DFS NBA Picks for FanDuel and DraftKings - Thursday 12/22

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Point Guard

Jalen Brunson FD - $7400 DK - $8500
Opponent - MIL
Proj Pts FD - 41.9 DK - 45.11

Welcome to the new NBA where health and safety protocols have become the daily theme of these articles. The Mavericks guards have been hit hard as Doncic, Hardway, Burke, and Bullock are all on the C-19 list but that once again opens up Jalen Brunson who has been terrific in the short term. He has run a 25% usage rate with Doncic out the last five games and has been even better putting 37 or more fantasy points in three straight. That has sparked a big increase in price on DraftKings but the Mavs do get a plus matchup vs a Bucks team that has given up an average of 110 points over the last four games without Giannis in the lineup. Brunson is a much better play on FanDuel but is in play on both sites.

Delon Wright FD - $4500 DK - $4200
Opponent - PHI
Proj Pts FD - 28.41 DK - 29.6

We were all over Wright last night with Hawks short-handed at guard and while it wasn't pretty, he got there in terms of cash game value. It appears the Hawks will be short-handed again which should spark another start for Wright and the great news is that his price dropped $400 on DraftKings. There is a chance of a blowout here as the 76ers are 9.5 point favorites but that shouldn't stop the Hawks from giving Wright another full run of minutes in their current situation. All things considered, Wright is once again one of our top PTS.$ value plays on this slate.

Shooting Guard

Will Barton FD - $5600 DK - $6400
Opponent - CHA
Proj Pts FD - 32.47 DK - 35.47

It was a complete disaster for the Nuggets last night to the point where the starters stat the entire 4th quarter en route to a loss. There are multiple reasons to go back to the well and it starts with the fact they are going to be well-rested and should be primed for a full run on Thursday. For Barton, individually, he has been much more inconsistent lately but that has led to his lowest price on DraftKings since early November. Now add in the fact this game has the highest total on the slate(228.5), is expected to be close(DEN -2.5), and the Hornets run a league-worst defense and you have a top value in all formats.

Evan Fournier FD - $5600 DK - $5800
Opponent - WAS
Proj Pts FD - 27.06 DK - 29.93

If you are looking to go with more of a balanced attack tonight, I am definitely a fan of the Knicks guards at their current prices. While we mostly avoided targeting the Wizards early in the season, that is no longer the last as they have given up 100 or more points in 12 straight while averaging 113.6 against in that time. For Fournier, he has seen a huge boost the last two games with no Derrick Rose playing 40+ minutes and putting up 24 shots in each game. He is very shooting dependant but should get all shots he can handle and even with a rising price is a nice value under $6K given the situation.

Small Forward

Brandon Ingram FD - $8800 DK - $9600
Opponent - ORL
Proj Pts FD - 43.8 DK - 47.74

The season-high price on Ingram may have you questioning the pick but hear me out. First of all, Jonas Valancunius has already been ruled out which will give a usage boost and more importantly a rebounding boost(already 9.5%) to Ingram against a Magic team that is 19th in that category. Then we look at the volume as Ingram has averaged 20 shots a game over his last 10 games while shooting just over 50% from the field and has provided a very consistent fantasy floor with 39 or more DK points in nine of those 10 games and 49 or more five times. All things considered, I will have a healthy share of Ingram in all formats.

Cam Reddish FD - $4300 DK - $4600
Opponent - PHI
Proj Pts FD - 32.22 DK - 34.75

I mentioned the Hawks issues above and another player who benefited last night was Cam Reddish who went off for 34 points and 50+ fantasy points while getting a full run of minutes(42). Expect another big game tonight as half the team is on the C-19 list and while the price on Reddish did go up on both sites, it is still criminally low for the projected run he will get against a below-average 76ers defense(20th in defensive efficiency). Lock and load in all formats.

Power Forward/Center

Nikola Jokic FD - $11300 DK - $12200
Opponent - CHA
Proj Pts FD - 64.48 DK - 69.45

Last night was a huge disappointment as the Nuggets struggled as a group which led to the starters being sat the entire fourth quarter. While most will be off on an even larger slate, I am going to look at the positives starting with a drop in price and leading into an elite matchup against the Hornets who rank dead last in defensive efficiency and 3rd in pace. After getting to watch the loss from the bench last night, the starting five should be ready to rebound and could also be under-owned. I am on board with Jokic as a top pay-up in all formats.

John Collins FD - $7700 DK - $7300
Opponent - PHI
Proj Pts FD - 44.19 DK - 46.21

One more mention of the Atlanta Hawks here and it's kind of hard not to as they are literally out three of their top four and six of their Top 10 players once again tonight. Like Wright and Reddish above, Collins played a ton last night(41 min) and was tremendous shooting 53% on 17 shots putting up his third straight double-double and 50+ fantasy points. It's truly amazing that his price never budged an inch on DraftKings which makes him one of my top overall plays tonight against a 76ers team that is not only 20th in defensive efficiency but also dead last in rebounding.

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