Daily Fantasy DraftKings and FanDuel NBA Picks - Friday, December 30, 2022

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Point Guard/ Shooting Guard

Markelle Fultz FD - $6800 DK - $6000
Opponent - WAS
Proj Pts FD - 34.05 DK - 36.77

Terrence Ross FD - $3700 DK - $3100
Opponent - WAS
Proj Pts FD - 19.52 DK - 22.02

The Magic had so many suspensions stemming from the fight against the Pistons the other night that they actually can’t even serve them all at once. It’s still going to mean a super small roster for this game, and then the same will happen (with different players) in the next game as well. Cole Anthony, among others, is out of this game as is Gary Harris, RJ Hampton, while Jalen Suggs remains on the shelf.

That should lead to a lot of minutes for Markelle Fultz and Terrence Ross in the backcourt for Orlando and they are priced like it’s a typical game. Fultz isn’t a super high-usage guy in this offense but has taken double-digit shots in each of the last two games. Plus, the assists and rebounds are definitely part of his game.

Meanwhile, Terrence Ross should get the start after being in and out of this rotation with Orlando getting healthier in recent weeks. But we’ve seen him able to get his shots up on a per-minute basis when the opportunity is there and he’s the minimum on both sites. Playing both of these guys (and some other Magic) is likely the way to go considering the state of the team right now.

Jordan Poole FD - $7500 DK - $8200
Opponent - POR
Proj Pts FD - 40.9 DK - 45.5

Poole is still coming too cheap on FanDuel for the role he is playing with the Warriors right now. With Curry out of the mix and Golden State desperate for shot creation, Poole has been putting up 20+ shots a game in the short term, averaging 27.3 points over the last three games. He needs to get there on scoring seeing as how the Warriors don’t ask him to rebound or ball distribute all that much, but the FanDuel price makes that a bit easier.

It’s been up and down, but I do like the price on Zach LaVine (FD 7500 DK 7700) here against the second-worst defense in basketball, the Pistons.

Small Forward

LeBron James FD - $10600 DK - $10100
Opponent - ATL
Proj Pts FD - 57.65 DK - 61.72

Lebron is clearly frustrated with the state of the Lakers right now and it’s easy to see why. The team is rough with Anthony Davis on the shelf and very little else on the roster to get excited about either short or long-term. That being said, LA is still very much in win-now mode, as much as that is possible, and it makes Lebron a DFS play at these price points. Over the last month, when he’s played, Lebron is averaging 30 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 6.8 assists with some defensive stats thrown in there as well. This game is tied for the highest implied total on the slate and could be set up to have a lot of ownership.

Paolo Banchero FD - $8500 DK - $7800
Opponent - WAS
Proj Pts FD - 39.18 DK - 42.77

Franz Wagner FD - $6600 DK - $6200
Opponent - WAS
Proj Pts FD - 33.42 DK - 36.54

Like we said with Fultz and Ross, the Magic are coming into this game with the league-minimum number of players and it really could have been worse for them if the league just made them forfeit (which would never happen, but still). If the minutes are there, and they should be in this scenario, then Banchero has 20+ shot upside in his range of outcomes. The rebounds and assists could stack up too if the minutes are there. He isn’t priced for the opportunity that should be available here.

Meanwhile, Wagner is in much the same spot and has some real upside if Orlando is going to run these guys full minutes. I suspect with the state of the team, that people find ways to get a decent amount of exposure to this team in this spot. Washington is the 20th-ranked defense in the league and even though they play a slow pace, the Magic are just in too “good” of a spot.

Power Forward/ Center

Giannis Antetokounmpo FD - $11900 DK - $11900
Opponent - MIN
Proj Pts FD - 63.91 DK - 68.42

There are a number of ways to pay up on this slate and Giannis is definitely one of them. The main reason he might not be overpriced even at these crazy levels is the Bucks will be without Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton once again. Giannis was in this scenario last game and put up 45 points, 22 rebounds, and seven assists in an overtime loss to the Bulls. Here he’ll play against the Timberwolves who are running the second-fastest pace in the league this year. If you can find enough savings, and there should be plenty here, then stacking Giannis with a couple of other upper-tier guys could be the play.

John Collins FD - $6300 DK - $5700
Opponent - LAL
Proj Pts FD - 34.58 DK - 35.66

Onyeka Okongwu FD - $6200 DK - $5300
Opponent - LAL
Proj Pts FD - 33.55 DK - 34.4

With Clint Capela out of the lineup over the last couple of games, Collins has taken a much bigger role for the Hawks as a big. He played 30 and 34 minutes respectively and averaged 23 points and nine rebounds in that stretch. The assists and blocks weren’t there, but if these are going to be the minutes against the Lakers then we can go back to the well. The Lakers are the 20th-ranked defense and play the league’s third-fastest pace. The matchup lines up well for Atlanta and Collins should continue to see solid minutes here.

Meanwhile, the same should be the case of Okongwu who got in foul trouble against the Pacers, but then crushed it against the Nets on Wednesday night. In that game, he put up 18 points and 13 rebounds in 37 minutes. I do think the plan is to play him a lot here again if everything shakes out correctly and he’s not priced for that kind of opportunity.