DraftKings NBA Early Picks December 31: Ride the Indiana front

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – NOVEMBER 16: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves celebrates a three-point basket against the Portland Trail Blazers during the first quarter of the game at Target Center on November 16, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

DraftKings NBA Early Picks December 31: Ride the Indiana front

The Holiday exchanges are finally over, so we are back with the DraftKings NBA picks. With just two afternoon games here, we will change the format up a little bit. Quite often we don’t need six players per position with just four teams in action.

More from DFS

I did manage to put together one lineup with the familial invasion. I stacked Lakers-Kings with Tyus Jones and Aminu and hoped for the best. It did put me above the 255.25 DraftKings points cash line.

The winning lineup was still a strong 354.75 DraftKIngs points, but there was quite a bit of separation at the top. 3.75 points between first and second, two more points between third, and 6.75 between third and fourth.

Our winner built around Towns with a bunch of strong mid range players. The only real value plays were Olynyk and Bogdan Bogdanovic and they both hit.

If you would like to try DraftKings for the first time, use this link for the referral bonus! It is good for $10 in free DraftKings entry tickets with your first deposit of $5 or more.

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 Guard Picks:

Kemba Walker‘s stats have been huge lately with dates against Brooklyn and Washington, but he was pretty quiet in the first meeting with Miami. However, he only played 26 minutes. If this game can stay close this time around, Kemba could be in for another big game, especially if DJ Augustin is out.

Victor Oladipo just played the Hawks on Wednesday and put up a modest 36.75 DraftKings points. We have yet to really see that big game from Oladipo since his return. If it were to happen, this is the time. Based on upside alone, Oladipo probably has the highest ceiling.

There is a common misconception that Darren Collison can’t have good games with Oladipo in there. He just did against this same Hawks team on Wednesday. I wouldn’t play Trae Young with your money, so you shouldn’t either. Jeremy Lin is a much better play. Cory Joseph torched the Hawks in limited minutes on Wednesday as well.

Augustin did return after rolling his ankle on Saturday. If he can’t go, pay attention to who starts in his place. If it’s Jerian Grant, I’m all over him for $3,200. Though Fournier and Ross may get more minutes, I wouldn’t really trust them against Charlotte. I want whoever starts in Augustin’s place, but don’t want to chase any other value in that spot.

This is actually a sneaky good spot for Nicolas Batum. Batum put up 34.5 DraftKings points in the first meeting with Orlando. Despite his recent struggles, this could be a spot for Batum to get back on track.

Like Joseph, Tyreke Evans also torched Atlanta on Wednesday. The Pacers bench played a lot and very well in that game. If you are solid on it happening again, there could be a ton of Pacers value today. Even Bojan Bogdanovic at $5,100 looks like a value play.

Keep an eye on who starts for the Hawks with Kent Bazemore out. If it’s DeAndre Bembry, I really like that play, and Lin’s value should increase as well.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 21: John Collins #20 of the Atlanta Hawks claps during the third quarter of the game against New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on December 21, 2018 in New York City. 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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

Forwards:

This should be a place where Vucevic smashes the Hornets. The problem is that he played just 22 minutes in the first meeting. Aaron Gordon had slightly better numbers in a few more minutes and is over $3,000 cheaper. If you are expecting another blowout, it’s far safer to go with backups Jonathan Isaac and Mo Bamba.

More from FanSided

This is a smash spot for the Indiana front again, but Thad Young and Domantas Sabonis were both quite a bit better than Myles Turner in this same situation on Wednesday. I would opt to fade the more inconsistent Turner again.

John Collins is so active all over the court, that I don’t mind playing him, even against a good Pacers front. Collins racked up 38.25 DraftKings points against them on Wednesday, and could some with lower ownership.

There is value up front for Charlotte here, even against Orlando. Cody Zeller is playing well right now and so is Marvin Williams. I wouldn’t chase anything beyond that though.

Alex Len could be a great value play up front. It looks very likely that Dedmon is out. Miles Plumlee is about the only other big available for the Hawks with both Omari Spellman and Alex Poythress jettisoned to Erie. If they summon one of them to Indianapolis, they could make an interesting value play, though Plumlee is the safer pick.

Next. DraftKings NBA Main Slate - December 31. dark

Be sure to check back all week for all of your NFL picks, DFS and otherwise. We also have your daily NBA picks covered along with the college football DFS picks and against the spread picks.