It's Friday and while we normally get a loaded slate of NBA action, there are just seven games on tonight's slate as this week of balanced slates continues!
I recommend some higher-priced players for cash games and GPPs in today's edition while highlighting some of my favorite value plays and game stacks. If you are looking for DraftKings picks, see who Zach Thompson likes by reading his piece here.
This article will provide my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for FanDuel on 12/6/24. Remember to monitor NBA injury news and our awesome NBA injuries report tool, as the slate can completely change before lineups lock at 7:00 p.m. EST on FanDuel.
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FanDuel NBA DFS Core Picks
Ayo Dosunmu, CHI - PG/SG ($5,900)
So when Coby White missed last night's game against San Antonio, I loaded up on Josh Giddy only to see Dosunmu go nuclear with the first triple-double of his career on his way to 63.5 FD points.
Lonzo Ball could return tonight but only plays limited minutes and I tend to think that we see Coby White miss again tonight with a morning shootaround as his only opportunity to get some work in on his gimpy ankle. If that's the case, then Dosunmu is a lock for me as he's taken on a more aggressive role on offense lately and I want multiple pieces of this Chicago-Indiana game with it's massive 246-point total.
Devin Vassell, SAS - SG ($6,000)
I hate recommending "conditional" plays, but Vassell is in another great spot tonight if the Spurs are to be without their superstar Victor Wembanyama. Vassell played 24 minutes off the bench last night and produced 34.6 FD points. This high-usage bench role has suited him well and it's promising to see him play at least 23 minutes now in three straight games.
Of course, we could see Vassell rested on a back-to-back if the Spurs take a super-safe approach to managing him this season. But I think his low minutes last night might be an indication that they were saving him so he could play in both games and that they might expect to be without Wemby both last night and tonight.
So as long as he suits up I think he's firmly in play at this price and if Wemby is out, then I would elevate him to CORE PLAY status.
Jalen Johnson, ATL – SF/PF ($9,100)
Ok, now for a player who is going in my lineup no matter who else is or isn't playing for his team - burgeoning superstar Jalen Johnson.
Jalen Johnson led the way for the @ATLHawks tonight:
🔥 23 PTS
🔥 13 REB
🔥 5 AST
🔥 2 STLAtlanta gets their fifth-straight win 👀 pic.twitter.com/CxbTcdDiwV
— NBA TV (@NBATV) December 5, 2024
Johnson has taken over this Atlanta team and has been the catalyst for their turnaround this season. Trae Young is still their top scorer, but he's become even more of a passer this season, and a much more balanced effort from Atlanta with Young, Johnson, and the rest of the rotation all chipping in has led to better results.
Johnson has been rock solid all season and is coming off a huge night against Milwaukee. He should be able to rack up stats tonight against a limping Lakers team that has struggled to slow down anyone for the last two weeks.
Others Under Consideration: Jaylen Brown - (if Tatum is out) SG/SF ($8,800), Anthony Davis - PF/C ($10,600), Nikola Vucevic - C ($8,000)
FanDuel NBA DFS Tournament Pivots
Paul George, PHI - SG/SF ($7,700)
I was set to take the PG13 plunge on Wednesday before he was ruled out late in the afternoon so why not give it a shot tonight as the Sixers face the same Orlando team? Philly hung in there on Wednesday without George or Embiid in the lineup and I would expect them to give Orlando a battle tonight with a healthy PG13 ready to contribute.
I simply can't ignore the huge game that George had in his last start against Charlotte. The matchup is tougher against a good defensive team in Orlando, but George is just too cheap for his fantasy skill set and I would imagine we see the offense flow through him and Tyrese Maxey most of the evening. He's got 50+ FD point upside for less than 8k - sign me up!
Clint Capela, ATL – C ($6,400)
Capela continues to produce and even with a price hike, he still feels underpriced for the run that he's been on lately.
Capela last four games:
17 REB
17 REB
14 REB
13 REBMachine. pic.twitter.com/G0dbavd4Bv
— StatMuse (@statmuse) December 5, 2024
The Lakers are allowing the third-most rebounds to opposing centers, so I wouldn't be surprised if Capela has another big day on the glass and keeps his elite rebounding up.
Tyrese Haliburton, IND - PG ($8,500)
I already mentioned wanting to have multiple pieces of this game and despite Indiana's struggles lately, Haliburton has been playing pretty well. A matchup with one of the worst defensive teams in the NBA (Chicago) who is playing their second game in as many nights might be just what the doctor ordered for the Pacers to get back on track.
The Bulls allow the sixth-most points and most assists to opposing point guards this season. This game should be played at a frantic pace and I love targeting guards in those types of game environments. He should have plenty of scoring and assist chances in this one and his price is simply too cheap for his ceiling.
Others Under Consideration: De'Aaron Fox - PG ($9,200), Franz Wagner - SF/PF ($9,600), Deandre Ayton - C ($6,100)
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FanDuel NBA DFS Value Picks
Obi Toppin, IND – PF ($4,500)
Toppin has been very productive for Indiana off the bench, going for 28, 29, and 30 FD points in his last three games. The Pacers badly need help on offense from their second unit and Toppin is getting up a lot of shots while also grabbing boards at a high rate. He feels like the best value tonight (as of right now) with what injury info we have available.
Matas Buzelis, CHI - PF (4,200)
The Bulls rookie is a bit riskier of a play than Toppin, but again I love this game tonight and want to get a much exposure as possible. He's been playing solid minutes off the bench for Chicago and getting a chance to do his thing with Patrick Williams hurt and the Bulls constantly searching for the right combination of players as they have a glaring hole at PF.
MATAS BUZELIS PUTBACK JAM.@CHSN__ | @BuzelisMatas pic.twitter.com/5xRyhOejX7
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) December 6, 2024
He's uber-talented and only one game removed from 33 FD points against Brooklyn.
Bogdan Bogdanovic, ATL – SG/SF ($5,300)
It's taken some time for Bog-Bog to get going after he missed a large chunk of time to start the season, but he's settled into his 25-minute bench role quite nicely of late.
The Hawks' second unit has become a force as Bog, De'Andre Hunter, and Onyeka Okongwu are all very capable scorers and could probably start on other teams. He is an elite three-point shooter who can also stuff the stat sheet with assists and steals - he just had five swipes against Milwaukee on Wednesday.
Moritz Wagner, ORL – PF/C ($5,000)
I recommended Wagner on Wednesday and he came through with 28 FD points in his 21 minutes off the bench. He continues to outplay Wendell Carter Jr. and Goga Bitadze. At times, he's the second option on offense behind his brother and we know that Orlando badly needs scoring until they get Paolo Banchero back.
Others Under Consideration: T.J. McConnell, IND - PG ($5,100), Nickeil Alexander-Walker - SG/SF ($4,500), Talen Horton-Tucker - SG ($4,100), Sam Hauser - SF/PF ($4,800)
My Favorite NBA DFS Picks for Today
Here is where I leave you with some of my favorites.
- My favorite OVERALL play on the slate: Jalen Johnson
- My favorite CASH play on the slate: Ayo Dosunmu
- My favorite GPP play on the slate: Paul George
- My favorite VALUE play: Obi Toppin
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