Daily Fantasy NBA Basketball Picks for FanDuel, DraftKings and DraftPot - 12/8/15

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POINT GUARD

Russell Westbrook - FD 10900 DK 10400
Opponent - MEM FD Proj. Pts - 50.2 DK Proj. Pts - 52.08
While this isn't the best matchup in the world, playing Westbrook is more a testament to how much the guy's price has dipped in the short term. And yet he's averaging a 23/7/8 since Durant returned which also happens to coincide with the Thunder playing some of the slowest teams in the league like Utah, Miami and Detroit. Memphis isn't exactly inducing a track meet, but I'm just on the price here for Westbrook. Sure his usage dips some with KD around, but the price is reflecting this. There are going to be some big money decisions on this slate, but Russell's in play for sure.

Patrick Beverley - FD 4100 DK 4700
Opponent - BKN FD Proj. Pts - 21.11 DK Proj. Pts - 23.69
The price just isn't catching up to his role as the starting point guard for the Rockets. Beverley's practically a punt on FanDuel and affordable enough on DraftKings. He's shooting hot from three which is helping his cause, but I think the assist numbers could stand to see a little bump going forward. Brooklyn doesn't push the pace which is only a testament to how truly bad they are on defense. They still rank as one of the worst teams defending opposing point guards even while playing a plodding style. That's truly terrible. The Rockets should have no issue scoring in this one and I like how cheap you are getting P Bev.

Jarrett Jack - FD 6100 DK 6200
Opponent - HOU FD Proj. Pts - 28.1 DK Proj. Pts - 28.92
I see him more of a tournament play, especially if you think the Nets can keep the game close against the Rockets. Houston doesn't have much of a defensive presence, but Jack isn't a safe play. He has issues with the minutes and can disappear for long stretches on the court because the Nets offense is ball-stopping and just bad in general. But Jack can put it together in certain affairs and I can see him out-stripping his price in the right scenario.

Emmanuel Mudiay - FD 5500 DK 5700
Opponent - ORL FD Proj. Pts - 27.22 DK Proj. Pts - 28.23
He can't shoot. But he can do everything else you'd need from a fantasy perspective. System likes him.

SHOOTING GUARD

James Harden - FD 10800 DK 10600
Opponent - BKN FD Proj. Pts - 50.28 DK Proj. Pts - 53.3
It seems like most nights it can be tough stomaching Harden early. It seems like he coasts in the first quarter of many games, barely registering what you would assume would be average production for the dude. But in the second half he turns it one. He averages more points, assists and rebounds in the second half of games and tends to take over the Rockets' offense at crunch time. The Nets have been brutal against shooting guards this season, ranking as one of the worst teams in the league against the position. Harden remains a very safe big money play due to his high usage rate and this is a cherry matchup.

J.R. Smith - FD 5300 DK 5300
Opponent - POR FD Proj. Pts - 24.99 DK Proj. Pts - 28.76
Before last game's ass-kicking to the hands of the Heat, J.R. had been logging big minutes for the Cavs. Cleveland doesn't have a lot of other options in that slot and need Smith's moderate versatility. His price is fine enough in the mid range for how much he projects to see the court. Doesn't have a huge ceiling because the Cavs have a lot of mouths to feed. But I see him as a higher floor guy all things considered.

Alec Burks - FD 5500 DK 5400
Opponent - SAC FD Proj. Pts - 23.83 DK Proj. Pts - 24.7
He's seen an uptick in minutes and usage of late as the Jazz simply can't keep running Rodney Hood and his horrendous shooting on the court for long stretches. Burks is primarily a scorer and little else which will keep his final lines fluctuating. But I don't mind taking a stab on him against a faster-paced Kings' squad.

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SMALL FORWARD

LeBron James - FD 10200 DK 10000
Opponent - POR FD Proj. Pts - 46.24 DK Proj. Pts - 48.1
He sat out the second half of a back-to-back after logging 45 minutes in an overtime loss to the Pelicans the night before. He should be all systems go here as taking a seat was merely a minutes-management move. And though I don't put a ton of stock in narratives behind players "stepping it up" in a certain game. This does have the markings Lebron wanting to get the team on track. Beyond that mumbo-jumbo, our system loves him as a big money play against the Blazers. His price is still affordable considering he's just about as consistent a player there is in this salary range. He deviates very little from his mean as long as the minutes are there. Which they always are.

