Daily Fantasy NBA Basketball Picks for FanDuel, DraftKings and Draftster 12/8/14

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Point Guard

Deron Williams - FD 7800 DK 8200 DFSTR 6900
The guy is often overlooked because he plays on a boring team and there are typically other point guard values on any given night that we can overlook D-Will rather easily. But he's been paying this price more often than not and tonight gets matchup up against Kyrie and Cavs who are about average in defending the opposing point guard. I like D-Will's upside even at this price and don't think he'll be a high percentage start. This is a nice matchup for a guy who does enough across the box score to keep the floor high.

Kyle Lowry - FD 9100 DK 10100 DFSTR 7500
Greivis Vasquez - FD 4800 DK 5100 DFSTR 4400
Both of these guys have seen huge usage rate bumps since Demar Derozan's gone down. Lowry especially has taken full reins over the offense and before the Cleveland game has put up over 50 fantasy points in the previous three games. He's been a beast. Meanwhile Greivis still hasn't seen his price full catch up now that he's around and over thirty minutes per game out of the starting lineup. Honestly, playing these guys together in the point guard positions is a fine strategy considering just how much they'll be handling the ball.

Consider Mo Williams or Zach Lavine

 

Shooting Guard

Not a ton to love about this position tonight.
Rodney Stuckey - FD 5000 DK 4600 DFSTR 4600
Getting just enough minutes to keep himself relevant. Stuckey, when he has the run, should be able to easily beat these prices. He can score quickly and does just enough around the margins to make the idea of getting him into a cash game (even playing less that thirty minutes a game) stomach-able. Again, the minutes for me are right at the breaking point. He has to play at least 26-28 minutes to make him safe. But it seems as if his role in that respect is secure.

Avery Bradley - FD 5100 DK 4500 DFSTR 4800
Doesn't offer a whole ton of upside. But what I'm looking for on this slate out of the shooting guard position is set minutes and a guy who won't completely crush your team with the salary. That's Bradley. Washington has had some trouble against opposing twos this season, allowing 15% more scoring than league average. Bradley is a placeholder for me more than anything.
LouWilliams
He's the very definition of a feast of famine play. Lou-Will either very much has it, or very much doesn't with very little in between. That's the story for guys whose only relevant fantasy skill is scoring. If he is cold from the floor he is terrible all around.

 

Small Forward

Gordon Hayward - FD 7500 DK 7900 DFSTR 6800
It isn't always easy rooting for the guy as he'll disappear for long stretches or have a horrible shooting night that'll have you wanting to break things. But I think there's a solid strategy to middle across the lineups today because I'm not sure you are getting enough value out of the top tier of players. Hayward fits with that strategy as he's coming moderately priced as a position that is typically a tough one to fill.

Corey Brewer - FD 4800 DK 5500 DFSTR 5000
Oof, it sure doesn't feel great, but this position is razor thin tonight. His price hasn't climbed too much since taking over the starting shooting guard role from Kevin Martin. But it is worth it to mention that the Warriors haven't been great against defending twos this season. Brewer isn't exactly a great player, but if he can creep over thirty minutes then I think you are in fine shape with the guy tonight.

Consider Demarre Carroll
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Power Forward

Kris Humphries - FD 4400 DK 4700 DFSTR 3800
He's been a certified beast over the last few games. In his last three he's averaging an 11/13 which is kind of nuts. His salaries haven't caught up anywhere close to what they should be if he's just going to be the starting power forward and getting over thirty minutes a night. I suspect because of the recent returns that he is a bigger cash game play tonight simply because he offers the punt play prices without having to wonder too much about the production.

Amir Johnson - FD 4800 DK 5300 DFSTR 5300
Unlike Vasquez and Lowry, Amir's usage doesn't really change whether Derozan is on the court or not. But Johnson does have a fantastic matchup against the Nuggets who are way below average in defending the opposing power forward. They are worse than league average in every category against the opposing four. Johnson is far from a sure thing, but playing both he and Humphries together gives you a re fair amount of upside without having to overspend.

Blake Griffin - FD 9500 DK 10000 DFSTR 8600
I don't feel totally comfortable getting big money in on any of the superstars on this slate, though if I wre to spend up in one spot it could very well be Blake. The Suns are above average defending opposing power forwards but this game should be a high-scoring affair with Blake getting a ton of shots. I'm not one to buy on recent performance but he's been steady Eddie. I like him for cash games, especially if I think this game stays closer. He's been averaging a 23/7.5/4 on the season that keeps him from rarely submarining a squad because of a dud.

 

Center

Tyler Zeller - FD 3900 DK 5000 DFSTR 3000
He's stepped into the starting center role for the Celts and played well. I think he sticks at least for the short term and with around 27 minutes per game these prices are kind of a joke. Granted the Wizards are real good defending the center position this season especially when it comes to scoring, but overall I don't really think you can ignore the price on Zeller simply because it doesn't come anywhere close to reflecting his new role.

Anderson Varejao - FD 5000 DK 5400 DFSTR 5500
Saw his minutes drop last game simply because the Cavs were blowing out the Raptors and the starters didn't need to see it through. I'm going to keep recommending Varejao as a solid cash game play until the price comes up some. Since there's no evidence that's going to happen anytime soon, let's keep running him out there. Brooklyn is fine enough against the opposing center, but the price here is the story on Anderson. He's average 10/6.5/1.5 with a steal and a block thrown in here and there. The price stays low because he rarely crushes his salary. But he also never seems to completely dud.

Consider Marcin Gortat
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