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)
It's been a fascinating week in the NBA. Tuesday's card was wild with the massive injury report, and we have another crazy slate here. It's tough to even keep track of all of these injuries, but it's imperative to be successful in DFS. Gauging who will step up in these circumstances is what separates the sharks from the fish, and we're hopeful that these articles will point you in the right direction. With that in mind, let's kick things off with our favorite point guards on this slate!
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Opponent - HOU
Proj Pts FD - 45.73 DK - 46.75
Fox has developed into one of my favorite players, and he could be on his way to the All-Star game. The speedy point guard is averaging 41 DraftKings points per game this season and would have an even higher average if it weren't for four games where he left early. He's also scored at least 42 DK points in five of his last seven games, scoring 54 or more fantasy points in two of those. One of those ceiling games could be in play against Houston, who rank 21st in points allowed and 28th in defensive efficiency. More importantly, they surrender the most fantasy points to opposing PGs, with Fox finishing with at least 50 DK points in two of their last three meetings.
Opponent - DET
Proj Pts FD - 35.72 DK - 36.61
Russell gets a lot of crap because of his lack of effort at times, but this guy has been stellar since Karl-Anthony Towns went down with an injury. That's allowed Russell to score at least 31 DraftKings points in 18 of his last 21 games, generating a 35-point average in that span. That's all you can hope for from a $7K player, especially since D-Lo is seeing a massive boost in minutes, shot attempts, and usage in KAT's absence. The matchup with Detroit is the best part of this, though, with the Pistons ranked 29th in both points allowed and defensive efficiency. They also own a 29th OPRK against opposing point guards as well!
Tre Jones (FD $6400 DK $6500) has been much better since Keldon Johnson, and Devin Vassell got injured, scoring at least 33 fantasy points in three straight games.
Opponent - HOU
Proj Pts FD - 31.78 DK - 33.08
The shooting guard position is tricky on this slate so let's find some cheap guys. Huerter is just that, and it's hard to understand why he's still hovering around $6,000. The Red Rocket has his season average up to 28 DraftKings points per game, scoring at least 34 fantasy points in four of his last six outings. He's simply being utilized in this offense more, and that recent production should have him closer to $7,000 on both sites. We already mentioned how the Rockets rank 28th in total defense, surrendering the eighth-most fantasy points to opposing SGs. We also don't mind that Huerter has at least 26 DK points in three of his last four matchups with Houston.
Opponent - DEN
Proj Pts FD - 28.22 DK - 30.6
Washington was in everyone's lineups on Tuesday night, and it looks like he will be the chalk again. The Suns injury report is a joke right now, with Chris Paul, Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton, Landry Shamet, Cameron Johnson, and Cameron Payne all possibly missing this game. Five of those guys are backcourt players, and it should force D-Wash into another 30-minute start. He's scored at least 27 DraftKings points in three straight games with all of those guys nicked up, playing at least 25 minutes in each. He's simply the primary playmaker right now and shouldn't have any issues against a 26th-ranked Denver defense.
Anthony Edwards (FD $8600 DK $9100) has taken over this T'Wolves offense in the absence of Karl-Anthony Towns and should go nuts against the second-worst defense in the NBA.
Opponent - CHI
Proj Pts FD - 39.31 DK - 41.52
Kuzma has been disappointing for most of his career, but he's become an underrated asset in Washington. This versatile forward is amid a career year, averaging over 38 DraftKings points per game. That alone is a heck of a total from a player in this price range, and we love that he's got a usage rate north of 30 percent with Bradley Beal off the floor. That means Kuzma is one of the primary ball-handlers and scorers on this roster, scoring at least 31 DK points in 25 of his last 28 games. He's also got his average above 40 fantasy points per game in that span, flashing a 60-point upside. That feels more likely against the Bulls, surrendering the second-most fantasy points to opposing forwards.
Opponent - DEN
Proj Pts FD - 32.44 DK - 32.21
Bridges is a better real-life basketball player than a fantasy producer, but he's tough to fade when looking at the Suns injury report. He's actually the best player remaining, and that appeared to be the case on Tuesday. He was doing a ton of playmaking in that expanded role, dropping 53 DK points across 41 minutes of action. This guy has always been a lock for 35-40 minutes, and it's scary to think how dangerous he could be with so much usage on the table. A matchup with Denver's disastrous defense should lead to another big night, with the Nuggets ranked 26th in defensive efficiency ratings.
Torrey Craig (FD $5000 DK $4500) is another Phoenix player we like. He had 12 points and 14 boards on Tuesday and is a lock for 30-35 minutes if all the Suns sit again.
Opponent - ATL
Proj Pts FD - 59.64 DK - 62.2
There will be a million value plays on this slate, so let's get one of the most reliable players in DFS into our build. The former MVP has scored at least 40 DraftKings points in all but one outing this year, averaging over 57 fantasy points per game. His recent form is even more ridiculous, scoring at least 72 DK points in four of his last six games. The boost in production is no surprise since he's doing everything in the absence of Khris Middleton. There are not many safer bets for 40-50 fantasy points, and that sort of floor makes him the best option with so many cheap players available. Facing Atlanta is amazing too, with the Hawks ranked 22nd in points allowed.
Opponent - SA
Proj Pts FD - 42.8 DK - 39.77
Jackson has become a regular in this section, and it's about time these sites raise his price tag. This has been one of the best per-minute producers in the NBA, averaging 35 DK points per game across 26 minutes a night. That's scary for the rest of the league because JJJ will get closer to 30-35 minutes the deeper we get into the season. He's also providing most of that value through elite defense, and it's terrifying that this guy is also an elite three-point shooter. Facing the Spurs is the best part of this, though, with San Antonio sitting dead last in both points allowed and defensive efficiency. That's on full display when you see that Jackson has at least 37 DK points in three of their last five matchups.
Dario Saric (FD $3800 DK $3500) just had 19 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists in a rare start on Tuesday and would be tough to fade if all the Suns studs sit again.
Opponent - PHO
Proj Pts FD - 59.47 DK - 61.71
It's strange to go back three years when evaluating a player, but it shows you just how absurd Jokic is. The Joker has scored at least 39 DraftKings points in all but seven games since the start of the 2020 season. That's 176 games in a 183-game span of absolute reliability. His recent form is even more absurd, scoring at least 51 DraftKings points in 22 of his last 24 games. Jokic is also providing a 61-point average in that span, scoring over 70 fantasy points in seven of those gems. The matchup with Phoenix is the icing on the cake, with Jokic collecting 41 points, 15 rebounds, and 15 assists in their last matchup on Christmas.
Opponent - CHI
Proj Pts FD - 48.7 DK - 49.81
We talked about how the Beal injury has skyrocketed Kuzma's fantasy value, and it's done the same thing for Porzingis. The big Latvian is averaging a career-best 42 DK points per game, scoring at least 26 fantasy points in every game this year. That's an elite floor, and it's paired beautifully with a 63-point ceiling. The simple fact is, KP is a guarantee for 35 minutes, 20 shots, and a 30 percent usage rate with Beal sidelined. The matchup with Chicago is superb, too, with the Bulls allowing the second-most fantasy points to opposing big men. In their most recent matchup, KP provided 51 DK points in another masterclass performance.
Mitchell Robinson (FD $6200 DK $5400) has played at least 35 minutes in three of his last four games and dropped 39 DK points in his last matchup with the Pacers.
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