DraftKings NBA picks December 13: Is Vucevic up with the elite?

We are up to nine games for our Wednesday DraftKings tournaments. This is the largest player pool in a week, and a lot of stars on in action with a strong middle tier as well. Is this a day to fade the stars? Let’s check it out!

Point Guards

Best Bets:

Russell Westbrook ($11,200): This looks like a tougher matchup for Russ, but Westbrook put up 72.5 DraftKings points in his first meeting with the Pacers. However, Westbrook has only been over 5x value twice in the last five games. The really strange part is that it was against Utah and Memphis, two of the tougher teams in the league against point guards. Westbrook is certainly capable of having a great game here, but with so many other options available, it seems like an unnecessary risk to me.

Chris Paul ($8,400): Paul has been shooting lights out for the up-tempo Rockets. He was a solid scorer with the Clippers, but Paul has taken his scoring to an all new level. This is a tougher matchup with Charlotte, but Paul has been producing against everyone lately.

Kyle Lowry ($8,300): Given the fact that Lowry’s price is about the same as Paul’s, the ownership will likely be lower on Paul. I like Lowry to outdo him though. The Suns are terrible against opposing point guards. Lowry put up 48.5 DraftKings points in the first meeting with the Suns. He should be able to do it again.

Honorable Mention:

Kyrie Irving ($8,200): It’s hard to rely on Irving lately, especially against a team that is weak in the middle. This would be a game where we would expect Horford to dominate, but he is resting tonight. Irving could have a huge game with Horford out. I’m with Irving because he is the major offensive threat with Horford out.

John Wall ($7,900): Yes, Memphis is still tough against the point even with Conley out. However, Wall’s price is way too low for what he is capable of. Wall is probable for tonight’s game, and if there are no restrictions, is a huge value at this price. Wall’s price was in the low five digits for most of the season before his injury. He will step back in at close to that production so long as he isn’t on a minutes limit.

Lou Williams ($7,700): Williams has been over 5x value, even at this price, in seven of the last nine games. He is playing at a high level with Griffin and Patrick Beverley out. Williams is playing a lot of minutes whether he starts or not, and he is one of those few that can produce in any role.

Eric Bledsoe ($6,800): Point guard is so loaded tonight that it would be easy to blow your entire budget on one position. Bledsoe has only been under 30 DraftKings points once in his last 12 games, which gives him a solid floor. He also has solid upside. When you add those two things together, you get a strong GPP option.

Dark Horses:

Rajon Rondo ($6,300): I’m a big fan of Kris Dunn and what he has done, but even I wont play him against Utah. Rondo also has a tough matchup, but he just put up a triple double on Chris Paul. Yes, that Chris Paul. Rondo wont gobble up 12 rebounds again anytime soon, but the passing and double digit scoring are legit. Rondo could be a good option at low ownership.

Milos Teodosic ($3,900): Teodosic was coming on strong before losing six weeks to a foot injury. He returned to action on Monday with 21.25 DraftKings points in just 21 minutes. The Clippers need offensive output wherever they can get it with Griffin out. That makes Teodosic a strong value play.

Fred VanVleet ($3,800): VanVleet put up 21.5 DraftKings points in the first meeting with Phoenix. VanVleet did struggle against the Clippers and Kings on the current road trip, but they have strong guards off of the bench. Phoenix doesn’t really have that. This is going to be a track meet, which works well for VanVleet.

Andrew Harrison ($3,700): Harrison’s strong play against a good Miami backcourt on Monday should increase his run. The Grizzlies realized that they were better on both ends of the court with Evans at the three. Harrison stepped up, which made the decision that much easier to make. I don’t like this value play as much with Wall back, but at this price, I still don’t think you can go wrong with Harrison.

My pick: Harrison(PG); Lowry(PG), Rondo(G), VanVleet(UTIL)

Shooting Guards:

Best Bets:

James Harden ($11,600): Harden put up 62 DraftKings points in the first meeting with Charlotte, and that was with him playing the point. The Hornets are pretty weak on the wings, which is going to be really tough for them tonight. Harden has at least 5x value in six of the last eight games, so the return of Paul hasn’t slowed him down. In fact, Harden posted a career high 17 assists on Monday. He and Paul are working well together.

Victor Oladipo ($9,200): Oladipo racked up 48.25 DraftKings points on his former team in the first meeting. Keep in mind that the Thunder are a top five team against shooting guards. Oladipo didn’t care. Revenge was a very real thing in Oladipo’s return to Oklahoma City. Can he do it again in Indianapolis?

