NBA FanDuel DFS Targets: Monday, December 10th

Welcome to this edition of NBA FanDuel DFS Targets from FantasyCPR.com. Here you will find players to target for tonight’s action, geared for cash games and tournament plays on FanDuel. Let us save your DFS life with some FantasyCPR!

Welcome to the Monday edition of NBA FanDuel DFS Targets. In this almost daily article, I will go over players to target at each position for tonight’s huge 11-game main slate, starting at 7:00 ET. If you are finding this piece for the first time, here is a quick breakdown of what will happen here.

I will give two targets at each of the guard and forward positions, and one center. Following the picks, will be the ever popular “sample lineup” we like to do here at FantasyCPR.  Some plays will be geared toward cash games, and some for GPP.

Some of course will also technically qualify as both. As we break each play down, I will be sure to specify which type of contests I am targeting that player in.

With NBA DFS, I can’t stress enough how important it is to not just plug-and-play these sample lineups. There is so much info that will drop over the course of the day for NBA, and you never truly know what to expect.

If you want to be a consistent winner for NBA, lock starts at 7PM ET on most week nights. Plan on being ready to tinker those lineups last second, accounting for all of that fabulous NBA news that nobody was expecting five minutes before, or even AFTER lock. It happens all of the time, so if you set your lineup now and forget it, it’s probably not going to work out for you in the long run.

NBA FanDuel 12/10/18: What to Expect Tonight

We have a fantastic 11-game slate jam packed with studs, narratives, good match-up’s and potential blowouts, so we basically have everything you could ask for in an NBA slate. A couple of big story lines that stand out for me, are first the rematch between the Pistons and the Sixers.

We all had Joel Embiid on our radar as he has owned Andre Drummond in his career, and then he was rested. He should be a full go here tonight, and next to The King, he is my top play.

Speaking of the King, and narratives, the Lakers and Lebron James will host LBJ’s former team the Miami Heat at Staples Center. James has been hot as of late, and Lakers have been as well, having won five of their last six. This should be a good one, as the Heat’s solid defense will be tasked with stopping with this red hot offense.

Of course we have the big three small forwards to choose from in James, Durant, and Giannis Antetokounmpo in action tonight, as well as Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook. All in all, choosing the correct studs tonight will be key, and it will come down to which position it makes the most to spend up at.

There will be a ton of news to watch as always as we have at least two handfuls full of questionable tags, so keep an eye to make adjustments to fit the correct value plays. We have some news already so let’s touch on that quick.

Injury Front:

First stop on the injury front will be in that late game in Los Angeles. The Heat will be without center Hassan Whiteside at least one more game, but Bam Adebayo is up to $6500 so I am going to pass on that one. Josh Richardson is also questionable, and if he misses this game I will be all-in on LeBron.

Another nugget we know for sure at this point, is that Dennis Smith Jr. is doubtful for the Mavericks clash with the Magic. This moves J.J. Barea into near elite play territory in this match-up. Even if he doesn’t start, he would be plenty active in this one should Smith miss this game.

Finally before we get to today’s targets, we have one more big one to keep an eye. The Celtics will face Pelicans at home, and will need all of their bigs to tangle with Anthony Davis. Al Horford and Aron Baynes both missed last game, and both are questionable tonight.

That means it could be a Daniel Theis chalk night, because it will be hard to fade him if we see him in a spot to play 32 minutes again. In case you missed that, Theis had a career game on Saturday, dropping a 22-10-5 line while adding four blocks and a steal for 56.5 FDP against the Bulls.

This is just the beginning, there will be plenty more news as the day rolls on. It looks like we have a solid starting point however, so let’s dig in to today’s targets.

NBA FanDuel 12/10/18: Point Guard Targets:

Stephen Curry – Golden State Warriors – $9,200 – (GPP)

Steph has a hard time paying off his huge price tag since his return, as he posted over 40 FDP just once in four games. However, a date with the Timberwolves at Oracle Arena could be just what the doctor ordered. When these teams met back in early November, Curry was at his finest, dropping 28 points, grabbing nine boards, and dishing out seven assists.

