DraftKings Daily Fantasy Basketball Helper: Monday 12/23/19
With 11 games to choose from on tonight's NBA slate, let's take a look at how to utilize the DFS possibilities.
Here are some of the top plays and sleepers on DraftKings. As always, good luck.
Point Guard
Ben Simmons ($8,500) -- Simmons and the 76ers are 2-3 in their past five, but Simmons' play has not been the issue. He's averaging 17.4 points, 7.8 assists, and 5.6 assists over this five-game stretch and recorded 47 fantasy points in the 76ers' recent win over the Wizards. The 76ers are 19th in pace (102.0) while their opponent, the Pistons, are tied for 19th (101.7). That could lean this affair towards a low-scoring game for both teams -- the total is only 214.0. Despite this, Simmons recorded a double-double versus the Pistons on October 26, tallying 13 points and 10 assists. Simmons is projected by our model to record 15.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 7.8 assists in this second matchup on the road in Detroit.
C.J. McCollum ($6,500) -- Two days ago, McCollum continued his hot stretch of play with a fourth straight game of 26 points or more. He surpassed 30 points in three-straight before scoring 26 against the Timberwolves at home on Saturday. Back for the Trail Blazers' last (and fourth straight) game of a home-stand, McCollum is averaging 29.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists on 10.3 shots made on 20.6 attempts in the last three. McCollum has recorded four straight games of 42 fantasy points or more, and for his value, he is ridiculously cheap. The New Orleans Pelicans are seventh in pace, and this game has a slate-high 230.0-point over/under.
Shooting Guard
Bradley Beal ($9,300) -- Beal should be in for a big night in Madison Square Garden, taking on the New York Knicks. Beal has scored 29 or more points in four of his last five games and at least 45 fantasy points in all five. He's double-doubled twice in those five games while averaging 31.8 points, 7 rebounds and 6.6 assists for the Wizards. Washington is second in pace (106.4), and if Beal can push transition and hit from beyond the arc, he may be in for his fourth 30-point game in five. New York is 26th (100.7) in pace and will try to slow down Beal, who is projected to be a top-three scorer across the league tonight with 26.5 points, 6.5 assists and 4.6 rebounds. Beal's ceiling is second only to James Harden's ($11,000), based on numberFire's projections.
Zach LaVine ($8,000) -- The Bulls are a hot 4-2 in their last six games, and LaVine has led the team in scoring five of those six. In four of those six games, LaVine scored 30 or more points, and if he's healthy enough to play a road game in Orlando while dealing with an illness, he'll remain the primary scoring option for Chicago. He's averaged 29 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists over their six-game streak, and he's made 22 of 48 (45.3%) three-pointers and 39 of 44 (88.6%) free throws. The Magic are 27th in pace (100.1) and have only scored 100 points at home once in the past five games while the Bulls have surpassed the century mark in six-straight road games. LaVine is one of seven shooting guards with a ceiling above 50.0 DraftKings points.
Small Forward
DeMar DeRozan ($6,800) -- DeRozan is on the road tonight in Memphis, and -- believe it or not with the Spurs' 3-9 road record -- he's averaging better numbers away from San Antonio. DeRozan averages 23.3 points and 37.6 fantasy points on the road compared to 18.8 points and 34.9 fantasy points at home. The two teams met earlier in the year, and the Spurs lost at home while DeRozan had 12 points, 7 assists and 7 rebounds on 6 for 15 shooting (40%). Our model projects DeRozan to record 22.5 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.9 assists. DeRozan's matchup and game environment are one of the best combined on the entire slate.
Will Barton ($6,200) -- Barton has been an all-around spark for the Nuggets off the bench, averaging 15.4 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 3.7 assists with two double-doubles in the past seven games. He's recorded 31 fantasy points or more in five of his last seven games and is facing the Suns in Phoenix, which could mean more of a track meet for the Nuggets. The Suns are 10th in pace (105.2) and 24th in rebounding (43.3) while the Nuggets are 10th in rebounding (46.0) and second-to-last in pace (99.7), creating a pace-up spot for Denver. Barton will be instrumental off the bench, and he's taken over the role Gary Harris ($4,500) once had for Denver, setting career-highs in rebounds (7.0), field goal shooting (45.3%), and three-point shooting (40.3%).
Power Forward
Brandon Ingram ($8,400) -- Ingram has been on of my favorite players to play on a nightly basis, as he's continued scoring at a career-high level. The Pelicans will meet the Blazers for the second time this season. In the first, Ingram recorded 21 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists on 8 for 20 shooting (40%). Ingram has scored 21 or more points in 14 of his last 16 games since the Blazers game and is averaging 26.4 points and 53.9% shooting on the road this season. Ingram is projected to record 22.3 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists. He also projects for the highest ceiling among power forward options.
Julius Randle ($6,700) -- Randle has recorded at least 29.75 fantasy points in seven of his last eight games, and the Knicks will need his hustle tonight. The Wizards' pace is favorable for Randle, who moves like a guard in transition. In the past six games, he's totaled 20 or more points in four of them in addition to averaging 9.6 boards. Randle and the Knicks will likely be in for a fast-paced game tonight, and a 20-point and 10-rebound night is in the cards while Wizards big Thomas Bryant out. Randle is projected to total 19.7 points, 9.1 rebounds and 3.4 assists.
Center
John Collins ($6,700) -- Collins returns from his 25-game suspension today against the Cavaliers, and the Hawks could sure use him back. Jabari Parker has led Atlanta in rebounding (6.3) since Collins absence. The Cavs are deeper down low, but Collins should be energized and is a potential double-double in his first game back. We have a buy-low window for Collins. Once he returns to his 2018-19 averages of 19.5 points and 9.6 rebounds per game, his price will be much more expensive. Collins will not have a minutes restriction and is projected for 31.8 minutes tonight.
Kevin Love ($7,400) -- In that same game, we have Kevin Love. Love has recorded two-straight double-doubles in 32 minutes or fewer in two wins for the Cavs. Love is ninth in rebounding with 10.8 rebounds per game, and he's recorded 10 or more rebounds in six of his last seven games. Love has scored double-digits in six of those seven games earning five double-doubles. Love could be due for another double-double as his trade stock continues to rise. Love is second among power forwards in fantasy points per minute and is an affordable center with a high ceiling.
Vaughn Dalzell is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Vaughn also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username vdalzell. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his/her personal views, he/she may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his/her personal account. The views expressed in his/her articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.
