X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Stats & Leaders
Starts and Sit
Daily Fantasy
Who To Pickup
24x7 News and Alerts

NBA DFS: Top Daily Fantasy Expert Picks for DraftKings, FanDuel (12/20/24)

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - Oklahoma City Thunder, NBA DFS, Fantasy Basketball

Happy Friday RotoBallers! The NBA DFS slate for December 20, 2024, features a compact three-game schedule, making lineup construction all about leveraging elite matchups and identifying value plays. With fewer games, ownership will condense around key players, so we'll focus on identifying core plays, GPP pivots, and value picks to give you an edge.

Striking the right balance between safe options for cash games and high-upside plays for GPPs is crucial for building winning lineups tonight. With a slate featuring several fast-paced matchups alongside strong defensive teams, identifying the best game environments to target will be key. Let’s dive into the top plays across various price tiers to help you succeed on DraftKings and FanDuel tonight.

This article will provide my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings and Fanduel on 12/20/24. Remember to monitor NBA injury news and our awesome NBA injuries report tool, as the slate can completely change before lineups lock at 7:00 p.m. EST. 

Featured Promo: Get any DFS Premium Bundle for for 10% off using code BALLER! Win more with expert advice from proven winners and exclusive DFS tools. Get instant access to RotoBaller's Lineup Optimizers, Research Stations, daily picks and VIP chat rooms across 10 sports! Go Premium, Win More!

 

NBA DFS Core Picks

Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL - PF/C)

DraftKings: $11,300  - FanDuel: $12,200

Giannis is the cornerstone to build around for tonight's slate. Without Damian Lillard, his usage rate sees a substantial bump, often exceeding 35%. That elevated workload translates into elite fantasy production, as Giannis thrives in high-usage situations. Cleveland’s defense, anchored by Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, struggles to contain dominant forwards who can attack in transition and create off the dribble.

Additionally, Giannis' ability to pile up peripherals—blocks, steals, and assists—makes him nearly matchup-proof. Expect him to produce a 60+ fantasy point ceiling with a strong floor for cash and GPP lineups.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC - PG)

DraftKings: $10,300 - FanDuel: $11,100

SGA has been a fantasy goldmine this season, ranking among the league leaders in usage and efficiency. Miami’s slower pace may temper expectations for a shootout, but Shai has proven to be matchup-proof, even against strong defenses.

He can accumulate fantasy points from all three levels (paint, midrange, and beyond the arc) and produce regardless of opponent adjustments. With a steady dose of minutes and the potential for defensive peripheral stats (steals, blocks), Shai is a safe play for cash contests and carries enough upside for GPPs. Miami lacks the personnel to truly disrupt his rhythm, making him a standout guard option tonight.

LaMelo Ball (CHA - PG)

DraftKings: $9,800 - FanDuel: $10,200

LaMelo is a walking triple-double threat, and his ceiling grows exponentially if Brandon Miller is ruled out. Miller’s absence funnels more playmaking and scoring responsibilities to Ball, further elevating his fantasy outlook. Philadelphia’s defense could be weakened if Joel Embiid sits, opening the door for LaMelo to attack the rim at will and dictate the pace of the game.

Over his last five games, LaMelo has averaged over 20 points, 10 assists, and 7 rebounds, showcasing his ability to fill the stat sheet. His combination of high usage, elite passing, and improved three-point shooting make him a top-tier option tonight, particularly in GPP formats.

Bam Adebayo (MIA - C)

DraftKings: $8,100 - FanDuel: $8,400

Bam has been one of the most consistent contributors for Miami, and tonight’s matchup against OKC sets him up for success. OKC’s frontcourt, while athletic, lacks the physicality to slow down a versatile big like Bam. With the ability to score efficiently in the post, rebound aggressively, and facilitate from the elbow, Bam offers multiple avenues to rack up fantasy points. Additionally, his defensive presence (blocks and steals) gives him an added boost, particularly in GPPs. Expect a strong showing, with a realistic path to a 40+ fantasy point outing, making him a solid play for all contest formats.

