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DraftKings daily picks: Fantasy basketball lineup – December 22, 2018

By Jeremy Lambert

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 05: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder gestures against the Brooklyn Nets during their game at the Barclays Center on December 5, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 05: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder gestures against the Brooklyn Nets during their game at the Barclays Center on December 5, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /
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MEMPHIS, TN – DECEMBER 15: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets looks on during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies of the Houston Rockets against the Memphis Grizzlies during a game on December 14, 2018 at FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN – DECEMBER 15: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets looks on during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies of the Houston Rockets against the Memphis Grizzlies during a game on December 14, 2018 at FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /

High Salary SG

Players costing over $6,250

James Harden (vs SA – $11,600): Needs 53.2 fantasy points. No Chris Paul means more James Harden. I worry that he’s going to be completely gassed, but he is getting the Spurs on a back-to-back. Numbers are not an issue for Harden and with no Chris Paul, numbers really won’t be an issue. He needs a big game, but he’ll deliver a big game. The floor is low if he is dead tired and just can’t make anything. Diagnosis: A slight risk due to fatigue. But also a very high ceiling due to being Harden and the circumstances.

DeMar DeRozan (at HOU – $7,700): Needs 35.3 fantasy points. Ok, this is the game where the Spurs finally have a competitive outing. It has to be, right? There’s been nothing wrong with DeRozan’s game lately, he just hasn’t hit value due to the Spurs blowing teams up. But they are on a back-to-back against a good Rockets team, even if they are missing Chris Paul. Diagnosis: If you think the Spurs keep blowing teams out, don’t bother. But there will be a close game at some point.

Jimmy Butler (vs TOR – $7,400): Needs 33.9 fantasy points. Butler is all over the place as a member of the Sixers, but this is his matchup. Unfortunately, I worry that it’s too much of his matchup. The Raptors are banged up and on a back-to-back. It’s possible they just concede this game as they won’t have enough players. But if Kawhi plays, Butler will take the game into his hands. He had 58.5 fantasy points against the Raptors on Dec. 5. He lives for these games. Diagnosis: This is a Jimmy Butler game. But I worry with all the injuries that he won’t take it as such.