Curry is coming off of a mediocre 36.8 FDP against the Bucks on Friday, in a hard fought 105-95 victory for Golden State. In the previous game against the Cavaliers though, Curry at the very least proved he is healthy, as he posted a monster 64.3 FDP game with 42 actual points.

The Warriors will benefit from the return of Draymond Green to help on the defensive side of the ball, and I like quite a few options in this game.

JJ Barea – Dallas Mavericks – $5,300 – (Cash)

While he hasn’t officially been ruled out yet, Dennis Smith Jr, is doubtful, which should clear the path for some extra Barea minutes tonight. This would be the third straight missed game for Smith, and if you are just checking minutes and game logs, you will probably have no interest in Barea. He seems to get his FDP in small bursts, and isn’t really playing a ton of minutes even with Smith out.

I don’t want to play them both today like the sample lineup suggests which you will see at the end, but I want to touch on Jalen Brunson as well. When Barea struggles which has been often the last few games, Brunson has been getting more involved.

He has played 25 and 30 minutes in the last two games, and has averaged around 27 FDP in those two. I love Brunson as a cheap punt play today should Smith Jr. remain out as expected.

***Value Plays: Collin Sexton $5,300 – Jalen Brunson $3,800***

NBA FanDuel 12/10/18: Shooting Guard Targets:

Alec Burks – Cleveland Cavaliers – $5,300 – (Cash)

We don’t know the status of Rodney Hood yet for this one as he tries to come back from a sore foot, but with the trade of George Hill, Burks’ role has expanded quite a bit, as he entered the starting lineup over the weekend.

He played big minutes in the last two, and that is just what we are looking for when we are sorting through our value plays.

In 37 minutes against the Kings on Friday, Burks had his best game yet as a Cavalier, posting 44.9 FDP with 22 points, nine assists and seven rebounds. He followed that with a solid 30.4 FDP on Saturday against the Wizards, and he figures to be heavily involved either way here.

This game will likely get out of hand as the Cavs will face the Bucks at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, but the fact that this frontcourt is thin as it is leads me to believe Burks will continue to get his minutes, and post decent games.

Josh Hart – Los Angeles Lakers – $4,500 – (Cash)

Josh Hart looks like another solid cash game value play at the shooting guard position. There just isn’t anyone at the position that I see to pay up for, so let’s pay down here like we almost always do for cash games. On top of that, Brandon Ingram will miss another game, and Hart is looking at a third straight start tonight.

It was a mixed bag in two starts, but the Lakers were on the road facing tough opponents in the Spurs and the Grizzlies. Hart was solid against Memphis on Saturday, posting 38.8 FDP, but struggled on Friday against the Spurs, managing just 13 FDP.

He played 35.5 minutes on average for the two, and we should see at least one more game with big minutes for Hart, as the Lakers host the Heat.

***Value Plays: Rodney McGruder $4,500 – Avery Bradley $4,000***

NBA FanDuel 12/10/18: Small Forward Targets:

LeBron James – Los Angeles Lakers – $11,100 – (Cash/GPP)

So once again we have to choose from KD, Giannis and King James tonight. It was kind of an easy decision for me, so here is why. Durant is still capable of the big game as he is one of the best, but now with Draymond Green returning tonight, and Curry back in the fold, the usage just isn’t the same.

And with how poorly he shot against the Bucks, it is amazing the Warriors still won that game by ten points. That was a season low 11 points for KD on 3-14 shooting, and easily his worst game of the year. He will deal with Robert Covington defense tonight.

That brings us to Antetokounmpo. I love Giannis for GPP play, and I will likely have a lineup with him in it before it is all said and done, but this one could definitely be over early, as the Bucks host the Cavs.

That is why I am leaning with James today. We got the narrative against one of his former teams, we get a solid discount compared to Giannis, and of course there is the last time these teams met.

James returned to Miami for the first time in a Lakers uniform in mid-November and had his best game of the season. He dropped 51 points in that one, adding eight rebounds. All in all, it was good for 72.1 FDP.