 

NBA DFS Tournament Pivots

Paul George (PHI - SF/PF)

DraftKings: $8,500 - FanDuel: $8,800

Paul George is an intriguing tournament pivot, particularly with Joel Embiid's status uncertain. If Embiid sits, George will take on a more prominent role as a scorer and facilitator for the 76ers. Even with Embiid active, George’s skill set allows him to contribute across multiple categories, including rebounds, assists, and defensive stats. Charlotte’s wing defense has been a liability this season, ranking near the bottom of the league in defending opposing small forwards and power forwards.

George's ability to create his own shot, combined with his elite three-point shooting and slashing ability, makes him a high-ceiling option. His ownership is likely to be lower than the top-tier plays, making him a strong GPP target with a 50+ fantasy point ceiling.

Evan Mobley (CLE - PF/C)

DraftKings: $7,700 - FanDuel: $8,500

Evan Mobley’s unique skill set positions him as a strong pivot in tournaments. With Giannis anchoring the Bucks' defense, Mobley will need to assert himself offensively to exploit mismatches against Milwaukee’s secondary defenders, such as Bobby Portis or Brook Lopez.

Mobley’s versatility as a scorer in the mid-range and his ability to finish around the rim make him a tough cover for any frontcourt. Mobley’s defensive impact through blocks, steals, and rebounding gives him a high floor, while his offensive creativity provides upside. In tournaments, he’s an excellent mid-range play with 40+ fantasy point potential.

 

Want more NBA DFS tools and exclusive content? Check out our premium daily content from proven winner Will Priester! Grab an NBA season pass and get access to our daily projections, optimizer, Will's personal picks, props, advice, and VIP chat rooms. Use promo code ZTSPORTS at checkout to save 10%

 

DraftKings NBA DFS Value Picks

Bobby Portis (MIL - PF/C)

DraftKings: $5,400 - FanDuel: $6,800

Bobby Portis is one of the best value plays on the slate, especially with Damian Lillard out. Portis has proven he can rack up fantasy points quickly when given the opportunity. Whether he’s filling in for Giannis during rest periods or playing alongside him in small-ball lineups, Portis contributes with his scoring, rebounding, and energy.

Against a Cleveland frontcourt that features strong rim protection, Portis’ ability to stretch the floor with his mid-range jumper and three-point shooting will be vital. He’s also an elite offensive rebounder, which could lead to extra possessions and second-chance points. At this salary, Portis has 30+ fantasy point upside if he sees enough minutes.

Mark Williams (CHA - C)

DraftKings: $4,900 - FanDuel: $5,400

Mark Williams offers tremendous value, especially on a slate where reliable cheap centers are scarce. While his minutes may be limited, his per-minute production in rebounds, blocks, and efficiency around the rim makes him a high-upside option.

Philadelphia may rest Joel Embiid, which would soften their interior defense and give Williams a better chance to succeed. Even in limited minutes, Williams has shown the ability to secure double-digit rebounds and add a couple of blocks, giving him a strong floor for his price. On a short slate, he’s a great option to balance your lineup while allowing for higher-priced stars.

Caris LeVert (CLE - PG/SG)

DraftKings: $5,200 - FanDuel: $6,200

Caris LeVert is a versatile value player who can deliver across multiple stat categories. With his ability to create his own shot, facilitate for teammates, and contribute defensively, LeVert offers a significant upside at his salary.

If Cleveland deals with injuries or needs additional scoring against Milwaukee, LeVert’s role could expand even further. Milwaukee’s defense tends to focus on stopping primary scoring threats like Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley, which could leave LeVert with favorable matchups. His skill set allows him to step into a larger role when needed, making him a strong play for 25+ fantasy points with the potential for more if the game script works in his favor.

 

Today's Top NBA DFS Game Stacks

Philadelphia 76ers vs. Charlotte Hornets

Key Players: Tyrese Maxey, Paul George, LaMelo Ball, Miles Bridges

With Joel Embiid questionable, this game could turn into a fast-paced shootout. Maxey and George are the primary options for Philly, while Ball and Bridges bring upside for Charlotte.

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

Key Players: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bobby Portis, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley

The Bucks-Cavs game has star power and intriguing mid-range options. Target this game for Giannis’ usage spike and Cleveland’s potential value plays.

 

My Favorite NBA DFS Picks for Today

Here is where I leave you with some of my favorites.

