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DFS NBA Picks for FanDuel and DraftKings - Monday 12/26
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Guards
LaMelo Ball FD - $8900 DK - $10200
Opponent - POR
Proj Pts FD - 46.22 DK - 51.49
We are going to want plenty of exposure to this game with a monster 237.5 total with two teams facing each other who both rank outside the Top 20 in defensive efficiency. It is very close between Lillard and Ball at point guard here, but the recency bias has me leaning the latter as my top pick. Since returning from injury in mid-December, Ball has been terrific with three double-doubles, a triple-double, and is averaging nearly 50 fantasy points a game. All things considered, Ball is my top guard and in play in all formats, especially on FanDuel at a sub $9K price tag.
CJ McCollum FD - $8800 DK - $8600
Opponent - IND
Proj Pts FD - 44.76 DK - 48.23
Speaking of rising prices, we have CJ McCollum who is approaching the $9K territory but with Brandon Ingram out for one more game, I am not concerned at all. Over his last eight games without Ingram, he has been very efficient for fantasy averaging 25.5 points, 5.9 rebounds and 6.6 assists giving us a return of nearly 50 fantasy points a game. He may lose a little bit of volume with Zion back tonight but in a game with a 233 total where both teams rank Top 15 in pace, there should be more than enough meat on the bone for CJ to thrive once again.
Norman Powell FD - $5200 DK - $5200
Opponent - DET
Proj Pts FD - 25.93 DK - 28.09
For value at the guard position, stay tuned to the Clippers starting lineup as Powell is projected to start and while the total is lower the matchup stands out as the Pistons are 29th in defense and run an above-average pace. Powell made his return from injury last week and has looked good off the bench putting up 14 and 21 points in those two games while adding six assists and six rebounds. At this current price, we are only looking for about 25-28 fantasy points and if he starts and plays 25-30 minutes, I have no concern of him hitting value for us. If he starts I will have exposure in all formats.
Small Forward
DeMar DeRozan FD - $8500 DK - $8400
Opponent - HOU
Proj Pts FD - 43.83 DK - 45.79
We are probably going to need the Rockets to keep this one close to access a DeRozan ceiling game but in a plus matchup at a mid-$8K price tag on both sites, I am on board for cash games. He has been very consistent recently shooting over 51% from the field and putting up 24 or more points in eight of his last nine games while also averaging 6.7 rebounds and 5.4 assists. Get him in your lineup against a Rockets team that ranks 27th in defensive efficiency.
Power Forward/Center
Zion Williamson FD - $10500 DK - $10300
Opponent - IND
Proj Pts FD - 46.8 DK - 49.16
After missing a couple of games on the Covid list, Zion is back and hoping to return to the elite form he has shown over the last month. Over his last 11 games going back to late November, Zion has tallied no less than 40 fantasy points in any game while posting 50 or more even times! That is thanks to a very balanced attack where he has averaged 28.6 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 6.0 assists and that should carry over here as the Pacers are one of the worst rebounding teams in the league(26th). I love building around Zion in all formats tonight.
Jerami Grant FD - $7100 DK - $6900
Opponent - CHA
Proj Pts FD - 35.31 DK - 37.5
We started the article with a play from this game and will finish things off there, as well. Sure, Jerami Grant is very shooting dependant but that hasn't been an issue as he is averaging 16.6 shots a game and has dropped 17 or more points in 14 of his last 15 games. Even with a complete dud(9 fantasy points) against the Mavs in mid December, he is still averaging 36.3 DraftKings points in that 15-game stretch and with a price that is back below $7K , I am on board in all formats on Monday.