DeMar DeRozan ($8,300): DeRozan put up 46.75 DraftKings points in the first meeting with the Suns. This is the kind of game that caters to DeRozan’s strengths. He is well worth the price tag slapped on him today, and I do think that DeRozan outscores Oladipo against a weak Phoenix defense.

Honorable Mention:

Bradley Beal ($7,600): Beal’s run of carrying the offense would appear to be over with the return of John Wall. However, Beal was successful even with Wall on the court. Many people forget that. Beal’s scoring totals are going to take a hit, but not as big of a hit as you may think. Especially against a Memphis team that is in the bottom five against shooting guards.

Donovan Mitchell ($7,000): Rodney Hood‘s return has me nervous about Alec Burks going forward, and Mitchell as well to some extent. With most Utah guards, I want to take a wait and see approach as to how the minutes will shake out with them at full health. The only one I would consider using is Mitchell because he is the best scoring threat and part of the future of the team.

Khris Middleton ($6,800): Middleton has at least 5x value in each of the last six games. The Bucks have a lot of talent on this team, and much of it is overshadowed by how good Giannis is. One of those overlooked guys is Middleton. He lacks upside because of all of the other talent on this team, but Middleton’s floor remains high because of his scoring ability.

Dark Horses:

Jonathon Simmons ($6,400): Simmons had a huge game with Evan Fournier out against Atlanta. Fournier still remains out, and Simmons has a similarly favorable matchup against the Clippers here. There is a lot of talent at all of the guard slots. That could mean Simmons flies a bit under the radar, but I expect his production to be well above his price point so long as Fournier is out.

Jeremy Lamb ($5,400): Lamb had a rather pedestrian game with Batum out on Monday. We can excuse that because the Thunder are so tough against shooting guards. Batum is likely out again, and Lamb racked up 32.75 DraftKings points against the Rockets the first time around. Batum also missed that game. Expect about 6x value out of Lamb tonight.

E’Twaun Moore ($4,800): Moore had a huge night on Monday after Dante Cunningham was scratched after initially being named a starter. I like the Moore pick if Cunningham and Davis, who are both questionable, are out today. If only one sits, he is still a solid option at this price, but we may be able to do better elsewhere.

My pick: Harden(SG), Lamb(G); Simmons(SG)

Small Forwards:

Best Bet:

Giannis Antetokounmpo ($11,300): Giannis is capable of so many things that he is always an option for me. The Pelicans have been involved in a lot of high scoring games lately, which obviously favors the Bucks’ leading scorer. If you are going to spend on a star tonight, Giannis is probably the safest pick, though I still think Harden has more upside. Unless Davis sits again. Then Cousins is the one to have.

Paul George ($7,700): George had his worst game of the season against his former team earlier this year. However, George was only on the court because of foul trouble. He ended up fouling out of that game. Expect George to be much better in his return to Indianapolis. I expect his awful showing in the first game to keep ownership down. I’m a big fan of George for this price in the city he used to call home.

Honorable Mention:

T.J. Warren ($6,700): The Suns continue to ride Warren with Booker out. We should as well. The Suns have yet to find a consistent second option with Booker out, but there is little doubt who the number one option on this team is. I’m surprised Warren is still this cheap!

Thaddeus Young ($5,900): Young continues to flourish up front for the Pacers. He has at least 28 DraftKings points in 11 of his last 12 games. Starting anyone against Melo is a pretty good DFS strategy. Especially when he is someone as consistent at Young.

Joe Ingles ($5,000): The crowded Utah backcourt is now completely healthy with the exception of Dante Exum, so we could see the likes of Hood move in on Ingles’ minutes. That wont happen tonight, but it could happen. Ingles has a least 5x value in six of the last eight games. He is a consistent value play, but lacks upside on a team like this. Right now, Ingles is probably better left for cash games.

Dark Horses:

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist ($4,400): MKG had his best game of the season on Monday against the Thunder. He picked up 38 DraftKings points, marking his third straight game with more than 5x value. MKG should have a chance to be more involved on the offensive end again tonight in a track meet at Houston.

Chandler Parsons ($4,000): The Grizzlies are being cautious with Parsons’ knee, meaning limiting minutes and the occasional day of rest. He is playing around half the game now, and Parsons now has three straight games with more than 5x value. Parsons lacks significant upside, but he was a strong contributor before his knee injuries. He is capable of 6-7x value now that he is playing half the game.

Mario Hezonja ($3,800): Hezonja started in place of Aaron Gordon on Saturday and picked up 21DraftKings points. Gordon is still questionable, but he says he can play tonight. There is no official word from the team yet. If Orlando holds Gordon out again, Hezonja is a great punt play.

