NBA DFS: Studs, scrubs, and duds for December 20

Duds

Ben Simmons (vs DAL – $7,900 on DK; $7,900 on FD): Aside from a big game against the Pelicans, a team everyone plays well against, Simmons just hasn’t been giving you enough in the last week or so. And now he enters into a tough matchup against the Mavericks, who are good against the position. He might get you value, but even that could be tough sledding and I wouldn’t expect much above that.

Damian Lillard (vs ORL – $8,800 on DK; $8,800 on FD): Lillard will continue to beat up on bad teams. The Magic is not a bad team, especially against the position. This is a tough out for Lillard who has struggled a bit with consistency as the Blazers have struggled with the top half of the league. There’s far better value on this night.

Nikola Jokic (vs MIN – $9,400 on DK; $9,500 on FD): Jokic has potentially turned things around and that’s scary for opposing centers. He played better than I expect against the Magic. But he’s entering into another tough matchup against the Timberwolves, who are good against the position. I’m not quite sold on him given the matchup and his semi-struggles last time out against Minnesota.

Kristaps Porzingis (at PHI – $8,500 on DK; $8,900 on FD): Porzingis has played very well without Doncic and against some tough matchups. But he’s running into arguably his toughest matchup as the Sixers can throw a lot of length at him that other teams aren’t able to do. This is a slight gut feeling because it seems tough to doubt Porzingis right now but something will give with him during this string of matchups and tonight feels like the night.

Kevin Love (vs MEM – $7,200 on DK; $6,800 on FD): Love has high scoring potential but the Grizzlies are good against the position and can turn things into a grind still. Love has also shown some inconsistency this season as he drifts between locked in and checked out. His salary is at a good price but there are some red flags in this one.