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The top daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on December 16, 2021. Euan Leith provides NBA DFS analysis and sleeper picks for building optimal DFS rosters.
Happy Thursday, Rotoballers! Originally, tonight should've been a five-game slate. However, because of the postponement of the Chicago-Toronto clash, we are down to four contests. That leaves us with Pistons-Pacers, 76ers-Nets, Knicks-Rockets, and Wizards-Suns to fill out our DFS lineups.
As of this writing, the Philadelphia-Brooklyn matchup has a 212-point over/under and is set as a pick 'em. Indiana and Phoenix are at least nine-point favorites in their matchups, while Houston is a 4.5-point home dog against New York. On my sheet, every game has a projected pace below 97, and it could make for a low-scoring night. Still, there are several spots to attack across the board, and the Knicks-Rockets contest will draw a lot of my attention. Over the last 10 games, both teams allow at least 116 points per 100 possessions. Meanwhile, Phoenix (105.3 defensive rating) and Philly (109.3) will make life difficult for their respective Thursday opponents.
This article will provide you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 12/16/21. Remember to monitor injury news as the slate can completely change before lineups lock.
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DraftKings and FanDuel Guards - NBA DFS Lineup Picks
Cade Cunningham - PG/SG, DET at IND ($8,600 DK; $7,900 FD)
The rookie is making moves. Since the calendar flipped to December, Cade Cunningham is turning up the fantasy production and becoming a fantastic fantasy asset. Over five games, the No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft averages 22 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 3.4 three-pointers, and two steals. He's eclipsed the 50-point DraftKings barrier in two of his last four outings and has recorded at least 15 points in seven straight. He will travel to a Pacers team tonight, allowing the seventh-most FPPG (fantasy points per game) to point guards over the last two weeks. With the two 50-point outings, Cunningham's shown the type of ceiling he can touch in fantasy, and I believe he can replicate that against the Pacers on Thursday.
Tyrese Maxey - PG, PHI at BKN ($6,900 DK; $6,400 FD)
From Dec. 3-Dec. 11, Tyrese Maxey did not attempt more than 10 shots in a game. However, after that four-game slide, he's returned to his high-volume ways and jumped back into the DFS player pool. In the previous two matchups, Maxey averaged 25 points on 16.5 field-goal attempts, with six assists, two three-pointers, 1.5 rebounds, and one stock (steals+blocks) per night. It's all added up to 37.6 Draftkings FPPG. That would be an initial five times return on investment at his $6,900 salary on DraftKings tonight, but he has even more working in his favor. The Nets allow a league-worst 54.16 FPPG to point guards and will be shorthanded again for this Eastern Conference showdown. So follow the volume and roll out Maxey in this primetime contest.
Eric Gordon - SG, HOU vs. NYK ($5,600 DK; $5,700 FD)
Eric Gordon (groin) missed Wednesday's contest against the Cavaliers after Head Coach Stephen Silas said the team is still managing their veteran guard's injury. Still, he should be good to go on the B-side of a back-to-back, and fantasy managers should be eager to get him on their DFS squads. Last time out, Gordon posted 32 points, five triples, three assists, three rebounds, and a steal on his way to 42.75 fantasy points. The five three-pointers made it the fourth time in five outings where the shooting guard drained at least three triples. Gordon won't be in a Rockets uniform much longer, but he is enjoying the number of shot attempts at his disposal while he can. In the last four games where he's taken at least 14 shots, Gordon averages 36.4 DraftKings FPPG, and I expect that number of attempts against a Knicks defense giving up the seventh-most FPPG to shooting guards over the last 15 games.
