DraftKings NBA Main Picks December 31: Don't fade Harden

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 Main Picks December 31: Don’t fade Harden

The Holiday exchanges are finally over, so we are back with the DraftKings NBA picks. Can we ring in the New Year with some cash on a five game slate? Let’s check out where some of the value lies.

DraftKings NBA Point Guards:

Best Bets:

Russell Westbrook ($11,000): Any time we have a slate this small and Russ is on it, I at least have to mention him. I believe it’s in my contract. However, there is no way I would pay this price. Dallas did pretty well against Westbrook last night. On top of that, Westbrook has has two really bad shooting games this week. Sure, there’s a chance he hits value, but with a sure thing just a few hundred more, I’m flocking to that. No offense.

Stephen Curry ($9,600): Are you worried about the Suns getting blown out by Curry and the Warriors? I don’t blame you. I am too. It happened in the first meeting. However, Curry still seems like a safe play. Curry racked up 51.5 DraftKings points on the Suns in just 29 minutes in the first meeting. He’s the one guy that would hit value anyway if this is another blowout.

Honorable Mention:

Kyrie Irving ($8,900): Irving hasn’t had a favorable matchup in any of the games over the past week on paper. He has responded with 164 DraftKings points in those three games. With Irving playing at this level, we have to consider him. I do think that the Spurs defense will keep the ownership low, but I wouldn’t count out Irving topping 50 for the fourth straight game.

Jeff Teague ($5,800): Right now, it looks as though Teague is a lot closer to playing than Rose is. This is something that we will have to keep track of leading up to tipoff. The Timberwolves can’t afford to be giving away games in the tough Western Conference, so I tend to think that they will play either Teague or Rose. You can plug whichever one plays into the spot, but you want Minnesota’s starting point guard against the Pelicans.

Dark Horses:

Tyus Jones ($5,000): The price on Jones skyrocketed, to no one’s surprise. He was very good last night with both Teague and Rose out. Since nothing is definite for either one, there is a chance they both sit again. If they do, we have to play Jones no matter how high the ownership is. I would even consider Jones if only Teague or Rose is in. He should still get good run off the bench.

Austin Rivers ($4,900): Eric Gordon is out tonight, so Rivers is going to see a lot of minutes. He isn’t a big part of this offense, and honestly, he wont handle the ball all that much. Still, Rivers has 48.75 DraftKings points over the last two games playing well over 30 minutes. 5x value is likely once again.

My pick: Jones(PG), Rivers(G); N/A

BOSTON, MA – DECEMBER 10: Jrue Holiday #11 of the New Orleans Pelicans dribbles against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on December 10, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

DraftKings NBA Shooting Guards:

Best Bets:

James Harden ($11,400): Harden’s outbursts lately have really made me miss the pre Chris Paul days in Houston. Memphis has a good defense, and Harden still scorched them for 69.5 DraftKings points earlier this year with Paul out. Harden hasn’t been under 60 DraftKings points in any game with Paul out this year including games against the Celtics, Thunder, and Spurs. Don’t fade Harden, especially on a short slate. You simply can’t make up his production anywhere else.

Jrue Holiday ($8,500): Holiday did manage 38.5 DraftKings points in the first meeting against Minnesota. The bad news is that it is nowhere near value at this price. The good news is that Holiday hasn’t been under 40 DraftKings points since December 10th. If Minnesota is thin at guard again, they could have problems containing Holiday.

Honorable Mention:

Devin Booker ($8,300): Booker picked up 43 DraftKings points in the first meeting with the Warriors this year. However, he is back on the injury report for the Suns with a lower back contusion. It doesn’t sound serious, but on a team that is actively trying to lose, holding out Booker almost seems likely. We saw how bad the Suns were without Booker and Ariza earlier this month. If Booker is out, I find it hard to like anyone from this game.

Andrew Wiggins ($5,900): Wiggins is very hit and miss, but the uptempo game against the Pelicans served him well in the first meeting. Wiggins had one of his better games of the season with 45.5 DraftKings points in that one. The upside is here for GPP usage, but Wiggins is far too inconsistent to rely on in cash games.

Dark Horses:

Dennis Schroder ($5,400): With Westbrook ice cold last night Schroder stepped up with 33 DraftKings points, his second straight game in the 30’s. The Thunder have been running hard with both Westbrook and Schorder on the court. The returns for Schroder have been very good. Good enough that Westbrook will get used to this at some point. Don’t worry about Westbrook. Just enjoy the good value from Schroder tonight.

Derrick White ($4,500): White has dropped back to back 30+ DraftKings point games. While he still only plays about 28 minutes per game, White is starting to show the promise that the Spurs see in him. His price is still low enough that we aren’t sunk if White falls apart, but he has not had a really poor game in two weeks now. White may actually be safe to use as a value play.

My pick: Harden(SG); Harden(PG), White(G), Schroder(SG)

PHOENIX, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 13: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks handles the ball during the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena on December 13, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Mavericks 99-89. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

DraftKings NBA Small Forwards:

Best Bets:

Paul George ($9,400): George put up 46.25 DraftKings points on Dallas last night, which is about what he did in the first meeting as well. I’m not paying for Durant against Phoenix. The matchup is great, but I’ll be shocked if KD plays more than 28 minutes in that game. It’s hard to get value for that high of a price with so little court time. I’ll go back to PG and the sure playing time here.

