Richardson - SF vs MIA ($7,200)
Richardson has been pretty consistent this season. He has topped the 20-point plateau in three of his last four appearances. However, the 25-year-old is in a little shooting slump shooting 38.3 percent from the floor and 32.5 percent from beyond the arc over the last five games. Granted, the fourth-year pro is a streaky shooter, but in comparison, he is shooting 42.9 percent from the field and 41.4 percent on three-point attempts for the season.
Richardson has a decent match-up against the Jazz as opposing two-guards are shooting 46.0 percent from the floor and make three triples a game over the past five games while opposing small forwards are shooting 52.7 percent from the field and two three-pointers a game.
LaMarcus Aldridge - PF vs POR ($8,000)
Aldridge was up-and-down just like the Spurs as a team were in November, although he was more consistent over the last five games. The 33-year-old has scored in double-figures in five straight games and shot over 43.0 percent from the field in each of those games. He scored 20 points, grabbed six rebounds and blocked two shots over 30 minutes while making seven of 16 shots from the floor and all six of his free throw attempts in Friday's loss to the Rockets. His field goal attempts and free throw attempts were his most in four games.
Aldridge may be able to exploit Jusuf Nurkic on defense in this match-up since he will be playing more center than power forward. In the teams last meeting (Oct. 20), he tallied 12 points along with eight rebounds and five blocks in 37 minutes as he was hounded by Al-Farouq Aminu. The Blazers are giving up the most points to opposing power forwards in the league while they are permitting the 10th fewest points to centers.
FanDuel DFS Centers
Mike Muscala - C vs MEM ($3,800)
Muscala is a value play here. The 6-foot-11 big man had his moments in November, although he struggled with his shot for much of the month. He finished November, averaging 7.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.5 three-pointers, and 1.5 assists while shooting 32.5 percent from the field and 31.7 percent from long distance. The 27-year-old has scored in double-figures in four of his last games, including in each of the last two games.
Muscala has shot the ball a lot better in the past than he is currently is. He shot 54.2 percent from the floor and 38.9 percent on three-pointers in August. So, it figures the sixth-year pro shooting numbers will improve.
Muscala, who saw 32 minutes against Washington, has seen at least 23 minutes of court time in eight of the last 10 games. The former Bucknell star is playing much better at home than he is on the road, averaging 9.4 points, 1.9 treys, and 5.0 rebounds while shooting 40.3 percent from the floor and 40.4 percent from beyond the three-point line. Plus, Memphis is one of the worst defensive teams against centers. Opposing centers averaging 24.2 points and 17.4 rebounds while shooting 54.2 percent from the field against the Griz. While Muscala was unable to play the last time the teams met, Amir Johnson and Jonah Bolden combined for seven points and seven rebounds over 29 minutes.
