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NBA DFS: Studs, scrubs, and duds for December 23

By Jeremy Lambert

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 4: Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on during a game against the Milwaukee Bucks on November 4, 2019 at Target Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 4: Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on during a game against the Milwaukee Bucks on November 4, 2019 at Target Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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CHARLOTTE, NC – OCTOBER 25: Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on against the Charlotte Hornets on October 25, 2019 at Spectrum Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC – OCTOBER 25: Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on against the Charlotte Hornets on October 25, 2019 at Spectrum Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Top star players, best value picks, and guys you should stay away from on December 23 in NBA DFS on DraftKings and FanDuel.

Welcome to Studs, Scrubs, and Duds; FanSided’s NBA DFS lineup helper.

Here’s what’s on the slate for tonight:
7 p.m. ET: Atlanta at Cleveland, Philadelphia at Detroit, Toronto at Indiana, Washington at New York, Chicago at Orlando
7:30 p.m. ET: Utah at Miami
8 p.m. ET: San Antonio at Memphis
9 p.m. ET: Denver at Phoenix
10 p.m. ET: New Orleans at Portland, Houston at Sacramento
10:30 p.m. ET: Minnesota at Golden State

How this works:

Studs: Top high salary picks that you can build your lineup around.
Scrubs: Value players looking for a big night or consistent options to help fill out your lineup.
Duds: Players to avoid given their high salary and/or poor matchup.

Five players are picked on each slide, positions are not applicable, and both DraftKings and FanDuel salaries are listed.

Studs

Trae Young (at CLE – $11,200 on DK; $10,300 on FD): Young is at the top of the salary list and I fully expect him to be at the top of the points list when the night is over. There is plenty of top talent available on Monday but Young always has triple double potential, doesn’t have the share the ball with another star, and has a great matchup against the Cavaliers. He will put up a big scoring and assist game.

Jaren Jackson (vs SA – $6,600 on DK; $6,700 on FD): The Spurs are very weak against the position and Jackson has been playing well as of late. He’s also at a great salary given his potential. Ja Morant has the same matchup and I like him as well, but Jackson’s ceiling is just as high and he’s at a lower salary. Either one is a great pick. I prefer Jackson.

Damian Lillard (vs NO – $8,300 on DK; $9,300 on FD): This will be an easy night at the office for Lillard. The Pelicans defense certainly won’t come close to stopping him. The only concern is that it’s a nice all-around game for the Blazers and Lillard won’t need a big outing. But he is at a good salary on DK where he’s definitely not going to hurt you there and the potential is high given the matchup.

Zach LaVine (at ORL – $8,000 on DK; $8,000 on FD): LaVine is on a roll right now and while the Magic have a defense that can be suffocating overall, they aren’t great against the position. LaVine is the best player on the Bulls and might be the best player on the court in this one. He certainly has the biggest scoring potential and I expect a big scoring outing from him in this one.

Andrew Wiggins (at GS – $8,400 on DK; $7,500 on FD): The Warriors haven’t stopped anyone all season and Wiggins is obviously going to get his opportunities. Expect a big scoring outing from Wiggins in this game. He’s at a great salary on FD given the matchup and his potential. And he’s still a good option on DK even if the price is a little higher.