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After a busy Tuesday of NBA Cup Group Play, the NBA regular season rolls on this Wednesday with six games on the slate. The action starts a little later at 7:30 p.m. ET when four of the six games begin. The late-night hammer comes from the West Coast, where the Clippers host the Timberwolves in a rematch of their game last week. The Pistons, Pacers, Clippers, Bucks, Magic, and Sixers are finishing back-to-backs so be sure to keep a close eye on their availability and injury reports throughout the day.
Let's look at the best of these matchups from a DFS perspective on DraftKings. If you're looking for FanDuel-specific advantage, check out Thunder Dan's FanDuel picks!
This article will provide you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 12/04/24. Remember to monitor NBA injury news and our awesome NBA injuries report tool, as the slate can completely change before lineups lock at 7:30 p.m. EST on DraftKings.
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DraftKings NBA DFS Core Picks
Jaylen Brown, BOS - SG/SF ($8,200)
The Celtics almost advanced to the Knockout Round of the NBA Emirates Cup but were edged out in point differential. They'll be back on the floor on Wednesday as they host the Pistons, who lost Tuesday to the Bucks to also be eliminated in the Group Play phase of the tournament. With Jayson Tatum ($10,200; knee, questionable), it could be a great chance for Jaylen Brown to step up and take on more work whether Tatum plays through the issue or gets the night off.
Brown missed Sunday's game with an illness but was back in action on Monday and totaled 46.75 DraftKings points with this performance:
Jaylen Brown is the player of the game with 29 points/7 rebounds/4 assists. Celtics defense on display tonight, Miami Heat shot under 36% and the Celtics held them to under 90 points. Great effort on the second night of a back to back. pic.twitter.com/FoCHifh1Yy
— Danielle Hobeika (@DanielleHobeika) December 3, 2024
On the season, he's averaging 42.7 DraftKings points per game and 1.18 DraftKings points per minute. With Tatum off the floor, he has produced 1.39 DraftKings points per minute, so if Tatum does end up getting the night off, Brown will be in a great spot to outproduce his salary just over $8,000.
Even if Tatum does play, Brown has been playing well enough alongside him to be a very solid option. In his last nine games, he has averaged 43.3 DraftKings points per game and should be able to exceed that average in this favorable matchup against the Pistons with or without Tatum.
Dennis Schroder, BKN – PG/SG ($7,500)
The Nets will continue to be without Cam Thomas (hamstring) for a while, and Cameron Johnson ($6,600; ankle, questionable) may also be forced to miss a second straight game for Brooklyn as well. The absence of Thomas will put more work on point guard Dennis Schroder, giving him an elite ceiling even though his salary is under $8,000.
Dennis Schroder (last 10 games):
🏀 17.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, 6 assists
🏀 40% FG
🏀 36% 3PT
🏀 91% FT pic.twitter.com/vesYIRnMDp— Cifer (@NetsCifer) December 2, 2024
On the season, Schroder has a 24.8% usage rate and has produced 1.05 DraftKings points per minute. Without Thomas on the floor, his usage jumps to 29.4%, and he pours in 1.21 DraftKings points per minute. When both Johnson and Thomas are off the floor, Schroder's usage and production climb even higher.
On Monday without the pair, Schroder had 35 DraftKings points in 29 minutes finishing with 16 points and 10 assists. He went 0-for-6 on three-pointers, so he has even more upside if he gets some shots to drop on Wednesday in what should be a favorable spot at home against the Pacers.
Ivica Zubac, LAC – C ($6,800)
In the late game in L.A., the Clippers will look to win their third straight home game and avenge their loss last Friday to the Timberwolves. Zubac had 36.75 DraftKings points with 16 points and 13 rebounds in that matchup with Rudy Gobert ($6,600).
In the first game of their back-to-back, Zubac and the Clippers sailed past the Trail Blazers, and he only played 28 minutes on his way to weigh points, 10 boards, and 27 DraftKings points.
Zubac with the 🔨
🏆 POR in the hunt for Wild Card
🏆 #EmiratesNBACup on NBA League Pass
🏆 https://t.co/uxfKSjvqvb pic.twitter.com/DRVe9ORzVD— NBA (@NBA) December 4, 2024
He has fallen short of a double-double in each of his last two games but is still getting heavy minutes. He had six straight double-doubles prior to his last two games with at least 36 DraftKings points in each of those six games. He should be able to get back into double-double territory on Wednesday since he'll have to play big minutes against Gobert and the Wolves.