Others to consider: Malcom Brogdon ($8,400; $7,800), Alec Burks ($7,100; $5,500), Patty Mills ($6,600; $6,500), Raul Neto ($3,200; $3,800)
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DraftKings and FanDuel Forwards - NBA DFS Lineup Picks
Kevin Durant - SF/PF, BKN vs. PHI ($12,300 DK, $12,000 FD)
Without James Harden (protocols) and Kyrie Irving (personal) to help, the Brooklyn Nets rely solely on Kevin Durant to carry this team through the Christmas season. The crazy thing is that he's doing precisely that. Before Thanksgiving (18 games), KD hadn't played more than 40 minutes in a game this season. However, since then, he's seen at least 40 minutes in five of eight contests and is producing incredible real-life and fantasy numbers with 33 points, 8.3 rebounds, 6.9 assists, 2.3 stocks, and 1.9 three-pointers. It seems like nothing can stop the former MVP in his current form. On a four-game slate, I'm not betting against him. Durant is a must-play asset in cash games.
Julius Randle - PF/C, NYK at HOU ($10,000 DK; $8,700 FD)
A lot has been said this season about whether last season was Julius Randle's peak and if we will ever see it again. Well, for me, Randle is like that high-school girl/boyfriend who you were on-again, off-again in your early years. It was tumultuous with many highs and lows, but the highs always brought you back for more. That's me with Randle right now. I haven't rostered him on a DFS squad this season, and I remember the 2020-21 campaign with rose-tinted goggles. Plus, the Winter Dance (a matchup with Houston) is coming up, and Randle seems like the perfect dance partner.
Last game, he had 31 points, seven rebounds, and five three-pointers, and I'm ready to do the Cha Cha Slide on the dance floor as the Rockets give up the second-most points to power forwards in the last two weeks. Of course, I'm prepared to be burned by Randle and instantly remember that he chews food with his mouth open or says "like" too much. This is the risk and the reward with your high-school flame. He's a tournament-only play for me on Thursday night.
Jae'Sean Tate - SF/PF, HOU vs. NYK ($6,500 DK; $6,300 FD)
I would much rather play Tate than the previously mentioned Randle, all things being equal. With Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green missing, the sophomore forward recorded terrific results. He's attempted at least 10 shots in five of his previous nine contests and averages 40.35 DraftKings FPPG when he hits that benchmark. Additionally, the Knicks are a middle-0f-the-pack defense versus forwards, coming into the game as the 13th-toughest matchup for opponents. Regardless, Tate can contribute to any fantasy category and is well worth looking at this four-game slate. I prefer him on FanDuel, but he's also a differential option on DraftKings.
Others to consider: Cameron Johnson ($5,100; $5,400), Justin Holiday ($4,200; $4,000), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope ($4,000; $5,000);
DraftKings and FanDuel Centers - NBA DFS Lineup Picks
Deandre Ayton - C, PHX vs. WAS ($8,800 DK; $8,000 FD)
Devin Booker (hamstring) is still on the sidelines for Phoenix, and it's allowing Deandre Ayton to shine as the backup singer to Chris Paul. On Tuesday against the Trail Blazers, Ayton came away with 28 points, 13 rebounds, two steals, and an assist for 49.75 DraftKings points. Tonight, he welcomes the Wizards to Arizona for a plus matchup. Over the last 15 games, Washington is the third-easiest matchup for opposing centers, giving up 60.11 DraftKings FPPG. Ayton has six double-doubles in his previous nine games and should have no problem dispatching the Wizards and making it seven in 10, tonight.
Nicolas Claxton - C, BKN vs. PHI ($3,900 DK; $5,900 FD)
As I mentioned with Kevin Durant, James Harden (protocols) is out, Kyrie Irving (personal) is nowhere, and, now, LaMarcus Aldridge (protocols) will also be absent. Aldridge also missed Tuesday's game versus the Raptors, giving Claxton the chance to shine. In 26 minutes, the third-year player registered 16 points, seven rebounds, an assist, and a block. He returned nine times his salary, and it's not difficult to imagine a similar scenario on Thursday. Yes, Philadelphia has Joel Embiid guarding the paint, but they are a bottom-10 defense against centers over the last two weeks. I like Claxton on DraftKings more than FanDuel (that price difference!!!) but can see him as a good tournament play on either site.
Others to consider: Domantas Sabonis ($10,500; $9,200), Christian Wood ($9,400; $8,300), Alperen Sengun ($5,500; $5,800)
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