  • Favorite Overall Play: Giannis Antetokounmpo
  • Favorite Cash Play: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
  • Favorite GPP Play: Paul George
  • Favorite Value Play: Bobby Portis


Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy basketball mobile app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, lineup notifications & DFS articles. All free!

NBA DFS News and Injury Alerts

More DFS Lineup Picks and Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Stats & Leaders
Starts and Sit
Daily Fantasy
Who To Pickup
24x7 News and Alerts

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP
10
11
11
12
12
18
13
27
14
31
15
32
16
35
17
40
18
45
19
46

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Chris Olave17 mins ago

Saints List Chris Olave As Questionable For Week 18
Jaylen Waddle24 mins ago

Dolphins Optimistic About Jaylen Waddle Despite Questionable Tag
Tyreek Hill29 mins ago

Questionable To Face The Jets
A.J. Brown1 hour ago

DeVonta Smith Doubtful For Week 18
Tua Tagovailoa1 hour ago

Doubtful For Week 18
Jalen Hurts2 hours ago

Officially Ruled Out
Deebo Samuel Sr.2 hours ago

Won't Play Against Cardinals
Brock Purdy2 hours ago

Officially Ruled Out In Week 18
George Kittle2 hours ago

Questionable For Week 18
David Montgomery2 hours ago

Out, Craig Reynolds Questionable For Week 18
Austin Ekeler2 hours ago

Questionable For Week 18
Travis Kelce2 hours ago

Listed As Doubtful For Week 18
Patrick Mahomes3 hours ago

Doubtful For Week 18
Kareem Hunt3 hours ago

Isiah Pacheco Ruled Out, Kareem Hunt Doubtful For Week 18
Derek Carr4 hours ago

Ruled Out, Spencer Rattler To Make Another Start In Week 18
Alvin Kamara4 hours ago

Doubtful To Play In Season Finale
Kyren Williams4 hours ago

To Be Rested In Week 18
Cooper Kupp4 hours ago

Puka Nacua, Cooper Kupp Won't Play Against Seahawks
Matthew Stafford4 hours ago

Rams To Sit Matthew Stafford In Week 18
Drake Maye4 hours ago

Questionable For Week 18
Darnell Mooney5 hours ago

Questionable For Week 18

MORE RECENT ARTICLES

 
Tee Higgins - Football Rankings, NFL Injury News, DFS Lineup Picks

Fantasy Football Injury Reports: Friday Week 18 Updates for Tee Higgins, Chase Brown, George Kittle, Tyreek Hill, and More

The 2024 NFL season is in its last week, which means most fantasy leagues have concluded. However, some leagues do play on to Week 18, so for those still playing, this week is extremely important to keep tabs on given all the players sitting. Of all weeks, this week is the worst week to get […]


Joe Burrow - Fantasy Football Rankings, NFL Injury News, DFS and Betting Picks

NFL Week 18 Predictions: Picks and Analysis for Every Game Including Saturday Slate

Hello, football fans, and welcome to the final week of the NFL regular season! As we head into Week 18, we get things kicked off with a pair of games on Saturday featuring four AFC North squads. Moving into Sunday, motivation will be key for several teams in the regular-season finale. Who is fighting to […]


Video: Week 18 Must-Start Running Backs - 2024 Fantasy Football Streamers, Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Analysis

Though most season-long fantasy leagues have already wrapped up, there are still a few gamers battling for a title in Week 18 of the NFL season! RotoBaller's Matt Donnelly discusses his top "Must Start" running backs that will have a fantasy football impact in Week 18, as well as some backs you might want to […]


Ja'Marr Chase - Fantasy Football Rankings, NFL Injury News, DFS Lineup Picks

Bengals vs. Steelers Saturday Start 'Em, Sit 'Em - Joe Burrow, Russell Wilson, Ja'Marr Chase, George Pickens, Tee Higgins, and more

We kick off the final week of the NFL regular season with a Saturday slate that features two matchups. Below you can read our matchups analysis article for the Bengals vs. Steelers game to help make any fantasy lineup decisions for both season-long and DFS. Motivation will be high for both the Bengals and Steelers […]


