DraftKings NBA Picks December 27: Take Giannis over Harden

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – DECEMBER 19: Kemba Walker #15 of the Charlotte Hornets reacts as he runs onto the floor against the Cleveland Cavaliers before their game at Spectrum Center on December 19, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

DraftKings NBA Picks December 27: Take Giannis over Harden

We have a decent five game DraftKings NBA slate for our Thursday. This has to be better than the two and three game slates, right? Well, with LeBron already out and Harden questionable, that could take a couple of superstars off this slate and drive ownership up on the remaining ones.

DraftKings NBA Point Guards:

Best Bets:

Kyrie Irving ($8,400): Irving was a monster on Christmas Day, and could be in for another huge game in an uptempo tilt with the Rockets. With Paul out, Irving gets a big bump not having to face that kind of defense. If Harden is out, Irving will have Rivers on him. He might break the slate again.

Damian Lillard ($8,300): Lillard put up a solid 44 DraftKings points on the Warriors earlier this year, but that was with Curry in street clothes. Still, Lillard has put up some big games lately. Only Utah, Toronto, and Memphis, three really good perimeter defenses, have manged to hold Lillard under 40. I don’t think the Warriors can here either.

Honorable Mention:

De’Aaron Fox ($8,000): I’m not playing Simmons against Utah, so I’ll go with the red hot Fox. Fox has at least 40 DraftKings points in eight of the last nine with the exception of the game where the Kings starters played like five minutes. This would normally be a great spot against the Lakers, but with LeBron out, the Lakers may start both Rondo and Ball. I like Fox considerably less if he draws the defense of Rondo.

Eric Bledsoe ($6,500): Bledsoe’s poor performance at the Garden on Christmas is going to keep ownership down, but even with that clunker, Bledsoe has still averaged 41.1 DraftKings points in the three games against the Knicks this year. That means Bledsoe could have a huge game here for a very reasonable price.

Dark Horses:

Rajon Rondo ($5,200): Rondo just abused the Warriors. That wasn’t very Christmas-like. With LeBron out, Rondo was the key to the offense. if he is against the Kings as well, Rondo is way too cheap. There are some good top options at the guard slots, but it’s really hard to ignore Rondo in a matchup like this whether he starts or not. The Lakers are going to need him to play 30 minutes regardless.

Update – Rondo will not make the trip to Sacramento. Hello Lonzo.

Austin Rivers ($3,400): Rivers was solid on the court with Harden, and with his price this low, is worth a look even if Harden doesn’t sit. If news comes out that Harden is out, Welcome to Rivers chalk night. His ownership could be upwards of 80%. I’m not kidding.

My pick: Rondo(PG); Rivers(PG)

WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 26: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets dribbles the ball against the Washington Wizards in the first half at Capital One Arena on November 26, 2018 in Washington, DC. 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. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

DraftKings NBA Shooting Guards:

Best Bets:

James Harden ($11,300): If Harden is in the lineup, we have to play him. It’s like having to retire to Florida once you hit 65. You may not want to do it, but it’s the law. Even against Boston, if Paul is out, Harden is the offense. There is more of a case to fade him here than normally, but you are still taking a massive risk should you do so.

Stephen Curry ($8,900): Curry was so awful on Christmas Day that I think he’s going to come out here and just beat on the Blazers. Most of the time, Curry comes out with a vengeance after having an off game. He did that to the Clippers after struggling from the floor against Dallas. Of course, that was the Clippers. Curry averages 47.5 DraftKings points per game against Portland over his career, so it’s certainly possible.

Honorable Mention:

Donovan Mitchell ($6,700): DraftKings is basically daring us to play Mitchell pricing him at this point. That said, he has only hit value for this price in five of the last ten games. The thing that has me leaning towards Mitchell is the 43.5 DraftKings points Mitchell had against them in the first game. However, will he get 35 shots again? Mitchell is a good GPP dart, but he’s hard to rely on anywhere else right now, even at this price.

Brandon Ingram ($5,800): Ingram’s versatility should come up big with LeBron out. He can play either guard slot or small forward. Of course, after LeBron went down in the third quarter, it was Rondo and not Ingram that picked up more run. Still, with Ingram this cheap, he is definitely worth a look.

Dark Horses:

Malcolm Brogdon ($5,300): Brogdon was a little above his season average of 33.8 against the Knicks on Christmas Day. How is he still this cheap? For me, Brogdon is a big time value pick at this price. He could wind up close to 7x value. He was on Tuesday.

Gerald Green ($3,700): I’m really only interested in Green if Harden sits. Why? Because if Harden is out, Boston is going to blow the Rockets out. Green would play 30 minutes in that scenario, and could still have trouble hitting 5x value. This is the equivalent of a desperation heave, but it’s worth it if Harden is out.

My pick: Brogdon(SG); Harden(SG), Brogdon(G), Ingram(UTIL)

OAKLAND, CA – DECEMBER 25: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors stands for the National Anthem prior to the start of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers at ORACLE Arena on December 25, 2018 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 the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

DraftKings NBA Small Forwards:

Best Bets:

Giannis Antetokounmpo ($11,100): Giannis put up 64.5 DraftKings points on the Knicks for Christmas, and it actually hurt his average against him for the year. I could make a case for fading Harden for Giannis, but if Harden is fine, I’m going to find a way to fit both in there. Giannis is my one must play regardless here. I’ll live with the high ownership. I’m not budging off of Giannis.

