Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic against the Golden State Warriors during an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
That Lakers-Celtics game was spectacular on Tuesday night. Seeing games like those always has me excited to write these articles because it reminds you how special this sport can be. Seeing the best athletes in the world playing my favorite sport is a fantastic feeling, and I'm sure you guys feel the same way if you're reading this! We have another 10 games here, so let's get started with the point guards!
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Opponent - LAC
Proj Pts FD - 40.09 DK - 41.16
Russell has been incredible since Karl-Anthony Towns went down, and it's hard to understand why he's not above $8K on both sites. The former All-Star has scored at least 33 DraftKings points in 10 straight games while flirting with a 40-point average in that span. That's the stud we saw in his Brooklyn days, but it's no surprise since he's seeing a massive boost in usage, minutes, and shot attempts in the absence of KAT. Facing the Clippers used to be concerning, but Russell has at least 34 DraftKings points in five of his last six matchups with Los Angeles.
Opponent - DEN
Proj Pts FD - 34.88 DK - 33.63
Washington has been obliterated by injuries once again, but it's made Goodwin a fantasy-relevant option. Bradley Beal, Monte Morris, Delon Wright, and Kristaps Porzingis are all nicked up right now, forcing JG into a 35-minute role as the starting point guard. Over his last three games, Goodwin is generating a 37-point average across 36 minutes a night. That's the production you usually see from a $7K player, and it's right on par with our projections. Denver is far from a devastating matchup, with the Nuggets ranked 27th in defensive efficiency ratings this season.
Jordan Poole (FD $6700 DK $7800) is averaging nearly 40 fantasy points per game as a starter this season and could see an expanded role if some of these starters are rested in the second half of a back-to-back set.
Opponent - OKC
Proj Pts FD - 38.28 DK - 40.01
We would never recommend Herro in this price range usually, but he's going to be running things for the Heat with Jimmy Butler already being ruled out for this game. With JB off the floor, Herro leads the Heat with a 29 percent usage rate while averaging 1.2 DK points per minute. Those are elite rates, and it looks even better since Herro has at least 39 DraftKings points in seven of his last eight games. He's doing that damage across 38 minutes a night, and if he plays 40 here in this expanded role, Tyler is going to be a tremendous value. Not to mention, Oklahoma City ranks 29th in points allowed.
Opponent - DET
Proj Pts FD - 35.88 DK - 37.49
The Hornets have been stung by the injury bug, but it's allowed Rozier to have a career year. Charlotte is currently missing LaMelo Ball, Dennis Smith Jr, and Gordon Hayward, leaving Rozier with all the usage he can handle. Scary Terry has totaled a 31 percent usage rate with those three off the floor. He's also scored at least 35 DraftKings points in eight straight games, regularly playing 35-40 minutes while taking 20 shots a night. Getting the primary ball-handling duties has only added to his value, and we love all of that against a Detroit team that ranks 28th in points allowed and 29th in defensive efficiency. Rozier is registering a 58-point average against this dreadful Detroit defense in their last two matchups.
Immanuel Quickley (FD $4900 DK $5300) would be one of the best value plays if Jalen Brunson ends up sitting.
Opponent - SA
Proj Pts FD - 29.19 DK - 29.5
Hart's numbers don't jump off the page, but he's quietly one of the best players in this $6K price range. The stat-stuffing forward is averaging 9.7 points , 8.3 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. That might not sound like much, but it equates to a 30-point average. It also establishes an excellent floor for Hart, which is incredible since he has the best matchup in fantasy. The Spurs sit dead last in points allowed and defensive efficiency ratings. Hart showed that in their last matchup, dropping 27 DraftKings points, despite taking just four shots. You know they'll be focused on Damian Lillard, so look for Hart to take over some of the ball-handling duties as well.
Opponent - ORL
Proj Pts FD - 0 DK - 0
This Hawks roster was embarrassing on Monday night because injuries have bombarded this team. That's obviously a common theme in the NBA right now, but it makes things easier on us from a DFS perspective. The Hawks have Trae Young, John Collins, and Dejounte Murray on their injury report, leaving a ton of usage for the rest of this lineup. Bogdanovic is the next man up in terms of usage, scoring 43 and 48 DraftKings points in his last two games in this expanded role. We've seen Bogey go on binges like that in the past, making him one of the best values in this price range. We also don't mind that Orlando ranks 25th in defensive efficiency.
Jonathan Kuminga (FD $4400 DK $5200) would be an excellent play if Golden State rests some starters in this B2B
Opponent - DET
Proj Pts FD - 31.16 DK - 31.55
If you've been reading these articles, you know how much I like Washington. This kid is one of the most versatile big men in the league, and we genuinely feel like he will be a $7K player in the near future. The big man has scored at least 28 DraftKings points 15 times this season, which is an incredible rate from a sub-$6K player. PJ has also flashed a 56-point upside, and we believe more of those upside games are coming with Ball, Smith, Hayward, and Miles Bridges all out of the picture. Getting to face Detroit is the best part, with the Pistons allowing the most fantasy points to opposing power forwards. In addition, PJ has at least 30 fantasy points in five of his last seven matchups with Detroit.
Opponent - ATL
Proj Pts FD - 24.6 DK - 25.24
I never thought Moritz would find his way into this article this season, but Orlando can make you second-guess anything. This team has some of the most bizarre rotations in the NBA, sticking Wagner into the starting center role in the absence of Wendell Carter Jr. That's led to Wagner posting a 27-point average across 29 minutes a night over his last seven games. He also provided 48 and 43 DK points in two games last week, and it's clear the Magic want to make him a significant part of their offense right now. Facing Atlanta is terrific, too, with the Hawks owning a 24th OPRK against opposing big men.
Jerami Grant (FD $7200 DK $7500) is flirting with a 40-point average and should have another big game against the worst defense in the NBA.
Opponent - WAS
Proj Pts FD - 59.95 DK - 62.29
There will be a ton of cheap plays on this slate, so let's get the most reliable option into your build. That's the two-time reigning MVP, with Jokic scoring at least 39 DraftKings points in all but seven games since 2020. That's three years of dominance, with Jokic averaging 61 fantasy points per game in that span. No one can match that floor or average, and it's scary since The Joker is coming off a season-high 81 DraftKings points in his most recent outing. He should wallop Washington, too, averaging 67 DK points per game against them in their two matchups last season.
Opponent - ORL
Proj Pts FD - 0 DK - 0
Opponent - ORL
Proj Pts FD - 29.6 DK - 28.67
Whoever starts at center for Atlanta is an excellent option. Capela is the usual starting center, and he'd be the premier play if he can suit up. The Swiss center has at least 29 DraftKings points in 14 of his last 15 games, generating a 38-point average across his last 17 outings. That's quite the total from a sub-$7K player, but it's no surprise since he's seeing a bump in playing time with John Collins sidelined. As long as CC gets 30 minutes, he should be closer to $8K. Okongwu would be a great fill-in if Capela is unable to suit up. Over the last two years, OO has started nine games for Cap, averaging 28 DK points per game across 31 minutes a night. That would be spectacular from a $5K player, and both of these guys should obliterate this atrocious Orlando frontcourt.
Jalen Duren (FD $5000 DK $4100) has been starting for two weeks now, averaging 27 DK points per game in this expanded role. That's great news since he faces a Charlotte team surrendering the most fantasy points to opposing centers.
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