Daily Fantasy

NBA DraftKings & FanDuel DFS Primer: Wednesday, Dec. 7

FantasyPros walks through the best player values for DraftKings and FanDuel NBA DFS.

Joel Bartilotta, FantasyPros

December 7, 2022 6:23 PM

Ja Morant has seen his usage, minutes, and shots increase since Desmond Bane went down with injury.

After that tiny Tuesday card, we’re back to a full slate here. We have 11 games in total, with only two teams playing the second half of a back-to-back set. One of those is the Lakers, though, and they’re one of the teams that can drive us crazy from a resting perspective. We’re going to go ahead and fade them all together, but we still have 21 teams to discuss. With that in mind, let’s look at that schedule!

Injury Report

Kawhi Leonard (legs) Questionable
Paul George (hammy) Questionable
Wendell Carter Jr.(foot) Questionable
Jalen Suggs (ankle) Questionable
Mo Bamba (back) Questionable
LaMelo Ball (ankle) OUT
Gordon Hayward (shoulder) OUT
Dennis Smith (ankle) OUT
Ben Simmons (knee) OUT
John Collins (ankle) OUT
LeBron James (B2B) Questionable
Anthony Davis (B2B) Questionable
Cade Cunningham (shin) OUT
Brandon Ingram (toe) Questionable
Bradley Beal (hammy) Questionable
Lonzo Ball (knee) OUT
Tyrese Haliburton (groin) Questionable
Karl-Anthony Towns (calf) OUT
Desmond Bane (toe) OUT
Andrew Wiggins (adductor) Questionable
Mike Conley (leg) Questionable
Robert William (knee) OUT
Chris Paul (heel) OUT
Stephen Curry (rest) OUT
Draymond Green (rest) OUT

Core Plays

Ja Morant (PG – MEM): $10,600 DraftKings, $9,600 FanDuel
Ja is my favorite player to watch. He’s been even better since Desmond Bane went down, seeing his usage, minutes, and shots increase in his absence. That’s led to Morant scoring at least 41 DraftKings points in 12 straight games while providing a 50-point average in that span. That should continue behind his monster usage, especially since he faces an OKC team that sits 28th in points allowed.

Pascal Siakam (PF/C – TOR): $9,800 DraftKings, $9,800 FanDuel
Siakam is not getting the credit he deserves. This guy is a true MVP candidate, averaging 24.5 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 7.1 assists this year. He’s also scored at least 37 fantasy points in every game, establishing one of the highest floors in the NBA. Getting to face the Lakers is wonderful, too, ranked eighth in pace and 20th in points allowed. In their most recent matchup, Sia sliced them to the tune of 53 DK points!

D’Angelo Russell (PG/SG – MIN): $7,000 DraftKings, $7,100 FanDuel
I’m excited to see how Russell looks with Karl-Anthony Towns sidelined. That’s skyrocketed Russell’s touches, shot attempts, and usage, scoring 41 DK points in the two games since KAT got injured. He’s also surpassed 32 DK points in six straight outings, and it’s clear this former All-Star is much more comfortable with Towns on the sidelines. Playing the Pacers is phenomenal, with Indiana allowing the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing point guards.

Cash Game Considerations

Giannis Antetokounmpo (PF/C – MIL): $12.400 DraftKings, $11,700 FanDuel
There aren’t many players that provide the consistency that Giannis does. The Greek Freak has scored at least 52 DraftKings points in eight straight games, posting a 57-point average in that span. That looks even better since he had at least 59 DK points in seven of his first eight games. We expect one of those ceiling games here, squaring off with a 28th-ranked Sacramento defense.

Zion Williamson (PF – NOP): $9,600 DraftKings, $9,900 FanDuel
Zion has always been one of the most talented players in the NBA, and it’s awesome watching him run this offense in the absence of Brandon Ingram. He’s flirting with a 35 percent usage rate with BI off the floor, averaging 56 DK points per game across his last four outings. That’s the production you usually see from an $11K player, and it should continue against a Detroit team that ranks 29th in defensive efficiency.

Anthony Edwards (SG/SF – MIN): $8,800 DraftKings, $8,400 FanDuel
ANT is in the same boat as Zion. These are two of the most talented youngsters in the league, and they’re both being asked to take over because of injuries. Karl-Anthony Towns is the one missing in Minnesota, allowing Edwards to post a 37 percent usage rate in his absence. Edwards has also scored at least 40 DraftKings points in eight of his last nine games, generating a 46-point average in that span, Facing Indiana is incredible, too, ranked 23rd in defensive efficiency and 24th in points allowed.

GPP Targets

Nicolas Claxton (C – BKN): $6,200 DraftKings, $6,600 FanDuel
It’s hard to understand why Claxton’s role has been so volatile because this guy is a monster whenever he’s given the minutes he deserves. Clax has scored at least 28 DK points in six of his last seven games, posting a 36-point average in that span. He’s also playing 32 minutes a night, and as long as he’s doing that, Clax should be closer to $8K on both sites. Facing the Hornets is the best part of this, with Charlotte surrendering the most fantasy points to opposing centers.

Rudy Gobert (C – MIN): $7,300 DraftKings, $6,800 FanDuel
Rudy has had a rough season in Minnesota, but he shouldn’t be this cheap. The big man was an $8K player in his days with the Jazz and played like that through the opening month. We believe he can return to that form with KAT sidelined, likely seeing a boost in rebounds and shot attempts. The center position is the best spot against Indiana, allowing the second-most fantasy points to opposing big men this year.

Andrew Nembhard (PG/SG – IND): $5,600 DraftKings, $6,000 FanDuel
We’re keeping Nembhard in the GPP section because it’s unclear who will suit up for Indiana. Tyrese Haliburton and TJ McConnell sat out on Monday, leading to Nembhard’s best career outing. He provided 31 points, eight rebounds, and 13 assists in that masterpiece, which is obviously an absurd line from a player in this price range. The T’Wolves are not a terrible matchup either, ranked second in pace and 21st in points allowed. If you’re going to stack Minnesota, run it back with some of these Pacers!

Value Plays

Al Horford (PF/C – BOS): $5,200 DraftKings, $5,300 FanDuel
Big Al has been in this section all season, and he’s going to remain in it until he gets the $6K price tag he’s earned. Horford has scored at least 26 DraftKings points in 11 of his last 15 games, averaging nearly 30 fantasy points per game in that stretch. We saw him average over 35 DK points per game when Robert Williams was out last year, and this veteran can return to that form on any given night. Facing Phoenix is tough, but it also means that Big Al will be looking at 35 minutes in this highlight matchup.

Markelle Fultz (PG/SG – ORL): $5,200 DraftKings, $5,000 FanDuel
Fultz was the top pick in 2017 for a reason. This guy has all the talent in the world, but injuries have derailed his career. In any case, he’s back now, dropping 33 DraftKings points across 32 minutes in his most recent outing. We’ve seen him play at a $7K level in the past, and we have to assume Orlando will play him 30-35 minutes as long as he stays healthy. If that’s the case, he should never be this cheap.

AJ Griffin (SG/SF/PF – ATL): $5,100 DraftKings, $4,600 FanDuel
Griffin has been starting for John Collins, and he’s looking like one of the best rookies in the Eastern Conference. The versatile forward is averaging 33 DK points per game across 34 minutes a night in his three starts this year. That’s all you can ask for from such an affordable player, especially against a Knicks team that sits 23rd in points allowed.