FanDuel NBA Picks and DraftKings NBA Picks - Sunday, 12/8/19

 

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Point Guard

Ish Smith FD - $4600 DK - $5000
Opponent - LAC
Proj Pts FD - 28.79 DK - 28.98
The pricing here is just wrong as long as Thomas reminds sidelined. In his two games as a starter Ish has turned in two remarkably similar performances, averaging 17 points and 8 assists with a couple rebounds thrown in for good measure. It's a terrible match-up against the Clippers, and a blowout seems imminent, but the Wizards just flat out lack ball handlers right now, and I'm penciling Smith in for 5x points per dollar at the very worst.

Jeff Teague FD - $5900 DK - $6500
Opponent - LAL
Proj Pts FD - 32.51 DK - 32.99
Teague went off in Wiggins' absence against the Thunder, dropping 53.5 fantasy points in the Wolves' overtime loss to the Thunder. This is a play that's entirely dependent upon Wiggins' status. If he misses, Teague is a phenomenal play and almost a cash game must. If Wiggins returns, you can probably ignore him. Here's to hopping Wiggins takes an extra day on that sprained thumb and we can get another great crack at Teague as a DFS cash game option.

Kendrick Nunn FD - $5100 DK - $5300
Opponent - CHI
Proj Pts FD - 27.41 DK - 28.15

With Winslow likely missing this one again, Nunn's floor should remind nice and steady. While Butler is assuming the lion's share of the point guard duties, Nunn is still a very necessary part of that offense as a secondary ball handler. Chicago is a solid match-up, ranking as the 12th best match-up for opposing back-courts, but what I love about Nunn here is that Butler almost has to draw the majority of the Bulls' defensive ire. I think Nunn breaks free for a 30+ fantasy point performance here.

Also considered: i like what I'm seeing from Chris Paul right now.

 
 

Shooting Guard

Jimmy Butler FD - $9300 DK - $8800
Opponent - CHI
Proj Pts FD - 45.97 DK - 44.91
With Winslow out against the Wizards, Butler marched out there and dropped a triple double with 3 defensive stats chipped in for good measure. This Bulls match-up isn't as good as going up against the Wiz (because, well, nothing is), but it's plenty solid and Butler looks like a steal at a sub $10,000 price point in this role.

Buddy Hield FD - $8000 DK - $7300
Opponent - DAL
Proj Pts FD - 39.04 DK - 41.24
You know what you're getting in Hield right now. In his last 6 games Hield is playing 40 minutes a game and averaging 40.3 fantasy points a game. That's a rock solid cash game recipe. If there's a fly in the ointment here it's that Luka and Dallas have been on an absolute killing spree, but given that the Mavs are only 6.5 point favorites in this one Vegas at least doesn't see it as a blowout. If the Kings are trailing that should theoretically favor Hield, as they may rely on him to keep them in the game from deep.

Also considered: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Small Forward

LeBron James FD - $10800 DK - $10500
Opponent - MIN
Proj Pts FD - 57.8 DK - 60.82
We were somewhat alone on LeBron island in the Lakers' game against Portland, and I was honestly pretty surprised. LeBron has unleashed his 4th form, an assist-driven model that's carving up the league from a number of angles. His price hasn't moved here, and he has an even better match-up against the Wolves. Minnesota has played the 4th fastest pace while being in the bottom half of the league in terms of defensive efficiency, making LeBron a superb pay-up option tonight.

Josh Okogie FD - $3800 DK - $4100
Opponent - LAL
Proj Pts FD - 25.18 DK - 24.61
Okogie turned in a nightmarish performance standing in for Wiggins on Friday, but man, this is still a really cheap price for a guy who appears to be in line for a 28 minute rotation right now. He shot very well from the field in that game, and it's clear that the Wolves trust him with the minutes right now. If you assume that he'll go back to his prior fantasy point per minute averages he's a great play here.

Also considered: Carmelo Anthony.

Power Forward

Rui Hachimura FD - $5800 DK - $5900
Opponent - LAC
Proj Pts FD - 32.99 DK - 33.18

What can you say about these Wizards guys right now? Hachimura has been playing a truly absurd number of minutes, topping 38 in each of his last four games. He's been effective, too, averaging 21.5 points and 7 rebounds a game in that stretch. It's obviously a tough match-up with the Clippers, but given that the Clips are only favored by 8 heading into Washington it's not as if this game projects to be some sort of massive blowout. If the game does stay close, you have to figure that Hachimura has as high a floor as anyone at a tough position.

Bam Adebayo FD - $8000 DK - $8100
Opponent - CHI
Proj Pts FD - 41.18 DK - 41.74
Kelly Olynyk FD - $4700 DK - $4600
Opponent - CHI
Proj Pts FD - 21.32 DK - 21.76

I write these two guys up together because right now BAM! is considered questionable in this game with a groin contusion. If Adebayo is healthy, it's not unreasonable to imagine him repeating the excellent 24/14 performance he had against the Wizards. Chicago has front-court difficulties of their own, and he put up an oppressive 16/14/6 line against them in their previous meeting this season.

If Bam misses, Olynyk is in a terrific spot to step into serious minutes. He's not the physical presence that Adebayo is of course, but he'd be a pretty straightforward price and opportunity mismatch, and a great play at the center position>,P>

Also considered: Anthony Davis, who is a terrific pay-up option once again.

Keep an eye on the Joel Embiid situation. If he sits Al Horford will likely repeat being the highest owned guy on the slate. Mike Scott also randomly looked like the second coming of Michael Jordan, and is still super cheap.

Center

Hassan Whiteside FD - $8200 DK - $7500
Opponent - OKC
Proj Pts FD - 44.41 DK - 44.42

Have we finally reached a point in Whiteside's career where he is going to play consistent 30+ minute rotations? If so, he's too cheap on both sites, and on DraftKings in particular. He's averaged 50 fantasy points and 3.5 defensive stats a game in his last two, and if he plays like that it will be tough for Portland to keep him off the floor. Adams is a good defender, but not enough to scare you off Whiteside when he's roughly 10% too cheap.

Moritz Wagner FD - $5700 DK - $5800
Opponent - LAC
Proj Pts FD - 30.38 DK - 30.81
Wagner was the highest owned center in his game against Miami, and promptly went out there and scored 35.3 FanDuel points. This is a real test of how confident you are in the Wizards to hang with one of the league's prohibitive favorites, though, as he could get chased from this game quickly if it gets out of hand. If you think it stays close, though, Wagner could be an excellent big tournament target.

 

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