RADIO
After a slower week with fewer games, the NBA is back to a fuller schedule to get the weekend started. There are eight games on the schedule on Friday night with the first six making up the main slate on DraftKings. None of these teams are on either half of a back-to-back, so they should be well-rested and ready to roll for the most part. There are some fun matchups to dive into and exciting games to enjoy highlighted by an NBA TV matchup between the Clippers and the Nuggets in Denver.
Let's look at the best of these matchups from a DFS perspective on DraftKings. If you're looking for FanDuel-specific advantage, check out Thunder Dan's FanDuel picks!
This article will provide you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 12/13/24. Remember to monitor NBA injury news and our awesome NBA injuries report tool, as the slate can completely change before lineups lock at 7:00 p.m. EST on DraftKings.
DraftKings NBA DFS Core Picks
Anthony Davis, LAL - C ($11,000)
The Lakers will be without LeBron James, so Davis will likely pick up extra fantasy production. Despite a few down games recently while battling plantar fasciitis, Davis has been excellent overall this season, putting up 53.6 DraftKings points per game and 1.52 DraftKings points per minute. He has a team-high 31.3% usage rate, and with James off the floor, his numbers increase to a 37.1% usage rate and 1.64 DraftKings points per minute.
Davis has only played one game without LeBron entirely this season and dropped 60.75 DraftKings points against the Trail Blazers last Sunday.
〰️ Anthony Davis finishes with 30 points, 11 rebounds, 2 steals and 5 blocks against the Trail Blazers. Only Shaq has more 30/10/5b games since 2000 (via @StatMuse).
💜💛 Let's go Lakers! #LakeShow pic.twitter.com/U8ROdIEOaX
— LakeShow Italia (@LakeShowIta) December 9, 2024
Even in a tougher matchup with the Timberwolves, Davis should be in for a busy night and have a good chance to return value even at this elevated salary. He averaged 53.6 DraftKings points in his two games against Minnesota earlier this season with LeBron in action.
Brandon Miller, CHA – SG/SF ($9,000)
Miller has been carrying the load for the Hornets while LaMelo Ball (calf) has been out with his most recent injury. He has scored 25+ points in five straight games, averaging 43.0 DraftKings points per game with a high point of 56 DraftKings points against Atlanta.
Brandon Miller last 10 games:
27.4 PPG
6.3 RPG
4.9 3PM
39.2 3P%Hooping. pic.twitter.com/xltHrwyuVU
— StatMuse (@statmuse) December 10, 2024
Miller gets a great matchup against the Bulls on Friday and has an elite ceiling for as long as Ball is out. Without Ball on the floor this season, Miller has produced 1.15 DraftKings points per minute and has a 30.5% usage rate.
Cameron Johnson, BKN – SF/PF ($7,000)
The Nets remain with Cam Thomas (hamstring), so Cameron Johnson has taken on more workload. He has scored exactly 26 points in three straight games with 33.5, 44.25, and 37.25 DraftKings points. Johnson has a 24.6% usage rate with Thomas off the floor and has produced 1.06 DraftKings points per minute in that situation this season.
The player who scored the 4th highest percentage of their team's points while they were on the court for last night's games:
Cameron Johnson scored 40.00% of the Nets points during the minutes he was on the court.#NBA #Nets #Cameron #Johnson #BKN #NetsWorld pic.twitter.com/QHPf213CWE
— Swish Stats (@SwishStatistics) December 6, 2024
The Nets may just be showcasing Johnson for a trade, and possibly even to the Grizzlies, who they'll face tonight. Memphis has been a great matchup for forwards, so Johnson will get a chance to put up big numbers at this salary if he keeps getting so much usage.
Others Under Consideration: Nikola Jokic - C ($12,500), Anthony Edwards - PG/SG ($9,200), Tyrese Haliburton - PG ($8,600), Evan Mobley - PF/C ($8,300)
DraftKings NBA DFS Tournament Pivots
Norman Powell, LAC - SG/SF ($6,300)
Powell has helped the Clippers still get off to a strong start this season despite the continued absence of Kawhi Leonard. Powell has averaged 34.6 DraftKings points per game on the season and produced over 31 DraftKings points in each of his three games since returning from a hamstring injury.
He played 25 minutes against the Nuggets and Blazers in his first two games back but was back to a full workload with 35 minutes against the Rockets on Sunday.
OMG THROW IT DOWN NORMAN POWELL 🔨😱 pic.twitter.com/WUgN8MZJtN
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) December 9, 2024
His salary is still a little discounted, so he should end up being a great value against the Nuggets. He had 28 points in 25 minutes on December 1, which was his first game back after the injury. It's a matchup he can excel in and he brings a high ceiling Friday.
Darius Garland, CLE – PG ($7,500)
The Cavs host the Wizards, who have been the best matchup in the NBA for point guards, putting Garland in a good pace-up spot Friday night.
Garland has produced 36.1 DraftKings points per game this season with 1.20 DraftKings points per minute. He only played 17 minutes against Washington last week after suffering a head injury, but he didn't miss any games, played 32+ minute,s and had 29+ DraftKings points in each of his three games since then. He's in a nice spot to return value in this rematch on Friday.
Jordan Poole, WAS – PG/SG ($7,300)
On the other side of that matchup, Poole is also a boom-or-bust play to consider since he brings such a high ceiling. With Kyle Kuzma (rib) out, Poole has been carrying the Wizards offense and getting plenty of opportunities.
He made the most of those chances with 39 points, eight assists, and 58.75 DraftKings points against the Nuggets last Saturday.
