Fansided

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

By Jeremy Lambert

OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 17: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors poses for a photo to celebrate his 15,000 point career milestone after a game against the Memphis Grizzlies on December 17, 2018 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 17: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors poses for a photo to celebrate his 15,000 point career milestone after a game against the Memphis Grizzlies on December 17, 2018 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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OKLAHOMA CITY, OK- NOVEMBER 24: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder seen on court during the game against the Denver Nuggets on November 24, 2018 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK- NOVEMBER 24: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder seen on court during the game against the Denver Nuggets on November 24, 2018 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) /

High Salary PG

Players costing over $6,667

Russell Westbrook (at UTA – $11,700): Needs 49.2 fantasy points. Westbrook was up to 70.7 fantasy points against the Kings on Dec. 19. The scoring returned a bit, but he’s doing a lot of everything right now, including defense. He had 39.2 fantasy points against the Jazz on Dec. 10. He’ll be better in this game. I have no doubt about that. Diagnosis: It’s a locked in Westbrook against a Jazz team on a back-to-back. Take with confidence.

Stephen Curry (vs DAL – $9,400): Needs 39.5 fantasy points. Curry is always fairly reliable in the Warriors system and he has a high ceiling because he’s Steph Curry. The Mavericks are not a good team on the road and as much as I like Doncic, their defense leaves a lot to be desired. With the Warriors coming off a loss, expect a bit bounce-back performance. Diagnosis: Feels like a big win for the Warriors and a big night for Curry.

Ben Simmons (vs TOR – $9,300): Needs 39.1 fantasy points. Simmons had 44.2 fantasy points against the Knicks on Dec. 19. The Raptors may not play Kawhi on the back-to-back and I’m just not sure who they will play in this one. I would typically like Jimmy Butler more than Simmons in this matchup, but Butler is probably going to have a letdown with the Raptors resting guys/having injuries. That leaves the door open for Simmons to have a good game. Diagnosis: Reliable with a good ceiling if the Raptors essentially punt on the game.