DraftKings NBA picks December 29: Fear the Beard

James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets reacts in the first half against the Boston Celtics at Toyota Center on December 27, 2018 in Houston, Texas. 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 Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

1 of 8

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 11: Julius Randle #30 of the New York Knicks looks on as he walks back to the bench against the Golden State Warriors during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on December 11, 2019 in San Francisco, California. 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

DraftKings NBA picks December 29: Fear the Beard

After a huge DraftKings NBA slate yesterday, it may seem like kind of a letdown to have only five games today. Not only that, the slate is pared down a little more with the Thunder and Raptors tipping off two houars earlier than everyone else. That game is showdown only. Don’t worry. You guys have been reading my stuff long enough. You know I’ve got that covered too.

This injury report is a lot better than yesterday, but it’s still kind of large for a four game main DraftKings NBA slate.

Out: Russell Westbrook (rest), Clint Capela (heel), Zion Williamson (knee), Marvin Bagley (foot), Darius Miller (Achilles), Nene (hip), Gerald Green (foot), DeMarcus Cousins (knee), Andre Iguodala (personal).

Questionable: De’Aaron Fox (back), Paul Millsap (quad), Bol Bol (foot).

Eric Gordon is expected to return tonight, but there is no word as of yet just how much he will play. I would expect a minutes limit after a nearly six week absence. Gordon may still be worth it. We all know he can put up big numbers in small minutes. Fox is really the only news we need to keep an eye on.

I placed three of my four lineups in the top 5000 and one in the top 100. The best one was built around Randle, Booker, and Collins with Satoransky, McRae, Middleton, and Ilyasova for value. The only real bust was Kevin Porter, and he wasn’t that horrible.

I as only 24.75 DraftKings points behind the 369 that won it for gabrielnew24. He was 2.75 DraftKings points ahead of second! While I survived not having Luka or Harden, he had both with Randle and Ilyasova. He just got enough out of the value picks of Zubac, Thad, Cory Joseph, and Nance.