Fansided

December 31st: NBA DFS DraftKings Core Plays (Early Slate)

By Chris Brent

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 29: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 29: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – DECEMBER 23: Russell Westbrook #4 of the Washington Wizards attempts a pass past Dwight Howard #39 of the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on December 23, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – DECEMBER 23: Russell Westbrook #4 of the Washington Wizards attempts a pass past Dwight Howard #39 of the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on December 23, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /

Welcome back NBA fans, we have just a small two-game slate on tap for the afternoon, followed by a five game night slate. This article is focused on the small two-game slate; with the games being the Chicago Bulls against the Washington Wizards and the Indiana Pacers taking on the Cleveland Cavaliers.

From a betting standpoint, there is currently no total listed for the Bulls-Wizards game, because the Wizards rest news is up in the air and the Bulls Lauri Markkanen missed practice on Wednesday making him questionable for Thursday’s game.  However, the Bulls are currently 5.5-point underdogs, while the Pacers are 7-point favorites against the Cavaliers in a game with a 216.5 under/over.

My initial betting lean is to take the Pacers -7 and the Bulls +5.5. Now let’s dive into the NBA DFS DraftKings core plays for the 3pm Eastern slate.

NBA DFS DraftKings Core Plays:

Russell Westbrook, WAS ($9,900) 

In the previous article I wrote, I mentioned how under $10,000 Russell Westbrook is a lock button play. Now we run it back, Washington is playing Chicago again in a matchup that Westbrook just put up 21-15-11. Westbrook is nearly a lock for 60-plus fantasy points in this matchup and on a two-game slate he should not be faded. Keep it simple, and start your lineup with Russ.

Coby White, CHI ($6,300) 

White is very inconsistent in his young career, however, the two things he has going for him is his incredible upside because of his shooting ability and his large dose of minutes. White has yet to have an explosive night shooting yet, but I think that will change soon enough. Not going to miss out on his potential  blow up game. In this same matchup a few days ago. White found 33 DraftKings points.

Justin Holiday, IND ($3,900) 

The free square on this two-game slate. Should literally be 100-percent owned, but he he probably won’t even top 70-percent because people alway try to over think it. T.J. Warren is out, I expect Holiday to see about 35 minutes and have between 25-30 fantasy points for $3,900. Holiday also has slight upside at 35-plus DraftKings points

Andre Drummond, CLE ($8,900) 

Drummond has been the best big man in the league this season. Drummond is averaging 19.8 points, 15.3 rebounds, 3.5 assist and 2.8 blocks per game. Drummond is going to dominate Myles Turner in the post if he gets the run. The only way Drummond will underperform in this matchup is if he gets into foul trouble. Count on a big afternoon from Drummond.

Victor Oladipo, IND ($6,600) 

Oladipo is on a tear, averaging 38.6 DraftKings points a game for just $6,600. With Warren out tomorrow, Oladipo should see a usage bump as well. Oladipo in a contract year is putting up the numbers and I look for the trend to continue throughout the rest of the season. Grab a cheap Oladipo now before he jumps up to $8,000-plus.

NBA DFS DraftKings Fades:

Bradley Beal, WAS ($9,500) 

Beal is an easy fade in my book at this price, if Westbrook does indeed play. Beal just can’t produce the number needed to hit this price tag due to the fact that Russell just does so much. Unless Beal scores 40-points tomorrow, he is not going to be a play that we regret fading. I expect Beal to be decently owned on this two-game slate and I won’t play him.

Domantas Sabonis ($8,800) 

Sabonis has been very good this season, but $8,800 is a little rich for my blood on this slate. The fact that we are starved for value, we cannot fit more than two stars tomorrow and Sabonis does not make my top-two stars list tomorrow. Sabonis is way to priced up to jam him in with Westbrook and Drummond.

Good luck tomorrow!