Jordan Poole vs. the Nuggets 🤿
39 points (4th most in career)
9 three-pointers (career-high)
8 assists
5 rebounds
40 minutes (+8) pic.twitter.com/m92bDimD9x— Hoop District (@Hoop_District) December 8, 2024
On the following night, Poole struggled with just 12.75 DraftKings points in a loss to the Grizzlies, showing he is still a volatile option. With so much upside, though, mixing him into your tournament lineups is a good strategy to consider.
Nick Richards, CHA – C ($5,800)
Along with Miller, Richards gets a piece of that nice matchup with the Bulls. He recently missed 14 games with a rib fracture and also has been battling an ankle issue. He has started the last three games for the Hornets and had a very strong game with 22 points, 14 rebounds, and 47 DraftKings points against the Sixers.
He wasn't quite as effective against the Knicks and Pacers in his last two games but still put together solid nights of 21 and 26 DraftKings points. While Mark Williams ($5,100) is also working his way back to full strength, Richards has been taking more of the work and producing more fantasy value lately.
In a good spot against the Bulls, Richards is a nice center to mix un under $6,000.
Others Under Consideration: Tyrese Maxey - PG ($8,800), Michael Porter Jr. - SF/PF ($7,100), Coby White - PG/SG ($6,900), Josh Giddey - PG ($6,500), D'Angelo Russell - PG ($6,100), Rui Hachimura - SF/PF ($5,500)
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DraftKings NBA DFS Value Picks
Jonas Valanciunas, WAS – C ($5,500)
Valanciunas has been very productive over his last six games, averaging 33.9 DraftKings points on 15.8 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 22.6 minutes per contest. He had a pair of 20-point double-doubles against the Nuggets and Grizzlies last Saturday and Sunday, finishing with 51.5 and 42.5 DraftKings points.
Full skillset was on display tonight for Jonas Valanciunas
Good touch, good screener, capable DHO player
Makes life easier for guards and is an available target finding soft spots as a roller pic.twitter.com/AWn8KEjmrP
— Jackson Lloyd (@JacksonLloydNBA) December 8, 2024
He has become a hot trade commodity with his recent surge and should be well-rested after getting almost a week off ahead of this matchup with the Cavs.
Vasilije Micic, CHA – PG ($5,100)
Micic has filled in admirably for Ball and Tre Mann (back), starting each of the last six games for the Hornets. He has averaged 28.7 DraftKings points in 31.3 minutes per game over those six games and has over 29 DraftKings points in four of his last five contests.
Vasilije Micic in the win vs the Pacers:
18 PTS
9 ASTS
2 REBS
2 STLS
7-15 FG
4-6 3FG
34 MINSStarted well shooting wise to start the game, but cooled off a little bit in the 2nd half. Overall, another good game from Vasa!#HiveMentality
— Serbian Basketball (@SerbBasketNews) December 9, 2024
In what should be a high-scoring game against Chicago, Micic is still underpriced relative to his upside and his new normal in this role. He has typically filled multiple categories in the box score and has been a big part of Charlotte's offense.
Jalen Smith, CHI – C ($3,500)
It's hard to get a read on exactly what to expect from the Bulls on Friday since they listed several key contributors as questionable. Nikola Vucevic ($8,500; illness), Patrick Williams ($4,400; foot), and Josh Giddey ($6,500; back) are all uncertain. Especially if Vucevic is out or limited, Smith could end up being a great play for the Bulls at this bargain salary.
On the season, Smith has averaged 1.21 DraftKings points per minute while playing 14.5 minutes per game. He has been getting a little more playing time lately and has been able to reach at least 18 DraftKings points in three straight. If you have the space to use a center and need to go cheap, Smith brings great upside against the Hornets depending on how the injury situation plays out.
Amir Coffey, LAC – SF/PF ($4,000)
Coffey missed last Sunday's game with a shoulder injury but will be able to return for Friday's game in Denver. He has scored at least 12 points in four straight games and has 20+ DraftKings in each of his last three games. While his usage isn't extremely high, he has been getting solid enough run to be a great salary-saver at either forward spot.
Others Under Consideration: Justin Champagnie - SF/PF ($4,500), Brandon Clarke - PF/C ($4,300), Kevin Porter Jr. - PG ($4,200), Marvin Bagley III - C ($4,000),
Today's Top NBA DFS Game Stacks
Cavaliers at Wizards (232.5 total)
The Cavs are heavy favorites and have the highest implied team total on the slate. Garland is the primary target I'm looking to build around but Evan Mobley ($8,300; ankle, questionable) will also be a strong option if he plays. Georges Niang ($4,200) and Dean Wade ($3,800) will be very strong value plays if Mobley is sidelined and can be used even if Mobley plays since they could get expanded run in a blowout.
The Wizards are expected to get Alexandre Sarr ($5,400) back in action after missing two games, and he and Poole can be the core of an interesting stack. Valanciunas has brought good value lately along with Justin Champagnie, although Champagnie's role may be reduced with Sarr's return.
Hornets at Bulls (231 total)
While this game's total is quite as high as Cavs-Wiz's total, I think there could actually be even more value here. The Bulls are a great matchup for multiple Hornets as highlighted above, and I think Micic, Miller, Richards, and Cody Martin ($5,300) could all be excellent plays, especially if Miles Bridges ($6,000; knee, questionable) misses another game.
On the other side of this matchup, Zach LaVine ($7,800) and Coby White ($6,900) will likely have to carry the load, especially if Vucevic is out or limited. Williams' return could help defensively, but he isn't a high-usage option, leaving more shots for the backcourt. .
My Favorite NBA DFS Picks for Today
Here is where I leave you with some of my favorites.
- My favorite OVERALL play on the slate: Anthony Davis
- My favorite CASH play on the slate: Anthony Davis
- My favorite GPP play on the slate: Norman Powell
- My favorite VALUE play: Vasilije Micic
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