Kevin Durant ($9,300): Durant mauled the Warriors in the first meeting, but that was with Curry out. It’s not going to happen again. Or will it? Portland’s awful defense on forwards is written about in DFS hieroglyphics. It’s as old as the game itself. I can get on board with a Durant/Giannis build even if Harden plays. If Harden is out, this is the way to go.

Honorable Mention:

Buddy Hield ($6,900): Hield was as cold as a North Dakota blizzard against the Clippers last night. Consequentially, he played just 26 minutes. Such is the risk with Hield. The Lakers don’t defend the off guard well at all, but if Hield stays cold, you have no chance. When it takes 34.5 DraftKings points for Hield to hit value, I get nervous. He needs at least 32 minutes to get that done.

Eric Gordon ($5,800): Forget looking into the matchup. Gordon is a lock for at least 30 DraftKings points, and if Harden is out, I wouldn’t be shocked to see Gordon flirt with 50. This is a huge spot for him. Gordon will be in all of my lineups.

Dark Horses:

Andre Iguodala ($4,100): Iggy’s monster Christmas Day highlights why Iguodala is often one of my favorite value plays. He is capable of outbursts like that. Of course, he could also get you single digits. That said, Portland can’t defend the wings at all. Iguodala is in a huge spot here as well. Don’t be surprised if he drops another 30 DraftKings points here.

Danuel House ($3,600): House quietly had a solid game on Christmas Day. He has been starting with Ennis out anywhere. House was a good scorer at Texas A&M, and has shown some of those chops in the NBA from time to time with the Rockets. If Harden is out of this game, House is one of my favorite value plays.

My pick: Antetokounmpo(SF), Durant(F), Iguodala(G); Antetokounmpo(SF), House(PF), Iguodala(F)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 21: Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers calls for a shooting foul during a 112-104 Laker win over the New Orleans Pelicans at Staples Center on December 21, 2018 in Los Angeles, 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 the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

DraftKings NBA Power Forwards:

Best Bet:

Kyle Kuzma ($7,400): Kuzma should be the primary point of the offense with LeBron out. He is really the only Laker that is priced up, so I can see better value on the slate with some of his teammates. At the same time, fading Kuzma seems like a pretty big risk here. 37 DraftKings points to hit value is a pretty lofty total, but LeBron is leaving around 60 DraftKings points out there to be soaked up. Kuzma could take a third of those.

Draymond Green ($6,100): The Lakers went at Green on Christmas Day causing him to foul out. Expect other teams to employ this strategy to take the main defender off the floor for the Warriors. This price still looks low for Draymond. He contributes across the board no matter the opponent.

Honorable Mention:

Kevin Knox ($5,900): Knox was big on Christmas Day against the same Bucks team. When it comes down to it, Knox is probably my favorite Knicks play. There is always a massive risk attached to THJ, the human bricklayer. Kanter and Vonleh could be worth a look as well depending on where you want to spend your money.

Noah Vonleh ($5,600): Vonleh had a strong game on Tuesday, putting up 37.5 DraftKings points. That is his third straight game over 30 since Fizdale started giving him run again. I view Vonleh as safe here considering he played well against the Bucks two days ago and he played 33 minutes.

Dark Horses:

Nemanja Bjelica ($4,800): Bjelica is doing everything he can to keep the job even when Bagley comes back. It may all be for naught, but it also enables the Kings to take it slow with Bagley, which they will take full advantage of. Bjelica is a solid value play at this price. he is capable of pretty big things, but he wont go nuts like he did early on so long as Fox is playing like he is.

P.J. Tucker ($4,500): Tucker is one of the few Rockets value plays that is almost always at 5x value. There is very little upside with Tucker, but we know that going in. He has been known to hit 30 here and there. A little value could trickle down if Harden sits, but I still like Tucker as a value pick regardless.

My pick: Tucker(PF); N/A

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – DECEMBER 25: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on before the game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on December 25, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images) /

DraftKings NBA Centers

Best Bets:

Joel Embiid ($10,100): Embiid only put up 44.75 DraftKings points in the first meeting with Utah, but he played just 26 minutes in that game. When I look at all the high prices out there, Embiid sticks out less than Harden or Giannis to me, as I’m sure it does to many of you. This could help keep the ownership down on Embiid. This is a solid matchup, but Embiid has only hit 5x value once in the last five games.

Clint Capela ($7,700): Once again, this Rockets play is going to revolve around Harden. Capela has been outstanding lately, racking up 108.5 DraftKings points over the last two games. Capela could be the focal point of the offense if Harden misses this game, so it could raise his value even more. Otherwise, the matchup with Boston doesn’t look like a very good one.

More from FanSided

Honorable Mention:

Jusuf Nurkic ($6,400): Nurkic racked up 36.25 DraftKings points in the first meeting with the Warriors despite playing just 27 minutes. I would rather take the relative consistency of Nurkic than to gamble on WCS tonight. There are plenty of other places to gamble.

Ivica Zubac ($5,400): Just try and bench Zubac. He has at least 30 DraftKings points in three straight and a superb matchup with the Kings. If Walton were to take him out even if McGee is healthy, he better not go back to L.A. for a while.

Dark Horses:

Brook Lopez ($4,800): BroLo put up 29 DraftKings points on the Knicks on Tuesday. I’ll take that kind of output for this price! It’s not like it was a fluke either. Lopez has averaged 30.1 DraftKings points in three games against the Knicks this year.

Derrick Favors ($4,800): This is a really good matchup for Favors. He put up 24.5 DraftKings points in 24 minutes in the first meeting with Philly. Favors’ upside is capped since he doesn’t start, but this is a good matchup when he’s in there.

My pick: Zubac(C), Lopez(UTIL); Zubac(C)

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