NBA DFS: Top Daily Fantasy Expert Picks for DraftKings, FanDuel (12/18)

Get winning NBA DFS lineup picks and player projections for tonight's games on DraftKings and FanDuel. Koby's expert analysis helps you build optimal daily fantasy basketball lineups for December 18th, 2025.

Welcome back, RotoBallers! It has been a while! The New York Knicks finally raised a trophy for the first time since 1973! The NBA cup is over, and now we can get back to business. We have a big 12-game slate on deck for us. DraftKings will only have the first 11 games on the slate, as they have elected to exclude the Portland Trail Blazers vs. Sacramento Kings game. The Majority of the plays will focus on games that are on both sites, but I may also include a play or two from that game.

As always, watching the injury report updates will be critical to finalizing your strategy. This slate is filled with big names such as James Harden, Austin Reaves, Domantas Sabonis, and Tyler Herro, as well as many more guys who are questionable, who could be game-time decisions. So keep a close eye on the NBA injury news and make adjustments as needed.

This article will provide you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 12/18/25. 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 and DraftKings. To keep up with all the latest developments and get access to updated projections, grab an NBA season pass and also gain access to our RotoBaller Premium Discord, where our experts are talking about the slate up until lineups lock!

NBA DFS Core Picks

Jalen Johnson, ATL - PF/SF(FD) (DK $10K, FD $10.3K)

I'm not sure how Jalen Johnson isn't pushing 12k on either site. He has been just on another level this season and should be highly considered for an All-Star nod. Without Kristaps Porzingis in the lineup as well, Johnson has been a big beneficiary of that usage. Trae Young is currently questionable, so if he plays, that does hurt Johnson's stock a little bit. He should be on a minutes limit, giving Johnson ample opportunity to cook this Charlotte defense.

Johnson has four straight triple-doubles and four games of 60+ fantasy points in his last seven games. Anything over a 50 fantasy point performance is going to make for good value. Johnson has only had one game below 40 fantasy points since November 10th. If Young remains out, then Johnson is a must-play. If Young does play, I still think he is very rosterable, but more in a GPP setting rather than cash, as we may see his ownership dip a bit.

Amen Thompson, HOU - SG(FD)/PG (DK $8.3K, FD $8K)

Amen Thompson continues to be a big part of this Rockets rotation. He is averaging 38 minutes a game in his last 10. In those 10 games, he has had 30+ fantasy points in eight of them. He might be finding himself with a 50 bomb against this bad Pelicans team that is only at five wins on the season. The Pelicans have given up the most fantasy points to guards this season, which includes the most points, and are sixth in assists.

Amen Thompson OREB + reverse lob dunk, assisted by Alperen Şengün. pic.twitter.com/MVX0UXrOCQ

— Rockets Clips (@Rockets_Clips) November 4, 2025

Thompson has double-double potential on a nightly basis and could be close to a triple-double here. The only worry here should be blowout, but if the Pelicans can manage to keep this even remotely close, that could make for a big night for Thompson.

NBA DFS GPP Pivots

LeBron James, LAL - SF(FD)/PF (DK $9K, FD $8.7K)

Is LeBron James ever really a GPP play? I think a lot of people are hesitant to play him at his age, but he has definitely shown that he can produce at a high level and play quite a few minutes. Reaves is out, which helps add a bit to his load, allowing him to do more while on the court. He has worked his way up to playing 36 minutes in his last two games and has 40+ fantasy points in three straight starts.

This Utah Jazz team has been a fantasy funnel for SFs this season. Giving up the third-most fantasy points, the most points, and assists this season. He has played the Jazz twice this season, and it happened to be in his first two games of the season. He put up 35+ fantasy points in both games. The Jazz have shown themselves to be competitive in games despite their rough record. I want to take advantage of his price while he is relatively affordable, with a high ceiling.

Donovan Clingan, POR - C (FD $6K)

The Portland Trail Blazers are getting Donovan Clingan back at a great time. He had a rough outing in limited minutes in his return to the lineup against the Warriors. He should see upwards of 25 minutes in this one, which should be good for a big game. The Kings have been tormented all season by big men. In the last 10 games, Sacramento has given up at least a double-double in six of them.

Clingan has shown to be a threat when he is put in good matchups. He has five double-doubles in his last 10 games and has been great on the glass, seeing 1.7 blocks per game as well. No defense has given up more fantasy points to opposing Centers this season than the Kings, and with his price being very reasonable, this is a great spot for Clingan to dominate.

NBA DFS Value Picks

Marcus Smart, LAL - PG(DK)/SG/SF(FD) (DK $5.1K, FD $4.9K)

Marcus Smart entered the lineup for the injured Reaves, and it didn't take long for him to make an impact. He played 31 minutes and finished with 29 fantasy points. He is very cheap on both sites, and with a matchup against a Utah team that has given up the third most fantasy points to guards this year. He should be in line for a big game. Smart has shown to be a reliable option when he has been given the chance, and with no Reaves, he needs to take advantage of this time on the court.

Sion James, CHA - SG(FD)/SF/PF(DK) (DK $3.9K, FD $3.9K)

Sion James has benefited over the last few games with multiple guards out of the lineup. LaMelo Ball, Collin Sexton, and Tre Mann have been absent from the previous three games, which has given Sion James a bigger role. In their last game against the Cavaliers, he played 37 minutes. As long as Ball remains out for this one, expect James to remain in the starting lineup. At his price, James is a decent value option that could allow us to spend up in other spots on this big slate.

Spencer Jones, DEN - SF/PF (DK $4K, FD $4.2K)

The Denver Nuggets have been hit with the injury bug, which should give guys like Bruce Brown and Spencer Jones some big minutes. Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun remain out, and Peyton Watson and Tim Hardaway Jr. are both questionable with various injuries. If both guys are out for this one, then Jones could see upwards of 40 minutes, as he did in their last contest against Houston a couple of days ago.

Spencer Jones hits another HUGE three-pointer pic.twitter.com/OzhpYGuskw

— Matt Brooks (@MattBrooksNBA) December 16, 2025

Jones wasn't super productive but still finished with 30 fantasy points. He could be in for a bigger role if all these guys are out, so keep a close eye on the injury report for this one.

Keon Ellis, SAC - SG/SF (FD $3.8K)

Disregard this one if Dennis Schroder does play, as that will cut into Keon's minutes. But with Zach LaVine out, this is a good spot for Ellis to get some legit run. In the last five games Ellis has played without LaVine in the lineup, he has 30+ minutes in four of them. In those four games, he has scored 30, 26, 23, and 32. That is some elite value at only 3.8K. I don't imagine that he will start, but he should see a solid role off the bench. Let's hope that Schroder doesn't play as Ellis could be in for a solid night against a struggling Blazers' defense.

Today's Top Game Stacks

Lakers at Jazz (243.5 O/U) - This game has the highest game total on the slate and has multiple ways to go on it. As long as the Jazz keep it competitive, it should be a great game to stack. Both teams have given up 120+ points per game in five of their last seven games. The defense has been nonexistent, and the winner is going to be who has the better shooting night.

Hawks at Hornets (239.5 O/U) - There is a solid amount of options here in this game alone. The Hornets are pretty injured at the moment, which gives quite a few value options. With a high game total like this one, I'm not expecting much defense once again. This is the third highest on the slate, and with the way Atlanta's defense has played recently, the Hornets could shoot extremely well.

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: Amen Thompson
• My favorite CASH play on the slate: Jalen Johnson
• My favorite GPP play on the slate: Donovan Clingan
• My favorite VALUE play: Marcus Smart

NBA DFS News and Injury Alerts

More DFS Lineup Picks and Analysis