FanDuel NBA Picks and DraftKings NBA Picks - Wednesday, 12/21/22

This scheduling by the NBA this week is mind-boggling. We have 11 games today, two on Thursday, and then 14 on Friday. It would have been much nicer to see nine on each day, but the NBA has other motivations. In any case, it leaves us with a colossal card here and plenty to discuss. With that in mind, let's start with two of the most exciting point guards in the NBA.

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Point Guard

LaMelo Ball FD - $8500 DK - $8900
Opponent - LAC
Proj Pts FD - 45.27 DK - 48.25

Ball is always one of the top players in our projection system, mainly due to his pricing. We expect this stud to be a $10K player sooner rather than later, and it's hard to believe both sites have him below $9,000. LaMelo has scored at least 41 DraftKings points in five straight games and has season-highs in his last two outings. This superstar is finally getting back to full health, and it's scary to think how much usage he'll have with Terry Rozier out as well. The Clippers are usually a concerning matchup, but they own a 14th OPRK against opposing guards. As long as Ball gets the 20 shots and 35 percent usage rate we're anticipating, he's one of the best bets for a sub-$9K player to reach 50 fantasy points.

De'Aaron Fox FD - $8600 DK - $8700
Opponent - LAL
Proj Pts FD - 43.55 DK - 44.49

Fox is in the middle of a breakout year, and if it weren't for a few injuries, more people would realize it. The speedster has scored at least 30 DraftKings points in all but three games, with two of those being shortened due to an injury. He's also generating a 45-point average in those other 23 outings, doing that damage in just 33 minutes a night. His biggest asset here is a matchup with the Lakers, though. Not only does Los Angeles own a 26th OPRK against opposing PGs, but they also rank third in pace. That blistering pace is a massive advantage for the fastest player in the NBA, with De'Aaron dropping 64 DraftKings points in their one matchup earlier this season.

Damian Lillard (FD $9600 DK $10600) has a 40-point floor and a 70-point upside and could reach that ceiling against a 28th-ranked OKC defense.

Shooting Guard

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander FD - $10400 DK - $10100
Opponent - POR
Proj Pts FD - 52.24 DK - 52.11

We love that SGA has shooting guard eligibility because he's one of the best options at that position. The young guard has been doing everything for this Oklahoma City offense, scoring at least 33 DraftKings points in 27 of 28 games. He's also flashed a 62-point ceiling at times, doing that on five occasions this year! This is simply one of the best players in the NBA, and he's going to do even more with Josh Giddey expected to miss this game. Also, Portland is a phenomenal matchup, with SGA scoring at least 50 fantasy points in their last two meetings while sitting 21st in defensive efficiency.

Markelle Fultz FD - $6600 DK - $5700
Opponent - HOU
Proj Pts FD - 30.53 DK - 30.68

It's been sad watching Markelle's career getting clobbered by injuries, but we're finally seeing glimpses of why this was the top pick in the draft. Orlando has given him the keys to this Magic car, with Fultz scoring at least 47 DraftKings points in two of his last four games. He's also got a 37-point average in that span, and it should continue with how he's been stuffing the stat sheet. Getting to face Houston is the best part of this, though, with the Rockets surrendering the most fantasy points to opposing PGs. This kid has all the talent in the world, and it wouldn't be surprising to see him as an $8K player by the end of the season if things keep trending this way.

Moses Moody (FD $3700 DK $3300) will likely receive another start and play 30-plus minutes with Curry, Wiggins, Thompson, and Green all possibly missing this game.

Small Forward

LeBron James FD - $11100 DK - $9900
Opponent - SAC
Proj Pts FD - 56.09 DK - 57.39

How is this guy's career even possible? LeBron came into the league with all the hype in the world, and he's possibly the greatest player of all time. It's even crazier because he's averaging 27 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 6.5 assists in his 20th year! All of that makes him an easy play on every slate, with King James scoring at least 51 DK points in four straight games. He's going to do everything for this offense with Anthony Davis out, and we can't overlook the fact that he has a 40-point floor this season as well. Sacramento is a sensational matchup, too, with the Kings ranked 23rd in defensive efficiency and 27th in points allowed.

