It's always tempting to choose players that are facing teams like the Los Angeles Lakers and the Philadelphia 76ers. But sometimes we have to dig a bit deeper and think about the likely chances of a blowout occurring. What happens to the starters then, those you spent seven, eight, nine thousand on, when their team is winning by 20 points in the fourth quarter? Will they stay in the game or put a towel around their neck and watch the rest from the bench?
My lineup features players that could see a boost in playing time, along with those looking to get hot or stay hot, those looking to bounce back, and one of the NBA's best ever, hoping to slow time as his final season continues to wind down.
Check out my Daily NBA picks for DraftKings, 12/7/15.
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DraftKings DFS Point Guards
Patty Mills (at PHI, $3,600)
Mills could see an increase in minutes Monday night against the 76ers. If the San Antonio Spurs are winning big, which is likely, it's very possible that they decide to rest the aging Tony Parker late in the game. In six games that the Spurs won by ten or more points this season, Mills scored in double digits in around or over 20 minutes played. He won't light up the scoreboard but can produce just enough to be valuable for his low price.
Cory Joseph (vs LAL, $4,300)
The same deal as Mills applies for Cory Joseph against the Lakers. Starting point guard Kyle Lowry could see the bench late in the game in a likely non-competitive game versus the team that handed the 76ers their only win of the season. Joseph has picked up 20+ fantasy points in four of his last five games, while his inexpensive price keeps rising. Even in tight games this season, Joseph's minutes are still high; 30+ minutes in four of his last five games as well.
DraftKings DFS Shooting Guards
Avery Bradley (at NO, $6,600)
The New Orleans Pelicans surrender the second most points per game in the league, 109.0, but are still a competitive team when Anthony Davis is healthy. Look to watch a high-scoring shootout here, involving a lot of three point attempts from Bradley. He has nailed 13 three's in 26 attempts over the last four games. The Pelicans give up 9.3 three pointers per game. Bradley has also scored double digits in 12 straight games, and will likely make it 13 against New Orleans.
Jimmy Butler (vs PHO, $7,700)
After failing to breach the 20 points scored mark in the three straight games, Butler dropped 25 Saturday night in a loss to the Charlotte Hornets. Butler will look to keep rolling against a Phoenix Suns team who own the highest opponent field goal percentage of .471. Even when Butler isn't scoring around his season average, he still spreads stats across the board and has been selective with his shots, shooting over 40 percent from the field in eight of his last ten contests. Butler could break out on any given night and enters a favorable matchup against the Suns.
DraftKings DFS Small Forwards
Kobe Bryant (at TOR, $5,900)
Good old Kobe. It's pretty crazy to look up at Kobe's name and see a price of only $5,900 next to it. But now that his price has dropped, it's time to pick him up. It's his last season - yes on a pretty terrible Lakers team - but he's still a competitor. Kobe has been contributing in multiple areas of late, picking up 14 points, five assists, three rebounds, two blocks and two steals Friday night in another loss to the Atlanta Hawks. Kobe has also been attempting an insane number of shots from downtown, 38 over his last three games. He could very well find himself pulling the trigger from behind the arc often in what could be a catchup game against the Raptors.
Dante Cunningham (vs BOS, $3,200 )
Cunningham could see another boost in minutes Monday night, coming off a season high 37 in Friday's overtime win against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The reason I like Cunningham is hugely in part to the way he defended The King on Friday. When Lebron was guarded by the Villanova alum he went 3-17 for only seven points. Cunningham's stellar defense could keep him on the court more, now to guard Jared Sullinger or Avery Bradley. He does more than enough for his cheap price.
DraftKings DFS Power Forwards
Kristaps Porzingis (vs DAL, $8,100)
I'm not a fan of the high price here, but I am still a fan of Kristaps Porzingis. I'm also not discouraged by the Porzingisauras' sluggish Saturday night performance, when he scored 12 points and grabbed seven boards in only 22 minutes played. It was the second straight night that the New York Knickerbockers took the court, and the rookie from Latvia is still adjusting to the NBA. Now with Sunday off to sit back and watch the Jets and Giants face off, Porzingis will be well rested. Porzingis has still picked up ten plus rebounds in three of his last four games, and was three rebounds shy of posting his fourth straight double-double Saturday night. It's been pretty clear that the Knicks offense lives and dies by Porzingis' play. Look for him to get back on track against the Dallas Mavericks who surrender the second most three point attempts with 27.2 a night.
LaMarcus Aldridge (at PHI, $6,700)
Aldridge has had an inconsistent start to his first year with the Spurs but is coming off two straight games of 17 and 18 points scored. Facing the 76ers is a perfect chance for Aldridge to find some consistency, scoring and on the boards, for the night at least. The 76ers allow 36.1 opponent rebounds a night, third most in the NBA. Aldridge isn't too expensive and can get you multiple blocks a night, swatting nine shots in his past three games.
DraftKings DFS Centers
Bismack Biyombo (vs LAL, $5,200)
On November 28th against the Washington Wizards, Biyombo didn't put the ball in the basket once but still managed to drop 32 fantasy points for the night. How did he do it? Grabbing 16 boards, and four blocks to go with it. I like any guy that can produce fantasy points without scoring. Since taking over the starting center role for the injured Jonas Valnciunas, Biyombo has picked up at least eight rebounds in five of six games. He's not a big scorer but heads into a favorable matchup against the Lakers who surrender 35.6 defensive rebounds and 11.5 offensive rebounds a night. Lucas Nogueira, Biyombo's backup, gets an honorable nod at the center position, after playing a season high 25 minutes against the undefeated Warriors, scoring 14 points, with four rebounds and three assists. Nogueira will be cheaper than Biyombo but is still unproven. Be sure to monitor them both. Their value won't cost you a whole lot.
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