Gordon Hayward - FD 6700 DK 7000
Opponent - SAC FD Proj. Pts - 31.35 DK Proj. Pts - 33.43
The big change with Hayward of late is just how much the Jazz have been running him out there on the court. Over the last week or so he's been logging 36 minutes or more per game and seeing his field goal attempts per game trend steadily upward. He's also busted out of some of the shooting woes he saw early season. Hayward is moderately versatile but really needs the shot to fall in order to hit value. But this matchup is nearly perfect for the guy. Sacramento plays the fastest pace in the league and are one of the worst at defending the small forward. Tons of potential volume coming up for Hayward and I suspect he's big start on FanDuel especially.

Omri Casspi - FD 4300 DK 5000
Opponent - UTA FD Proj. Pts - 20.31 DK Proj. Pts - 21.26
As long as he's starting, the FanDuel price is perfectly pleasant. There's some upside if he really gets the three to fall and chips in enough on the glass. Utah is a terrible matchup for most players unless the price is low enough. That's the case for Casspi if he's looking at thirty minutes.
 

POWER FORWARD

Thaddeus Young - FD 6800 DK 7100
Opponent - HOU FD Proj. Pts - 32.56 DK Proj. Pts - 33.84
Ooh baby, this guy is just a fantasy smorgasbord. It's pretty insane really just how good he's been this season. He's double-doubled in eight of his last ten games and gone (apparently) are the days when the minutes would get randomly buzzed off. He's now logging heavy run in the mid 30's per game. And for sure making the most of it. Houston's been atrocious this season against opposing power forwards. Young is still a fair price for what he gives and this game should feature scoring.

Terrence Jones - FD 5600 DK 5100
Opponent - BKN FD Proj. Pts - 22.9 DK Proj. Pts - 23.46
He won't break the bank on you and is logging just enough minutes to be considered somewhat safe relative to the rest of the player pool at power forward. I suppose over time Donatas cuts into these minutes, but Jones is seeing just around 25 minutes per game, averaging double digit points and about seven rebounds in the last three games. Again, I need to reiterate that I don't love Jones as much as finding quality options at power forward is real tough.

Consider not playing on FanDuel where you'll be forced to play two power forwards. Also keep an ear out for the Denver front court news. Minutes have been passed around there, but there's a chance one of their big guys could emerge with some more minutes in this game.

The other reason Thad will be a popular play tonight is the rest of the power forward position is a veritable wasteland. It's really, really gross. I struggle to even find another serviceable option who isn't a drain on your points per dollar value. That being said, Serge Ibaka is serviceable. Or if you think Ed Davis's minutes are for real, then he is interesting.

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CENTER

Nikola Vucevic - FD 7200 DK 7000
Opponent - DEN FD Proj. Pts - 34.89 DK Proj. Pts - 35.37
It's never a bad thing getting big men in against the Nuggets. Denver's been bad for a long time against opposing centers and this year is no different. This season they are in the bottom ten in the league against the opponent's big man and are particularly susceptible to getting scored on. Outside of a bad game against the Clippers, he'd been getting up about 18 shots per game and is averaging double digit rebounds per game when he starts. I suspect he's a big percentage start with the opponent and the reduced price. Look for a big game.

DeMarcus Cousins - FD 9800 DK 10500
Opponent - UTA FD Proj. Pts - 46.66 DK Proj. Pts - 47.23
Oh man, the price is reaching critical mass. Cousins' will admit (and he did) that he's played real poorly of late. Whether it's the foul trouble or just general disinterest (or that's what it looked like from where we were watching the other night) Boogie is having trouble putting it all together. Utah is without Gobert which does weaken them on the defensive end. Boogie is a superstar when he's firing on all cyclinders. That hasn't been the case lately and the price is dropping like a rock. We are buying way low here.

Consider Ian Mahimni but only as a tournament cheap option
 

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