Daily Fantasy DraftKings and FanDuel NBA Picks - Friday, December 22, 2023

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Point Guard/ Shooting Guard

Stephen Curry FD - $8800 DK - $9600
Opponent - WAS
Proj Pts FD - 47.31 DK - 53.06

We’ve got an interesting Friday slate here with one team bringing in a lot of cheap plays and some other high-priced guys in great spots. One of the latter is Stephen Curry who is facing off at home against the Washington Wizards. The Wizards are the second-worst defensive team in the league and run the second-fastest pace.

That’s a dream spot for a guy like Steph who is seemingly doing everything for the team right now. He had a horrible outing against the Blazers, but came back firing in the OT win over the Celtics. His FanDuel price is simply too cheap for this matchup even with some moderate blowout risk.

Jaden Hardy FD - $4900 DK - $4300
Opponent - HOU
Proj Pts FD - 34.81 DK - 39.11

Tim Hardaway Jr. FD - $6300 DK - $6100
Opponent - HOU
Proj Pts FD - 32.93 DK - 37.43

The Mavericks are sitting Luka Doncic for Friday and are already without Kyrie Irving, Josh Green, and now Dante Exum. Plus, Seth Curry is questionable. That’s basically the entire backcourt leaving all of the minutes to Jaden Hardy, Tim Hardaway Jr, and probably A.J. Lawson (FD 3600 DK 3000).

The first two will almost for sure be huge chalk plays here considering the overwhelming void left in every aspect of the game when Luka misses time. Hardy isn’t priced anywhere close to the projected opportunity and we could be looking at 90%+ ownership in cash for him.

Tim Hardaway Jr. would also be in line to start and take a ton of shots as well. Sometimes the Mavericks have liked to keep him coming off the bench even in short-handed situations, though even if that was the case I think we would see a ton of minutes and looks for him regardless. Even with blowout risk, these guys are the plays seeing as how Dallas is very thin on Friday.

Fred VanVleet (FD 8700 DK 8200)

Small Forward

Tyler Herro FD - $8100 DK - $8400
Opponent - ATL
Proj Pts FD - 45.79 DK - 49.97

Jimmy Butler will miss another game on Friday and that’s great news for Tyler Herro’s fantasy prospects. Not only is he getting one of the best matchups in the Atlanta Hawks who run the fifth-fastest pace and play a bottom four defense. Last game, Herro took 17 shots in 36 minutes, finishing with 28 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists against the Raptors. It was a well-rounded line, and this matchup is even better for Herro. The price on both sites rings in at value, though I like him even more on FanDuel.

Deni Avdija FD - $5500 DK - $6400
Opponent - GS
Proj Pts FD - 31.17 DK - 33.89

We got another taste of possible Wizards minutes when they can stay in games, pulling off the win on the road against Portland on Thursday. Deni Avdija played 35 in that one, finishing with 13 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists. He’s able to contribute in a number of ways from a fantasy perspective, and as long as the Wiz can keep it close (a big ask) then his floor is very high on FanDuel especially.

Power Forward/ Center

Nikola Jokic FD - $12200 DK - $11000
Opponent - BKN
Proj Pts FD - 60.91 DK - 64.77

Joel Embiid FD - $12900 DK - $11200
Opponent - TOR
Proj Pts FD - 64.36 DK - 67.36M

I get it, it’s weird to put these two guys together, seeing as how they are very expensive, and of course, they are as good as it gets where fantasy is concerned. But seeing as how there is so much savings coming on the Dallas side of things, with some other punts likely mixed in, we are going to have the cash to burn on the MVP candidates.

Both Jokic and Embiid are ridiculous in piling up fantasy points and do so in such bunches that it’s almost overwhelming at times. It’s what makes them very tough fades just about every time they take the court. Our projections on both are very close, and the pricing is only a few hundred dollars off on each site. I think ending up with one of them on this slate is going to make sense, though choosing between them will be tough.

Kyle Kuzma FD - $8000 DK - $8600
Opponent - GS
Proj Pts FD - 41.04 DK - 45.44

Like we said with Deni Avdjia, the Wizards guys can be good fantasy plays if they can just say in games. Unfortunately, that’s a tall order for this team because they suck so bad. But Golden State isn’t exactly gangbusters this season and though the line is higher (GSW -12), so is the total (246.5, highest of the day).

Kuzma ran 32 minutes against the Blazers on Thursday, totaling 32 points, eight rebounds, and six assists. He’s been the most consistent Wiz guy this season as well and his minutes don’t get buzzed as easily as some others. That’s why the price is a bit higher, but it could be worth it here.

Strongly consider Alperen Sengün (FD 8400 DK 8300)