RADIO
A small slate of games means even smaller chance of error. You will need to be precise with your picks and make sure you pick the right players that will be going off on Thursday night. Luckily, even though the options are limited, all the teams scheduled to play have offenses that have been playing incredibly well. Even the Jazz are projected to be in a high-scoring game with the Rockets. With all this being said, paying up for Russell Westbrook will is projected to be the play of the day. His price is an egregious $12,000, but if he has a typical Russ night, it will all be worth it.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for FanDuel on 12/7/17. The DFS lineup picks will range from some of the elite players to mid-priced options and value plays on FanDuel. If you have any questions, find me in the #HOOPS CHAT ROOM or on Twitter @HalfCourtJester.
Let's get rolling.
DFS Guards to Consider
Tyler Ulis - PG, vs WAS ($4,900)
You could go with Tyler Ulis or Mike James here. I am advising to attack the Wizards frontcourt. The only problem is, the Suns backcourt is in absolute shambles. With Devin Booker out, it's likely the shots will fall into the hands of Tyler Ulis, T.J. Warren, and the less likely Mike James. Both James and Ulis can score, but James was just assigned to an official contract, giving him that "mental" upside. The deciding factor for me is, James has only taken 18 shots in the past three games compared to Ulis' 23. James might be the more versatile scorer, but Ulis has been taking more shots and can rely more on his playmaking. Both are risky options, but Ulis is the safer option simply because of his previous performances.
Ricky Rubio - ($5,000) - vs HOU
Ricky Rubio is not the strongest shooter, so playing him against the Rockets seems a bit silly. In fact, its not a horrible play. The Rockets will struggle to keep a faster pace, and if anything, it means Rubio will be shooting more. Truthfully, since new found bright spots Alec Burks and Donavan Mitchell have decided to take scoring into their own hands, Rubio has been constantly scanning he floor looking for the open pass. This has led to poor performances recently, but Rubio will have to shoot if the Jazz want to come away with a win. Rubio is a smart player and makes good decisions, but his price and upside will remain on the lower end until his shot attempts return to 10-11 a game.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope - SG, @ PHI ($5,800)
The good thing about Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is that he is guaranteed 30 minutes a night. His defense is too valuable to the Lakers schemes and his offense has been more than good enough to be deserving of opportunities every game. Unfortunately, the guarantee in minutes does not guarantee production, although the 76ers backcourt struggles to guard just about anyone that Robert Covington isn't guarding. Expect KCP to get his shots by the handful and he should have no problem turning his projection into a mere benchmark.
Also Consider: Caris LeVert- ($4,800) - vs OKC
DFS Forwards to Consider
Robert Covington - SF, vs LAL ($6,700)
It's been fun to watch Robert Covington transition to a Ben Simmons offense. After a poor performance last game, Covington is in ideal position for a rebound game against the Lakers, even though the matchup isn't ideal. The Lakers defense is going to have to sink to prevent Simmons from getting to the room, leaving Covington wide open for three after three. The Lakers might have one of the stingier defenses, but that only makes Covington a lower owned player.
Josh Jackson - SF vs WAS ($4,600)
Now that Devin Booker is going to be out, the shots are going to need to fall somewhere. Where better than to Josh Jackson. He might be all upside, but it is absolutely there. T.J. Warren will be the first to take the reigns of the offense, but if Josh Jackson manages to start he will produce. One of the best aspects of this pick is that he isn't a defensive liability and he should definitely see an increase from his 27 minutes last game. Now that the Suns will be more desperate for scoring, Jackson will get his opportunities against the semi-struggling Wizards. Check for lineup updates before the game to see how will be replacing Booker in the rotation.
Trevor Booker - PF, vs OKC ($4,500)
The Thunder defense is enough to deter any casual player, but Trevor Booker will be all over the boards Thursday night. Booker is a natural rebounder and the Thunder frontcourt will not be able to stop him from getting his second chance points. The Nets and Thunder will be getting up a ton of shots and Booker will be going after all of the rebounds. He is a cheaper option and has a bit of risk due to the Thunder defense, but is still going to be one of most tactical rebounders in the game.
DFS Centers to Consider
Steven Adams - C, @ BKN ($6,900)
Like I was saying with Booker, the shots will be flying and Steven Adams is in for another big night. The Nets frontcourt is Tyler Zeller and Jarrett Allen. Steven Adams will be able to do what he wants in the paint and will likely draw a decent amount of fouls to go along with double-digit rebounds. Unless Brooklyn puts together a scheme to stop Steven Adams, which they likely haven't because their are more important threats on the tean, he will dominate the stat sheet.
Also consider: Brook Lopez - C, vs PHI ($4,500)
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