We have a small five game slate for the NBA tonight to start off the week. There aren't a ton of options out there tonight, but some solid options and looks to be better cash options rather than GPP plays. But, I'll give you a spotlight of some players that are in good spots to have solid games. So let's get into it. Sit back, read up, and let's win some contests.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 12/19/16. The DFS lineup picks will range from some of the elite players to mid-priced options and value plays on DraftKings. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to reach out to me on Twitter @DFS_Tom.
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DraftKings DFS Guards
Russell Westbrook - PG, vs ATL ($12,800)
At this point in the season, Russell Westbrook is on a one man mission to win the MVP. His streak of triple doubles was snapped last week, but he bounced right back during the game on Saturday and started a new streak. In his previous game, Westbrook put up 81 DraftKings points. That is flat out bananas. Now, I don't think he will have a game which is as huge as that one, but he still has a great match up today. He is up against the Hawks who are second worst in the league vs point guards, giving up 53 DraftKings points per game. This is the kind of spot you want to target him and he is a great anchor for one of you GPP lineups.
Ricky Rubio - PG, vs PHO ($5,400)
Ricky Rubio is in a really nice spot today. He is up against the Suns who are giving up 49 points per game to point guards. Over his last four games, Rubio has scored 22 points or more in every game, and two of which were over 34 points. If he can get anywhere those numbers again, he will certainly hit value for you. I see him as mainly a cash game play, since he doesn't have a super high up side. His price also allows you some salary flexibility, so you can fit one of the bigger names in your roster. This should be a higher scoring game, and could be a nice stack with Karl-Anthony Towns.
Bradley Beal - SG, @ WAS ($6,800)
Bradley Beal is playing really well over his past few games, and is a nice spot tonight. Over his last five games, he has scored 34 points or more in four of those games. I feel like he is going over looked by many since he isn't super expensive, nor is he super cheap. But this is a sweet spot for some players and this is where you can find consistency for you cash lineups. Beal is up against the Pacers who are giving up 42 points per game shooting guards. Beal has some explosiveness in his game and has a bit of up side, but is mainly a cash game player.
DraftKings DFS Forwards
Paul Millsap - PF, @ OKC ($7,500)
Paul Millsap is one of the most consistent power forwards in the league this year. He did miss a few games with an injury, but since he has come back, he has scored 17 or more real points in five of six games. He is putting up numbers left and right, and has tallied 36 DraftKings points in three of his last four games. I think Millsap is a fantastic option for cash games and will give you that solid base of points. Millsap is nearly a lock to hit value for you, and it will be money well spent.
C.J. Miles - SF, vs WAS ($4,200)
C.J. Miles has been seeing more playing time lately with the injury to Monta Ellis. This has opened up some opportunity for Miles and he has been alright. He is more of a GPP play since he isn't consistent. He has great upside since he takes a lot of three pointers, and if he can get hot, he could knock down several. Over his last four games, he has scored 16 points or more in three of the four games.
Will Barton - SF, vs DAL ($5,700)
Will Barton has been sneaky good lately and seems to be going over looked by many, mainly due to the fact that he plays for Denver, who are below .500 but, only one spot out of the top eight in the western conference. Barton has scored 23 DraftKings points or more in three of his last four games. He isn't a super high scorer, but he fills the stat sheet and contributes in multiple categories. Barton is up against Dallas who are in the middle of the league when it comes to defense vs small forwards, but the Mavericks are bad overall and this should be a win for the Nuggets.
DraftKings DFS Centers
Karl-Anthony Towns - C, vs PHO ($8,900)
Towns is cementing hiself as one of the best young players in the league, with a bright future. He is a double double machine and getting that bonus on DraftKings is always great. Over his last three games, Towns has 42 points in all three, and two of those games, he has over 52 points. Those are great numbers and makes him a fantastic GPP option. He has big upside, because if he scores a lot of real points, his ceiling is huge. He is up against the Suns who are eighth worth in the league vs centers, giving up 50 points per game. Really like him in this spot tonight.
Marcin Gortat - C, @ IND ($6,00)
Gortat is a great cash option for tonight, since the player pool is smaller with only five games. Over his last four games, Gortat has scored 30 points or more in three of his last four games. Awesome consistency, with a decently high floor for his price. His is also playing the Pacers who are giving up 50 points per game to centers. I don't expect Gortat to get near 50 points, but this match up is good for him.
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