Others Under Consideration: Giannis Antetokounmpo - PF/C ($12,100), James Harden - PG ($9,400), Bam Adebayo - C ($8,000), Damian Lillard - PG ($9,600), Franz Wagner - SF/PF ($9,800)
DraftKings NBA DFS Tournament Pivots
Anthony Davis, LAL - C ($10,500)
The Lakers are taking their talents to South Beach, but it's Davis that looks like the better fantasy play over LeBron James ($9,500). Davis has produced an impressive 1.53 DraftKings points per minute on the season and is averaging 27.8 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 2.0 blocks, and 1.3 steals for 54.0 DraftKings points per game.
Aside from a monster game in Utah, his numbers have been a little down over the last few games, and he has come under fire for not being more involved late in games. It feels like he is on the verge of a massive performance to silence his critics, and this matchup in Miami could be the spot for him to drop a huge number.
His recent down games will keep his ownership low but his ceiling is always sky-high making him a strong tournament play.
Trae Young, ATL – PG ($8,800)
Young is also coming off a few down games by his lofty standards as he played through Achilles tendinitis. He is probable for this matchup in Milwaukee, and he always has a high enough ceiling to be worth a look when his salary slips under $9,000. Young bounced back from just 26.5 DraftKings points on Saturday in Charlotte with a strong 12-point, 15-assist double-double on Monday that earned him 46.5 DraftKings points against the Pelicans.
Assist No. 15 of the night for Trae Young is a BEAUTY 🤩 pic.twitter.com/kNhvqqkn6c
— NBA TV (@NBATV) December 3, 2024
He has historically performed well against the Bucks and should enjoy the challenge of going head-to-head with Dame. He has handed out double-digit assists in seven of his last eight games and is averaging 20.9 points, 12.2 assists, and 46.9 DraftKings points per game in his 21 games this season.
Derrick White, BOS – PG/SG ($6,600)
White could also be in store for a big game this Wednesday depending on which of his teammates is available. Like Brown, he missed Sunday's game but returned for Monday's matchup with Miami. White finished with 19 points, eight assists, six rebounds, and 40 DraftKings points in 31 minutes.
Derrick White is averaging career-high 18.4 PPG this season. He's also shooting 18-for-38 from downtown (47.4 3P%) in his last four games.
His pockets really are full of threes: pic.twitter.com/4YJW25ytwZ
— Tomek Kordylewski (@Timi_093) December 3, 2024
On the season, he has produced 1.05 DraftKings points per minute overall and 1.15 DraftKings points per minute without Tatum on the floor. Since Jrue Holiday ($5,000; knee, questionable) is also uncertain, White could end up in an expanded role in this smash spot against Detroit.
Clint Capela, ATL – C ($5,200)
While he isn't as flashy as Trae Young or breakout star Jalen Johnson ($8,400), Capela has been quietly excellent this season for the Hawks. He is averaging 27.3 DraftKings points per game on 10.6 points and 9.2 rebounds per game on the season, but he has been even better lately, producing 1.39 DraftKings points per minute and 32.3 DraftKings points per game over his last 11 contests.
Clint Capela And-Oneeee 😤#TrueToAtlanta pic.twitter.com/sjQQS3yoI1
— Atlanta Hawks Brasil 🇧🇷 (@ATLHawksBrz) December 3, 2024
On Monday, he had 17 rebounds in 29 minutes against the Pelicans and finished with 38.75 DraftKings points. He has at least 29 DraftKings points in three straight games and 25+ DraftKings points in 13 of his last 14.
Others Under Consideration: Anthony Edwards - PG/SG ($9,100), Pascal Siakam - PF ($7,800), Jalen Suggs - PG ($6,600), Paul George - SF/PF ($7,500), Payton Pritchard - PG/SG ($5,500)
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DraftKings NBA DFS Value Picks
Nickeil Alexander-Walker, MIN – SG/SF ($3,900)
Even coming off the bench for the Timberwolves, Alexander-Walker seems very underpriced under $4,000. In his last three games, he posted 32.5, 31, and 21.5 DraftKings points and has scored double-digit points in four straight contests.
Last Friday against the Clippers, he had 12 points, 10 rebounds, and 31 DraftKings points in 28 minutes, and he should be able to again return great value in Wednesday's rematch.
