18): Daily Fantasy Basketball Advice

by Jake Finnen 12/27/18 5:17 PM Follow Jake

We have a more relaxed, 5-game slate after an action-packed last two days of basketball. After the way the Lakers capped off their Christmas-day win over the Warriors, going against the Kings makes it hard not to stack the entire team. To make things better, the Kings are coming off a loss to the Clippers last night. The game came down to the final few minutes so make sure you target the value in this game. Players like Lance Stephenson, Ivica Zubac, and JaVale McGee have plenty of upside and I don't even know where to start with the Kings. Being a young team means anything can happen, so I am just going to head into tonight with the idea of fading everyone on Sacramento.

The Bucks are playing the Knicks again, which brings up the question...why did the Knicks play on Christmas then? It's going to be a similar outing and honestly, I'm just annoyed that the Knicks still get Christmas day games just for being the Knicks. Why give James Dolan that notoriety? I don't understand how anyone could watch that game and assume a different outcome. Even if it happens, I'd refuse to believe it wasn't the result of luck. Another game I'm fading everyone except isolation scorers with a cheap price, A.K.A. Trey Burke.

In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for FanDuel on 12/27/18. 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. Find me in the NBA Chat Room or @HalfCourtJester on Twitter for questions.

Editor's Note: Our friends at Monkey Knife Fight have the best, most fun, fastest growing DFS props game! It's super simple to play and to win real money. Just choose your NBA, NHL or PGA game, and make your picks! Get a 100% instant deposit bonus up to $50 using promo code: BALLER. That's $50 for free - don't miss out! Play Now!

FanDuel DFS Guards

Eric Bledsoe - PG, MIL vs NYK (FD - $7,200)

This seems like a pretty generic pick. A triple-double scraping point guard facing a weak backcourt that he literally just played. He didn't explode that game, but he played well and allowed Giannis Antetokounmpo to really take over. Heading into Thursday, Bledsoe should assume more of the workload and it's not like the Knicks guards are going to limit him. Damyean Dotson has proved himself on the defensive end, but he won't be able to straight up stop Eric Bledsoe from getting to the paint. With a price that doesn't break the bank, Bledsoe is a pretty safe pick with enough upside.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope - SG, LAL @ SAC (FD - $3,800)

His minutes are decently consistent, but his production is all over the place as usual. Tonight he should see extended minutes as a security blanket for the second unit. At first, my train of thought was that he won't just be throwing up shots. On second thought, there is literally no reason for him not to shoot tonight. The Lakers aren't necessarily coasting through the regular season and they will rely on mid-season heroics for wins. Meaning, in games like tonight where Los Angeles will want to give younger players extended minutes, it gives Kentavious Caldwell-Pope the chance to see extra shot attempts. The Kings defense has not been stellar in any fashion, but they have the athleticism to close out quickly and cause problems for inexperienced shooters. Despite Caldwell-Pope not being a quality shooter, he knows when to take shots and understand his role. I expect him to have one of his bigger games tonight.

FanDuel DFS Forwards

Evan Turner - SF, POR @ GS (FD - $4,000)

The Warrior defense is capable of shutting down role players, but for players like Evan Turner who always get to their spots and take shots, it'll depend more on Turner than the Warriors defense. Golden State has been playing at a more realistic level lately and it being late-December and regular season is the cause. Normally, I wouldn't advise Turner against one of the top teams because he needs the game to stay competitive to see enough usage and minutes, but he will fill the stat sheet against the Warriors just like he would against anyone else. Just know that this game could turn to a blowout if the Warriors are hitting their shots.

D.J. Wilson - PF, MIL vs NYK (FD - $3,700)

This is an ideal value pick that can prove to be the ultimate sleeper. He has yet to really have a solid outing to justify a price increase, but watch D.J. Wilson and all you see is the potential. He literally does everything. On defense he goes up to block shots, fills passing lanes, and most importantly attacks rebounds and boxes out when necessary. His dedication to making the right play means his minutes are guaranteed and his athleticism make it easy for him to produce. Think of Wilson as like a newer, up-and-coming John Collins. The production is still inconsistent on a beneficial level, but it's only a matter of time before his role is cemented.

FanDuel DFS Centers

Nene Hilario - C, HOU vs BOS (FD - $3,500)

This pick is directly targeting all the players that won't even consider him. No one is going to roster Nene Hilario tonight. Most money-losing DFS players ONLY target quality matchups, leaving players like Hilario by the wayside, only to be picked by the bold players who attack production, rather than upside. His ownership rate will be among the lowest tonight and while there is risk, is it real? The Celtics defense is statistically one of the best, but how many times do we need to watch superstars prove why offense is more powerful than defense. Hilario will have to work for his points, but there is noone on the Boston team that has the strength to stop him. Al Horford is a good defender, but he isn't tough. Hilario on the other hand, loves to play bully-ball down low, the opposite of how most current bigs would prefer to play.