RADIO
Happy Holidays, everyone. On Christmas, we had five games on the agenda, and while that can be enjoyable as we had hoops throughout the entire day, it can be challenging in terms of lineup construction. Fortunately, we are back to normal to some degree on Saturday as most of the slate kicks off at or after 7:o5 PM ET.
Likely the most significant news of the day around the league involves James Harden, who will be available against the Portland Trail Blazers. Though that game is still scheduled, there is a chance that it may not happen. Fantasy managers will surely want to monitor the situation surrounding this matchup throughout the day. Of course, if the game does proceed as scheduled, Harden will likely be a popular addition to DFS lineups, primarily since he will probably be playing heavy minutes while the team also emphasizes isolation plays designed specifically for him.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for FanDuel on 12/26/20. These DFS lineup picks can vary from higher-priced players and elite options to lower-priced players and value picks on FanDuel. You can also check out DraftKings lineup picks and injury news before lineups lock. Good luck, RotoBallers.
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FanDuel DFS Guards
James Harden, SG - @ POR ($11,000)
Harden has been a trending top of discussion throughout the offseason as trade rumors ran rampant. At one point, he was expected to join Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in Brooklyn, and at another, he was slated to head to Philadelphia. While it is still possible that the former MVP ends up in a new city at some point during the year, he remains in Houston at the moment.
Harden cleared the necessary COVID-19 protocols and will be in the lineup against the Trail Blazers on Saturday. However, with much of the team out for precautionary measures, he is expected to get a significant bump in production. It wouldn’t be surprising to see the veteran play north of 40 minutes against Portland and 30 shot attempts also isn’t unreasonable to expect.
Elfrid Payton, PG - vs. PHI ($5,200)
Immanuel Quickley, the 25th overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft, was injured during the opener against the Pacers and will not be available against the Philadelphia 76ers. As a result, Elfrid Payton may see a noticeable increase in floor time in Tom Thibodeau's limited rotation.
Payton racked up just seven points, three assists, and two boards against Indiana. Turnovers were also an issue, but with a generous asking price, the 26-year-old could provide adequate salary relief for those looking to round out their lineups.
Also consider: De’Aaron Fox ($8,200), LaMelo Ball ($4,700), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ($7,600), Buddy Hield ($5,600), Devonte’ Graham ($5,400), Alec Burks ($5000), Seth Curry ($4,500), Jordan Clarkson ($4,400)
FanDuel DFS Forwards
Gordon Hayward, SF - vs. OKC ($7,200)
After several seasons in Boston, where Hayward was plagued by injuries, his official tenure in Charlotte began with a broken finger. Although there was a chance that he wouldn’t be able to play in the opener, he was still able to suit up.
The veteran looked good in the first game of the year, finishing with 28 points, seven assists while also draining four of his eight shots from deep. He should continue to get plenty of minutes, which is always a good thing when it comes to possible DFS production.
Danuel House, SF - @ POR ($3,700)
For those opting for a “stars and scrubs” approach, check out House and his $3,700 rostering cost. With several players out of the equation for the Rockets on Saturday night, including DeMarcus Cousins, John Wall, and Eric Gordon—among others, the 27-year-old should log more than enough time on the court to exceed his value.
House was a popular DFS addition last season, primarily when tasked with taking on additional responsibilities on the offensive end. He averaged over 10 points last season and has been known to get hot from deep on occasion.
Also consider: RJ Barrett ($6,300), Keldon Johnson ($4,600), Patrick Williams ($4,500), Miles Bridges ($4,300), Norman Powell ($4,300), Isaac Okoro ($3,900), Jae’Sean Tate ($3,500), Julius Randle ($7,500), Christian Wood ($6,700), Darius Bazley ($5,000), Bojan Bogdanovic ($4,700), Nerlens Noel ($3,800)
FanDuel DFS Center
Andre Drummond, C - @ DET ($8,400)
Drummond and the Cavaliers will head to Detroit, a city where the big man began and played many seasons. During his tenure with the Pistons, he became one of the most efficient options and quickly established himself as a legit double-double threat.
Kevin Love wasn’t in the lineup during the opener on Wednesday due to a right calf strain, so Drummond benefited. He finished with 14 points and 14 rebounds, and while Love is projected to play on Saturday, the veteran still has a favorable matchup against his former team.
Also consider: Deandre Ayton ($7,400), Jusuf Nurkic ($7,000), Mitchell Robinson ($5,400), Thomas Bryant ($5,200), Wendell Carter Jr. (4,900), Bismack Biyombo ($3,800)
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