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It's Friday, which means we have a huge slate of NBA games! There are nine games tipping off tonight, which gives us a plethora of spots to go to for DFS purposes. The prices on the stud players have really been boosted up for these big slates this week, which also works to make things more interesting and spread ownership out quite a bit.
On big slates like this, it's a pretty good rule to just not worry about ownership in most situations. With 18 teams available to pick from, there are dozens and dozens of viable options so it's pretty unlikely that ownership gets very concentrated. It's also very important to focus on upside. The cash line on huge slates like this will tend to be closer to 300 than 250, and often times it can exceed 300 even in cash games. That means you really need to get your picks right and focus on guys that can go for 7-8 salary multipliers in terms of value. We'll keep all that in mind here.
This article will provide you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 12/10/21. Remember to monitor injury news as the slate can completely change before lineups lock.
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DraftKings Guards - NBA DFS Lineup Picks
Trae Young - PG, ATL vs BKN ($10,000)
As of today's games, Ice Trae currently sits #5 in the NBA in Points Per Game (26.3) and #3 in Assists Per Game (9.4). Combine those raw numbers with a 33% usage rate, and the ceiling is always sky high with Young. Young went for 21/9/10 in the last game these two teams faced off in early November, and in that game, he only shot 6/22 from the floor. The Hawks find themselves as 1.5 point favorites, with an Over/Under of 227.5, so to the oddsmakers, this game is projecting as a tight shootout, which is a perfect environment for a star player.
Armoni Brooks - PG/SG, HOU vs MIL ($4,000)
Brooks made his debut in the Rockets' starting lineup in their last game against the Nets and responded in turn by dropping 30 DK points in 29 minutes. Houston is dealing with a multitude of backcourt injuries, and the opportunity is clearly there for Brooks to take advantage of. The Rockets are winners of 7 straight, and I believe we can project them to give the Bucks a decent contest tonight, so with a game total of 224, this could (and should) be a game to attack.
Others to consider: Dennis Schroder ($6,500), Chris Paul ($8,300), Chris Duarte ($4,400)
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DraftKings Forwards - NBA DFS Lineup Picks
Jayson Tatum - SF/PF BOS @ PHX ($9,900)
It's no secret by now that when Jaylen Brown misses games Tatum is the main focal point of the Celtics' offensive production. Brown will be missing his 17th total game this year, including his 5th straight. In the previous four games, all on their ongoing west coast road trip; Tatum has posted 50+ DK points and has taken at least 17 shot attempts in all 4 contests. The Celtics currently rank 14th in pace, and the Suns currently rank 2nd. Since the Suns are favorites and the home team in this game, I feel like we should expect they will be the ones dictating the flow of the game, and Tatum could be the biggest beneficiary of that.
Garrison Mathews - SG/PF, HOU vs MIL ($4,400)
We already talked about the Rockets matchup against the Bucks, so I'll keep it short with Mathews. Mathews projects as one of the best value plays on the whole slate tonight after scoring 20+ DK points in seven straight games and playing 30+ minutes in six straight. His price somehow decreased by $200 after going for 31 DK points in 39(!) minutes Wednesday night against the Nets.
Others to consider: Cameron Johnson ($4,600), RJ Barrett ($5,100), Kelly Oubre Jr. ($7,800)
DraftKings Centers - NBA DFS Lineup Picks
Giannis Antetokounmpo - PF/C, MIL @ HOU ($10,900)
Priced under $11,000 for the first time in over a month, the reigning Finals MVP figures to be in a smash spot tonight. The Rockets currently allow the 5th most points per game overall (111.5), and are dead last in Opponents Points Off Turnovers (22.2 per game), and are also dead last in opponents fast break points (15.6 per game). The Rockets don't have anyone (besides maybe Daniel Theis) who could hope to stop Giannis in the halfcourt and add in the fact the Bucks should be able to force turnovers and get out in transition, where Antetokounmpo is near-unstoppable, this could be the last time Giannis is priced sub-$11k for quite a while.
Tristan Thompson - C, SAC @ CHA ($3,500)
After Richaun Holmes had to exit early on Thursday against the Magic, Thompson stepped up and delivered in a big way. Thompson outplayed fellow backup center, Alex Len, en route to a 14 points/10 rebound double-double in just 21 minutes of game time. On the other side of the matchup; the Hornets are 28th in fantasy PPG allowed to Centers, and also are allowing the most points per game overall (116). The Hornets are also dealing with a lack of options with Mason Plumlee in health and safety protocols, and PJ Washington looking likely to miss with a non-Covid illness. Much like Thompson's relationship with Khloe Kardashian; it's practically cheating being this good of a play at $3,500.
Others to consider: Nick Richards ($3,200), Evan Mobley ($6,800), Isaiah Stewart ($5,400)
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