It’s time to break down tonight’s NBA DFS slate, which features a compact set of matchups with plenty of angles to attack. One of the games carries real blowout potential on paper. Still, injuries to key players on the Kings, Lakers, Grizzlies, Blazers, and Clippers have created unexpected value and opened the door for intriguing DFS opportunities. Even in lopsided spreads, shorthanded teams often funnel minutes and usage to overlooked options — exactly the type of situation savvy DFS managers look to exploit. We’ll focus on the main evening slate of games available on both FanDuel and DraftKings and highlight some upside NBA DFS targets worth considering for tonight’s games on Sunday, December 28.
View the best player prop bets for tonight’s slate with our NBA Prop Bet Cheat Sheet
NBA DraftKings & FanDuel DFS Primer
As of the writing of this article, here is the fantasy-relevant injury report for the 8 teams in the Sunday evening slate:
| MATCHUP |
INJURIES |
| MEM @ WAS |
|
| Memphis Grizzlies |
Scotty Pippen Jr.- OUT
Ty Jerome – OUT
Zach Edey – OUT
John Konchar – OUT
Brandon Clarke – OUT
Vince Williams Jr. – OUT
Jock Landale – QUESTIONABLE |
| Washington Wizards |
Cam Whitmore – OUT
Kyshawn George – QUESTIONABLE
Corey Kispert – OUT
Malaki Branham – QUESTIONABLE |
| BOS @ POR |
|
| Boston Celtics |
Chris Boucher – QUESTIONABLE |
| Portland Trail Blazers |
Blake Wesley – OUT
Matisse Thybulle – OUT
Jrue Holiday – OUT
Scoot Henderson – OUT
Jerami Grant – OUT
Robert Williams III – OUT |
| DET @ LAC |
|
| Detroit Pistons |
NONE |
| Los Angeles Clippers |
Ivica Zubac – OUT
Bogdan Bogdanovic – OUT
Cam Christie – QUESTIONABLE |
| SAC @ LAL |
|
| Sacramento Kings |
Drew Eubanks – OUT
Domantas Sabonis – OUT
Zach LaVine – OUT
Keegan Murray – OUT
Devin Carter – OUT |
| Los Angeles Lakers |
Gabe Vincent – OUT
Jaxson Hayes – QUESTIONABLE
Austin Reaves – OUT
Drew Timme – QUESTIONABLE |
NBA DFS Core Plays
- DraftKings: $9,700
- FanDuel: $9,700
Jaylen Brown also checks in as a core DFS option for tonight, especially with Boston drawing a favorable matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers. Brown has been on a roll lately, consistently delivering efficient scoring while contributing across multiple categories, and his recent form has firmly re-established him as one of the Celtics’ most reliable fantasy producers.
Tonight’s matchup only boosts his appeal. Portland has struggled to contain athletic wings, allowing opposing scorers to find success both in transition and in isolation. Brown’s ability to rack up points in bunches while chipping in rebounds and defensive stats gives him a ceiling that can replicate the production of more expensive stars on the slate at a slightly discounted salary. With his role secure and his confidence trending up, Brown profiles as a strong anchor for all DFS formats.
- DraftKings: $9,500
- FanDuel: $8,900
LeBron James is firmly in core DFS consideration for tonight’s slate despite the Los Angeles Lakers’ matchup with the Sacramento Kings carrying a 12.5-point spread. Even in lopsided affairs, LeBron has shown he can still accrue counting stats that keep his fantasy floors respectable. This was evident on Christmas Day against the Rockets, when James logged 18 points, two rebounds, and five assists in 32 minutes of action in a game that got out of hand for the Lakers. He also posted a significant workload and contributed efficiently across multiple categories.
Sacramento’s defensive struggles on the perimeter and in transition should help LeBron maintain a central offensive role, especially with other Lakers pieces, including Austin Reaves, dinged up. Given his usage rate and ability to pile up assists and points even when the margin widens, James offers a high-floor, high-ceiling core option you can confidently anchor in both cash games and tournaments tonight.
NBA DFS Cash Game Targets
- DraftKings: $12,000
- FanDuel: $12,200
Luka Doncic is the definition of a cash game lock on tomorrow’s slate, even with his salary sitting at the very top. While the price tag is immense and requires some concessions elsewhere, it’s justified by the combination of usage, minutes, and all-around production Luka brings every night — the exact traits you want when prioritizing safety.
