NBA DraftKings & FanDuel DFS Primer: Thursday (12/21)

We usually have tiny cards on Thursdays, but that’s not the case here! We have eight games making up this slate, which is the perfect amount for DFS! You’d think we wouldn’t have many injuries to deal with since half the league is off, but this is one of the lengthiest injury reports I’ve written. With that in mind, let’s start with the schedule and then look at those injuries!

View the best player prop bets for tonight’s slate with our NBA Prop Bet Cheat Sheet

NBA DraftKings & FanDuel DFS Primer:

Schedule and Odds

• UTA at DET (UTA -1.5) O/U: 237
• NOP at CLE (CLE -1.5) O/U: 228.5
• SAS at CHI (CHI -3.5) O/U: 230
• ORL at MIL (MIL -8.5) O/U: 239.5
• LAC at OKC (OKC -4.5) O/U: 234
• IND at MEM (MEM -4.5) O/U: 245.5
• LAL at MIN (MIN -5) O/U: 224
• WAS at POR (POR -3.5) O/U: 240.5

Check out our consensus game odds and the odds from each sportsbook at BettingPros.

Injury Report

• Jordan Clarkson (bicep) OUT
• Isaiah Stewart (shoulder) Questionable
• Evan Mobley (ankle) OUT
• Darius Garland (face) OUT
• Donovan Mitchell (illness) Questionable
• Paul George (illness) Questionable
• Zion Williamson (illness) Questionable
• Jonas Valanciunas (illness) Questionable
• Zach LaVine (foot) OUT
• Victor Wembanyama (ankle)
• Markelle Fultz (knee) OUT
• Myles Turner (B2B) Questionable
• Marcus Smart (ankle) Questionable
• Anthony Davis (old) Questionable
• LeBron James (old) Questionable
• Shaedon Sharpe (adductor)

Core Plays

Ja Morant (PG – MEM): $9,500 DraftKings, $9,800 FanDuel
We weren’t sure what to expect from Ja in his first game back, but it couldn’t have gone better. The superstar collected 57 DraftKings points and knocked down a game-winner for the Griz. It looks like he’s more motivated than ever after that lengthy suspension, and he should get above $10K in no time. Indiana couldn’t be a better matchup either, ranked first in pace and 29th in defensive efficiency.

Lauri Markkanen (SF/PF – UTA): $8,700 DraftKings, $8,200 FanDuel
Markkanen was a fantastic acquisition by Utah, and he could be on the move again. The All-Star forward is averaging 41 DraftKings points per game this season but is a target for many contenders. That looks even better since he’s being asked to do more in the absence of Jordan Clarkson, guaranteed 35 minutes and 20 shots a night. That role makes him impossible to avoid against Detroit, ranked 26th in defensive efficiency ratings.

DeMar DeRozan (SF/PF – CHI): $8,400 DraftKings, $8,100 FanDuel
The Zach LaVine injury is the best thing to happen to the Bulls all season. It’s made them a much better team, with DeRozan playing some of the best basketball of his career. The former All-Star is averaging 45 DraftKings points per game across his last eight outings. His usage is the main reason for that, averaging 18.4 shots and 39 minutes a night in that span. That’s scary for San Antonio, sitting 27th in points allowed.

Cash Game Considerations

Giannis Antetokounmpo (PF/C – MIL): $11,000 DraftKings, $12,200 FanDuel
The Greek Freak struggled in his first few weeks with Damian Lillard, but he’s been playing like an MVP for a month now. Giannis has scored at least 58 DraftKings points in 10 of his last 11 games, flirting with a 65-point average in that span. He also obliterated Orlando in their previous matchup, tallying 35 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, four steals, and two blocks in that masterpiece.

Tyrese Haliburton (PG – IND): $10,800 DraftKings, $10,400 FanDuel
Haliburton is the best point guard in the NBA. He’s leading the league in assists, scoring at least 38 DraftKings points in all but two games this year. That has his average above 52 DK points per game, dominating the ball for the fastest-paced team in the NBA. We’re not worried about this matchup with Memphis, maintaining a 19th OPRK against opposing point guards.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (PG/SG – OKC): $10,200 DraftKings, $11,600 FanDuel
SGA won’t win MVP, but he will get some votes. The OKC point guard has scored at least 39 DraftKings points in all but one game this season, generating a 54-point average. You know he’ll be motivated against the team that traded him, too, scoring at least 44 fantasy points in all four of their matchups last season.

