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) /

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DraftKings NBA early slate:

There are a ton of injuries for the early slate. Siakam, Marc Gasol, Dennis Schroder, Gallinari, Roberson, Dewon Hernandez, Matt Thomas, and Hamidou Diallo are all out. Norman Powell might return, but will likely be on a minutes limit.

All of these injuries open up a lot of value, for the Thunder in particular. It also puts this game at high risk of a blowout. the Raptors have far more talent and are at home. This just increases the need to hit on the captain. That 1.5x point total will really come in handy if this game gets out of control.

Kyle Lowry is the safest captain pick, but he is also the most expensive. Still, with $7,000 to spend per utility slot and all of the value available, it is easy enough to lock in Lowry up top. Only five healthy players check in above that price and the value plays are super cheap.

I would consider Serge Ibaka as a captain against his former team. SGA is also worth a look as well, but I also prefer the consistency of Lowry.

For the UTIL slots, I trust SGA more than VanVleet, but am not opposed to using them both. I also want Ibaka here, even though there isn’t really a revenge narrative. The Thunder are just weak against power forwards.

We can still put in all three of those guys with Lowry and have $10,600 left for two slots. There isn’t much in the mid level here. If you want to ride Chris Boucher while he’s getting minutes, you are relegating yourself to using Darius Bazley with him. I love the upside on Bazley, so that doesn’t bother me. You could even pay up for Steven Adams and pair him with Bazley. The options are endless with all of the Thunder value out there.