Daily Fantasy

NBA DraftKings & FanDuel DFS Primer: Dec. 26

FantasyPros considers the best player values for DraftKings and FanDuel NBA DFS.

Joel Bartilotta, FantasyPros

December 26, 2022 4:50 PM

CJ McCollum and the New Orleans Pelicans host the Indiana Pacers Monday night.

We’ve only had five games over the last two days, but I’m ecstatic to get back into action here. We have seven games making up this Monday card, which is the perfect amount for DFS. We had a ton of big-name players on Christmas Day, which leaves us with limited options in terms of superstar players. There are still plenty of great options on the board, but it should make lineup construction a breeze.

Injury Report

John Wall (ankle) Questionable
Cade Cunningham (shin) OUT
Karl-Anthony Towns (calf) OUT
Jimmy Butler (ankle) Questionable
Kyle Anderson (back) Questionable
Brandon Ingram (toe) Questionable
Zion Williamson (protocols) Questionable
Larry Nance Jr.(Achilles) Questionable
Lonzo Ball (knee) OUT
Collin Sexton (hamstring) Questionable
Kelly Olynyk (ankle) Questionable
Alex Caruso (shoulder) Questionable

Core Plays

Damian Lillard (PG – POR): $9,900 DraftKings, $9,200 FanDuel
Lillard has been crushing it all year, and he’d be in the MVP discussion if it weren’t for a few injuries. The sharpshooter has scored at least 40 DraftKings points in 16 of 21 games this season, with three of those outliers being affected by injury. He’s obviously over that, dropping 54 fantasy points in his most recent outing. Facing the Hornets is the best part of this, though, with Charlotte sitting 28th in points allowed and 26th in defensive efficiency. In their last two matchups, Lillard is averaging 34.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 6.5 assists.

DeMar DeRozan (SF – CHI): $8,400 DraftKings, $8,500 FanDuel
Using stud players against Houston has been working for years. The Rockets rank 21st in points allowed and 28th in defensive efficiency. That always puts the opposing team’s best player in play against them, and DeRozan is undoubtedly that guy. DeMar has at least 41 DraftKings points in 14 of his last 18 games, generating a 45-point average in that span.

Lauri Markkanen (SF/PF – UTA): $8,300 DraftKings, $8,200 FanDuel
Markkanen is amid a breakout year, and it’s tough to fade him in this sort of matchup. Let’s start there, with San Antonio sitting last in points allowed and defensive efficiency. That makes them the most fantasy-friendly matchup in the NBA, and it looks even better since they’re surrendering the most fantasy points to opposing forwards. That’s bad news against Markkanen, who is averaging 38 DraftKings points per game this season.

Cash Game Considerations

LaMelo Ball (PG – CHA): $10,200 DraftKings, $8,900 FanDuel
Injuries have derailed Ball’s season, but this guy will be a $10K player on both sites in no time. The 21-year-old has only played six games since his return from injury but has scored at least 51 fantasy points in four straight. More importantly, he’s back to playing 35-40 minutes and taking 20-25 shots a game. That role should allow him to shine against Portland, with the Trail Blazers ranked 20th in defensive efficiency ratings.

CJ McCollum (PG/SG – NOP): $8,600 DraftKings, $8,800 FanDuel
Injuries have obliterated this Pelicans roster, but it’s forcing McCollum into the most prominent role of his career. New Orleans is missing Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson, allowing CJ to collect at least 44 DK points in five straight games. He’s also providing a 51-point average in that span, attempting 23 shots across 38 minutes a night. If he has that usage against a 22nd-ranked Pacers defense, McCollum should strive yet again.

Nikola Vucevic (C – CHI): $7,500 DraftKings, $7,900 FanDuel
Houston and San Antonio have become the best matchups in fantasy, and Vucevic has quietly had a really consistent season. The big man has scored at least 32 DraftKings points in 14 of his last 17 games, posting a 38-point average in that span. He’s also soared against Houston over recent years, scoring at least 37 fantasy points in each of their last seven meetings, falling just shy of a 50-point average.

GPP Targets

Paul George (SF/PF – LAC): $9,000 DraftKings, $9,500 FanDuel
There’s one simple rule when using the Clippers. Fade everyone when this roster is at full health but use Kawhi if George is out and use George if Kawhi is out. Kawhi has already been ruled out for this game, leaving George to run the offense. That means 35 minutes, 20 shots, and a 35% usage rate. That sort of usage is bad news for Detroit, which ranks 29th in both points allowed and defensive efficiency.

Rudy Gobert (C – MIN): $7,000 DraftKings, $8,000 FanDuel
Rudy has had to step up with Karl-Anthony Towns injured, and he’s done just that. The big man has scored at least 40 DK points in five of his last seven games, totaling a 43-point average in that span. That’s the beast we loved in Utah, and it’s clear he’s enjoying more responsibility with KAT sidelined. That makes him a bit too cheap, and he should grab an easy double-double against a struggling Miami offense.

Ayo Dosunmu (PG/SG – CHI): $4,000 DraftKings, $4,500 FanDuel
This is a total punt play, but this frontcourt is too thin in Chicago. They’re missing Alex Caruso and Lonzo Ball, leaving Ayo with a 35-minute role. The feisty guard has played at least 33 minutes in back-to-back games, averaging 24 DK points per game. That’s all you can hope for from such an affordable player, which should be his floor, with Houston surrendering the most fantasy points to opposing guards. If Ayo plays another 35-40 minutes in this matchup, he will be one of the best bargains of the day.

Value Plays

Myles Turner (C – IND): $6,400 DraftKings, $7,000 FanDuel
It’s wild that Turner remains below $7,000. This center is amid a breakout season, averaging 35 DraftKings points per game. That alone makes him an immense value, especially since he’s got a 60-point upside. He showed that in his last matchup with New Orleans, dropping 63 DraftKings points in one of the best games of his career.

Mike Conley (PG/SG – UTA): $5,000 DraftKings, $5,500 FanDuel
It’s strange to see Conley in this price range. This veteran has sat around $7K for most of his career, and we genuinely believe he’ll be $1,000 a month from now. The veteran guard is still flirting with a 30-point average, and that’s a great total from a player in this price range. His biggest asset here is the matchup against the Spurs. In their three meetings last season, Conley compiled at least 30 DK points in all of them.

PJ Washington (PF/C – CHA): $5,600 DraftKings, $6,100 FanDuel
We finally saw an upside game from PJ over the weekend, and this guy can be a stud when he’s motivated. The big man dropped 45 fantasy points in that masterpiece and flashed a 56-point upside earlier in the year. That’s tough to find from a player in this price range. Portland is a phenomenal matchup, too, with PJ scoring at least 28 fantasy points in each of their last four matchups.

Advantageous Pricing