3 NBA DraftKings Studs to Target on 12/10/19

While building a daily fantasy basketball lineup, it's important to make sure you find the right studs to anchor your team. As the most expensive players in your lineup, they need big-time production to match their high price tag.

You may find it hard to fit some of these guys in while staying under the salary cap, but you can check out our projections to find value players for your rosters. Let's take a look at the top high-priced DraftKings plays of the day.

Nikola Jokic, C, Denver Nuggets

DraftKings Price: $9,000

On Tuesday, Nikola Jokic will go head to head with Joel Embiid as the Denver Nuggets travel to Philadelphia to battle the 76ers. It's a game between the NBA's second- and third-best defenses, according to NBA.com's defensive rating, and that has FanDuel Sportsbook offering just a 206-point over/under.

It's a low total with Denver -- four-point underdogs -- sporting a low implied total (101) on the road. But the Nuggets are used to lower-scoring affairs, as they have averaged 106.5 points per game to their opponents' 101.9 this season. And still, Jokic has averaged 41.4 DraftKings points in what many are calling a down year.

Jokic has indeed gotten off to a slow start, but he's looked really good in the last two. After totaling 56.0 DK points in 31 minutes against the Boston Celtics, the versatile big man turned in 47.75 in 34 minutes against the Brooklyn Nets. The Nuggets dropped both games, but it was not for Jokic's lack of effort.

Finally, we might expect more out of The Joker with Embiid squaring him on the defensive end. According to Basketball-Reference, Jokic has averaged 23.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 46.6 DK points in the two centers' four head-to-heads. We project him for 47.7 in this one.

Devonte' Graham, PG, Charlotte Hornets

DraftKings Price: $8,400

If you're looking for a good return in the backcourt, Devonte' Graham should have your attention. The Charlotte Hornets out-of-nowhere star has made quite a name for himself, averaging 18.8 points, 7.8 assists and a total of 37.3 DK points a game. In his 15 games as a starter, he's elevated those per-game numbers to 19.5, 7.9 and 38.1, respectively.

Playing at home has also raised Graham's per-game splits, as he has shot a higher percentage from the field and from three en route to 22.4 points, 8.8 assists and 43.8 DK points a night in Charlotte. And when you combine the two spots he's at 41.8 DK points per game over 36.4 minutes of work.

Graham and the underdog (+1.5) Hornets draw a favorable matchup at home in a game with the highest over/under (234) on the board. Combine with that the fact that -- according to Fantasy Pros -- the Washington Wizards allow 48-plus DK points to both guard positions, and you have a prime point guard play.

Hassan Whiteside, C, Portland Trail Blazers

DraftKings Price: $8,000

This should be a night where you roster a couple of centers, if not in cash at least in tournament lineups. After all, Hassan Whiteside is as volatile as they come because of his potential foul trouble and general lack of interest on some nights, but his upside is up there with the best of them.

This season, Whiteside has again averaged a double-double with 38.7 DK points per game on 60.8% shooting. His 2.2 blocks per game are fifth in the league, and he's averaging 3.7 offensive boards and 3.9 second-chance points.

The reeling New York Knicks have been OK versus the position, but they are 27th in defensive rating 28th in rebound rate over the last five games. Whiteside will aim to take advantage as he searches for his sixth 40-point fantasy performance in seven games.

Brett Oswalt is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Brett Oswalt also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username BrettOswalt. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his/her personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in his articles are the author’s alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.