Jonathan Kuminga FD - $4200 DK - $5000
Opponent - BKN
Proj Pts FD - 22.08 DK - 22.25

This is slightly risky because we don't know what the Warriors will look like here, but there's a possibility Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, and Donte DiVincenzo all miss this game. Wig and Curry have already been ruled out, while Green and Thompson are unlikely to play in the second half of a B2B set. That means Kuminga could be in line for a 40-minute start. JK has played at least 29 minutes in 14 games since the beginning of last year, scoring at least 28 DraftKings points in all but two of those. That alone would be a massive total from a player in this price range, and his 34-point average also backs it.

Kawhi Leonard (FD $8000 DK $7900) is finally starting to find his form and should keep it going against a 27th-ranked Charlotte defense.

Power Forward

Christian Wood FD - $7900 DK - $8100
Opponent - MIN
Proj Pts FD - 39.77 DK - 42.72

We're finally getting what we've been asking for! Fans have been clammering for Wood to start all season, and Jason Kidd finally pulled the trigger on that move in the Mavs most recent game. A starting role should guarantee Wood more minutes, shot attempts, and usage, which is fantastic since Christian has been crushing in a limited role throughout his career. He's averaging 32 DraftKings points per game across just 27 minutes a night and can provide a 40-point average in a 32-minute role. The best part is facing Minnesota, who ranks second in pace and 20th in points allowed. Wood played 34 minutes in their one matchup earlier this season, falling just short of 40 fantasy points.

John Collins FD - $6300 DK - $5700
Opponent - CHI
Proj Pts FD - 29.3 DK - 28.5

It's been a "down" year for Collins but scoring 28 DK points per game is nothing to complain about. The dropoff is evident in his price tag, but we believe this is the lowest his tag will be all year. JC is usually closer to $7K on both sites, and he'll get closer to that starting at center for Clint Capela. That means more minutes and rebounds for JC, which is incredible since he's been a $7,000 player throughout his career. JC had 26 DK points across 20 minutes in his first game back from an injury in that expanded role. We expect him to get closer to 30 minutes here, and that should bode well against a Bulls club that owns a 26th OPRK against opposing big men.

Paolo Banchero (FD $8300 DK $8000) will win Rookie of the Year and could have a big night against a 26th-ranked Rockets defense.

Center

Joel Embiid FD - $11900 DK - $11500
Opponent - DET
Proj Pts FD - 59.38 DK - 60.72

There will be plenty of value to be had with so many players likely sitting, so using Embiid is probably the best pay-up spot on the slate. The MVP runner-up has been unstoppable as of late, scoring at least 56 DraftKings points in 11 of his last 13 games. He's also posting a 64-point average in that span, which would be the highest average in the NBA. That makes him a worthy play against anyone, but he should destroy this disastrous Detroit defense. The Pistons rank 29th in both points allowed and defensive efficiency, with Joel dropping 65 fantasy points in their most recent matchup.

Al Horford FD - $5300 DK - $4900
Opponent - IND
Proj Pts FD - 27.74 DK - 27.93

It's hard to believe that Horford remains this cheap. Over recent weeks, the veteran has been mired in a slump, but we refuse to believe that this guy is a $5,000 player. Big Al is averaging over 25 fantasy points per game and has a 28-point projection. That alone makes him a good value in this price range, especially since Horford has been sitting around $7,000 throughout most of his career. A bounce-back seems likelier in this incredible matchup, with Indiana allowing the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing centers. We also don't mind that Al amassed 42 DK points in his most recent meeting with the Pacers.

Thomas Bryant (FD $6100 DK $5300) has been starting for Anthony Davis and could be a $7K player in this 30-minute starting role.

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