RADIO
Things have changed around the NBA landscape during 2020 in myriad ways, but one of the latest updates comes in the form of the two-game series. While the back-to-back in each respective team’s city had been a rare, yet utilized staple of the schedule, Wednesday gives DFS fantasy managers a difficult read on what it’s like to see the same two teams (Milwaukee/Miami) playing for the second straight night in the same location.
But it won’t just be the Bucks and Heat that confound managers. The Lakers and Spurs kick-off their own two-game pocket, which is set to conclude Friday. Add in a dash of Hawks/Nets (with its projected total of a whopping 240 points), mix in the Trail Blazers and Clippers’ star power, and sprinkle Luka Doncic on top, and Wednesday makes for an all-around combustible slate.
This article will provide you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 12/30/20. You can also check out today's FanDuel lineup picks. With COVID-19 a significant factor globally, remember to monitor injury news as the slate can completely change before line-up lock.
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DraftKings DFS Guards
Devonte' Graham - PG, CHA @ DAL ($6,600)
Graham has been arguably the most unheralded member of the Hornets’ backcourt to begin the year. With Terry Rozier serving as a walking 40-point eruption waiting to happen, and LaMelo Ball dominating Rookie of the Year chatter, it feels as if last year’s breakout sensation has gotten lost in the shuffle amidst his bumpy shooting percentage (29.5).
Last season, Graham torched the Mavericks for 27 points and 13 assists on Jan. 4, before returning to drop 26 points and 10 dimes in the Feb. 8 rematch. That level of success could give Graham some cash play appeal, despite Dallas’ strong early season returns at guarding the PG spot. Through three contests, Graham is dishing out 7.7 assists and launching 8.3 three-point attempts per game, both of which play to the GPP upside that he perpetually carries.
Tyler Herro - PG/SG, MIA vs. MIL ($5,400)
The absence of Jimmy Butler (ankle) during Tuesday’s drubbing at the hands of the Bucks paved the way for Herro to drop a season-high 23 points and seven assists. With Butler trending toward a multi-game absence, Herro’s price tag has not had time to rise, moving him into DFS consideration when he faces Milwaukee for the second straight game Wednesday.
Herro and the Bucks have faced one another eight times in his professional career, including the playoffs. In every one of those meetings, Herro has scored in double figures, irrespective of who has suited up alongside him.
Tyus Jones - PG, MEM @ BOS ($5,200)
In the wake of Ja Morant’s ankle injury, Jones is set to take over starting PG duties for the Grizzlies. Jones has made 40 career regular-season starts, and in those contests, he has averaged 10.1 points and 6.6 assists per contest, while shooting 45.2 percent from the floor overall.
Working in his favor is the fact that the Celtics’ defense ranks last in the NBA in defensive efficiency (116.5), which gives Jones considerable upside, in addition to a safe floor in cash contests. With De'Anthony Melton (COVID-19 protocols) still sidelined, Jones should see a significant increase in minutes allotment, with no other true PG on the roster.
DraftKings DFS Forwards
Jayson Tatum - SF/PF, BOS vs. MEM ($8,600)
While Tatum will be on the second leg of a back-to-back Wednesday, he is also riding a two-game double-double streak that has showcased his preternatural ability as a scorer. Having gone for at least 20 points in each of his first four games, Tatum has also dished out multiple assists in each contest, and is averaging just shy of two steals per game in that span.
Through their first three games, Memphis is yielding 121.3 PPG to the opposition, making it difficult to see how they’ll slow the Celtics’ multi-faceted offensive attack. Tatum is set to lead that group, and with his pricing not quite at an elite level, he could be combined with another star or two where applicable.
Kevin Durant - PF, BKN vs. ATL ($8,400)
With the Hawks and Nets projected for a slew of points Wednesday, Durant leads the class of high-floor performers. Having finished between 40.8 and 43 DK points in each of his first three games, Durant is set up to be a premier cash play asset, particularly coming off having rested during Monday’s game.
Atlanta’s frontcourt has scuffled at slowing opposing forwards during the early portion of 2020-21, making it apparent that they’ll have a tough task in checking Durant. How Spencer Dinwiddie’s shots are reallocated remains to be seen, but it’s certainly within the realm of possibility that Durant absorbs some of those looks, especially as he settles into the rhythm of regular-season play for the first time in 20 months.
Keldon Johnson - SG/SF, SA vs. LAL ($5,700)
It hasn’t taken Johnson long to crash the DFS scene after three straight games of exceeding value to open the year. Despite the Spurs being at full strength in the frontcourt, Johnson has not only carved out a starting role, but pushed some of the team’s veteran talent to the periphery.
In addition to having scored in double figures in each contest so far, Johnson has also been San Antonio’s best overall defender (101 dRTG) to this point. Whether or not he draws a matchup with LeBron James (questionable, ankle), Johnson should continue to be in line for a healthy minutes allotment as he continues his ascension into nightly fantasy relevance.
DraftKings DFS Centers
Tristan Thompson - C, BOS vs. MEM ($4,300)
Amidst a packed slate of talent at the center slot Wednesday, Thompson stands out as a potential punt play due to his low price tag and consistent floor. Having compiled his first double-double of the season Tuesday versus Indiana, Thompson has now snatched at least eight rebounds in each of his first four games and is set to face a Grizzlies defense that is allowing the fourth-most points on rebounds (17.9) to opposing centers on a nightly basis.
The Celtics’ big man carries little GPP intrigue, but he should be a solid source of production at the center slot for those fantasy managers that are eyeing higher-priced stars at other positions.
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