My pick: N/A; Young(SF), Ingles(F)

Power Forwards

Best Bets:

Aaron Gordon ($8,100): Gordon is showing no concussion symptoms, so I would consider him closer to probable than questionable. The Magic have not played since Saturday, so they have been able to take it easy with Gordon without having to make him sit out a game. This is a fantastic matchup for whomever starts at PF for the Magic against the Griffin-less Clippers. We obviously hope it is Gordon because of his enormous upside. If Gordon plays, he needs to be in your lineup as well.

Carmelo Anthony ($6,500): Melo abused the Pacers for 48 DraftKings points in the first meeting with Paul George in foul trouble. I wouldn’t expect that big of a game tonight, but Anthony has proven that he can succeed against the Pacers. Melo only needs 32.5 DraftKings points for value tonight. That shouldn’t be an issue for him.

Honorable Mention:

Serge Ibaka ($5,700): Ibaka put up 37 DraftKings points against the Suns a week ago. He has not been under 30 DraftKings points since. The Raptors are finally getting consistent production out of Ibaka. Right now, he looks not only like a safe DFS option, but a strong one.

Derrick Favors ($5,500): Favors abused the Bulls with 37.25 DraftKings points in the first meeting. The Bulls are finally back to full strength up front, but we really don’t know how the minutes will work out or if any of them can actually handle Favors. I’m going to say no. Favors is a strong value play tonight.

Dark Horses:

Trey Lyles ($4,400): Just when it looked like Faried was getting going, Mike Malone drops a DNP-CD on him. Lyles was huge for the Nuggets last night, and should see a large role going forward. Boston is weak against power forwards anyway. Faried would be a great play, but you never know. Malone sits him a lot for no good reason. Lyles is a much safer option, who is also a fantastic value play.

Ryan Anderson ($4,300): Anderson lit up Charlotte for 37 DraftKings points in the first meeting, but Anderson is also one of the riskiest possible value plays. Anderson has been under 10 DraftKings points in three of the last four games. In the other one he put up 37.5 on Utah. Good luck with this one!

Zach Collins ($3,400): Collins was the guy to have up front for Portland on Monday with 25.75 DraftKings points. I only like Collins if Nurkic is out again. Otherwise, there is too much risk involved with far less upside than say, Ryan Anderson.

My pick: Ibaka(PG), Lyles(SF), Anderson(UTIL); Favors(PF)

Center:

Best Bets:

DeMarcus Cousins ($11,000): Cousins is a must-play agianst a weak Milwaukee front regardless of if Davis plays or not. Milwaukee is in the top five against power forwards, but in the bottom five against centers. If you are playing for a New Orleans big, it should be Boogie.

Nikola Vucevic ($8,800): Vucevic has been outstanding lately, putting up 188.5 DraftKings points in the last three games. Of course, they were against two depleted frontcourts in the Hawks twice and Denver. The Clippers are hurt up front as well, and generally aren’t very good against centers in the first place. Vucevic has the potential for another 50 spot tonight.

Honorable Mention:

Dwight Howard ($7,600): Howard racked up 46.5 DraftKings points in the first meeting with Houston. As good as Capela is, opposing centers still outrebound him, which is where a majority of Howard’s value comes from. Howard is a strong middle tier option tonight.

DeAndre Jordan ($7,300): The guards have soaked up a lot of the scoring vacated by Griffin, but Jordan has picked up enough to become a double-double threat every time out. Jordan even had a strong game against the tough Raptors front. He is a low risk option right now with Griffin out.

Steven Adams ($6,400): Adams had a huge game against the Pacers in the first meeting with 40.75 DraftKings points. The Pacers have allowed the most fantasy points to centers this season, so while Adams may not be as much of a force as he was with George in foul trouble, Adams is still a very good mid level option.

Dark Horses:

Kelly Olynyk ($5,400): Olynyk spent most of Monday night in foul trouble, so he was finally held under 5x value for the first time with Whiteside out. I like this matchup a lot more if Nurkic sits, but even if he doesn’t, Olynyk will still play enough that he can hit 5x value. The potential is there for a lot more if Portland has a patchwork frontcourt again.

Aron Baynes ($3,900): With Horford resting, I am assuming that Baynes will get the start. If it does fall to Daniel Thies, which perhaps it should, I will go there instead. Whoever the Celtics throw out there to start at center is my value play with Denver still very thin up front.

My pick: Cousins(PF), Baynes(C); Vucevic(C)

Next: NBA DFS Picks and Pivots

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