With Ingram out James will likely do more offensively, and with Josh Richardson questionable on the other side, I am not sure who would try to guard James should Richardson miss this one. This one should be fun, and I am expecting a huge night from the King.

Robert Covington – Minnesota Timberwolves – $6,900 – (Cash)

This is one to keep an eye on but it looks good at this point. RoCo remains questionable and a game-time decision tonight, but he is expected to play. Covington missed Saturday’s game with Portland due to a sore knee, and he was really in great spot to crush in that one.

NBA in general has been tough with late news and scratches lately, but it is always like this remember. It’s unfortunate, but it is what it is.

My take on this one for cash games is that despite the missed game and lingering knee soreness, I think anything under $7K for Covington seems fair right now. He is yet to have a completely abysmal game yet with his new squad, and the mid-30’s FDP floor is very solid for cash games.

When Covington gets hot and starts burying threes he can have a huge game as well. I think the Wolves will need the three tonight to stay in the game with the Warriors, and it will be bombs away for Covington and Karl-Anthony Towns.

NBA FanDuel 12/10/18: Power Forward Targets:

Blake Griffin – Detroit Pistons – $9,100 – (GPP)

Until Griffin gets over $10K he will always be in play in every format for me. I think he could be a solid cash play tonight as well, but I am saving this one for tournament play. The fact that scored 35 points and finished with 47 FDP last time out in this same spot has me curious, but of course Joel Embiid wasn’t on the other side of that one.

Regardless, I think Embiid will do his battle with Drummond for the most part, leaving Griffin to do most of the scoring for Detroit here in this one. I can’t say I think he will explode because this is a limited rebound spot for him, but I could see a 50 FDP night for Blake if the Pistons can hang in this one.

Draymond Green – Golden State Warriors – $6,700 – (Cash)

Dray returns tonight after an 11-game absence, and coach Steve Kerr did announce he will be a full go, and have no minutes restriction. We know Curry and KD do the scoring for Golden State, but Green’s all-around game and defensive prowess will be a very welcoming sight for this team.

I think this price is a bit too low, as is usually the case when a player returns from injury, but the fact that he will be a full go has me buying at this price.

Green averages right around seven of almost everything it seems, which is good for right around a 30 FDP average. He was healthy for the November 2nd meeting with Minnesota, and he racked up 44.3 FDP in that one.

Nine points, nine rebounds, 11 assists, three blocks and a steal was the full stat line in that one, and we should see something similar here. Fire up Green in all formats as this is news I think we can actually trust.

***Value Plays: Trey Lyles $5,600 – Larry Nance Jr $5,600 – Daniel Thies $4,400 (If Horford and Baynes out!)***

NBA FanDuel 12/10/18: Center Targets: 

Joel Embiid – Philadelphia 76ers – $10,400 – (Cash)

I don’t think we will get that disappointing news he will rest again, so I am once again ready to fire up Embiid against Drummond and the Pistons. There are some less expensive options tonight that look pretty juicy overall, but this is one I do not plan to ignore.

Embiid is averaging 30 points and 11.1 rebounds in five career games against Detroit, and he of course made everyone laugh when he mentioned he owned some real estate in Drummond’s head. This is a fun budding rivalry here, and Philly was able to win without Embiid on Friday in Detroit. I think he comes in fired up for this one, and goes off.

One last note here would be to pay up at this position regardless of if you go Embiid or not. There just appears to be no good value here at this point.

***Value Plays:  Brook Lopez – $5,300***

NBA FanDuel 12/10/18: Sample Lineup:

The line-up below is meant to be illustrative only to further back-up the logic laid out in previous slides. It is not an optimal line-up. It is in fact, just a “Sample Lineup.”

PG – J.J. Barea – $5,300
PG – Jalen Brunson – $3,800
SG – Alec Burks – $5,300
SG – Josh Hart – $4,500
SF – LeBron James – $11,100
SF – Robert Covington – $6,900
PF – Draymond Green – $6,700
PF – Trey Lyles – $5,600
C – Joel Embiid – $10,400

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