We have a nice 7 game NBA slate to start our weekend, and there are some very interesting options across the board. There are a number of injuries going around, so this should open up some value plays once we get the starting lineups.

In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 12/30/17. I play both cash and GPP, so I will be looking for both players who have consistency, along with value plays that have upside from a favorable match up, or other factors.

If you have any questions or comments, let me know @DFS_Tom on Twitter. You can also read more DFS advice and lineup picks for sites like FanDuel, and other sports too. Let's get to it.

DraftKings DFS Guards

Ben Simmons - PG, PHI @ DEN (DK - $8,300)

Simmons is looking like one of the locks of the night for a number of reasons, so let's get into it. First off, it was announced yesterday that Joel Embiid would be sitting out this game, and when he is out, Simmons has a 27.9% usage rate, which is a 3.7% increase from his normal rate. This is something we want to jump on, since he has shown this season to be a double-double or triple-double threat most nights. His price has also dropped $1K from just two games ago, and with him having such a high usage rate, he is in a spot to crush. Not to mention he is also up against the Nuggets, who are giving up 48 DraftKings points per game to point guards, which is fourth worst in the league.

C.J. McCollum - SG, POR @ ATL (DK - $7,200)

McCollum generally makes a pretty solid play most nights since he has a consistent floor of points, and can go off and score 30 or more real points. He has 30 or more DraftKings points in three of his last four games, and is up the Hawks who giving up 43 DK points per game to shooting guards. Right now, it is unclear if Damian Lillard will play or not, and when does not play, McCollum has a 33% usage rate, which is 6.6% higher than his normal.

DraftKings DFS Forwards

LeBron James - SF, CLE @ UTA (DK - $11,500)

The Cavs have lost two games in a row, and I simply do not see them losing to this Utah team. We all know that LeBron can do almost anything he wants on the court, and can single handedly carry a team to a win. He has 60 or more DraftKings points in nine of his last 10 games, and is offers one of the most consistent floors of points in the league. If you have the salary for him, you simply should not be passing him up tonight.

Bismack Biyombo - PF, ORL vs MIA (DK - $5,300)

Biyombo has been one of the more popular value options over the past few games since Vucevic has gone out with an injury. He has beaten 5x value in two straight games, and with the savings he brings, he should be a solid play. He has played 30 or more minutes in two of his last three games, and will be up against the Heat who are on the second night of a back to back.

DraftKings DFS Centers

Nikola Jokic - C, DEN vs PHI (DK - $8,600)

Jokic has 38 or more DraftKings points in three of his last four games, and is still a bit too cheap. This is a player who was over $10K for parts of last season, and we want to buy low while we can. he has a 23% usage rate, and is averaging 1.27 fantasy points per minute this season. He is up against the 76ers, who are giving up 53 DK points per game to centers, and will be without their center Embiid.

NBA DFS News and Injury Alerts