DraftKings NBA picks December 11: Will Durant continue to dominate?

DENVER, CO – NOVEMBER 17: Rajon Rondo #9 of the New Orleans Pelicans confers with Head Coach Alvin Gentry as they play the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center on November 17, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

DraftKings NBA picks December 11: Will Durant continue to dominate?

All six games on our Monday night are at the same time, so it’s like the Sunday slate combined. We have a lot of stars out for a fairly limited slate. Who should we go out of our way to pay for? Let’s check it out!

Point Guards

Best Bets:

Damian Lillard ($9,200): Lillard never puts up huge scores, which usually leaves him lost in the shuffle. I am off of Westbrook because Charlotte is the second best team in allowing points to point guards. The return of George wont help either. Lillard has three straight games of more than 50 DraftKings points, and is facing the Curry-less Warriors. The only things that slightly worries me here is that McCollum could also have a big night, somewhat limiting Curry’s value.

Kyle Lowry ($8,300): Lowry has at least 5x value in nine of the last 11 games. He is on a roll right now, and one of the safer options among the higher prices. Kyrie Irving has struggled to produce at the level that his price suggests that he should. He has a nice matchup with the Bulls, but I don’t trust Irving at a higher price. To me, Lowry is a much safer bet to hit value.

Honorable Mention:

Chris Paul ($8,100): Paul is playing at a very high level lately. The last two games have represented his two highest minutes totals of the season. That has translated into 101.5 DraftKings points in those two games. Rondo is a pretty solid defender, so I would temper expectations for Paul, but 41 DraftKings points is well within reach.

Lou Williams ($7,600): Williams was moved to the bench in Saturday’s game. He responded with 51 DraftKings points. We have seen throughout his entire career that Williams can produce with whatever playing time he is given. Despite not starting, LouWill played 37 minutes. Williams is simply the only offensive hope for the Clippers with Griffin out. They are going to ride him until he breaks or Griffin returns, whichever comes first.

Kris Dunn ($6,100): I don’t like the matchup with Boston, but Dunn is far outplaying his price range lately. He has three straight games with at least 6x value. If he is getting 6x value against mortals, he should be able to pick up 5x against Boston. Dunn still has significant upside because he is one of the few consistently productive players that the Bulls have.

Dark Horses:

Rajon Rondo ($5,800): It was another double digit scoring game, Rondo’s fifth straight, that resulted in his highest DraftKings point total of the season. Playing someone against Chris Paul is a risk, but with the way Rondo is playing, it may still be worth it. Ownership will be relatively low, and Rondo is capable of putting together huge games because of his outstanding passing ability.

Tyler Johnson ($4,500): The struggles of Dragic have led to an increase in minutes, and production, for Johnson. Memphis is still without Mike Conley, which limits their perimeter defense. Much like Lou Williams, Johnson is an instant source of offense off of the bench. Just be aware that he may be used less if Dragic suddenly stops struggling.

Fred VanVleet ($3,900): Another game, another 20+ DraftKings points for VanVleet. That is now six straight. The Wichita State product continues to be the most consistent backup in the league as far as output. The problem is that he has little to no upside, but for this price, you aren’t going to get a huge amount of upside anyway.

My pick: Paul(PG), Rondo(G), Williams(SG), VanVleet(G); Johnson(PG), VanVleet(G)

PHOENIX, AZ – NOVEMBER 16: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets handles the ball during the first half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena on November 16, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Rockets defeated the Suns 142-116 (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Shooting Guards:

Best Bet:

James Harden ($11,600): Even with Chris Paul playing like he is, Harden has been able to retain his value. He put up 69.5 DraftKings points against a solid Portland defense on Saturday. He faces an equally solid defense in the Pelicans tonight, but I still like Harden because of what could be the high scoring nature of this game.

DeMar DeRozan ($8,200): Once again, DeRozan topped the 40 DraftKings threshold. This was the fifth straight game for him. A sixth straight looks entirely possible, if not likely, against the Clippers. His high volume of shots and a great ability to create his own make DeRozan a strong option most of the time.

