DraftKings daily picks: Fantasy basketball lineup-December 23
High Value PF
Taj Gibson-Chicago Bulls (5,300): Gibson has been solid lately with at least 24 fantasy points in three of his last four games including Wednesday’s big double-double with 17-11-2 with three blocks for 40.25 fantasy points. He presents a mismatch problem for the Hornets tonight and should be a solid play at this price even though his minutes can sometimes fluctuate based on matchup.∗∗
Jon Leuer-Detroit Pistons (5,000): Leuer has been expected to move in the Pistons starting lineup but circumstances seem to be conspiring against him. He had back spasms and missed a game last Saturday, eased back in with just 21 minutes (and 23.25 fantasy points) on Monday, and then got into a car accident and missed shoot around on Wednesday. He still played 30 minutes off the bench and had 18-6-1 for 29 fantasy points. Tonight, he should get the start, but the Warriors are in town who are known for making other team’s big men rotations basically obsolete. Leuer is still a good option at 5K, but he is riskier than he would be in a more traditional matchup.∗∗∗
Dwight Powell-Dallas Mavericks (4,400): With Dirk Nowitzki nearing a return, Powell’s time as a key contributor could be winding down. He should keep getting work as long as Andrew Bogut is out, though, so don’t totally dismiss him tonight. Powell has had two good games on the Mavs current trip with 11-9-1 and three blocks for 30.23 fantasy points against the Nuggets and 9-8-0, three steals, and two blocks for 28.5 fantasy points against the Blazers. Powell will have to tangle with the big front line of the Clippers tonight, but LA doesn’t have Blake Griffin and are on the second nigh of a back-to-back which are both factors that should play in Powell’s favor.∗∗
Montrezl Harrell-Houston Rockets (4,500): He doesn’t have a good matchup tonight against the Grizzlies, but Harrell should get plenty of run again as he helps Houston cover for the absence of Clint Capela. Harrell played 28 minutes on Wednesday and looked excellent scoring 17 points to go with three rebounds, three assists, and three blocks for 29.75 fantasy points. Harrell and Nene Hilario will split time moving forward and Harrell definitely has enough upside to take a flier on him even in tonight’s tough matchup.∗∗
Marreese Speights-Los Angeles Clippers (4,000): Speights didn’t do much in Blake Griffin’s first game out with a knee injury, but he did step up last night with 14-7-5 to go with a block and a steal for 33.8 fantasy points in 29 minutes. He is definitely capable of good games when he gets extra time like he did last night, but its a little unpredictable if he’ll get the minutes to produce tonight against the Mavericks.∗∗∗∗
Thomas Robinson-Los Angeles Lakers (3,600): Robinson and Spieghts both were key contributors last night and both were in my FanDuel daily picks yesterday. Robinson played 18 minutes in the absence of Larry Nance and Julius Randle and had 8-12-2 with a block for a quick 27.5 fantasy points. Robinson should be on the floor at least that long again tonight if both are out since the Magic have a lot of size up front. The Heat were willing to go small, but the Magic will keep Ibaka, Nikola Vucevic, and Bismack Biyombo rotation up front to get plenty of size on the floor against LA meaning more minutes for ThomRob and making him my favorite cheap play at PF as long as Randle and Nance are still out.∗∗∗∗
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