DraftKings NBA picks December 17: Clippers get Ayton alive

PHOENIX, AZ - OCTOBER 23: Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns warms up prior to the game against the Sacramento Kings on October 23, 2019 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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ATLANTA, GEORGIA – DECEMBER 15: Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks drives against JaVale McGee #7, Anthony Davis #3 and Danny Green #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers in the second half at State Farm Arena on December 15, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

DraftKings NBA Point Guards:

Best Bets:

Trae Young ($9,900): The Knicks are surprisingly tough on point guards, so I’m not big on Young here. However, he has a pretty good run going and just dropped 50.5 DraftKings points on the Lakers. Ignoring star power on a small slate usually isn’t a good idea since we play potential more than matchups. The potential for Young is higher than most, even against the Knicks.

Honorable Mention:

Ricky Rubio ($7,600): This isn’t a good matchup for Rubio, but if Booker is out again, I think he’s a great pick regardless. Rubio racked up 49.75 DraftKings points on Portland with Booker out. Now, the Clippers are going to provide a lot more resistance, especially if Beverley is back. However, I still see Rubio as a strong candidate for 5x value even at this price.

Spencer Dinwiddie ($7,500): Dinwiddie wasn’t yet the starter when the Nets first played the Pelicans. He really didn’t have a good game. The price on Dinwiddie is high enough that a foul-laden game like Sunday can really hurt. Still, Dinwiddie’s low mark as the starter this year was that 34.75 DraftKings points on Sunday. His floor should be higher than that against the Nets.

Dark Horses:

Elfrid Payton ($5,200): We may finally have a winner in the Knicks’ point guard sweepstakes. Payton has at least 25 DraftKings points in three straight games and has played at least 25 minutes in all of those. For the first time in some time, a Knicks point guard actually feels somewhat safe.

Patrick Beverley ($5,000): If they are considering running Beverley out there, I have to think he’ll play. The Clippers are really thin at guard, and LouWill may not be the same if a knee is bugging him. This is a good matchup for Beverley and there really isn’t much below this unless you want to roll the dice with Ntilikina, who hit value for the first time this month over the weekend.