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DFS NBA Picks for FanDuel and DraftKings - Saturday 12/31
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Guards
Luka Doncic FD - $12400 DK - $12100
Opponent - SA
Proj Pts FD - 63.5 DK - 67.7
Are you not entertained? Luka is on an all-time run right now but for some reason has not seen his price spike back up to the $13K level which has him as the center of attention once again on Saturday. He comes in with back-to-back triple-double performances, has dropped 80 or more DraftKings points, and is averaging 60.8 FD/64.4 DK points per game since the start of December. I look for this all-time run to continue in a matchup against the Spurs who rank dead last in defence and top 10 in pace. Fire up Luka in all formats.
LaMelo Ball FD - $9300 DK - $10000
Opponent - BKN
Proj Pts FD - 46.29 DK - 51.33
Building around Luka can be a challenge if not enough value pops up by lock so if you happen to pivot to a more balanced build, you cannot go wrong with Ball. Since returning from injury in mid-December(nine games), he has been on another level starting with the usage as he is taking over 21 shots a game and has delivered in a big way averaging 25.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 7.9 assists per game. In that time he has tallied at least 40 DraftKings points in all nine games while topping 50 in five of his last six. Those are numbers we expect from the superstars of the game and Ball has become just that and is in play in all formats against a Nets team that struggles defending guards.
Immanuel Quickley FD - $6700 DK - $5700
Opponent - HOU
Proj Pts FD - 36.53 DK - 39.05
Jalen Brunson is in danger of missing a third straight game on Saturday and with RJ Barrett already ruled out, there is Knicks value once again. With Brunson out at the guard position, Quickley is the one who has taken the reigns of the offence and has gotten everything he can handle. He has played 51 and 43 minutes the last two games while taking a whopping 48 shots including 22 from beyond the arc. The shooting improved last game seeing him put up a season-high 36 points to go along with seven rebounds and seven assists for a near-60 fantasy point performance. The price is on the rise but in a matchup against the Rockets' 28th-ranked defence, I am once again on board in all formats.
Small Forward
Quentin Grimes FD - $6000 DK - $5800
Opponent - HOU
Proj Pts FD - 33.28 DK - 35.38
It's one of those how many Knicks is too many kind of nights as they check almost every box. It starts with the matchup against the Rockets who have lost seven of their last eight games and rank 28th in defensive efficiency on the season. Like I mentioned above with Quickley, the Knicks are dealing with injuries to Jalen Brunson and RJ Barrett which has opened up a ton of minutes and PTS/$ value for others. While Grimes has not been nearly as efficient or consistent as Quickley, he is getting all the minutes and shots he can handle. He is one of our top PTS/$ values on this slate and in play in all formats.
Also consider: Max Strus(MIA) who could get some extra run once again with Victor Oladipo out and Caleb Martin questionable
Power Forward/Center
Julius Randle FD - $9900 DK - $10100
Opponent - HOU
Proj Pts FD - 49.92 DK - 55.05
The Knicks stack in this article continues and I see no reason why we shouldn't be playing all three together in cash games in this terrific matchup against the Rockets. Randle is the one we are spending up on and for good reason as he has been in a zone lately going back to before Barrett and Brunson were injured. He comes into Saturday having dropped 50 or more DraftKings points in five straight games including back-to-back 60+ point performances without Brunson and Barrett. Much like Ball who I mentioned above, the price is on the rise but Randle is playing like an $11K+ player and is an elite play in all formats tonight.
Christian Wood FD - $8300 DK - $8000
Opponent - SA
Proj Pts FD - 37.63 DK - 40.64
Luka's all-time run has aided his teammates in having some success as well and Christian Wood is one player who is most definitely benefiting. Despite getting into foul trouble and playing just 21 minutes on Thursday, Wood still managed to post his third straight 40+ fantasy point performance. In those three games, he is averaging 23.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, and three blocks per game and I see that continuing against a Spurs team that ranks dead last in defence on the season. Wood is in play in all formats Saturday.
Keep an eye on the status of Rudy Gobert(MIN) who missed last night's game with an illness. If he were to miss another game, Naz Reid would once again see a significant boost and is averaging 38 DraftKings points in his last four starts with Gobert out
