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The NBA is ready to roll for its annual Christmas Day marathon. Every year, Christmas delivers some of the best matchups and best games of the season, and this year, five solid matchups get underway at 12:00 p.m. ET when contests lock as the Spurs visit the Knicks. The Timberwolves visit the Mavericks in a Western Conference showdown in Big D in Game 2, and the middle game of the set features the defending champion Celtics hosting the 76ers. In the two later games, the Warriors host LeBron and the Lakers, and the Suns host the Nuggets in the final game of the day. With a league-wide day off on Christmas Eve, no teams are playing for the second day in a row, and none of these 10 teams play again on Thursday. The schedule makers did all they could to make these true "showcase" games with teams at full strength.
Let's look at the best of these Christmas Day 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 12/25/24. Remember to monitor NBA injury news and our awesome NBA injuries report tool, as the slate can completely change before lineups lock at 12:00 p.m. EST on DraftKings.
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DraftKings NBA DFS Core Picks
Kevin Durant, PHX - PF/C ($9,000)
Durant has been excellent since returning from a three-game absence with an ankle injury and had to carry more of the workload with Devin Booker ($9,100; groin) out for the last two games. Durant had 43 points, and 60.25 DraftKings points against the Pistons in the first game that Booker missed.
41 for KD.
🗳️ Vote him for All-Star: https://t.co/x55HQep6vC pic.twitter.com/CIKs10xYpx
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) December 22, 2024
On Monday, he and the Suns lost to the Nuggets in the front half of the home-and-home set, and Durant finished with 23 points, nine rebounds, and 42.75 DraftKings points. He has at least 42 DraftKings points in each of his five games since returning from his ankle injury, and he has scored over 60 DraftKings points in two of those contests.
If Booker is out, his ceiling will be even higher, but either way, he's a good way to get elite upside at just $9,000 instead of paying all the way up for one of the many superstars.
Karl-Anthony Towns, NYK – C ($10,100)
Towns continues to thrive in his first year with the Knicks. He's averaging 52.3 DraftKings points per game and 1.53 DraftKings points per minute in his 27 games this year. KAT has been incredibly consistent, with 25 double-doubles in 27 starts and at least 20 points in 19 of those games.
In December, he is averaging 22.6 points and 16.2 rebounds per game for 54.4 DraftKings points per game. He had 72 DraftKings points against the Timberwolves last Saturday in a revenge game and then dropped 31 points and 57.5 DraftKings points on Monday against the Raptors in his most recent game.
18 consecutive double-doubles for Karl-Anthony Towns 👏 pic.twitter.com/KJTohZbLLV
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) December 24, 2024
He's a consistently productive option to build around and has the potential to go off in this showcase spot for the Knicks.
Russell Westbrook, DEN – PG ($6,300)
Westbrook is a solid play at this price, whether starting in place of Jamal Murray ($7,400; calf) or coming off the bench. On Monday, Westbrook started in place of Murray against the Suns and had 30.75 DraftKings points. While that's a solid total at this salary, many were hoping for more since he had posted at least 40 DraftKings points in each of his previous three games despite coming off the bench.
He can still stuff multiple categories in the box score, whether in the lineup or in the second unit, and has shown all year that he brings good upside at a mid-range salary. He's averaging 1.22 DraftKings points per minute on the season. If Murray is back, most people may overlook him as an option, but I still love his upside and energy for under $7,000.
Quick hands leads to a Russell Westbrook SLAM 💥 pic.twitter.com/H3dod5Av5Z
— NBA TV (@NBATV) December 24, 2024
Others Under Consideration: Nikola Jokic - C ($11,600), Luka Doncic - PG ($11,100), LeBron James - PF ($9,300), Stephen Curry - PG ($8,900),
DraftKings NBA DFS Tournament Pivots
Jayson Tatum, BOS - SF/PF ($9,800)
Tatum missed Monday's loss to the Magic, but he will hopefully be able to return for the Celtics' Christmas matchup with their rival Sixers. The last time Tatum played, he lit up the Bulls for 43 points, 15 rebounds, 10 assists, and 83.75 DraftKings points.
-6’9-6’10.
-Moves like a guard.
-Can guard 1-5.
-37% on 11 3PG.
-Rebounds like a center.
-Elite playmaking as a forward.Jayson Tatum, truly 1 of 1.pic.twitter.com/Pauoxkg0n6
— jb (parody) (@lockedupjb) December 22, 2024
Tatum has averaged over 53 DraftKings points a game and 1.48 DraftKings points per minute. He has an extremely high ceiling, as he showed last Saturday, and at home in front of the Boston crowd, he's sure to be fired up to celebrate by putting on a show against Philly.
There is a little added risk due to potential lingering effects, which is why I have him as an option for tournament lineups rather than as a core play.
Victor Wembanyama, SA – C ($10,600)
Wemby got into a flopping fight with the Sixers on Monday night and finished with 26 points, nine rebounds, eight blocks, four assists, and 59.75 DraftKings points. He has over 55 DraftKings points in four straight games, including his 42-point performance against the Hawks, which resulted in 70 DraftKings points.
Wembanyama had an even better game with 80.5 DraftKings points at the start of the month against the Kings, and he is producing an impressive 1.81 DraftKings points per minute in his seven games this month.
Over his last 15 games, Victor Wembanyama, 20, is averaging:
29.0 PPG on 64.8% TS (51/41/86 splits, 4.3 3P/G), 10.1 RPG, 4.6 APG, 4.1 BPG
I’m not convinced there are five players on this planet better than him right now pic.twitter.com/3680tEnFp6
— Brett Usher (@UsherNBA) December 24, 2024
He's very expensive and in a tough matchup, but his high ceiling makes him a strong option for tournament lineups.
