The NBA has seven games on tap to close out 2018 with the first starting earlier than usual. We have some significant injuries to keep an eye on as Kent Bazemore, Nikola Mirotic, Derrick Rose, Jeff Teague, D.J. Augustin, Rudy Gay, Devin Booker, Eric Gordon, Dewayne Dedmon and Wesley Matthews are in danger of not playing, or have already been ruled out. In regards to pace, Atlanta/Indiana lead the one hundred possession club with a projected pace of 105.35 possessions, followed closely by Minnesota/New Orleans (105.25), Dallas/OKC (105.04), and Golden State/Phoenix (102.19).
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for FanDuel on 12/31/18.You can also check out today's DraftKings lineup picks. These DFS lineup picks can vary from higher-priced players and elite options to lower-priced players and value picks on FanDuel.
On behalf of everyone here at RotoBaller, thank you for a great 2018, and we are looking forward to an even bigger 2019. Have a happy and healthy New Year and be sure to get a designated driver! Lastly, give me a follow on Twitter @Den_Clausen and say hello. Good luck.
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FanDuel DFS Guards
Victor Oladipo - SG, vs. ATL ($9,000)
The Hawks are not only one of the fastest teams in the league in terms of pace, but they are also atrocious on the defensive end, which is no surprise there. With Atlanta being ranked at the bottom as it pertains to defense vs. position, in addition to being down Kent Bazemore, who is projected to be out for a few weeks with a bum ankle, look for Oladipo to have a field day on Monday Afternoon, quite possibly walking away with James Harden-like fantasy production.
Austin Rivers - SG, vs. MEM ($3,800)
Though this game will be played at a snail's pace in addition to being low-scoring, River's value is too good to pass up. With Christ Paul and Eric Gordon out of the lineup on New Year's Eve, Rivers will get his chance to see a healthy amount of minutes. He played 37 minutes against the Pelicans a few nights ago, finishing things up with 10 points, seven assists, and five boards for 25.5 fantasy points, but if he craps the bed for some reason, FanDuel will drop your lowest-scoring player so it won't matter anyway.
FanDuel DFS Forwards
Paul George - SF, vs. DAL ($10,300)
George dropped 36 points on the Mavericks on Sunday night, and with both teams heading back to OKC for their second of back-to-back meetings, there is no reason to believe that he won't produce something similar unless one team finds themselves up big, which could mean George exits this one prematurely.
DeAndre' Bembry - SF, @ IND ($4,100)
With Bazemore out, and Dedmon likely to be out, look for ownership for Bembry to be high on Monday. The 24-year-old has logged a least 29 minutes in each of his last two games, and is averaging a respectable 8.5 points, six boards, 1.5 steals, and 1.5 blocks during that same span. He is a solid value-option and if you are looking for another, check out Vince Carter for only $3,800, who is averaging 24 fantasy points over the past four outings.
FanDuel DFS Centers
Myles Turner - C, vs. ATL ($7,600)
Turner has been a monster as of late, averaging nearly a double-double and three blocks in December. Despite playing only 28 minutes per outing this season, he makes the most of his time on the floor and should have an efficient day against the Hawks, a team he has handled relatively well in 2018.