FanDuel NBA DFS Picks for Today (Thursday, 12/26/24): Daily Fantasy Basketball Advice

Welcome back, RotoBallers! Hopefully, everyone had a good Christmas and holiday season. After an exciting set of Christmas NBA games, we get a nine-game slate for the day after.

I recommend some higher-priced players for cash games and GPPs in today's edition while highlighting some of my favorite value plays and game stacks. We have a few guys on the injury report, so keep an eye on that as it updates throughout the day, specifically on Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard, Jimmy Butler, Brandon Miller, John Collins, Trey Murphy III, and Josh Giddey.

This article will provide my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for FanDuel on 12/26/24. 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

Alperen Sengun, HOU – C ($8,800)

The Pelicans have been bleeding FP to opposing centers this season, giving up the third most in the league. Sengun just finished with 47 FP a week ago in their win. There aren't many centers to pay up for on this slate, so I think Sengun is a great cash play if you are paying up for one.

Best Defensive Rating In The Clutch In The 2024-25 NBA Regular Season (Min. 12 Clutch Games Played & 3.0 MPG In Clutch Games) :

1. Alperen Sengun — 86.2
2. Jalen Green — 95.7
3. Jonathan Kuminga — 96.1
4. Jaylen Brown — 97.8
5.… https://t.co/FXo5gmGHKW pic.twitter.com/sksdMDTzjI

— Stat Defender (@statdefender) December 24, 2024

Lauri Markkanen, UTA – SF/PF ($7,400)

Lauri Markkanen gets one of the best spots on the slate, as Portland has been terrible against SFs this season, giving up the most FP to them. He didn't play in their last meeting, but with Markkanen healthy this time around, he should be able to exploit the Blazers defense.

LaMelo Ball, CHA – PG ($10,100)

LaMelo Ball has been spectacular since coming back from injury. In all three games, he has had 44+ FP. He gets a fantastic matchup with the Wizards, who are giving up the second-most fantasy points to opposing PGs. Just last week against Washington, he finished with just under 70 FP! He will be one of my top plays on the slate.

Others Under Consideration: Giannis Antetokounmpo- PF ($11,800), RJ Barrett - SF ($8,000)

FanDuel NBA DFS Tournament Pivots

Anfernee Simons, POR – PG ($7,100)

Simons has had a bit of an up-and-down season this year, but he gets a great matchup coming into this one. The Jazz are giving up the most fantasy points to opposing PGs this season. He had 27 FP in 24 minutes in their last matchup with a massive blowout. Simons has 40 FP potential in this game, which could be a good way to get different.

ANFERNEE SIMONS GAME WINNER. 🔥

pic.twitter.com/cbpoQLSI0A

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) December 20, 2024

Dyson Daniels, ATL – PG/SG ($7,000)

Dyson Daniels has been dropping some unreal steal numbers this season. He now gets a Bulls team that has given up the third-most steals this season to SGs and the second-most overall FP. Daniels has finished with 31 and 47 FP in his two matchups against the Bulls, putting him into once again another solid spot for this slate.

Tyler Herro, MIA – PG/SG ($8,100)

With Jimmy Butler and Terry Rozier both questionable for this game, this could lead to another star performance from Tyler Herro. He has the highest usage on the team with those guys out and should be the primary ball-handler/scorer. Herro has scored 47, 32, and 59 FP since Butler went down with injury.

Others Under Consideration: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander- PG ($11,400), Khris Middleton,(if Lillard is out) - SG/SF ($6,400)

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FanDuel NBA DFS Value Picks

Mark Williams, CHA – C ($5,200)

There are quite a few spots to go on this slate at center, but I do like Mark Williams quite a bit for value. He scored 33 FP in 19 minutes in the matchup against Washington last Thursday. Washington gives up the second-most fantasy points to opposing centers. Hopefully, we get a few more minutes, but Williams is a solid option even in limited time.

Cam Whitmore, HOU – SF ($3,800)

Cam Whitmore saw a solid increase in minutes with Dillon Brooks and Tari Eason being out with injuries. They are likely out for this matchup against the Pelicans, who give up the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing SFs this season. Whitmore looked great in his last game, scoring 31 FP in 27 minutes of play. With his price being as low as it is, he is great value on this slate.

Cam Whitmore should never see the G League again. 11 points and plus 14. pic.twitter.com/8Bk65tBSUx

— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) December 23, 2024

Collin Sexton, UTA – SG/SF ($5,900)

Collin Sexton has been lights out the last three games, scoring 34+ FP. A lot of that is because Keyonte George has been out with an illness. He is still questionable at this time, but if he is out, then fire up Sexton, who gets a great matchup against Portland, which is giving up the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing SGs.

Keon Johnson, BKN – SG ($4,200)

Keon Johnson draws a tough matchup, but with all the injuries going around in Brooklyn, the minutes are there for him to take advantage of. He has seen 28 and 29 minutes in the last two games since Dorian Finney-Smith has been out. At his price, if we see anything above 25+ FP, I'll take that as a win. Keep an eye on Finney-Smith; if he is in, then Johnson will fall out of rotations.

Others Under Consideration: Larry Nance Jr., ATL - PF/C ($5,700), Tristan Da Silva, ORL - SF ($4,400)

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: LaMelo Ball
• My favorite CASH play on the slate: Lauri Markkanen
• My favorite GPP play on the slate: Tyler Herro
• My favorite VALUE play: Cam Whitmore

NBA DFS News and Injury Alerts

More DFS Lineup Picks and Analysis