Honorable Mention:

Tyreke Evans ($7,200): Evans continues to produce in the absence of Conley. The problem tonight is that Dragic is a pretty solid defender. However, Evans is not a true point guard, so he doesn’t really act like one. Evans shoots more than the usual point guard, and is a much better rebounder. That gives him value where many don’t have it against Dragic and the Heat.

Jrue Holiday ($6,600): Holiday has proven many times that he can put up good -even great – numbers with Davis and Cousins both in the lineup. Holiday did just that last night with 54 DraftKings points. Rondo’s return has pushed Holiday off the ball, which is where he is more comfortable. He is capable of another huge night in an uptempo game against the Rockets.

Austin Rivers ($6,200): Rivers is mostly a shooter, but he has the ability to have a big game in the right matchup. As good as DeRozan is, he is not a great defender. Rivers will see a lot of open shots in this game. He already has three straight games of 5-7x value. This should be another, and it could fall anywhere within that range.

Dark Horses:

E’Twaun Moore ($4,500): Last night, Moore put together his sixth straight game of at least 5x value. With the Pelicans at full strength, Moore doesn’t have much of any upside. However, he is a strong value play since you know what you are getting with Moore. That may better leave him for cash games though.

Andre Roberson ($3,800): Roberson has at least 5x value in five of the last six games since regaining a spot in the starting rotation. There is no upside here. No secret hidden value. However, if you need a sure 5x value, Roberson is a strong pick in this price range.

My pick: Moore(F); Harden(SG), Roberson(F)

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – NOVEMBER 22: Paul George #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder celebrate during the second half of a NBA game against the Golden State Warriors at the Chesapeake Energy Arena on November 22, 2017 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (Photo by J Pat Carter/Getty Images) /

Small Forwards:

Best Bet:

Kevin Durant ($10,900): Durant has back to back 70+ DraftKings point games with Curry out. This is the new normal for Golden State. Durant is dominating, and everyone else is just along for the ride. Portland is a tougher matchup, but Durant’s usage is nearly breaking the usage meter, if there is such a thing. You have to play Durant. He is virtually a lock to lead everyone in DraftKings scoring.

Paul George ($8,000): George couldn’t have come back at a better time from a fantasy standpoint. The Hornets have allowed the most points in the league to small forwards so far this season. George has the chance for a huge night if you are willing to take a risk on someone in their first game back from injury.

Honorable Mention:

Danilo Gallinari ($5,300): Gallinari racked up 33.75 DraftKings points on the Wizards after a 2-13 showing in his first game back after missing a month. It will take some stones to use Gallinari against Toronto, who has allowed the least fantasy points in the league to small forwards. With Griffin gone though, the scoring has to come from somewhere. LouWill can’t do it all. They are going to have to lean heavily on Gallinari as well.

Trevor Ariza ($4,700): Ariza is one of the most formidable defenders out there. He has 12 steals in the last four games alone! Ariza thrives in this system, but he isn’t that involved in the offense. There will always be a risk in using Ariza, but it could pay off here against the Pelicans.

Dark Horses:

C.J. Miles ($3,600): Miles has moved to a bench role in favor of Anunoby, but he still provides solid production off the bench. Norman Powell has lost most of his role off the bench except in matchups that really favor the offensive minded Powell. This does not seem to be one of those. Miles is a solid option with the potential for 7x value on any given night. He may also get you nothing.

Ben McLemore ($3,400): It’s a tough sell to roll out McLemore there with other options available. However, on a small slate, he can provide a good place to separate yourself. McLemore is capable of putting up points in a hurry, but he is not consistent enough to really rely on. He is mostly a GPP dart because of upside.

My pick: Gallinari(SF); Durant(SF)

DENVER, CO – NOVEMBER 17: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans brings the ball down the court against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center on November 17, 2017 in Denver, Colorado.(Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

Power Forwards

Best Bets:

Anthony Davis ($10,000): Houston provides a tough matchup for Davis, but Brow was back to 40 minutes already last night. His ability to consistently produce against anyone keeps his price high. I am a little nervous about the back to back tonight, especially coming off of a groin injury. Watch the situation leading up to tipoff. However, if Davis is not limited, his price is the lowest that it has been since November 22nd, and this will be an uptempo game.

