Fansided

DraftKings NBA picks December 18: To Beal or not to Beal

By Mike Marteny

PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 18: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards calls out to his team against the Philadelphia 76ers during the preseason game at the Wells Fargo Center on October 18, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 18: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards calls out to his team against the Philadelphia 76ers during the preseason game at the Wells Fargo Center on October 18, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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DraftKings NBA
Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the Dallas Mavericks shoots the ball (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

DraftKings NBA Power Forwards:

Best Bets:

Pascal Siakam ($8,800): Siakam tore up Detroit for 48.25 DraftKings points in the first meeting, and that was with Blake in the lineup. We have seen some huge games from Siakam this year. We know what he is capable of. Even if Detroit is at full strength up front, I like Siakam here. The ceiling is just a little lower.

Kristaps Porzingis ($8,300): Porzingis was a monster with Luka out on Monday. Now he get a Boston team that was weak up front anyway. Not that that really matters since Porzingis hangs out on the perimeter as much as a guard does. Still, he created a matchup problem for Boston since the offense runs through him now. We could see another 50 from Porzingis here.

Honorable Mention:

Kevin Love ($6,800): Love is an elite rebounder going up against a Charlotte team that mostly lacks size. Love is hard to trust on a daily basis, but this is one of those matchups where I would feel comfortable using him. The issue is that Bertans is $300 less and has immense upside. What really is the upside with Love?

Davis Bertans ($6,500): Bertans is going to be starting now with Hachimura joining the already extensive Wizards injury list. We saw Bertans put up strong number in good bench minutes for at least the last month. Now his production should go even higher. Bertans at this price is going to be a huge bargain for at least one game.

Carmelo Anthony ($6,300): Melo has turned in consecutive games over 40 DraftKings points and is showing no signs of slowing down. This may not be a paradigm shift of Portland’s offensive philosophy, but the guards aren’t relied upon to do everything anymore. This could be a more difficult game for Melo if Draymond ends up on him, but it’s apparent the Warriors can’t guard everyone. I still think Melo has a strong game for the price.

Dark Horses:

Lauri Markkanen ($5,900): Markkanen gets to take on a battered Wizards front. Even though LaVine is healthy, the Bulls would be better suited to run the offense through Markkanen tonight. The Wizards don’t have anyone that can stop him right now. The one thing that may hold Markkanen back is the Bulls. He should grab tons of rebounds. If he can score, this is going to be a big game.

Admiral Schofield ($3,700): Washington is so thin up front that the rookie out of Tennessee should finally get some extended run. Schofield has 38 DraftKings points in 41 minutes over the last two games. With Rui now joining Bryant and Wagner among the walking wounded, the Wizards only have Mahinmi, Bertans, and Schofield to lean on. Expect a strong game from Schofield here.