Austin Reaves, LAL – PG/SG ($6,100)
While the Lakers' shifting rotation has led to some ups and downs for Reaves this season, he has looked strong over his last few games coming into Wednesday's matchup against the Warriors.
Reaves missed five games with a pelvic contusion to start December but has averaged 34.15 DraftKings points per game since returning. He had at least five assists in four of those games and has scored at least 12 points in each contest as well.
Starting next to Max Christie ($3,800) seems to give him a little more usage, so as long as they stay in the starting backcourt, Reaves will bring upside at this salary.
Others Under Consideration: Joel Embiid - C ($9,500), Anthony Edwards - PG/SG ($8,700), Jalen Brunson - PG ($8,000), Bradley Beal - SG/SF ($7,200), Jeremy Sochan - PF ($6,200)
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DraftKings NBA DFS Value Picks
Devin Vassell, SA – SG/SF ($4,900)
Vassell moved back into the Spurs' starting lineup three games ago, but his salary has been slow to adjust. He did have a down game against the Blazers in his second start, which helped him stay off the radar, but he looked much better in a bounce-back performance against the Sixers on Monday, finishing with 15 points and 26.75 DraftKings points.
In his many different roles this season, Vassell always had a high usage rate and is one of the Spurs' top options. In his eight games this month, Vassell has scored 20+ points four times and averaged 0.97 DraftKings per minute. His efficiency is sometimes frustrating from a Spurs' team perspective, but getting him under $5,000 is a great value option on the wing on Wednesday.
Jaden McDaniels, MIN – SF ($4,200)
McDaniels was held to just six points and 20 minutes on Monday in Atlanta, finishing with only 12.5 DraftKings points. Before that, though, he was in a very nice role, producing at least 23 DraftKings points in five straight games, including a high point of 43.25 DraftKings points against the Lakers.
During that run, here's what his coach said about him:
Chris Finch on Jaden McDaniels’ recent play
“He’s tough, he’s salty, he’s competitive… his emotional control has been way way better, he’s playing out of this world right now on both ends of the floor”#BringTheNice pic.twitter.com/bphwAx4veJ
— Andrew Dukowitz (@adukeMN) December 17, 2024
Getting him at barely over $4,000 in what should be a bounce-back spot against the Mavs is a great way to save salary but still get upside.
Trayce Jackson-Davis, GS – C ($4,100)
Warriors center Trayce Jackson-Davis is another hustling value option who plays hard and posts good numbers on both ends of the floor. TJD started each of the last two games for Golden State after coming off the bench earlier this month. In those two games, he had 34.75 DraftKings points against the Timberwolves and 29.5 DraftKings points against the Pacers.
Trayce Jackson-Davis shows off the CONTROL 💪 pic.twitter.com/35VIu75h59
— NBA (@NBA) December 24, 2024
On Christmas, he'll have to deal with Anthony Davis ($10,300), but he brings a lot of value for as long as he sticks in the starting lineup.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker, MIN – SG/SF ($3,600)
Alexander-Walker continues to contribute meaningful minutes off the Minnesota bench. He has scored double-digit points in four of his last six games and has at least 19 DraftKings points in each of those games. Over his last 10 games, NAW has averaged 0.93 DraftKings points per minute and 20.5 DraftKings points per game.
On Monday, he logged 29 minutes against the Hawks and finished with 24.5 DraftKings points.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker double-clutch PnR driving layup pic.twitter.com/ilpUhmFHot
— Timberwolves Clips (@WolvesClips) December 24, 2024
At under $4,000, NAW brings good upside and a solid role off the bench, and if he gets more playing time, he also brings a very high ceiling.
Others Under Consideration: Daniel Gafford - C ($4,200), Max Christie - SG/SF ($3,800), Caleb Martin - SF/PF ($3,800), Buddy Hield - SG ($4,400)
Today's Top NBA DFS Game Stack
Nuggets at Suns (233.5 total)
The Nuggets trounced the Suns 117-90 on Monday, and the rematch in Phoenix has the highest total on the Christmas slate by a wide margin. There are big question marks in both teams' backcourt since Jamal Murray and Devin Booker both missed Monday's game. If both return, there will be plenty of star power on both sides.
For Denver, you can build around Jokic, Westbrook, Michael Porter Jr. ($6,100), and Aaron Gordon ($5,600), along with Murray, although the team doesn't have any great value options.
On the other hand, Durant is one of my favorite plays of the day at his salary, with Jusuf Nurkic ($6,000) and Bradley Beal ($7,200) being good options as well. Tyus Jones ($5,200) could also be worth a look if Booker is out or limited.
Lakers at Warriors (224.5 total)
The other late game has the second-highest total, but it's much lower than Nuggets-Suns. As mentioned above, Austin Reaves has been playing well, and I think you can include him with LeBron James or Anthony Davis as the core of a stack while Max Christie can save salary.
Golden State's rotation has been tricky to figure out from game to game, and now Dennis Schroder ($5,500) is in the mix as well. Jonathan Kuminga ($5,700) and Andrew Wiggins ($5,900) have shown high ceilings, and TJD is a good value if he starts.
My Favorite NBA DFS Picks for Christmas Day
Here is where I leave you with some of my favorites.
- My favorite OVERALL play on the slate: Kevin Durant
- My favorite CASH play on the slate: Karl-Anthony Towns
- My favorite GPP play on the slate: Kevin Durant
- My favorite VALUE play: Trayce Jackson-Davis
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