RADIO
With the NBA season fully underway, the DFS community is starting to settle into the basketball season. We’ve reached the point in the year when we separate the true breakout performers from the one-week flashes in the pan.
Coaches and scouts now have a better sense of how pieces fit into all 30 lineups and how they’ll be used or defended the rest of the way. For DFS players, this is a critical time to either commit to early-season trends or buck them and find value elsewhere. With a packed slate of games, Wednesday promises plenty of opportunities to find sleepers who have been productive this season for a lower price point.
This post will be recommending daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for FanDuel on 12/30/20. You can also check out today's DraftKings lineup picks. Keep an eye on Rotoballer’s injury news to stay up to date before lineups are locked.
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FanDuel DFS Guards
Luka Doncic, PG - DAL vs CHA ($11,400)
The preseason MVP favorite is going to be a tempting pick every single time the Mavericks play this season, yet there’s reason to believe this match-up will workout particularly well for him and make his price tag worth your while.
The Hornets’ guards are ill-fitted to stop Doncic, with few strong defensive options in the Charlotte rotation. Terry Rozier and Devonte’ Graham are too small to reliably keep Doncic out of the paint or challenge his shots. Gordon Hayward has lost a step laterally since his injury and hasn’t been the same defender he was in Utah. If LaMelo Ball covers Doncic for even a possession, Doncic will happily look to attack that matchup. There’s not a great answer on the Hornets’ roster for guarding Doncic, giving him plenty of reasons to post another ridiculous box score.
Tyus Jones, PG - MEM @ BOS ($5,800)
Sometimes production simply follows opportunity. With Ja Morant sidelined for several weeks with an ankle injury, Tyus Jones is expected to slot into the Memphis starting lineup. The young Grizzlies are brimming with unproven talent around the point guard slot, potentially allowing a player like Jones to succeed as a temporary fill-in. With Morant leaving Monday's game early, Jones posted 26 fantasy points, more than triple his output in the prior two games. While he's still priced relatively affordable, it would be wise to bet on Jones to once again produce like a starter Wednesday in Boston.
Caris Levert, SG - MIA vs. MIL ($4,600)
LeVert is another player seeing more opportunity due to an injured teammate. Spencer Dinwiddie's partially torn ACL will sideline the Nets guard for months, if not the entire 2020-21 season. Prior to the injury, LeVert and Dinwiddie shared opportunities as the tertiary creator behind Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant. With Dinwiddie sidelined, looked for LeVert's role and playing time to grow. He'll continue to be most valuable in games in which Irving, Durant, or both are resting. On Monday in that very situation, LeVert led the Nets offensively, with 28 points and 11 assists. Even with the stars back in the Brooklyn lineup, LeVert will have chances to score and keep his hot week rolling.
FanDuel DFS Forwards
Nicolas Batum, SF - LAC vs POR ($4,800)
With Montrezl Harrell crossing the hallway of Staples Center to the Lakers this offseason, the Clippers needed someone to plug in and fill Harrell’s production in the paint. Newly-acquired Serge Ibaka was expected to replicate Harrell’s rim protection and bring a new element to the LA offense, but it’s been another new Clipper cleaning the glass.
Nic Batum leads the team in rebounds with 7.3 per game, which is an increase from his typical production in that stat. With less scoring and creation required of him than was expected with the lowly Hornets, Batum has ably molded into a glue guy for the Clippers. He’s receiving the third most minutes on the team, while tossing 3.7 assists per game and grabbing a steal per night on the defensive end.
He should continue those contributions against Portland, with a hot shooting, high scoring night always possible given his ability to knock down open looks.
Gordon Hayward, SF - CHA @DAL ($7,800)
Hayward was expected to bring a veteran presence and steady hand to the Hornets starting lineup. Last year, the Hornets were driven by guards Devonte’ Graham and Terry Rozier and added Lamelo Ball in the draft before the season. Offensive creation can be found up and down the Hornets' roster.
But it’s been the reliable passing and vision of Hayward that has sparked a large part of the Charlotte offense. The veteran forward is dishing seven assists per game early in the season, double his career mark. His usage rate is on par with his career, but his assist rate has jumped even while he’s also scoring above his recent and career averages. Look for Hayward’s role as the center of the Charlotte attack to continue.
Keldon Johnson, SF - SA vs. LAL ($5,800)
For those high on Johnson after his year at Kentucky, last season was a bit of a disappointment. The first round draft choice barely made a blip as a rookie, scoring just 154 total points in 17 games played. It was encouraging, however, to see him come to life in the bubble. In eight games in Orlando, Johnson averaged 14.1 points and 5.0 rebounds, with three games crossing the 20-point barrier.
He’s hit the ground running this year, overtaking Rudy Gay in the Spurs lineup. As San Antonio transitions to a new era, players like Johnson and Lonnie Walker will need to step up and produce. This year, Johnson has scored in double-figures all three times the Spurs have taken the floor, despite not shooting as well as he’s capable. A high-scoring night is coming in Johnson’s future, possibly tonight.
FanDuel DFS Centers
Enes Kanter, C - POR vs. LAC ($4,800)
Enes Kanter hurts his DFS value with his poor defense every time he takes the floor. No, there’s no points for being out of position or giving up an easy bucket, but Kanter’s playing time is diminished thanks to his sloppy defense.
When he is on the floor, he puts up numbers on a reliable basis. This season he leads the Blazers in rebounding and is top ten in the NBA in offensive rebounding percentage. Per 36 minutes, Kanter is posting a ridiculous 19.6 points and 16.9 rebounds. Against a Clippers frontcourt without the size to contain him, Kanter should continue to rack up numbers against second-unit big men.
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