Happy Saturday, December, 23rd in the NBA. We have a massive 10-game DFS main slate before taking the day off on Christmas Eve. There is a ton of star power on this slate including Luka Doncic and Tyrese Haliburton, who are both questionable. Plus we have Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets taking on the Hornets. Then the matchup of the night in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder taking on LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and the Lakers.

NBA DFS Tools to dominate tonight's NBA DFS slate!

Make sure to check out today's NBA DFS projections and NBA DFS ownership projections before finalizing your lineups today. We also have the NBA Consistency Report to help identify players that have exceeded value based on their current price tag this season and of course our NBA DFS Lineup Generator!

Notable NBA Injury Updates

Questionable

OUT

Back-to-Backs

Pace Up Spots 

Pace definition: Pace is the total number of possessions a team uses in a game.

*key* Green is elite pace of play, Blue is decent pace of play, & Red is slow pace of play.

Green = Fast Paced team

Blue = Neutral Paced team

Red = Slow Paced team

NBA Game Totals

Top Tier Core Plays

Luka Doncic, PG, Dallas Mavericks

If you want to pay up for Luka he is a no-brainer tonight against the Spurs. Dallas is missing Kyrie Irving, Josh Green, and Dereck Lively meaning they will need to lean on Luka even more than usual in this one. If this game stays competitive, Luka could absolutely smash tonight.

Nikola Jokic, C, Denver Nuggets

Jokic has a great matchup against an undermanned Denver Nuggets frontcourt. The Hornets have been starting Nick Richards at center with Mark Williams out with an injury. While Richards has done a solid job holding down the fort, Jokic should still be able to take advantage of it. This game does have some blowout potential, but Vegas seems to think it will be somewhat close with the NUggets only favored by 8.5.

Anthony Davis, PF/C, Los Angeles Lakers

Anthony Davis is on the cover of the playbook for a reason, as he is my number-one guy tonight. There is one weakness on the Thunder Roster and it is their size as they are starting Chet Holmgren at center. Davis has been extremely consistent scoring over 50 fantasy points in 11 straight games. The last time these two teams squared off Davis had a big night of 31-14 for 57 fantasy points. With this game having the second-highest game total on the slate, and it should be one of the best matchups on the slate, you want a high-priced piece from it.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, PG, Oklahoma City Thunder

As I said above, you want a high-priced player in this game, and if I didn't talk you into AD, may I interest you in SGA? Josh Giddey is out in this game which means, SGA will have even more ball-handling opportunities. In his last two games, he has played no more than 32 minutes and scored at least 56 fantasy points in each. You're probably thinking the Lakers could slow him down because their defense is very solid. Well the last time these teams matched up, SGA went for 33-7-4 for 51 fantasy points. 

Trae Young, PG, Atlanta Hawks

With Dejounte Murray being a mid-day injury add which is never good, I think Trae Young is absolutely in play. This game against Memphis should be a great game environment with having a 237.5-game total. Plus, Trae has been on a heater as of late going over the 50-point threshold in six straight games. He is still priced at under 10K DraftKings which seems like a misprice to me. If you are not playing SGA, play Trae Young.

Ja Morant, PG, Memphis Grizzlies

Looking at the other side of this game, Ja Morant also has a great opportunity to thrive as well. Ja has played two games since coming back from his suspension and has kept up where he left off. The Grizzlies have won back-to-back games and Ja has obviously been a big part of that. He has played at least 34 minutes in each game so we know they aren't easing him back. I know he disappointed in a great matchup against the Pacers on Thursday, but I am comfortable going back to the well in this one. 

Mid-Tier Core Plays

Terry Rozier, PG/SG, Charlotte Hornets

As long as Terry Rozier's price keeps sitting under 9K on DraftKings I will continue to play him. Without LaMelo Ball this offense runs through Rozier. Plus he is matchup-proof, for instance, The Hornets lost 144-1113 in the last game against the Pacers and Rozier still played 35 minutes. He has scored over 43 fantasy points in nine of his last 10 games giving him a great floor without LaMelo Ball on the court. Keep playing Rozier.

Update: Terry Rozier has been ruled out for tonight's game.