RotoBaller NFL Betting Picks Stock

2024 NFL Week 18 Betting Picks (Premium Content)

All other Premium Tools and Content can be accessed on the premium dashboard. To see ALL of Jamie's bets (and others from RotoBaller experts), head over to the RotoBaller Discord. You'll find every bet and prop in the #NFL-BETTING-PROPS channel there!   Background My name is Jamie Calandro (@jac3600 on X), and I have been a high-volume […]


Kenneth Gainwell - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, Waiver Wire Pickups

Week 18 FanDuel NFL DFS Picks - Main Slate (2024): Baker Mayfield, Brian Thomas Jr., Sam LaPorta

In this article, I will be providing you with my Week 18 daily fantasy football lineup picks for FanDuel and the 2024 NFL season. These lineups can vary from higher-priced players and elite options to lower-priced players and value picks on FanDuel. Be sure to also check out our weekly DraftKings DFS lineup picks and other […]


Patrick Mahomes - Fantasy Football Rankings, NFL Injury News, DFS Lineup Picks

NFL Inactives Week 18 (Updated): Which Teams Are Resting Starters? Who's Sitting or Playing in Week 18

If your fantasy football league extends to Week 18, you either forgot to change that setting, or you love living on the edge. The final week of the NFL regular season is always tricky to navigate, as several teams either do not play their key starters or pull them early. Many teams have already clinched […]


Zay Flowers - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL Injury News

Browns vs. Ravens Start 'Em, Sit 'Em - Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry, Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, D'Onta Foreman, Jerry Jeudy, Mark Andrews, more

If your fantasy league plays on to Week 18 or you are simply looking to build DFS lineups, you have come to the right place. Below you can read our matchups analysis article for the Browns vs. Ravens game to help make any fantasy lineup decisions for both season-long and DFS. The Ravens are massive […]


Baker Mayfield - Fantasy Football Rankings, Waiver Wire Pickups, Draft Sleepers

PrizePicks NFL DFS Prop Picks - Over/Under Props for Week 18 (Sunday Main Slate)

Hello everybody, and welcome to our PrizePicks NFL DFS prop picks for Week 18 - Sunday Main Slate! The 2024 NFL season is now through the holiday season and into the playoff push, and our friends over at PrizePicks have a TON of great DFS plays we can look to take advantage of. Our partners […]


Calvin Ridley - Fantasy Football Rankings, NFL DFS Picks, Draft Sleepers

NFL Week 18 Fantasy Football Weather Report

Welcome to Week 18. Not everyone is done playing fantasy football and there are also lots of DFS contests going on this week. The purpose of this article is to help you make informed lineup decisions based on the weather forecast. Yes, in some cases, the weather can have a major impact on player production. […]


Josh Jacobs - Fantasy Football Rankings, NFL Injury News, DFS Picks

Week 18 Fantasy Football Busts? Players Who May Disappoint Include Josh Jacobs, Josh Allen, Garrett Wilson, DK Metcalf

Welcome back, RotoBallers, to our Week 18 fantasy football busts, or players who may disappoint. For those fantasy leagues still chugging along into the final week of the regular season, some key players won't be on the field. The Chiefs, Eagles, Rams, and Bills (for the most part) have stated that starters will not suit […]


Terry McLaurin - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL Injury News

Bold Predictions for Fantasy Football Week 18: Russell Wilson, Ray Davis, Terry McLaurin, Adam Thielen, Pat Freiermuth

Week 18 is here, and I’m back with another edition of fantasy football bold predictions. This week’s list of bold predictions will include Russell Wilson, Ray Davis, Terry McLaurin, Adam Thielen, and Pat Freiermuth. Every week, I will provide some fun and bold fantasy football predictions. While these bold predictions aren’t the most likely outcomes, […]


Jahmyr Gibbs - Fantasy Football, Rankings, Draft, Sleeper, DFS, Running Back

Free Week 18 NFL Betting Picks and Expert Predictions

Man, we are white hot as we reach the NFL playoffs. The Lions and Chargers both covered for us last week, and that propelled us to another 2-0 outing. We are now 10-2 for +8.7 units since Week 12. Hopefully, you’ve been riding the wave and made some cash. The card this week is a […]