GPP Targets

Jarrett Allen (C – CLE): $7,500 DraftKings, $7,100 FanDuel
Allen is more expensive than we would hope, but that’s why he’s in the GPP section. The big man has struggled at times this season, but now’s the time to get going with Garland and Mobley out for the foreseeable future. That led to him dropping a season-high 50 DK points across 35 minutes a few days ago, and he’s shown the ability to be an $8K player in the past. In his two matchups with the Pelicans last year. JA amassed 44 and 52 DK points!

Khris Middleton (SF/PF – MIL): $6,600 DraftKings, $7,000 FanDuel
It was just a matter of time before Mid got to a full workload, and we’re finally creeping closer to it. The former All-Star has played at least 28 minutes in five straight fixtures, scoring at least 38 fantasy points in three of those. That’s the stud we remember, making Middleton a great value since he was $8K in that role in the past.

Caris LeVert (SG/SF – CLE): $6,500 DraftKings, $6,600 FanDuel
We just discussed how Cleveland is coping without Garland and Mobley, but we saw Mitchell sit on Wednesday as well. If that’s the case again here, LeVert needs to be in everyone’s lineup. It hasn’t mattered who’s been playing, though, because LeVert is averaging 28 DraftKings points per game in a diminished role. We’ve seen this guy post a 40-point average as the primary playmaker in the past, and the Cavs need him to do that with how shorthanded they are right now. Not to mention, the Pels are posting a 23rd OPRK against opposing wings.

Value Plays

Anfernee Simons (PG/SG – POR): $7,800 DraftKings, $NA FanDuel
Simons has been sensational for the Blazers this season. He’s only played a handful of games, but he’s got at least 38 DraftKings points in six of seven outings. That’s no surprise since he’s taking over this offense in the absence of Damian Lillard, guaranteed 35-40 minutes and 20 shots a night. Washington is a wonderful matchup, too, ranked 29th in defensive efficiency and last in points allowed.

Daniel Gafford (C – WAS): $6,000 DraftKings, $NA FanDuel
DG has always been an elite per-minute producer, and we love that he’s playing 25-30 minutes a night as the Wizards’ starting center. This expanded role has led to Gafford averaging 34 DK points per game across his last 12 outings. That even includes two duds where he got injured early, and we genuinely believe this guy can be a 40-point player in a 30-minute role. Portland won’t slow him down, surrendering the seventh-most fantasy points to opposing centers.

James Wiseman (C – DET): $5,800 DraftKings, $4,300 FanDuel
Using Wiseman has not been profitable over the last few years, but he shouldn’t be $4,300 with how shorthanded Detroit is right now. They’ll be without Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart, leaving Wiseman as the primary center. In the four games that he’s played at least 20 minutes, Wiseman is averaging 29 DK points per game, showcasing a 43-point upside just last week. That ceiling should be even easier to reach against Utah, ranked 24th in points allowed and 25th in defensive efficiency.

Advantageous Pricing

• James Wiseman (C – DET): $5,800 DraftKings, $4,300 FanDuel
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (PG/SG – OKC): $10,200 DraftKings, $11,600 FanDuel
• Giannis Antetokounmpo (PF/C – MIL): $11,000 DraftKings, $12,200 FanDuel
• Walker Kessler (C – UTA): $6,600 DraftKings, $7,800 FanDuel
• Simone Fontecchio (SF/PF – UTA): $6,000 DraftKings, $4,800 FanDuel
• Kris Dunn (PG/SG – UTA): $4,800 DraftKings, $5,800 FanDuel
• Bennedict Mathurin )SG – IND): $7,000 DraftKings, $5,900 FanDuel
• Chet Holmgren (PF/C – OKC): $7,400 DraftKings, $8,500 FanDuel
• Terance Mann )PG/SF – LAC): $5,400 DraftKings, $4,300 FanDuel

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