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Get winning NBA DFS lineup picks and player projections for tonight's games on DraftKings and FanDuel. Max Kulish's expert analysis helps you build optimal daily fantasy basketball lineups for December 12th, 2025.
Welcome back, RotoBallers! Tonight, we have a 7-game slate, highlighted by the doubleheader on NBA TV of the Hawks at Pistons, followed by the Timberwolves at Warriors. Note that DraftKings is not including the Wolves-Warriors game in the main slate, while FanDuel will. For this article, I will only feature players in games on both sites. Whichever site you're playing on, there are plenty of good DFS fantasy basketball options to consider. These articles focus on the best overall plays, which are typically more suited to cash games. However, some exceptions may apply, depending on the size of the slate.
As always, watching the injury report updates will be critical to finalizing your strategy. This is a relatively clean slate, but some big names such as LaMelo Ball, Alexandre Sarr, Zach Edey, and Kristaps Porzingis are already confirmed out. There are many more players out, and there will undoubtedly be players who pop up on the injury report tomorrow, or even get ruled out, 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 12/12/25. 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!
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NBA DFS Core Picks
Jalen Johnson, ATL - PF (DK $10.6K, FD $10.8K)
Saying Johnson is having a breakout season might be the understatement of the year. Johnson is blossoming into one of the NBA's best examples of player development - putting up numbers that aren't just the best of his career, but some of the best in the entire league.
Over his last 14 games, Johnson has scored under 45 fantasy points only once and 70+ five times, including four times in his last five games. He's genuinely putting up Nikola Jokic-esque numbers, and anytime a guy with that type of floor/ceiling combo is priced under $11K, it's difficult to pass up on him. Just 11 days ago, he scored 57.25 fantasy points against the Pistons, and that was with Kristaps Porzingis active. With Porzingis ruled out tonight, that only strengthens the case to start your lineups with Johnson.
LEAP YEAR: The Atlanta Hawks’ Jalen Johnson has continued his rise with triple-doubles on consecutive nights in his last two games, including one completed before halftime. He has tied the franchise single-season record with four triple-doubles. In his fifth season, the… pic.twitter.com/vM6dQqHpzS
— NBA (@NBA) December 8, 2025
Anthony Davis, DAL - PF (DK $9.5K, FD $10.4K)
It's been a tumultuous first full season in Dallas for Davis thus far - injured in the fifth game of the season, and two stinkers in his first five games since returning. However, there's reason for optimism tonight.
It's no secret the Nets aren't exactly a stout defense - 10th most points allowed per game, 8th lowest rebounding rate, 3rd lowest opponent shooting %, to name a few metrics, and they are 25th against PFs in fantasy PPG. From a Mavericks' perspective, their frontcourt is extremely thin. Dereck Lively was recently announced as done for the year, and Daniel Gafford is expected to miss his third straight game. With six days since their last game and a lack of rotational options, Davis looks like a great play tonight.
NBA DFS GPP Pivots
Cade Cunningham, DET - PG (DK $10.8K, FD $10.5K)
Cade is the most expensive player on the slate tonight, and with a handful of viable cheap PG options, I would expect his ownership to stay in check.
Cade has played well, posting 50+ fantasy points in five of his last seven games. He's always a threat to post a triple-double, and is one of 3-4 players on the slate who can realistically post 60 or higher. One thing I found interesting when looking at Cunningham's splits; he averages 3.3 stocks per game at home, compared to only 1.1 on the road.
Donovan Mitchell, CLE - SG (DK $9.8K, FD $9.6K)
Mitchell has been consistently posting good-not-great scores, and I'm calling my shot that he'll have a pop-off game tonight. He's averaging 47.7 fantasy PPG over his last 12 games, but only cleared 55 fantasy points three times in that span.
The Wizards are 5th in pace, allow the most points per game, and commit the most personal fouls per game. That sounds like a perfect formula for a guy who is 4th in the NBA in usage rate to have a big game. Outside of the matchup, there's no other obvious reason to roster Mitchell or any other Cavs, which should keep their ownership in check.
NBA DFS Value Picks
KJ Simpson, CHA - PG/SG (DK $4.5K, FD $5.2K)
This one is as simple as it gets, with no LaMelo Ball or Collin Sexton, Simpson figures to start once again. In the two games Simpson has started without those two, he's scored 24.75 and 26.75 fantasy points. He's almost a lock to be widely owned, and could end up as the most owned player on the slate.
Tristan Vukcevic, WAS - C (DK $4.3K, FD $4.3K)
With the Wizards missing Alexandre Sarr, they've turned to a platoon of Vukcevic and Marvin Bagley. Bagley has been getting the starting nod, but when looking at overall fantasy production, Vucevic has been more consistent. In the four games without Sarr, Vucevic is averaging 25 fantasy PPG, while Bagley is averaging 24. When factoring in the $600 in savings, Vucevic gets the nod tonight.
Jock Landale, MEM - C (DK $3.7K, FD $4.2K)
Landale is another no-brainer salary saver tonight. It was announced yesterday that Zach Edey will be sidelined for at least 4 weeks after a stress reaction in his ankle was discovered. This clears the way for Landale to enter the starting unit against a Jazz team that is 23rd in fantasy PPG against centers. Landale is another player who will be in the mix for the most-owned player on the slate due to his combination of price, matchup, and game environment.
Today's Top Game Stacks
Jazz at Grizzlies (240.5 O/U) - This is the cheapest cumulative game on the slate tonight, making it incredibly easy to game stack. Besides Jock Landale, no other player is expected to carry significant ownership. This game has the second-highest implied total on the slate, and if it does end up as a shootout, the rest of the field is likely to be underweight in playing it.
Cavaliers at Wizards (242.5 O/U) - Unsurprisingly, the game with the highest implied total on the slate is a good one to target tonight. Both of these teams rank in the top 10 in possessions per game, and the Wizards' porous defense can turn any game into a scoring fest. The Wizards have held their opponents under 119 points only 3(!) times this year. With both teams well rested after the NBA Cup games this week, I expect fresh legs and lots of scoring.
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: Anthony Davis
- My favorite GPP play on the slate: Cade Cunningham
- My favorite VALUE play: Jock Landale
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