Chris Finch on Nickeil Alexander-Walker this season:
"Probably been our most consistent performer in a lot of ways this year." pic.twitter.com/pTWUUjvZqm
— Wolves Lead (@TWolvesLead) December 3, 2024
Moritz Wagner, ORL – C ($4,400)
With Goga Bitadze (ankle) a late scratch on Tuesday against the Knicks, Wagner stepped into a much bigger role and had 20 points and 44 DraftKings points in 28 minutes in New York.
Moritz Wagner Stats For Emirates NBA Cup Game vs KNICKS 03-12-2024 https://t.co/eVJL9paU8s#MoritzWagner #Moritz #Wagner #nba #nbahighlights #basketball #orlando #magic #magic #orlandomagic pic.twitter.com/AoPeAitmxB
— NBA Players Highlights (@NBAPlayersHigh) December 4, 2024
If Bitadze is out again on Wednesday, Wagner should be an excellent value play against the 76ers, who will likely be without Joel Embiid (knee) and Andre Drummond (ankle) leaving Guerschon Yabusele ($6,000) to carry most of the workload down low.
Shake Milton, BKN – PG/SG ($4,200)
With the Nets dealing with multiple key injuries, Milton has made the most of his chance to step up. He played a season-high 35 minutes on Monday and racked up 14 points, six rebounds, five assists, and 32.5 DraftKings points against the Bulls.
SHAKE. MILTON.
bucket + steal + anotha bucket pic.twitter.com/K4uJByF5PS
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) December 3, 2024
Milton has played 20+ minutes in five straight games and posted two games with over 30 DraftKings points while averaging 21.5 DraftKings points per game. If Johnson and Thomas are out, Milton should still get enough work to be a good value even if Ben Simmons ($5,800; back, questionable) is able to return.
Milton's high energy gives him a good ceiling at barely over $4,000.
Zaccharie Risacher, ATL – SF ($4,000)
The No. 1 overall pick in last year's draft has scored double-digit points in four straight games and in eight of his last 10 games. On the season, he's averaging 21.5 DraftKings points in 24.2 minutes per game, and over his last eight games, he has produced 20.9 DraftKings points per game over his last eight.
He should still get plenty of work on the wing for the Hawks and at just $4,000, he's a solid way to get minutes and steady production.
Others Under Consideration: Mike Conley - PG ($4,800), T.J. McConnell - PG ($4,800), Derrick Jones Jr. - PF ($3,700), Jarace Walker - PF ($3,800), Kris Dunn - PG/SG ($4,000)
Today's Top NBA DFS Game Stacks
Hawks at Bucks (236.5 total)
The Hawks are very stackable in this road game against the Bucks with Young, Johnson, Capela, and Risacher strong plays at their price points. Despite his injury, Trae has been running the offense efficiently, and they rank second in the NBA in Pace coming into this matchup.
The Hawks also rank in the bottom 10 in the NBA in defensive rating, which means the Bucks are in a good place as well. They didn't have to play their stars huge minutes to secure their spot in the NBA Emirates Cup Knockout Round, so Giannis and Dame should both be set for full workloads on Wednesday unless there is a surprise in the injury report. You can stack around them with values like AJ Green ($3,700), Taurean Prince ($3,900), and Andre Jackson Jr. ($3,500).
Pacers at Nets (226.5 total)
This is the only other game on the slate with an over/under within 10 points of the Hawks-Bucks game, on what shapes up to be a lower-scoring night. The Pacers have been getting good work from Tyrese Haliburton ($8,200) and Myles Turner ($6,900) lately, and both are strong plays at their prices. Bennedict Mathurin ($7,100) seems a little expensive for me, but Jarace Walker ($3,800) is a nice way to stack the Pacers and still save salary.
I really like the Nets mentioned above depending on who exactly is available. With Johnson, Simmons, and Dorian Finney-Smith ($4,600; ankle) all questionable, there could be room for value plays like Keon Johnson ($4,500), Day'Ron Sharpe ($3,500), Trendon Watford ($4,700), and Tyrese Martin ($4,300) to emerge in addition to Milton, depending on how exactly the usage plays out.
My Favorite NBA DFS Picks for Today
Here is where I leave you with some of my favorites.
- My favorite OVERALL play on the slate: Dennis Schroder (Brown if Tatum is out)
- My favorite CASH play on the slate: Ivica Zubac (Brown if Tatum is out)
- My favorite GPP play on the slate: Trae Young
- My favorite VALUE play: Nickeil Alexander-Walker
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