RADIO
There are only five games tonight which means I get to be brief. One great thing about tonight is the lack of high-priced options. LeBron James is taking on an easy matchup and the spread is heavily favoring the Cavaliers. With James' price at $12,300, rostering him puts a serious ceiling on the rest of your targets. With all this in mind, I am going to help you find a way to roster King James and help throw out some names to consider along the way.
My big "sleeper" for the day is going to be Ricky Rubio. He had a bad game last night and there is no way the Spurs are putting one of their better defenders in Rubio's face to keep him from lighting it up...chances are the Spurs will let him light it up and shut everyone else down. This game is going to be like a chess match between a seasoned champion and a budding trail blazer. This game will be slow and coached down to the last second, so don't expect a lot of points, but a lot of production from the same few sources.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for FanDuel on 12/21/17. The DFS lineup picks will range from some of the elite players to mid-priced options, and value plays on FanDuel.
FanDuel DFS Guards
Tony Parker - PG, @ UTA ($4,200)
I bet you didn't expect this after that whole Rubio spiel but we cannot forget the weak point for the Jazz, whoever Rubio is defending. Rubio has quick hands so this isn't a complete knock on his defense as a whole, but more a knock against his ability to stop guards who can get to the rim easily. Rubio doesn't have the strength to stop someone like Parker from generating in the paint, getting to his floater, all that good stuff that makes Parker a hard player to guard. He might be on the older end but he still produces in DFS given the right situations. Like this one.
Troy Daniels - PG, vs. MEM ($4,800)
I am putting this out there because most people have never heard the name Troy Daniels. Here's a brief history, he played for the Grizzlies last season and had a career-high night last week. He can shoot and is someone I like to categorize under the "emotional shooter" tag. Daniels, like other "emotional shooters" Steph Curry and J.R. Smith have this thing about them. It seems like they hit more in rhythm but highly contested shots, along with making the second or third of a three point barrage. What i'm saying is that Daniels, like other great shooters, tend to show up when it means the more than just a three. This entire game has a "revenge game" label all over it for Daniels so expect him to come out ready to bury the team that buried him with the Suns.
Dwyane Wade - SG, vs. CHI ($5,400)
What do you know, another revenge game, but this time from Dwyane Wade is more than capable of producing even if he doesn't shoot well. Of most bench players tonight, noone is close to guaranteed production like Wade. We know he is getting the ball as much as he wants and his time of veterans means that shots will fall. With a price that ideal if you want to spend up for James, might as well take Wade as well. Just think, James hits Wade for a three then Wade returns the favor? Thats 10 points in two plays between two players who tend to pass between eachother. (<- fun little tongue twister)
Other DFS Guards to Consider: Jarrett Jack - PG vs. BOS ($4,900)
FanDuel DFS Forwards
Jaylen Brown - SF, @ NY ($5,700)
The Boston Celtics and Jaylen Brown are coming off a back-to-back loss to the Miami Heat. Brown did not have a bad game last night, but theres no reason he shouldn't be able to rebound for a much more productive night. The Knicks will not have someone athletic enough to keep up with Brown outside of Courtney Lee, and if Frank Ntilikina given that task, it might be a long night for both of them. Brown is a streaky shooter but get's the hustle stats to make up for it, but if Ntilikina is keeping a hand in his face the entire game, Brown's ceiling is capped. This is a risky play coming off a back-to-back, but also has the potential to be a great mid-range value play because his strengths strongly counter-effect the Knicks defense.
Joe Johnson - SF, vs. SA ($3,900)
Joe Johnson has yet to have a bounce back game, but that doesn't mean he isn't deserving of minutes. Clearly Jazz coach Quin Snyder is willing to give him the opportunities, he just needs to start producing. This is a risky play, but you need to make a note that Johnson is back and close to his full capabilities. He is shooting without hesitation, going after every rebounds, and bringing his usual playmaking to the Jazz rotation. It is going to take away from the stats of players like Rodney Hood and Thabo Sefalosha, but luckily this about Johnson being a value play and hitting from deep against the Spurs.
Josh Jackson - SF vs. MEM ($4,300)
Accidentally keeping it going with the double J's, Josh Jackson is hard not to play as long as Devin Booker is out. His shot is still finding his range but his ability to get shots off has been promising. He will tag-teaming the offensive load every night with the rest of the Suns, but Jackson is physically the most dangerous option they have. He plays defense and has the length to convert easy buckets. Memphis still plays a slow pace, but combine that with the fastest pace in the league and you have a recipe for something. I don't know what, but it is certainly a concoction of some sort.
Daniel Theis - PF @ NY ($3,500)
One of the Celtics core "glue guys," (that makes sense right?) Daniel Theis has been doing the dirty work every night and it honestly looks like he enjoys it. It isn't glamorous or fancy but Thies doesn't look like that fancy of a guy. He eats up boards, sets hard picks, and likes to bump around in the paint. Because of his total lack of concern for stats and fantasy players, his performances do not always turn up promising results. That being said, his minutes are guaranteed and he is always good for some rebounds. The Knicks frontcourt is splotchy when it comes to interior defense so expect Enes Kanter and Daniel Thies to be locking in on every rebound possible.
Other DFS Forwards to Consider: Bobby Portis - PF @ CLE ($5,000)
FanDuel DFS Centers
Al Horford - C, @ NY ($7,600)
Al Horford does to much for the Celtics not to be played in a matchup like this. The Knicks may have solid stats against opposing centers, but stats also cannot account for Horford being a stretch center with a knack for hitting perimeter shots. His ability to stretch defenses will be evident tonight and he has increased upside for assists. The Celtics might be tired on the second night of a back-to-back, but if Horford plays, he'll have a good game. The team works around him so his floor is always high and his ceiling is ever-extending. Horford is on triple-double watch starting.....now.
Other DFS Centers to Consider: Kevin Love - C vs. CHI ($8,000)
