DraftKings NBA picks December 31: Sweet VanVleet

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DeMar DeRozan #10 of the San Antonio Spurs looks on (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /

DraftKings NBA Small Forwards:

Best Bets:

DeMar DeRozan ($7,100): I usually don’t go out of my way to play DeRozan, but he has 131.75 DraftKings points over his last three games, and that includes a game against a good Dallas team. I like this matchup as well with Russell out. There’s a chance that Draymond winds up on DDR. I would like this play a little less then, but it’s a small slate against a beat up team and he’s playing well. We can do worse.

Will Barton ($6,400): Barton has kicked the cold streak and has a great matchup with Houston here. Barton’s 30.75 DraftKings points in the first meeting would qualify as a minor disappointment, but Barton played just 25 minutes in that game. Barton has only been under 30 minutes once this month, and that was 29 minutes. Barton looks like a safe play here.

Honorable Mention:

Draymond Green ($6,100): The Warriors are going to be very short handed tonight with Russell and possibly Bowman battling an illness. Given that there are two guys afflicted, don’t be shocked if one or two more join the ranks later today. Green isn’t a big time scorer, but he is at least hitting double digits of late. Green’s versatility allows the Warriors to plug him in wherever they need him.

Rudy Gay ($5,100): Gay has shed his mid-December swoon with 71.75 DraftKings points over the last two games. Gay was solid in the first meeting with the Warriors. He’s not a guy that can take over a game anymore. At this stage of his career, Gay is mostly a supporter, but he’s still a pretty good one.

Dark Horses:

Dorian Finney-Smith ($4,700): DFS is a very good role player. but he doesn’t provide much beyond that. This isn’t the place to look for upside. DFS is pretty much a certain 5x value and that’s it. On a four game slate, I have no problem with settling for 5x value. 250 is usually enough to get your money back.

Kevin Porter ($4,200): Porter is part of the future for the Cavs, but that doesn’t mean the present has been all that great. As with most rookies, Porter is inconsistent. he is finally playing around 25-30 minutes, but he has yet to put up any big numbers. Still, Porter has 74.25 DraftKings points over the last three games. That’s a solid return, but Toronto may not be the best place to take a shot with him.