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)
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Opponent - UTA
Proj Pts FD - 42.83 DK - 45.52
We've seen two different Pooles this season. The one who starts and the one who comes off the bench. The good news is that we're seeing the starting JP right now, starting at point guard in the absence of Stephen Curry. That's quite the role to step into, with Poole leading the team with a 34 percent usage rate when Chef Curry is off the floor. He's also scored at least 28 DraftKings points in 14 of his 16 starts, generating a 37-point average in those 14 games. The simple fact is, he's seeing a massive boost in usage, minutes, and shot attempts as long as Curry is sidelined. We adore that against Utah, with the Jazz allowing the most fantasy points to opposing guards this season.
Opponent - DET
Proj Pts FD - 29.09 DK - 29.06
It's been sad watching Fultz deal with injuries year after year, but Orlando fans are ecstatic to see him fully healthy for the first time in his career. Fultz has been starting at point guard for a month now, scoring at least 27 DK points in six of his last seven games. He's also providing a 35-point average in that span, stuffing the stat sheet at ease. That's why he was the top pick in the draft back in 2017, and we have to believe he'll get better the more he plays, and the more he gets acclimated with this offense. Facing Detroit is also delicious, with the Pistons ranked 29th in both defensive efficiency and points allowed.
Kyle Lowry (FD $6400 DK $6900) could be a monster if Bam and Butler are out again.
Opponent - LAL
Proj Pts FD - 46.53 DK - 48.6
It's hard to understand why there's such a discrepancy in terms of pricing, but Herro is one of the best plays out there, no matter what site you play on. The Sixth Man of the Year winner has broken out in the starting lineup, scoring at least 34 DraftKings points in 13 of his last 14 games. What makes him so valuable here is the fact that Miami is so beat-up, with Bam Adebayo, Jimmy Butler, and Gabe Vincent all possibly missing this game. With Bam and Butler on the sidelines, Herro is flirting with a 40 percent usage rate! If he gets that against a Lakers team that ranks third in pace and 27th in points allowed, Herro should go HAM behind his 40-point average!
Opponent - WAS
Proj Pts FD - 33.65 DK - 33.55
Bridges is the Cal Ripkin of the NBA, playing in all but a handful of games in his six-year career. That's not what makes him valuable for DFS, though, because he's amid the best year of his career. The defensive stud has scored at least 26 DraftKings points in 24 games this season, regularly playing 35-40 minutes a night. His usage is the only thing holding him back, but he should see a massive boost with Devin Booker, Cameron Payne, and Cameron Johnson still sidelined. He's also scored at least 28 DK points in six of his last eight games and should reach that with Washington owning a 25th OPRK against opposing wings.
Victor Oladipo (FD $5300 DK $5500) has been playing a Sixth Man role for the Heat and has shown an All-Star ability in the past. He's also played some 30-minute games recently and could be asked to do more with Butler and Adebayo nicked up.
Opponent - MIN
Proj Pts FD - 31.15 DK - 31.53
Man, the small forward position was a challenge today. That's why we'll save some salary and go with two cheap guys. Marshall is a great option at just $5K, starting in the absence of Brandon Ingram. That's forced him into a 30-minute starting role, playing some of the best basketball of his career. The versatile forward has played at least 29 minutes in 10 games this season, averaging 31 DraftKings points per game in those outings. Getting 31 fantasy points from a $5K player is absurd, and we have to assume it'll happen again versus Minnesota. The Timberwolves rank seventh in pace and 22nd in points allowed.
Opponent - UTA
Proj Pts FD - 16.07 DK - 16.35
This is a bit of a punt play because we're not exactly sure what Kuminga's role will be here. We are assuming that Draymond Green and Klay Thompson will be rested in the second half of a B2B set. If that's the case, Golden State needs JK to play 30 minutes and provide some offense. Whenever he's been given that type of role, Kuminga has crushed. In fact, Kuminga has played at least 23 minutes 12 times this season, averaging 26 DK points per game in those outings. That alone would be massive from such an affordable player, and we believe 23 minutes will be his floor in a game where we're expecting 30-35 minutes. Utah is an unbelievable matchup, too, ranked 23rd in points allowed and 25th in defensive efficiency.
LeBron James (FD $11400 DK $10300) is a better pay-up option if you have the salary. He's scored at least 51 DK points in every game that Anthony Davis has missed this season.
Opponent - BKN
Proj Pts FD - 33.95 DK - 33
This DraftKings price is a joke. Collins was spread throughout all my lineups on Tuesday, and he gave us 26 points and 10 rebounds in a masterclass performance. That's the guy we've seen throughout most of Collins' career, sitting around $7K for most of it. A couple of early-season injuries dropped his price and production, but Atlanta stated that his minute's restriction was lifted over the weekend. That's huge since he's playing some center right now, grabbing some extra boards and shot attempts in the absence of Clint Capela. Brooklyn can be a tough matchup, but JC has at least 34 fantasy points in each of their last six meetings.
Opponent - SAC
Proj Pts FD - 34.12 DK - 35.64
Porter has a hard time staying on the court, but he's a beast whenever he's out there. This sharpshooter showed that on Tuesday night, dropping a season-high 46 DraftKings points. Denver fans have been waiting for that type of performance because he's played like that for weeks at a time in the past. The simple fact is, this guy is going to get 30-35 minutes and 15-20 shots whenever he's healthy. We also love that he had that 46-point blowup against this subpar Sacramento defense on Tuesday, with the Kings surrendering the second-most fantasy points to opposing power forwards this year. We're also assuming Jamal Murray will sit in this B2B, giving MPJ even more shot attempts!
Lauri Markkanen (FD $8200 DK $8300) is averaging nearly 40 fantasy points per game and should roll through a 28th-ranked Golden State defense.
Opponent - SAC
Proj Pts FD - 63.25 DK - 65.49
We've provided you with a ton of value plays throughout this article, so let's get the best player on the board into our lineups. The Joker has been the best player in fantasy for three years now, averaging over 60 DK points per game in that span. That's scary for the rest of the league because Jokic is in one of the best stretches of his career right now. The two-time reigning MVP has at least 78 DraftKings points in four of his last eight games, posting a 69-point average in that span. That's one of the best stretches I've ever seen, and it's backed by a 50-point floor as well. Facing Sacramento is sensational, too, with the Kings ranked 23rd in defensive efficiency and 24th in points allowed.
Opponent - WAS
Proj Pts FD - 26.65 DK - 26.36
I've always liked Australian players for their cerebral nature on the basketball court, and Landale is another one of those guys. He's been stuck behind Deandre Ayton all season, but Phoenix switched things up in their most recent game. They started Landale at center next to Ayton, and Jock dropped 21 DK points across 24 minutes. The 24 minutes is what has us encouraged, with Landale averaging 30 DK points per game in the four fixtures he's played at least 20 minutes. If this versatile center starts, 20 minutes seems like a lock. Washington is a wonderful matchup, owning a 22nd OPRK against opposing centers.
Alex Len (FD $4100 DK $3000) started for Domantas Sabonis on Tuesday and would be a great punt play if that's the case again here.
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