We have a three-game NBA DFS main slate on tap today and it's a doozy with the likes of Damian Lillard, LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller already ruled out we have some very high rostership on some really cheap plays that led to this being a “stars and scrubs” build kind of night.

With that said, let's dive into it all and find our top plays for Friday, December 20th!

 

 

Before actually diving into the meat and potatoes, welcome to the NBA DFS season. If this is your first time reading our column on NBA DFS picks, I just want to welcome you and give you a few tips and tricks on what you should be looking for each night.

  • News outlets: reliable sources that give us injury news & starting lineups
  • Pace of play: who's playing fast vs. who's playing slow. Which teams get a pace-up spot (more possessions) vs. pace-down (fewer possessions)
  • Usage rates: is a percentage of how many plays that player is being used in
  • NBA DFS Projections
  • Lineup Generator
  • NBA Ownership

NBA DFS Picks & Daily Fantasy Playbook Today, December 20th

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Pre-Lock Update

This section will be used for anything that changes from the morning until right up to roster lock. 

Injury updates, players we’re higher on than we were in the morning and so much more.

Most of the big news is already out of the way but we sit and wait to see if Joel Embiid will suit up tonight against the Hornets.

6:30 PM ET UPDATE

  • Joel Embiid ACTIVE
  • Seth Curry NOT STARTING
    • Josh Green & Cody Martin starting

NBA Injuries, News & Updates Today, 12/20

 

 

NBA DFS Slate & Game Overviews

Charlotte Hornets vs Philadelphia 76ers

  • Spread: 76ers -12.5
  • Total: 212.5

Milwaukee Bucks vs Cleveland Cavaliers

  • Spread: Cavs -9.5
  • Total: 220.5

Oklahoma  City Thunder vs Miami Heat

  • Spread: Thunder -1.5
  • Total: 217.5
 

 

NBA DFS Core Player Pool & Lineup Picks

Here are the core players I’m looking at for my NBA DFS picks tonight. You can see the full analysis of tonight’s NBA DFS projections and player pool below or skip ahead to building the best lineups possible by locking these into the aforementioned lineup generator now.

High

Mid

Value

 

 

 

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Pos
(Click to sort ascending)
Player
(Click to sort ascending)
Matchup
(Click to sort ascending)
DK
(Click to sort ascending)
DK Pts
(Click to sort ascending)
FD
(Click to sort ascending)
FD Pts
(Click to sort ascending)
PGShai Gilgeous-AlexanderOKC @ MIA Fri 8:001030055.21110055.3

I'm a bit nervous about the schedule with the Thunder having played a lot this week and now on a back-to-back but SGA is largely unaffected when it comes to his playing time. The one thing worth noting, which Grande called out during the live stream is that sometimes we do see the Thunder rotation extended and if we ended up seeing a 12 man rotation tonight that will cause SGA to lose some playing time.

Game Type: CASH
PGTyrese MaxeyCHA @ PHI Fri 7:00900041.9910041.7

Maxey is in a great spot tonight and it's even better if Joel Embiid ends up sitting out. The Sixers are big favorites against the severely shorthanded Hornets tonight but even in blowouts we tend to see Maxey be the guy that stays on the court. 

Game Type: GPP
PGDarius GarlandMIL @ CLE Fri 7:30720038710036.4

Like Grande, I too like the Cavs a lot tonight. Sure they are big home favorites against the Bucks but they also have the highest implied team total and if the Bucks do stay competitive tonight then we are in a great spot here with Cleveland at lower ownership.

Game Type: CASH & GPP
PGTyler HerroOKC @ MIA Fri 8:00740039.2780036.6

Herro is the cover of the playbook tonight. He's always good with his minutes and this is a game that has just a one-point spread. Sure, the Thunder are one of the best defensive teams in the NBA but if they decide to go with a larger rotation then Herro is going to get some good matchups to take advantage of.

Game Type: GPP
PGVasilije Micić4000042000

Chalk play at the point guard position tonight. He was $1,000 more expensive when Ball was out of the lineup a few weeks ago and with both Ball and Miller out tonight he will have an opportunity to take a step forward offensively in this matchup.

Game Type: CASH & GPP
PGAJ GreenMIL @ CLE Fri 7:30360019.1400017.8

We don't know yet who will be the starter with Damian Lillard ruled out but we know Green is already firmly in the rotation and he could still end up being the guard at the end of the day who plays more minutes. Ownership is currently suggesting Delon Wright is the guy and I would tend to lean in the direction of whomever actually is starting.

Game Type: GPP
SGDonovan MitchellMIL @ CLE Fri 7:30870044.1890042.7

Everything I said about Garland can be posted here too. I love Cleveland, they are going under owned despite having an elite matchup to take advantage of.

Game Type: CASH
SGCaris LeVert5200062000

Yes, Max Strus is back tonight but Isaac Okoro is out of the lineup. I also think Strus is likely limited in his first game back in the rotation as well which should lead to some increased minutes for LeVert here this evening.

