Daily Fantasy NBA Basketball Picks for FanDuel, DraftKings and Draftster 12/27/14

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Point Guard

Kemba Walker - FD 8000 DK 8500 DFSTR 7300
Walker is turning into a fine player - both for fantasy and real life purposes. With Stephenson out, he's been shouldering a greater portion of the load, and performing quite nicely. These days it seems like he's in the mid-twenties for points and 6-8 assists just getting out of bed in the morning, and that makes him a very solid cash game play on any given night. On this night in particular, Walker is facing the Magic's woeful PG defense. They've allowed 10% more points than league average to opposing PGs this year, and Walker should flourish.

C.J. Watson - FD 4100 DK 4400 DFSTR 4700
The free-money CJ Watson days may be over with the return of George Hill, but that doesn't mean there's no value here. Our projection system likes Watson at this price even if he is playing 24 minutes per game, and he's been settling in at 28 or so recently. I'll keep my ears peeled for any news that Hill is going to take on a bigger role, but if he isn't, I very much like Watson against the combination of the ailing Deron Williams and the offense-first Jarrett Jack.

Jose Calderon - FD 5600 DK 4800 DFSTR 4100
If you're asking me, and I mean, you're kind of asking me, since you're reading this article and all, this isn't a day to spend up at PG. Our projection system likes Steph Curry, but he seems to be deferring more and more recently. I like going cheap, and cheap today means looking hard at Jose Calderon. He's been a lock for mid-thirties minutes recently, and has been dynamite in his last 3 games, paying an easy 5-6x on his FanDuel price in each. The Kings have been roughly league average against PGs this year, and I think Calderon should pay off his prices easily.

Also considered: Steph Curry, Trey Burke

Shooting Guard

Rodney Stuckey - FD 5400 DK 6000 DFSTR 5000
It looks for all the world like Stuckey is going to keep playing these minutes, given the Pacers lack of other authentic offensive weapons. As of this writing, he has 17 minutes at half-time, and at a 34 minute pace, he's dramatically underpriced. Brooklyn has been terrible at stopping opposing SGs from scoring points (11% worse than league avg) and crashing the boards (10% worse than league avg) - two things Stuckey does very well - and I love him for safety and upside here.

Kyle Korver - FD 5500 DK 5200 DFSTR
It rarely feels sexy, but it frequently turns out pretty well. Playing Kyle Korver, that is. His minutes are drifting upward again, and his prices seem to remain locked regardless of whatever his current opportunity is. When he's playing minutes like these he's always one of the best cash game plays at the position, but his value particularly skyrockets in great match-ups. Korver's not the greatest at creating his own shot, but he is sort of the greatest against teams that lose track of him. Enter the Bucks. Young and undisciplined, they've allowed 11% more scoring than league average to opposing SGs. If they leave Korver open, this one will be open season.

Alec Burks - FD 5500 DK 6000
Burks is sort of a poor man's Korver (when it comes to fantasy production). He's relatively consistent, but rarely flashes huge upside. But! He's playing the Sixers. They of basically no guy who can even play this position, who gobble up a ton of possessions, and are almost certainly trying to lose to pick in the top few in next year's draft. I suspect they'll be basically indifferent to Burks, who should be one of the primary beneficiaries of Philly's lackadaisical defensive attitude.

Also considered: Victor Oladipo

 

Small Forward

Shabazz Muhammad - FD 6200 DK 6300 DFSTR 5000
I just put a piece of Russel Stover Christmas candy in my mouth with the tin foil wrapper on. So that's where my head is at right now. But! Shabazz Muhammad! He'll top this list until he loses opportunity (unlikely with Brewer gone), he sucks for a while (not looking likely), or his price rises (quite likely). Golden State has been quite stout against the small forward position this year, but at these prices, Muhammad sort of smacks of "match-up proof" to me.

Gordon Hayward - FD 7800 DK 8100 DFSTR 6600
Hayward hasn't lit the world on fire recently, but he's certainly capable of it in the right situation. And look! It's Philadelphia. Hey, Philadelphia. It's nice to see you again. I don't think Hayward can properly be called a GPP play, but if you're looking to invest a decent chunk of salary safely, I have a tough time believing Hayward won't post 4.5x+ on his FanDuel price tonight.

Gerald Henderson - FD 4000 DK 4100 DFSTR 3800
There are a lot of directions I could have gone with this last small forward pick - it's a surprisingly deep position at this period in time - but I'm submitting Henderson. He's sucked as of half time tonight, but the minutes are still there, and this might be our last chance to squeeze him in at pure punt prices with Stephenson out. So, I'm going for it. Orlando is a fine match-up, and he should back his way into 5x this price as long as the minutes don't disappear.

Also considered: Robert Covington, Tobias Harris

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Power Forward

Derrick Favors - FD 6900 DK 7600 DFSTR 6700
It's that Philly thing again. Don't want to keep hashing and rehashing, but the Sixers are as awful against PFs as everywhere else, and it should be a solid game for Favors in an uptempo game.

Amar'e Stoudemire - FD 6200 DK 5800 DFSTR 5300
While Fisher is talking about more rest for Stat going forward, one has to think that Stoudemire's playing time has been intentional, and not a happy accident. With Boogie dealing with yet another ailment, Stoudemire should have the benefit of dealing with an under-manned Sacramento front court, even if Cousins does show up. While he's playing 30 minutes a game, Stoudemire is solid for both safety and upside here.

Pau Gasol - FD 8900 DK 8900 DFSTR 8000
With Noah looking lost out there, Pau has been seeing plenty consistent minutes and touches. Moreover, however, is the way he's being used and positioned in Thibs' schemes. Pau's having his best rebounding season of his career, and his second best season for blocks. I love him in cash games tonight, banging bodies with Davis in what should be a close game.

Also considered: Kris Humphries

Center

Mason Plumlee - FD 7100 DK 7900 DFSTR 4900
On a tough night for big men, Plumlee rises to the top of my cash-game crop. Sure, Plumlee isn't quite the play he was when he was 30% cheaper, but he's still putting up numbers in great minutes game after game. The consistent blocks and rebounds give him a terrific floor, and his 15-25 points per night give him some nice upside potential as well. Indiana is far from the ideal match-up for a center, but in spite of that, our projection system thinks Plumlee is worth the investment.

Chris Andersen - FD 4200 DK 4100 DFSTR 3500
To be honest with you for a second, I might actually wind up playing the Bird-Man in most of my lineups tonight, depending how the money thing plays out. He's been terrific on these punt prices when given the chance to start - and if he's in there for 24 minutes again, he'll have a tough time NOT paying off - even against Memphis. On a night where a lot of Centers have tough match-ups? I kinda like it.

Also considered: Enes Kanter, for the Utah sweep!

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