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Happy New Year's Eve, Rotoballers! Tonight we have a four-game main slate to close out 2024. These articles focus on the best plays, typically more suited for cash games. However, some exceptions may apply, depending on the size of the slate.
The key to succeeding in NBA DFS is making adjustments during the day as injury information becomes available. But it's always essential to have a game plan and zero in on the best players and spots before making those adjustments. To keep up with all the latest developments and get access to updated projections, grab an NBA season pass and access our RotoBaller Premium Discord, where @chiefjustice6 is talking about the slate up until lineups lock!
This article will provide you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 12/31/24. Remember to monitor NBA injury news and our excellent NBA injuries report tool, as the slate can completely change before lineups lock at 7:00 p.m. EST on DraftKings. Good luck, RotoBallers!
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DraftKings NBA DFS Core Picks
Austin Reaves, LAL - PG ($7,300)
With LeBron seemingly on the wrong side of questionable heading into tonight's game, it looks like Reaves will run point again for the Lakers. On Saturday he went off against the Kings; he dropped 26/6/16 for 58 fantasy points.
Austin Reaves Last 5 Games 🔥
⛳️ 21.0 PPG
⛳️ 7.6 APG
⛳️ 6.6 RPG
⛳️ 1.0 SPG
⛳️ 39.4% 3PT (6.6 attempts)
⛳️ 47.9/39.4/78.6who said the Lakers couldn’t win with AR as their THIRD star?? 🤫
— NBALakersReport (@NBALakersReport) December 30, 2024
This is the first game LA has their new acquisitions part of the roster, so I expect Reaves to post strong assist numbers again trying to get his new teammates involved. Reaves is severely underpriced and I expect him to be one of the most heavily rostered players on the slate.
Desmond Bane, MEM - SG/SF ($7,500)
The Grizzlies are ravaged by injury, headlined by Ja Morant who was ruled out week-to-week last night. This Grizzlies - Suns matchup boasts the highest implied total (235.5) on the slate by 8 points, and Bane is the Grizzlies' best scoring option without Morant.
A number one option on offense at this price in the slate's best-projected environment is the definition of a core play. The Grizzlies as a whole will be very popular tonight, so keep that in mind when building lineups for contests of all kinds.
Others Under Consideration: Anthony Davis, LAL - C ($10,900)
DraftKings NBA DFS Tournament Pivots
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC - PG ($11,000)
SGA has been red-hot shooting over his last 6 games, shooting 76-132 (57.5%) in that span. In his last game, he scored 63 fantasy points in only 28 minutes! He's the best scorer in the league at the moment, and when he projects to be at such low ownership, he's worth taking a chance on for his massive ceiling.
Ivica Zubac, LAC - C ($7,700)
Zubac has quietly been one of the best Centers in the NBA this season. He's posted 40+ fantasy points in seven of his last eight games and is averaging 46.5 fantasy PPG in that span.
Ivica Zubac tonight:
20 points
16 rebounds
4 assists
9/13 FGs pic.twitter.com/XcgQzjNPnC— Farbod Esnaashari (@Farbod_E) December 31, 2024
Others Under Consideration: Anthony Edwards, MIN - PG/SG ($8,800)
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DraftKings NBA DFS Value Picks
Luke Kennard, MEM - SG/SF ($3,900)
Kennard has had his two best fantasy performances of the season in his last three games, and he's made three or more treys in three straight games. Ja Morant's absence has opened a lot of opportunities in the Memphis backcourt, and Kennard has had big shooting performances when Morant has missed time in the past.
The Grizzlies had 11 players touch the floor when they got blown out by the Thunder on Sunday, and in a closer game, I expect Kennard to see more minutes than the 27 he got against OKC.
Josh Okogie, PHX - SF ($3,800)
With Royce O'Neale out, Okogie slid directly into his vacant role. Okogie posted season-highs across the board last game, finishing just shy of 30 fantasy points. He's another great, cheap, piece that provides exposure into that seemingly awesome game environment of Grizzlies - Suns.
Others Under Consideration: Jay Huff, MEM- C ($3,800), Mason Plumlee, PHX - C ($4,500)
Today's Top NBA DFS Game Stacks
Grizzlies at Suns (235.5 O/U)
Not exactly a surprise considering how much I've discussed this game already. If this game lives up to Vegas' expectations, there will likely be multiple cheap pieces (potentially on both teams) that make their way into winning lineups.
Cavaliers at Lakers (227.5 O/U)
The Lakers consistently play high-scoring affairs, and the Cavs are the best team in the NBA by record as we head into 2025.
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: Austin Reaves
- My favorite CASH play on the slate: Desmond Bane
- My favorite GPP play on the slate: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- My favorite VALUE play: Grizzles at Suns
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