Fantasy

NBA DraftKings & FanDuel DFS Primer: Dec. 28

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

Joel Bartilotta, FantasyPros

Updated on December 28, 2022 5:18 PM

Nikola Jokic is enjoying an epic stretch for the Nuggets lately.

After some light days, we have eight games on Wednesday night’s slate. While that is a good amount for DFS, half of those teams are playing the second half of a back-to-back set. The teams in the back end of a B2B include Atlanta, Denver, Golden State, Los Angeles (Lakers), Orlando, Phoenix, Sacramento, and Washington. Having so many teams in this instance will surely lead to some rest, but it’s unclear exactly who it will be.

Injury Report

Jalen Suggs (ankle) OUT
Cade Cunningham (shin) OUT
Devin Booker (groin) OUT
Cameron Johnson (knee) Questionable
Deni Avdija (back) Questionable
Clint Capela (calf) Questionable
Anthony Davis (foot) OUT
LeBron James (B2B) Questionable
Bam Adebayo (illness) Questionable
Jimmy Butler (ankle) Questionable
Karl-Anthony Towns (calf) OUT
Kyle Anderson (back) Questionable
Brandon Ingram (toe) OUT
Zion Williamson (protocols) Questionable
Khris Middleton (knee) Questionable
Lonzo Ball (knee) OUT
Kelly Olynyk (ankle) Questionable
Stephen Curry (shoulder) OUT
Andrew Wiggins (adductor) OUT
Draymond Green (B2B) Questionable
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (wrist) Questionable
Domantas Sabonis (hand) Questionable
Chris Paul (B2B) Questionable
Bradley Beal (B2B) Questionable
Kristaps Porzingis (B2B) Questionable

Core Plays

Giannis Antetokounmpo (PF/C – MIL): $11,500 DraftKings, $11,700 FanDuel
If it weren’t for Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic, more people would be talking about Antetokounmpo’s absurd season. The former two-time Kia MVP has at least 36 DraftKings points in every game this season, falling just shy of a 60-point average. Chicago has been slumping over recent weeks too, and Antetokounmpo should excel, scoring at least 55 DraftKings points in 10 of his last 12 meetings with the Bulls.

De’Aaron Fox (PG – SAC): $8,600 DraftKings, $8,500 FanDuel
We had Fox in here on Tuesday in this same exact matchup, so we’re going back to the well for all the same reasons. The matchup is the most impactful variable, with Denver ranked 26th in defensive efficiency while surrendering the second-most fantasy points to opposing point guards. That’s bad news since Fox is averaging 45 DK points per game in the 25 games he’s finished this year. There’s also a chance Sabonis will be sitting, and that’d add even more value to Fox.

Lauri Markkanen (SF/PF – UTA): $8,300 DraftKings, $8,200 FanDuel
Markkanen is amid a breakout year, and he should keep it going in this matchup. Utah gets to face Golden State, who rank 26th in points allowed. That’s scary with the way Markkanen is producing, scoring at least 52 DraftKings points in two of his last three games. This guy is averaging nearly 40 fantasy points per game also, which should be easy to reach in this matchup.

Cash Game Considerations

Nikola Jokic (C – DEN): $11,700 DraftKings, $12,300 FanDuel
“The Joker” has led the league in fantasy points in each of the past two years and is amid the best stretch of his career right now. The reigning two-time MVP has scored at least 81 DK points in four of his last eight games, generating a 71-point average in that span. He’s simply the safest play on every slate and should strive against a 25th-ranked Kings defense.

Tyler Herro (PG/SG – MIA): $9,300 DraftKings, $7,900 FanDuel
Herro has at least 33 DK points in 14 of his last 15 games, totaling a 39-point average in that span. We expect 40 DK points to be his floor if Butler and Bam remain out, allowing Herro to see a massive boost in minutes, shot attempts, and usage.

Chris Paul (PG – PHX): $8,300 DraftKings, $8,100 FanDuel
Phoenix has dealt with a multitude of injuries this season, but Chris Paul has managed to stay healthy. It’s the backcourt that’s been beaten up, with Devin Booker, Cameron Payne, and Cameron Johnson all out. That should force Paul to do everything for this offense, scoring at least 38 DK points in six of his last seven games. He’s also got 50-plus in three of those and could reach that against a 22nd-ranked Washington defense.

GPP Targets

Jalen Duren (PF/C – DET): $5,100 DraftKings, $5,800 FanDuel
This rookie is looking like one of the steals of the draft. He’s been starting for two weeks now, averaging 31 DK points per game across 30 minutes a night in his nine starts. He’s also coming off a season-high 39 minutes in his most recent outing, and that sort of role should earn him a $7K price tag on both sites. We’re not worried about him facing a 19th-ranked Orlando defense, either.

Jonathan Kuminga (PF – GSW): $5,000 DraftKings, $4,500 FanDuel
This is a bit of a guess, but we believe Golden State will likely rest players here. They’ve been doing that in the second half of a B2B all season, likely sitting Klay Thompson and Draymond Green in this spot. That will likely lead to a 30-minute start for Kuminga, who’s got a 28-point average in the eight outings he’s played at least 26 minutes this year. He should reach that total if players are rested, especially with Utah ranked 22nd in points allowed and 25th in defensive efficiency.

Orlando Robinson (PF/C – MIA): $4,100 DraftKings, $5,600 FanDuel
This is another risky option, but Robinson got most of the center minutes when Bam Adebayo was out on Monday. While he did come off the bench, Robinson registered 36 DraftKings points across 27 minutes. He’s shown flashes of that in small minutes in the past, and he’d be the best bargain of the day if he plays another 25-30 minutes. Facing L.A. isn’t too shabby either, with the Lakers allowing the second-most fantasy points to opposing big men.

Value Plays

Markelle Fultz (PG/SG – ORL): $5,900 DraftKings, $6,300 FanDuel
Fultz has scored at least 26 DraftKings points in six of his last seven games, amassing a 35-point average in that span. More importantly, he’s handling the ball on every possession while playing 30 minutes a night. As long as he does that, he should strive against a Detroit team that ranks 29th in both points allowed and defensive efficiency.

Mike Conley (PG/SG – UTA): $4,900 DraftKings, $5,700 FanDuel
Conley provided 41 DK points across 33 minutes in that masterclass, showing the potential that once made him an $8K player. It’s just strange to see him sitting well below $6K on both sites, and you know he’ll get above that at some point. A matchup with the Warriors is wonderful, too, surrendering the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing point guards. In their most recent matchup, Conley compiled 49 DraftKings points.

John Collins (PF/C – ATL): $5,300 DraftKings, $6,300 FanDuel
We had Collins in here on Tuesday, and we’re sticking with him until his price gets back to where it usually is. Collins typically sits around $7K on both sites, and he’ll get back there with his minutes restriction getting lifted. Minutes and injuries have been holding him back all year, but Collins should thrive with Clint Capela out of the lineup, collecting 26 points and 10 boards on Tuesday. Facing Brooklyn isn’t too bad either, with Collins scoring at least 36 DK points in each of their last six matchups.

Advantageous Pricing