DFS NBA Picks for FanDuel and DraftKings - Thursday 12/8

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Guards

Damian Lillard FD - $9500 DK - $9700
Opponent - DEN
Proj Pts FD - 37.18 DK - 41.71

We have two superstars and the most expensive players on this slate going head-to-head tonight and we may be able to play them together with some expected value popping up once we get all the news. As of now, however, I am leaning toward Lillard who is sub $10K on both sites, making the building process a bit easier and more balanced to start. The shooting, especially from beyond the arc, has been atrocious in the short term but I am not concerned as he commands heavy usage in the offense(32%), averages 25.8 points and 6.9 assists per game and gets a plus matchup against a Nuggets team that is 26th in defensive efficiency. Lillard is our top projected play at the guard position and a great building block in all formats.

Kevin Porter Jr. FD - $7600 DK - $7300
Opponent - SA
Proj Pts FD - 34.98 DK - 38.36

There is a ton of news to drop on this small slate and it includes Kevin Porter who has some right knee soreness but considering they haven't played since Monday, signs are pointing to him playing. That is great news as he is in a smash spot here against a Spurs team that is dead last in defensive efficiency,  7th fastest pace, and have allowed the second-most fantasy points to guards. For Porter, he has been a very consistent PTS/$ producer at these prices and that comes from providing value in multiple categories as he is averaging 19 points, 5.7 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and a combined 1.7 blocks/steals per game on the season. Porter is my favourite PTS/$ option at the guard position tonight.

Tre Jones FD - $6400 DK - $6400
Opponent - HOU
Proj Pts FD - 37.03 DK - 38.92
Romeo Langford FD - $4000 DK - $3100
Opponent - HOU
Proj Pts FD - 14.02 DK - 14.02

This game has the highest total(231.5) on the slate by five full points and the Rockets are not the only ones in a great spot as their own defense has struggled this season ranking 28th in defensive efficiency. It appears we are also going to get some much-needed value here with the Spurs guards as Devin Vassel is doubtful to play. Let's start with Tre Jones who is coming off a rough performance against a tough Suns' team but even with that, is averaging 33 DK points per game over his last six including a ceiling game against the Lakers. He is a player we can build around in all formats as he checks almost every box on this slate.

If Langford starts, there is a good chance he becomes the top PTS/$ value in the system at his bargain-bin pricing. Very speculative play as we don't have a lot to go off as he has been in and out of the lineup all season but did make a start in late October when Vassell missed some time and played 34 minutes with 20+ fantasy points. Helping me get there is this plus matchup and the fact it's a smaller three-game slate where I would love to jam Joker and Lillard in the same lineup. Stay tuned for news and starting lineups.

Small Forward

Keldon Johnson FD - $7500 DK - $7600
Opponent - HOU
Proj Pts FD - 37.37 DK - 41.41

Not that he needs more usage, but like his teammates above, Johnson should benefit if Devin Vassell sits this one out on Thursday. I say this as he already leads the team in usage(28.6%) and comes in having taken at least 22 shots in five straight games. During those games he has averaged 20.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 35.9 FD/37.2 DK points per game. In this matchup against the Rockets 28th ranked defense, I absolutely love the floor with Johnson and feel he can also hit the ceiling here, as well. Lock and load in all formats.

Also Consider: Bruce Brown(DEN) who has provided a very solid floor around 30 fantasy points per game with Michael Porter out

Power Forward/Center

Jerami Grant FD - $8200 DK - $7400
Opponent - DEN
Proj Pts FD - 36.71 DK - 39.18

Grant seems to have turned a corner for fantasy as he started the season very up and down which comes from being extremely shooting dependant. Good news, as the usage is way up as he is averaging over 20 shots per game over his last seven while dropping 21 or more real points in each of those games. That has resulted in at least 35 fantasy points in each of those games and an average of over 40 in that span which makes this a near lock in a matchup against a poor Nuggets defense. Lock and load in all formats.

Bam Adebayo FD - $9000 DK - $8400
Opponent - LAC
Proj Pts FD - 43.34 DK - 45.78

I have yet to even mention this game and for good reason as it has the lowest total on the slate, both teams rank Top 10 in defense, and there are about 12 injury situations to monitor. Surprisingly, Bam is actually one of the few Heat players not on the injury list and is one I think we can build around if few value plays show up limiting our exposure to Jokic. Bam has been very consistent over the last month tallying 38 or more DraftKings points in 10 of his last 12 games on the back of seven double-double performances. I will have exposure in all formats on this small slate.

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