FanDuel NBA DFS Picks for Today (Monday 12/23/24): Daily Fantasy Basketball Advice

Happy Monday Rotoballers! The NBA has given us a massive 14-game schedule today but FanDuel’s main slate trims it down to 11 games, cutting off the three late-night matchups starting at 10:00 PM ET. With such a wide range of games to choose from, tonight’s slate offers plenty of opportunities to balance safe plays with high-upside GPP darts.

As always, injuries and late news will play a massive role, so keep an eye on updates leading up to lock. Let’s dive into today’s top core picks, tournament plays, and value options on FanDuel!

This article will provide my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for FanDuel on 12/23/24. 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 on FanDuel. 

FanDuel NBA DFS Core Picks

Anthony Davis, LAL - C ($10,500)

Davis has been unstoppable lately, averaging a double-double in his last five games, with block and steal rates among the league’s best. Detroit's interior defense is a glaring weakness, allowing the second-most fantasy points to centers, which sets the stage for Davis to dominate. Detroit also struggles with fouling big men, further increasing Davis's free-throw opportunities. His high floor makes him the ideal cornerstone for both cash and GPP formats.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, PG - OKC ($11,000)

The Wizards are defensive turnstiles, ranking last in defensive efficiency and struggling to contain high-usage guards. SGA thrives in uptempo, high-scoring games, which this matchup projects to be. His combination of scoring, playmaking, and defensive contributions makes him nearly matchup-proof. Washington's inability to stop dribble penetration ensures SGA has a clear path to dominate both in points and assists.

Karl-Anthony Towns, C - NYK ($9,800)

With Toronto missing Jakob Poeltl, their interior defense takes a significant hit, leaving Towns with a clear size and skill advantage against the Raptors frontcourt. The Knicks' offense runs through him in half-court sets, and he remains a lethal threat from three-point range, ensuring a strong combination of scoring and rebounding. This matchup screams upside, especially for GPPs.

Jayson Tatum, SF - BOS ($10,600)

Tatum continues to deliver consistent production, making him an anchor in cash lineups. While Orlando’s slower pace isn’t ideal, their defense has shown cracks against high-usage forwards. Tatum’s scoring versatility, combined with his ability to rack up rebounds and assists, ensures a high floor. With Boston’s rotation favoring heavy minutes for their stars, expect Tatum to carry the load in a game where the Celtics are slight favorites.

FanDuel NBA DFS Tournament Pivots

Kevin Durant, PF - PHO ($11,000)

Kevin Durant is at the top of this list. With Devin Booker sidelined, Durant becomes the focal point of Phoenix’s offense, and his usage rate skyrockets. Denver presents a challenging matchup, but that’s what makes him intriguing in tournaments because people might shy away from the perceived difficulty. The reality is Durant thrives in competitive games, and his ability to take over as both a scorer and a playmaker makes his $11,000 salary justifiable. If the game stays close, Durant could easily hit his ceiling, which is among the highest on the slate.

Trae Young, PG - ATL ($9,500)

Young is another high-upside option, and while he hasn’t been the model of consistency this season, that’s precisely why he’s better suited for tournaments. Against Minnesota, he faces a defense that has struggled to contain elite guards. If Trae finds his rhythm from beyond the arc, he’s capable of exploding for 50+ fantasy points. His three-point shooting and assist potential give him a path to smashing value, but his volatility keeps him out of cash-game contention.

Ivica Zubac, C - LAC ($7,500)

Zubac represents a sneaky mid-range pivot. At $7,500, he’s priced in that range where many DFS players might overlook him, but the upside is real. Memphis has struggled mightily against skilled interior players, especially in rebounding and post-scoring. Zubac can quietly rack up a double-double while chipping in with blocks and putbacks. He doesn’t have the same name recognition as some other options, but that’s exactly why he could be a difference-maker in tournaments.

Fred VanVleet, PG - HOU ($7,300)

VanVleet is a quintessential GPP guard for tonight’s slate. Charlotte’s defense has been abysmal against opposing point guards, particularly in allowing assists, which plays directly into VanVleet’s strengths. His role as a primary ball-handler and scorer for Houston ensures he’ll have plenty of opportunities to put up numbers. At $7,300, he’s in a sweet spot for upside, and his ability to fill up the stat sheet makes him a threat to break the slate, especially if this game turns into a shootout.

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FanDuel NBA DFS Value Picks

Jonathan Mogbo, PF/C - TOR ($5,200)

Jonathan Mogbo is a standout value option, priced at just $5,200. With Jakob Poeltl out, Mogbo continues to start for the Raptors, and he’s been thriving in his role. His ability to clean up the boards and contribute in multiple categories gives him a reliable floor, even in a tough matchup against the Knicks. Toronto leans on Mogbo’s energy, and as long as he’s seeing significant minutes, he’s a great salary-saving option who can deliver a double-double with defensive stats.

Tari Eason, SF/PF - HOU ($5,300)

Tari Eason, at $5,300, is another player to keep an eye on. Houston’s injury situation opens the door for Eason to play a more significant role, and he’s the kind of high-energy guy who can rack up fantasy points in a hurry. Whether it’s grabbing rebounds, getting steals, or making hustle plays, Eason thrives on filling up the box score. Against Charlotte’s porous defense, he’s in an excellent spot to outperform his salary, especially if the game pace picks up as expected.

Dorian Finney-Smith, SF/PF - BKN ($4,600)

Dorian Finney-Smith is a bit of a wildcard, but his $4,600 salary makes him a very intriguing punt play. Logging heavy minutes for the Nets, DFS has the versatility to contribute on both ends of the floor. He’s capable of hitting threes, grabbing boards, and playing solid defense, giving him a stable floor with some upside if his shot is falling. Against Miami, a slower-paced game might limit his ceiling, but his ability to do a little bit of everything keeps him firmly in play.

Derrick Jones Jr., SF/PF - LAC ($4,200)

Jones Jr. is one of the slate’s best pure punt plays at $4,200. His per-minute production is excellent, and he could see an expanded role if the Clippers rest any starters on the second night of a back-to-back. Jones’s athleticism and defensive capabilities give him the potential for big fantasy nights when given extended run. Against Memphis, a team that struggles to protect the paint, Jones could deliver some sneaky upside if he sees a boost in minutes.

My Favorite NBA DFS Picks for Today

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

• Favorite Overall Play: Anthony Davis (LAL - $10,500)
• Favorite Value: Jonathan Mogbo (TOR - $5,200)
• Cash Game Lock: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC - $11,000)
• GPP Upside Play: Kevin Durant (PHO - $11,000)

NBA DFS News and Injury Alerts

More DFS Lineup Picks and Analysis