Game Type: GPP
SGLuguentz DortOKC @ MIA Fri 8:00470024.8580025.3

The minutes look good and he's had some pop scoring games of late. Yes the last two games weren't anything to write home about but by in large, Dort is a good play in a small slate.

Game Type: CASH
SGJosh GreenCHA @ PHI Fri 7:00480016.1470015.9

Starting tonight and we know he's someone that can space the floor and takes a lot of threes. We thought maybe Seth Curry would get the start but that's not the case here this evening.

Game Type: GPP
SGTerry RozierOKC @ MIA Fri 8:00460025560023.9

The Heat could be getting Larsson back tonight but Rozier's minutes still feel pretty secure and my guess is that Dru Smith would lose the playing time if Larsson does actually play. Rozier makes for a nice GPP play on DraftKings.

Game Type: GPP
SGSeth CurryCHA @ PHI Fri 7:0030006.536006.5

Highest projected rostered player on the slate but he isn't starting tonight so that gives me a pause in putting him in my lineup.

Game Type: GPP
SFPaul GeorgeCHA @ PHI Fri 7:00850041.6880041.1

I like him more if Joel Embiid ends up sitting out but overall this is just a good spot for the 76ers tonight. George can put up elite numbers as displayed the last time he took the floor and the Hornets don't have anything to really defend him tonight.

Game Type: CASH
SFJimmy Butler7900082000

Buckets went for 88 fantasy points in an overtime game on Friday. Tonight's matchup against the Thunder is going to be tougher, he likely sees Jalen Williams or Lu Dort defense but Butler can be an elite player when he wants to be and a home matchup against a top Western Conference team could be something that gets him motivated. 

Game Type: CASH & GPP
SFKhris Middleton5300056000

Middleton has been limited in his minutes but with Damian Lillard out maybe we get that minutes limit increased tonight. Either way the price is great and his overall usage with Lillard off the floor should make him a solid option in this matchup.

Game Type: GPP
SFCody Martin5200051000

Gets the starting nod tonight and I think he's locked in for 25+ minutes tonight and that should be good for 20+ fantasy points as well.

Game Type: GPP
PFGiannis AntetokounmpoMIL @ CLE Fri 7:301130061.61220059.7

Top pay up play on the slate. Sure, the Cavs are big home favorites but Giannis went for 71 fantasy points against the Cavs in their last meeting this season.  Giannis is averaging 69 fantasy points over the last three games which included a triple-double against the Thunder in the in-season tournament championship game. 

Game Type: CASH & GPP
PFJalen WilliamsOKC @ MIA Fri 8:00830039870039.6

Good for cash games. We love everything that Williams brings to the table but we just need to see him make some more shots for his ceiling to really be the difference.

Game Type: CASH
PFMiles BridgesCHA @ PHI Fri 7:00630032.2710031.2

Chalk play tonight. He should be locked into 20+ shot attempts tonight with both LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller out of the lineup.

Game Type: CASH & GPP
PFBobby PortisMIL @ CLE Fri 7:30540026.7680026.2

Always a good tournament play. The Cavs play big and the Bucks may turn to Portis in an effort to better space the floor.

Game Type: GPP
CJoel EmbiidCHA @ PHI Fri 7:00950045.31040044

Starting tonight for the 76ers locks him into my lineup here against the Hornets. This price is too cheap for a guy that should be playing over 30 minutes tonight in a smash spot.

Game Type: CASH
CJarrett AllenMIL @ CLE Fri 7:30670034.9780034.2

He's had two monster games against the Bucks this season and that likely has to do with the fact that like the Cavs, the Bucks also play a bigger lineup. Brook Lopez is not great on the glass and that allows for Allen to really clean up.

Game Type: GPP
CNick Richards5100056000

Starting with no Mark Williams tonight. We had a debate on where we think his minutes fall given the back-to-back and I can see something closer to 28 minutes tonight for Richards but Joel Embiid does put opposing centers in foul trouble so it could be a shorter leash tonight.

Game Type: CASH & GPP
10300 , 55.2
55.2
11100 , 55.3
55.3

I'm a bit nervous about the schedule with the Thunder having played a lot this week and now on a back-to-back but SGA is largely unaffected when it comes to his playing time. The one thing worth noting, which Grande called out during the live stream is that sometimes we do see the Thunder rotation extended and if we ended up seeing a 12 man rotation tonight that will cause SGA to lose some playing time.

Game Type: CASH
9000 , 41.9
41.9
9100 , 41.7
41.7

Maxey is in a great spot tonight and it's even better if Joel Embiid ends up sitting out. The Sixers are big favorites against the severely shorthanded Hornets tonight but even in blowouts we tend to see Maxey be the guy that stays on the court. 

Game Type: GPP
7200 , 38
38
7100 , 36.4
36.4

Like Grande, I too like the Cavs a lot tonight. Sure they are big home favorites against the Bucks but they also have the highest implied team total and if the Bucks do stay competitive tonight then we are in a great spot here with Cleveland at lower ownership.

Game Type: CASH & GPP
7400 , 39.2
39.2
7800 , 36.6
36.6

Herro is the cover of the playbook tonight. He's always good with his minutes and this is a game that has just a one-point spread. Sure, the Thunder are one of the best defensive teams in the NBA but if they decide to go with a larger rotation then Herro is going to get some good matchups to take advantage of.