Scottie Barnes, PG/SF, Toronto Raptors

Scottie Barnes is so good, and has taken the leap this season we have all hoped for. Barnes and the Raptors have a great matchup tonight against Utah who has the sixth-worst defensive efficiency this season. However, the Jazz are mostly healthy getting Lauri Markkanen back along with Jordan Clarkson, this game should be very competitive. With Barnes scoring over 40 fantasy points in 10 of his last 11 games, there isn't much reason his price should only $8,600 on DraftKings.

Paolo Banchero, PF, Orlando Magic

This is a great pace-up matchup for Paolo Banchero and the Orlando Magic taking on the Indiana Pacers. It has the highest game total on the slate because anytime the Pacers play that is what happens, as they do not want to guard anybody. I think Banchero could go under the radar tonight, making him a solid play since he had a quiet game the last time these two teams matched up scoring just 33 fantasy points

Jerami Grant, PF, Portland Trail Blazers

I may be a sicko, but I like Jerami Grant as an option tonight. With Shaedon Sharpe out, Grant should just slide into the secondary scoring role for this offense. Since coming back from injury he has gotten up at least 14 shot attempts in four games. He has also dished out at least four assists in three of those four games as well and scored over 31 fantasy points in each. He is still solidly priced sitting at just $7,400. He should hit 5x value tonight against this Warriors team. 

Caris LeVert, SG/SF, Cleveland Cavaliers

Caris LeVert is heading into this game questionable due to left knee tendonitis. The Cavs are already missing Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, and Evan Mobley which leaves them very thin. If LeVert plays I expect him to have a big night as the lead-man against the Chicago Bulls. With him being priced under 7K I would assume he will be very chalky.

Value Tier Core Plays

Grant Williams, PF, Dallas Mavericks

With the Mavericks missing at least three rotation pieces heading into tonight's game, I believe Grant Williams is once again in play. They are on the second night of a back-to-back which could cause some tired legs. However, Williams is coming off a 0-5 shooting night last night and was held scoreless. It's a good matchup against the Spurs, and I could see him bouncing back, and to start hitting some open 3s.

Trayce Jackson-Davis, PF/C, Golden State Warriors

The rookie Trayce Jackson-Davis has taken over the backup big role ahead of Dario Saric. He has also played more minutes than the starter Kevon Looney in three straight games. TJD is just an energy for this team right now, but lets not forget he was an outstanding player for the Indiana Hoosiers, he was just an old prospect coming out. He has scored over 30 fantasy points in three straight games as he is just a monster on the boards. He has grabbed 28 rebounds in the last two games. Play him tonight, even though I am sure, he will be chalky.

Malaki Branham, PG/SG, San Antonio Spurs

Branham has been starting and getting more run as of late. He has played at least 27 minutes in six straight games. During that span, he has gotten up double-digit shot attempts in three of those games. He has also scored double-digit points in seven straight games as well, giving him a decent floor. Branham has a 30 fantasy point ceiling tonight, but you will take that with him priced under 5K on DraftKings.

Sam Merrill, SG, Cleveland Cavaliers 

Sam Merill tried to play through a wrist injury the other night against the Pelicans, and he had to leave after just 12 minutes. He completely imploded people lineups who played him. However, if he plays in this one, while it is risky, you can play him at his price. This guy did just score at least 35 fantasy points in two straight games while he was healthy. At $4,500 it is very enticing if he plays, but if you can't get there again, I get it. 

Matisse Thybulle, SG/SF, Portland Trail Blazers

This play of Thybulle does not have a ceiling but his price is nice sitting at $4,200. Thybulle played 30 minutes and was scoreless in their last game, but he still finished with 20 fantasy points. He had three steals, three blocks, two assists, and four rebounds. With them playing the Warriors tonight, Head Coach Chauncey Billups should want him on the court guarding the likes of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. If Thybulle hits a couple of shots tonight he will return value because of his added defense as well.

Jordan Clarkson, Utah Jazz

This is a FanDuel-only play as Jordan Clarkson is priced at $3,500 which is a big mid-price. Happy Holidays I suppose.

Roster Lock Updates:

The grid below will be updated based on breaking news as the day goes on.

Player Pool