NBA DFS: Studs, scrubs, and duds for December 26
Top star players, best value picks, and guys you should stay a way from on December 26 in NBA Daily Fantasy Sports on DraftKings and FanDuel.
Welcome to Studs, Scrubs, and Duds; FanSided’s daily fantasy NBA lineup helper.
Here’s what’s on the slate for tonight:
7 p.m. ET: Washington at Detroit
7:30 p.m. ET: New York at Brooklyn
8 p.m. ET: San Antonio at Dallas, Memphis at Oklahoma City
10 p.m. ET: Minnesota at Sacramento
10:30 p.m. ET: Portland at Utah
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
Hassan Whiteside (at UTA – $7,700 on DK; $8,800 on FD): Whiteside will continue to get numbers no matter the matchup and that’s what you should expect in this one. The Jazz are mediocre against the position, even with Gobert. Whiteside is always a double double threat and that’s exactly what you should expect in this one. And then some.
Andre Drummond (vs WAS – $10,000 on DK; $9,500 on FD): The Wizards are not only terrible against the position but they are just a terrible defensive squad. Meanwhile, Drummond is a potential 20-20 guy and this is certainly a matchup where he can put up big numbers. He’s a high salary but he’s worth building around on Thursday.
Spencer Dinwiddie (vs NY – $8,700 on DK; $8,100 on FD): The Knicks are surprisingly good against the position but they are also the Knicks. Dinwiddie has had two big games against them this season and a third will be on deck on Thursday. He continues to leas the way for the Nets with Kyrie injured and he’ll be in for another big scoring night in this one.
Kristaps Porzingis (vs SA – $8,700 on DK; $9,000 on FD): The Spurs are horrible against the position and if Luka misses this game as well, Porzingis should have a field day. He’s been great with Luka out of the lineup, the matchup certainly helps, and he’s at a great salary compared to others on the night who have tougher matchups. When it comes to value, Porzingis might be the top option on the night.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (vs MEM – $6,700 on DK; $6,700 on FD): Assuming SGA has the same aggressiveness he had before the Christmas break he’s in a great position to have another big game. He’s stepped up lately while Chris Paul has taken the backseat. The OKC three-guard lineup can be unpredictable when it comes to who has the big night but right now it’s SGA and I’ll continue to roll with him. He’s unlikely to hurt you at this salary.