Game Type: GPP
4000 , 0
0
4200 , 0
0

Chalk play at the point guard position tonight. He was $1,000 more expensive when Ball was out of the lineup a few weeks ago and with both Ball and Miller out tonight he will have an opportunity to take a step forward offensively in this matchup.

Game Type: CASH & GPP
3600 , 19.1
19.1
4000 , 17.8
17.8

We don't know yet who will be the starter with Damian Lillard ruled out but we know Green is already firmly in the rotation and he could still end up being the guard at the end of the day who plays more minutes. Ownership is currently suggesting Delon Wright is the guy and I would tend to lean in the direction of whomever actually is starting.

Game Type: GPP
8700 , 44.1
44.1
8900 , 42.7
42.7

Everything I said about Garland can be posted here too. I love Cleveland, they are going under owned despite having an elite matchup to take advantage of.

Game Type: CASH
5200 , 0
0
6200 , 0
0

Yes, Max Strus is back tonight but Isaac Okoro is out of the lineup. I also think Strus is likely limited in his first game back in the rotation as well which should lead to some increased minutes for LeVert here this evening.

Game Type: GPP
4700 , 24.8
24.8
5800 , 25.3
25.3

The minutes look good and he's had some pop scoring games of late. Yes the last two games weren't anything to write home about but by in large, Dort is a good play in a small slate.

Game Type: CASH
4800 , 16.1
16.1
4700 , 15.9
15.9

Starting tonight and we know he's someone that can space the floor and takes a lot of threes. We thought maybe Seth Curry would get the start but that's not the case here this evening.

Game Type: GPP
4600 , 25
25
5600 , 23.9
23.9

The Heat could be getting Larsson back tonight but Rozier's minutes still feel pretty secure and my guess is that Dru Smith would lose the playing time if Larsson does actually play. Rozier makes for a nice GPP play on DraftKings.

Game Type: GPP
3000 , 6.5
6.5
3600 , 6.5
6.5

Highest projected rostered player on the slate but he isn't starting tonight so that gives me a pause in putting him in my lineup.

Game Type: GPP
8500 , 41.6
41.6
8800 , 41.1
41.1

I like him more if Joel Embiid ends up sitting out but overall this is just a good spot for the 76ers tonight. George can put up elite numbers as displayed the last time he took the floor and the Hornets don't have anything to really defend him tonight.

Game Type: CASH
7900 , 0
0
8200 , 0
0

Buckets went for 88 fantasy points in an overtime game on Friday. Tonight's matchup against the Thunder is going to be tougher, he likely sees Jalen Williams or Lu Dort defense but Butler can be an elite player when he wants to be and a home matchup against a top Western Conference team could be something that gets him motivated. 

Game Type: CASH & GPP
5300 , 0
0
5600 , 0
0

Middleton has been limited in his minutes but with Damian Lillard out maybe we get that minutes limit increased tonight. Either way the price is great and his overall usage with Lillard off the floor should make him a solid option in this matchup.

Game Type: GPP
5200 , 0
0
5100 , 0
0

Gets the starting nod tonight and I think he's locked in for 25+ minutes tonight and that should be good for 20+ fantasy points as well.

Game Type: GPP
11300 , 61.6
61.6
12200 , 59.7
59.7

Top pay up play on the slate. Sure, the Cavs are big home favorites but Giannis went for 71 fantasy points against the Cavs in their last meeting this season.  Giannis is averaging 69 fantasy points over the last three games which included a triple-double against the Thunder in the in-season tournament championship game. 

Game Type: CASH & GPP
8300 , 39
39
8700 , 39.6
39.6

Good for cash games. We love everything that Williams brings to the table but we just need to see him make some more shots for his ceiling to really be the difference.

Game Type: CASH
6300 , 32.2
32.2
7100 , 31.2
31.2

Chalk play tonight. He should be locked into 20+ shot attempts tonight with both LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller out of the lineup.

Game Type: CASH & GPP
5400 , 26.7
26.7
6800 , 26.2
26.2

Always a good tournament play. The Cavs play big and the Bucks may turn to Portis in an effort to better space the floor.

Game Type: GPP
9500 , 45.3
45.3
10400 , 44
44

Starting tonight for the 76ers locks him into my lineup here against the Hornets. This price is too cheap for a guy that should be playing over 30 minutes tonight in a smash spot.

Game Type: CASH
6700 , 34.9
34.9
7800 , 34.2
34.2

He's had two monster games against the Bucks this season and that likely has to do with the fact that like the Cavs, the Bucks also play a bigger lineup. Brook Lopez is not great on the glass and that allows for Allen to really clean up.

Game Type: GPP
5100 , 0
0
5600 , 0
0

Starting with no Mark Williams tonight. We had a debate on where we think his minutes fall given the back-to-back and I can see something closer to 28 minutes tonight for Richards but Joel Embiid does put opposing centers in foul trouble so it could be a shorter leash tonight.

Game Type: CASH & GPP