DraftKings daily picks: Fantasy basketball lineup-December 20
High Salary PG
Giannis Antetokounmpo-Milwaukee Bucks (9,800): “The Alphabet” will get another shot at “The King” tonight as the Bucks play in a matchup he dominated earlier this season against LeBron and the Cavs. Antetokounmpo piled up 34-12-5 (points-rebounds-assists) with two blocks and five steals back on November 29 against Cleveland finishing with a huge 69.5 fantasy points. Dating back to that game, he has at least 52 fantasy points in eight of his last ten including each of his last three games. He had a double-double of 22-7-11 against the Bulls on Thursday in the second game of their back-to-back home-and-home. He should be well-rested after three days off and is averaging 25.8-10.0-6.0 in games where he is coming off similar rest. His price tag is hefty, but he’s one of my favorite star-options to build around tonight. ∗∗∗
Chris Paul-Los Angeles Clippers (9,600): The Clippers get a great matchup in the late game as they take on the Nuggets who are on the second night of their back-to-back as they come to STAPLES Center. Paul should be able to attack the matchup since Denver is allowing the fourth-most fantasy points per game to opposing PG so far this season. This will be the first time he faces them this season, and he’ll be looking to help the Clippers bounce back from Sunday’s loss in Washington. The most important reason that I’m in on CP3 tonight, though, is that Blake Griffin is out. The last two games that Griffin missed, Paul posted monster stat lines. He had 26-10-13 for 68.5 fantasy points on November 29 in Brooklyn and a couple weeks later had 20-5-20 for 65.25 fantasy points against New Orleans on December 10 while Griffin was out. My only fear is that the games turns into a blowout, but his usage will be so high when he’s on the floor meaning that even if he doesn’t lay 40 minutes he should have solid totals. ∗∗∗∗
Kyle Lowry-Toronto Raptors (8,400): Lowry gets a great matchup tonight as well as the Raptors take on the Nets who are allowing the second-most fantasy points per game to opposing PG. Lowry has been scuffling a little bit lately with under 40 fantasy points in four straight. He did have a double-double in his last game Sunday in Orlando when he finished with 16-3-10 and 37.25 fantasy points. Like with Paul, the risk of a blowout makes him risky, but he also should be able to attack the Brooklyn backcourt and make plays tonight. ∗∗∗
Goran Dragic-Miami Heat (7,600): Dragic has some of the best form of the good group of options in the 7K-club tonight. He has put up at least 47 fantasy points in three of his last four games including 31-5-7 on Sunday against the Celtics and 21-6-11 against the Clippers. Tonight, he faces his in-state rivals from Orlando for the second time this season. He had 16-6-6 in their first meeting despite only playing 29 minutes. Tonight, Dragic will probably be in the upper-30’s in minutes and should be over 40 fantasy points which is enough to make him a good play with nice upside in a good matchup tonight. ∗∗∗
Kyrie Irving-Cleveland Cavaliers (7,400): Like Paul, Irving will benefit from higher usage due to another star on his team being out. Kevin Love will miss tonight’s game in Milwaukee, so Kyrie will have to step up and shoulder the load. He had one of his best games of the season on Saturday against the Lakers totaling 54 fantasy points on 21-6-12. The dozen assists were a season-high for Irving, and he and LeBron will have to pick up the extra usage with no Love tonight in Milwaukee.∗∗∗∗
Jeff Teague-Indiana Pacers (6,900): Another player who has been turning in 40 fantasy points on a regular basis is just under 7K and that’s Pacers PG Jeff Teague who is picking up the slack for the injured Monta Ellis. Teague has over 44 fantasy points in three straight after going off for 23-4-10 and three steals for 49.5 fantasy points last night against the Wizards. He’s on the second night of a back-to-back but it’s Derrick Rose’s back (injury) that could allow him to take advantage of the Knicks in New York tonight.∗∗∗
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