With Austin Reaves out, the Lakers will need to put the offense almost entirely in Doncic’s hands, giving him one of the highest floors in DFS through sheer volume alone. He’s a nightly threat to pile up points, assists, and rebounds regardless of matchup or game script, and his ability to contribute across every category minimizes risk. Paying up for Luka may feel straightforward, but in cash formats, embracing the obvious elite option is often the correct move, as he offers the most dependable path to raw fantasy points on the slate.
- DraftKings: $10,700
- FanDuel: $10,800
Cade Cunningham stands out as a safe cash game option as his matchup sets up favorably for steady, reliable production. Detroit continues to run everything through Cunningham, and that offensive responsibility gives him one of the highest usage floors among guards on the board. Regardless of game script, Cade’s combination of scoring, playmaking, and rebounding keeps his fantasy output stable.
Even if the Pistons find themselves trailing, Cunningham’s role doesn’t change — if anything, it only solidifies his minutes and on-ball usage. He’s consistently asked to create offense late into games, piling up assists while still taking double-digit shot attempts. That blend of volume and versatility makes Cunningham a strong bet to return value without needing an outlier performance, cementing him as a dependable cash game anchor capable of delivering across all major DFS scoring categories.
NBA DFS GPP Targets
- DraftKings: $4,100
- FanDuel: $4,600
Precious Achiuwa profiles as a high-upside GPP target for tonight’s NBA DFS slate, thanks to his consistent role for the Kings and the upside that comes with Sacramento’s thinned-out rotation. The Kings are short on frontcourt depth with Drew Eubanks and Domantas Sabonis both sidelined, and Achiuwa has stepped into a more substantial role, especially on the glass and as a defensive contributor. That expanded opportunity showed up in Tuesday’s game against the Pistons, where he delivered a 15 point, 11 rebound performance with three steals and a block in 27 minutes, showing he can fill up the box score when given extended run.
While his minutes and performances can fluctuate, the combination of Sacramento’s needs inside and his ability to contribute in multiple categories gives him sneaky GPP appeal, especially at a modest salary and in a potential high-scoring spot that could push pace and extra possessions.
- DraftKings: $3,900
- FanDuel: $4,000
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope checks in as an intriguing GPP option, particularly with Memphis continuing to navigate a depleted rotation due to injuries. With the Grizzlies shorthanded, there’s been a clear path for Caldwell-Pope to see up to 28 minutes per contest, especially when the offense needs spacing and perimeter defense.
KCP’s appeal in tournaments comes from his well-rounded stat profile and volatility. He can knock down threes in bunches, generate steals, and chip in rebounds without needing high usage — and when his shot is falling from downtown, he can quickly outproduce his salary. While his floor can be shaky, the combination of increased opportunity and his ability to contribute across all categories makes Caldwell-Pope a strong low-rostered GPP swing worth sprinkling into tournament builds for tonight.
NBA DFS Value Plays
- DraftKings: $7,500
- FanDuel: $7,700
Don’t get used to seeing Ja Morant in the value play section of this article. Morant shapes up as an intriguing DFS value play for today as his price remains far lower than his potential value. After missing multiple games with a left ankle issue, Morant logged 25 minutes in Friday’s 125-104 win over the Bucks, finishing with 17 points, 10 assists, four rebounds, and a steal, showing he can still contribute across the board with limited time.
The Grizzlies are 6.5-point favorites in their matchup with the Wizards tonight. This suggests that the Grizzlies will need Morant’s services to win this game, and we could see 25 minutes from him again, if not more. For DFS lineups that need salary relief with a path to meaningful production, Morant offers leverage — especially if he continues to anchor Memphis’s offense in his limited stint and racks up peripheral stats that boost his fantasy output.
- DraftKings: $7,300
- FanDuel: $7,500
Alex Sarr enters the DFS value discussion today after recently returning from injury, and the matchup only adds to his appeal. Washington draws a Memphis squad dealing with a lengthy injury report of its own, thinning out the Grizzlies’ frontcourt rotation and opening the door for opposing bigs to find success. With this game carrying a 238.5 point total, the environment is set up for an elevated pace and extra fantasy opportunities.
Sarr’s versatility is key at his price point. Even while being eased back in, he can contribute as a scorer around the rim, a rebounder, and a defensive presence, giving him multiple paths to production without needing heavy usage. Against a short-handed Memphis team in a projected high-scoring contest, Sarr offers a low-cost value option with a clear path to outproducing his salary and fitting nicely into both cash builds and tournaments.
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