Daily Fantasy

NBA DraftKings & FanDuel DFS Primer: Monday, Dec. 5

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

Joel Bartilotta, FantasyPros

December 5, 2022 5:08 PM

Luka Doncic and the Mavericks host the Suns on Monday night.

That weekend slate was something. For all the injuries we’ve had this season, it’s been exciting watching many of these big-name players return. It feels like an All-Star group of players has returned to action over the last week. That will cause some chaos for the first week with all of these superstars swallowing up so much usage, and it’ll also be imperative to keep an eye on the injury report for the next few days!

Injury Report

Paul George (hamstring) Questionable
Tyrese Haliburton (groin) Questionable
James Harden (foot) Questionable
Jimmy Butler (knee) Questionable
LaMelo Ball (ankle) OUT
Desmond Bane (toe) OUT
Tyrese Maxey (foot) OUT
Kawhi Leonard (knee/ankle) Questionable
Jrue Holiday (knee) Questionable
Wendell Carter Jr.(foot) OUT
Khris Middleton (wrist) Questionable
Chris Paul (heel) OUT
Andrew Wiggins (adductor) Questionable
Christian Wood (illness) Questionable
Brook Lopez (old) Questionable
Jalen Suggs (ankle) OUT
Jordan Poole (ankle) Questionable
Gordon Hayward (shoulder) OUT
Marcus Smart (hip) Questionable
John Collins (ankle) OUT
Steven Adams (hip) Questionable

Core Plays

Joel Embiid (PF/C – PHI): $11,400 DraftKings, $11,600 FanDuel
Embiid has been the MVP runner-up in back-to-back years, and it’s easy to understand why. The big man is averaging over 56 DraftKings points per game, scoring at least 56 DK points in five of his last six games. He’s also flirting with a 70-point average in that span and couldn’t ask for a better matchup here. Houston sits 25th in points allowed and 28th in defensive efficiency.

Stephen Curry (PG – GSW): $10,900 DraftKings, $10,300 FanDuel
Chef Curry has been rolling this year. The former MVP has scored at least 42 DraftKings points in all but one game, with the one outlier being a 40-point blowout. Not many people have a 42-point floor, and a 54-point average backs it. Curry is doing everything for this offense right now and shouldn’t have any issues against a 24th-ranked Indiana defense. Curry collected 61 DK points in another masterclass performance in their last matchup.

Myles Turner (PF/C – IND): $7,300 DraftKings, $7,500 FanDuel
It’s hard to understand why Turner isn’t $8,000 on both sites. This breakout center is averaging over 36 fantasy points per game this season, scoring at least 42 DK points on six occasions. That’s a crazy ceiling from a player in this price range, but it’s no surprise since he’s being asked to do more in the absence of Domantas Sabonis. The best part of this is getting to face Golden State, though, with the Warriors ranked 26th in total defense. They’re also weak at the center position, and Turner’s elite athleticism should be critical in a matchup like this.

Cash Game Considerations

Luka Doncic (PG – DAL): $12,700 DraftKings, $11,900 FanDuel
Luka is the best cash game option on every slate. The Slovenian has scored at least 45 DraftKings points in all 21 games this year, cracking 51 DK points in all but two of those. That makes Luka a worthy option at any price, especially since he always plays well against Phoenix. In the seven-game series against the Suns last year, Doncic averaged 32.6 points, 9.9 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 2.2 steals per game.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (PG – OKC): $10,300 DraftKings, $10,400 FanDuel
Shai is on another level right now. This Thunder guard has taken over this offense, scoring at least 42 DraftKings points in 18 of 21 games this year. He’s got his season average above 50 DK points per game as well, despite dealing with numerous blowouts for one of the most flawed teams in the NBA. Facing Atlanta isn’t too bad either, with the Hawks having one of the worst defensive backcourts in the NBA.

Clint Capela (C – ATL): $6,400 DraftKings, $6,200 FanDuel
Whenever Capela is getting a hefty workload, we want to use him in DFS. That’s the case right now, playing 30-35 minutes with John Collins out of the lineup. He’s played over 25 minutes in 15 games this year, compiling a 37-point average in those outings. That’s ridiculous from a $6K player, and his role is guaranteed as long as Collins remains out. Facing Oklahoma City is outstanding, too, with the Thunder allowing the third-most fantasy points to opposing centers.

GPP Targets

Ivica Zubac (C – LAC): $6,600 DraftKings, $6,300 FanDuel
Zoo has been all over the map in terms of consistency, but he’s got too much upside to be this cheap. The big man has scored at least 35 fantasy points in three of his last four games, posting a 43-point average in that span. He also flashed a 77-point masterpiece in that stretch, and he’s one of the only Clippers players that doesn’t have a bench player breathing down his neck. Facing Charlotte is sensational, too, surrendering the most fantasy points to opposing centers.

Klay Thompson (SG/SF – GSW): $5,900 DraftKings, $5,900 FanDuel
It’s been a rough year for Klay, but this sharpshooter is fine-tuning his scope. Thompson has scored at least 28 DraftKings points in 10 of his last 13 games, averaging nearly 40 fantasy points per game in those 10 outings. That’s the stud we remember from the past, making him one of the best GPP plays in this sub-$6K price range. Facing Indiana is incredible, too, owning a 24th OPRK against opposing shooting guards.

PJ Washington (PF/C – CHA): $5,600 DraftKings, $6,000 FanDuel
Washington has been volatile all year, but that’s why he’s in the GPP section. The versatile big man has scored at least 28 DraftKings points in 13 of 23 games this year. That’s all you can ask for from a $6K player, especially since he’s flashed a 56-point upside. He should be asked to do more with how shorthanded Charlotte is, missing LaMelo Ball, Dennis Smith, and Miles Bridges. Facing the Clippers is far from concerning, allowing the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing power forwards.

Value Plays

Grant Williams (PF/C – BOS): $4,800 DraftKings, $5,000 FanDuel
This is a total guess here, but we expect Al Horford to sit here. This is the second half of a back-to-back set, and Big Al might not be the only Celtic sitting. In the last four games that Horford has missed, Williams has scored at least 23 DK points in all of them. He’s also got a 30-point average while playing close to 40 minutes a game! Good luck finding that sort of role from another $5K player.

AJ Griffin (PF – ATL): $5,000 DraftKings, $4,400 FanDuel
The Hawks are missing John Collins, but Griffin looks excellent in his absence. The rookie started for him over the weekend, dropping 35 fantasy points across 35 minutes of action. He’s played at least 30 minutes four times this year, generating a 34-point average in that span. He should keep that going against Oklahoma City, with the Thunder sitting 28th in points allowed.

Kevon Looney (C – GSW): $4,600 DraftKings, $4,500 FanDuel
Loon is too good to be sitting below $5K. The big man has scored at least 29 DK points in three of his last five games. He’s also playing a career-high in minutes, and it’s clear Golden State trusts this guy with a massive offseason contract. The matchup is the best part of this, though, with Indiana owning a 29th OPRK against opposing centers.