Draymond Green ($7,400): Green has racked up 99.25 DraftKings points in two games with Curry out. His assists are up, and his ability to produce across the board makes Green a strong play on any given night. Now when you add in the fact that Green handles the ball more, and can pretty much play anywhere, and you have a perfect storm for Green to produce at a high level with Curry out.

Honorable Mention:

Carmelo Anthony ($6,700): Anthony didn’t produce at a higher level with George out as some had hoped. He is still only useful in a matchup by matchup basis. Anthony has the best matchup he could ask for against the Hornets, who are also worst in the league at allowing fantasy points to power forwards. This could be a big night for the Thunder forwards.

Serge Ibaka ($5,600): It only took two months, but Ibaka is finally producing at a level that Toronto was expecting. He has four straight games of 30 or more DraftKings points. The Clippers are struggling up front both on offense and defense with Blake Griffin out. This looks like the perfect opportunity for Ibaka to shine once again.

Kelly Olynyk ($5,500): Olynyk has five straight games of 23 or more DraftKings points. As long as Whiteside remains out, Olynyk is getting plenty of run up front. Olynyk is the best offensive player that the Heat can roll out up front without Whiteside, so expect him to continue to be a consistent source of value, at least until Whiteside returns.

Dark Horses:

Lauri Markkanen ($5,200): Markkanen’s value has sustained the returns of both Portis and Mirotic. He isn’t quite as consistent now, but Markkanen’s price has dropped to the point where it is still an acceptable risk to use him. Markkanen is still the starter, and will get enough minutes to keep his levels high enough to warrant using. However, I feel that the days of him having big fantasy days are over.

Marvin Williams ($4,700): The Hornets continue to feed steady minutes to Williams, but it hasn’t resulted in steady production. That makes him a pretty big risk. However, if he starts at power forward again, this is a great place to use him. The Thunder are pretty weak at that position. It’s a matchup that the team can exploit.

My pick: Green(PF); Ibaka(PF), Olynyk(UTIL)

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – NOVEMBER 07: DeMarcus Cousins #0 of the New Orleans Pelicans shoots the ball against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on November 7, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Center:

Best Bets:

DeMarcus Cousins ($10,700): Cousins and Davis continue to put up strong numbers in unison, but Cousins played just 29 minutes because of foul trouble last night. Capela may be able to put him foul trouble again tonight. However, that isn’t really enough to put me off of Cousins completely. Him having the same cost as Durant is though.

Marc Gasol ($7,800): Gasol is one of the most consistent fantasy producers at any position, so he quite often gets lost in the shuffle. However, on a night like tonight, Gasol’s consistency is something that could put us over the cash line. The upside that you like in a GPP play is also there due to Whiteside’s continued absence. This is where it makes the most sense to use Gasol.

Honorable Mention:

Al Horford ($7,300): Horford struggled against San Antonio and Detroit, but other that that, no one in the last three weeks has been able to keep him under 40. His post moves and offensive chops leave Horford as a tough one for conventional centers to deal with. I don’t really think that RoLo can keep him under control either.

DeAndre Jordan ($7,300): As expected, Jordan’s production is up across the board with Griffin out. However, Jordan has been unable to put up massive numbers with Griffin out like he has done in past years. The scoring on the perimeter is much better, so don’t expect a great game from Jordan. He is still an elite rebounder, and his scoring has increased enough to make Jordan a sure 5x value with the potential for quite a bit more.

Dark Horses:

Ed Davis ($4,200): Davis put up 22.75 DraftKings points in the first game without Jusuf Nurkic. That makes Davis the value play to go with in Portland. The inconsistency of Vonleh and the inability of Meyers Leonard to put up any value even with the opportunity to do so make Davis a strong play.

David West ($3,600): You can search the roster high and low for Warriors value with Curry out, but most of it goes to those that already have value like Draymond and Durant. Many have struck out over the last two games with Quinn Cook, Livingston, Iguodala, Javale McGee, and Jordan Bell. The only consistent bench guy has been West. West has at least 15 DraftKings points in six straight games.

My pick: Jordan(C), Davis(C)

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