Luka Doncic ($8,100): Doncic put up a strong 40.25 DraftKings points against the Thunder last night. That was the fourth straight and ninth out of the past 11 games with more than 40 DraftKings points. Doncic has proven that he can do this even with Dennis Smith back. He may be a better cash game option tonight due to the amount of high upside plays, but Doncic is to the point where he deserves consideration in all formats.

Honorable Mention:

T.J. Warren ($6,600): Warren torched the Warriors in the first meeting, racking up 44 DraftKings points in just 24 minutes. There is a pretty good chance this game gets out of hand again, but this is a solid price on Warren, and he is going to be the only offense if Booker sits this one out. There isn’t much not to like about Warren here.

Robert Covington ($6,500): This is a good matchup for Covington, and his quick shooting ways should hold up well against the Pelicans. He plays a ton of minutes, and has become a strong part of the offensive rotation for Minnesota. The defense is just an added bonus.

Dark Horses:

Josh Jackson ($4,100): Jackson would be the guy getting the biggest boost in value should Booker sit this one out. Jackson has still put up solid numbers with this team back to full strength, but this minutes have dropped significantly. If Booker plays, it’s probably better to move to Hayward or James Ennis if he is able to return with Eric Gordon out.

Dillon Brooks ($3,200): Brooks finally got some run in his third game back and responded with 21.5 DraftKings points in 25 minutes against a good Celtics team. The Memphis starters are pretty much set, but Brooks play more minutes than any other reserve on Saturday and looks in line for big run against Houston as well. There is a lot of upside for a very low price here.

My pick: Brooks(SF), Jackson(F); Brooks(SF), Ennis(F)

CLEVELAND, OH – DECEMBER 5: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors jokes with fans from the bench during the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena on December 5, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Warriors defeated the Cavaliers 129-105. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

DraftKings NBA Power Forwards:

Best Bet:

Julius Randle ($7,900): I am a little curious to see just how the return of Mirotic is going to affect this front. It seems as though Mirotic wont return tonight though. Randle was a non factor the first time that these two teams met. However, Randle played just 11 minutes in that one. He is starting now, and though Gibson is a pretty strong defender, I wouldn’t be on Randle coming in under 40.

Honorable Mention:

Draymond Green ($6,400): Any time that Green’s price is this low, I check to see who the opponent is. My only question here is whether Draymond plays enough to hit value. He did put up 30.5 DraftKings points against the Suns in the first meeting, and played more minutes that most of the other starters. Green should be relatively safe with his price this low.

Marcus Morris ($5,800): There are a lot of capable players in the Boston rotation, so Kyrie is the only one I really trust. However, Morris is one of the better parts of this second unit, and something can be said for that. Morris is not an elite play, nor is he priced like one. The upside is capped, but power forward is pretty weak tonight. I’ll take the leader of the second unit for this price.

Dark Horses:

P.J. Tucker ($4,500): Tucker is nothing special, but he just keeps on putting up 24-35 DraftKings points per game. This kind of solid floor makes him a cash game staple, but I’ve used Tucker in GPP lineups almost all year as well. He even topped 30 against Memphis in the first meeting. Tucker is never going to put up massive numbers for you, but he hits value almost every single game.

Taj Gibson ($4,400): The Timberwolves are going to need the size of Gibson to battle Randle here. While Gibson isn’t a huge part of the offense, he regularly hits around 20-25 DraftKings points per game. I expect decent value out of Gibson if you are looking for more value on this slate to try and cram a third star into your lineups.

My pick: N/A; N/A

DENVER, CO – NOVEMBER 13: Clint Capela #15 of the Houston Rockets dunks over Juancho Hernangomez #41 of the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center on November 13, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. 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 Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

DraftKings NBA Centers

Best Bets:

Anthony Davis ($11,500): Davis is going to maul Towns here. He is the only upper tier player that I would even consider moving off of Harden for, and honestly, you shouldn’t need to make that decision. There is plenty of value out there to go after both. If I had to choose, I would likely go with Harden, but Davis did put up 60.25 DraftKings points in the first game against Minnesota. It’s going to happen again.

Karl-Anthony Towns ($9,300): For as good as A.D. was against Towns in the first meeting, Towns was actually better on a per dollar basis. Towns put up 53 DraftKings points in that first game. With the kind of roll Towns has been on, I can get on board with using him again here. Towns has 156.75 DraftKings points over the last two games. He has really taken over with Rose and Teague out.

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Honorable Mention:

Clint Capela ($7,400): Capela took it to Memphis in the first meeting for 41 DraftKings points. He was pretty much a none factor against the Pelicans on Saturday, but this should be where Capela gets back on track. This is a really good matchup for him.

Deandre Ayton ($7,300): Ayton chewed up the Warriors for 47.5 DraftKings points in the first meeting, and really, only about a dozen of his 31 minutes were on the second string. Ayton has been playing strong basketball anyway, blowing past 60 DraftKings points twice in the last four games. I’m not saying he’ll do that here, but 40 is well within reach.

Dark Horses:

DeAndre Jordan ($6,100): Jordan looks really underpriced here. He put up 42.75 DraftKings points on the Thunder last night and has at least 35 DraftKings points in three straight games. You don’t often see someone with such a high floor and ceiling at this price. I’ll have a lot of Jordan in tonight’s builds because the price seems far too low.

Kevon Looney ($3,700): Looney has five straight games of more than 20 DraftKings points, and somehow his price hasn’t gone up. People are still pretty much ignoring Looney. Not me. I appreciate the value, and can definitely find room for him in a forward or utility slot.

My pick: Jordan(C), Davis(PF), Looney(UTIL); Davis(C), Ayton(UTIL), Looney(PF)

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