FanDuel & DraftKings NBA Daily Picks: Fantasy lineup & advice 12/20/17

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PG – Dejounte Murray, San Antonio Spurs @ Portland Trail Blazers (FD – $4300, DK – $4100)

Tony Parker is set to be rested for the Spurs’ visit to Portland tonight, which likely means another start for Dejounte Murray. The second-year guard has generally been a capable deputy for Parker whenever he’s gotten the opportunity to start. In three starts this month, he’s averaging 13.0 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game. That includes a tremendous performance against the Oklahoma City Thunder where he went for 17 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, three steals and a block in 39 minutes of action. Murray will far exceed his value if he can come close to those numbers, which is why he is an intriguing play at point guard.

Also consider: Isaiah Canaan, Phoenix Suns @ Los Angeles Clippers (FD – $4100, DK – $4500)

Speaking of value, Isaiah Canaan should also be in consideration. The newly acquired Suns guard has taken immediate advantage of his opportunity in Phoenix, putting up 16.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists, and 1.5 steals through his first two games.

SG – Jonathon Simmons, Orlando Magic @ Chicago Bulls (FD – $6600, DK – $6900)

With Aaron Gordon out once again due to a calf injury, Jonathon Simmons instantly becomes a must-have at shooting guard. The 28-year-old has feasted whenever Gordon has been out of the lineup recently, going for 24.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 6.7 assists in the three games without Gordon. He’s had 39 or more fantasy points in those games, which will be terrific value given his price if he can once again reach that mark against the Bulls.

Also consider: Mario Hezonja, Orlando Magic @ Chicago Bulls (FD – $4800, DK – $4700)

Teammate Mario Hezonja is also someone to seriously consider at shooting guard. Hezonja has taken advantage of the last couple of games without Gordon. After going for 17 points, nine rebounds, four assists, and three blocks against the Clippers, he had a career-high 28 points (8-12 3-PT FG), six rebounds, and three steals last time out against the Pistons.

SF – Kyle Kuzma, Los Angeles Lakers @ Houston Rockets (FD – $5400, DK – $5800)

The Lakers are likely going to go small for the next few weeks with Brook Lopez sidelined with a sprained ankle. That should mean more Kyle Kuzma, who has been on fire of late. The rookie forward is averaging 19.0 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 2.0 3-pointers over his last four games. He also had 22 points and 12 boards in his first meeting against the Rockets this season in just 28 minutes of action. Look for those minutes to jump up even more with Lopez gone, and those fantasy stats should rise. 

Also consider: Reggie Bullock, Detroit Pistons @ Dallas Mavericks (FD – $3700, DK – $3800)

Reggie Bullock has caught fire over his last two games, where he’s averaging 17.5 points on 72 percent shooting. He’ll have to come down to earth sooner or later, but could still have one more big games in him against a Mavs team which is giving up the fifth-most points to opposing small forwards.

PF – Trey Lyles, Denver Nuggets vs Minnesota Timberwolves (FD – $4800, DK – $4800)

Trey Lyles has been on fire recently. The Nuggets forward is averaging 17.6 points and 6.2 rebounds over his last five games off the bench. More impressively, though, he’s shooting a blistering 64 percent from the field and 64 percent from beyond the arc while making 3.2 3-pointers per game. Head coach Mike Malone has quickly made him a staple of the Nuggets’ rotation because of his consistently strong play. Lyles will be another strong value play against a Timberwolves team which hasn’t dealt with power forwards too well, particularly those who can stretch the floor. Minnesota are giving up 2.3 3-pointers per game to opposing power forwards, third-most in the league this season.

Also consider: Bobby Portis, Chicago Bulls vs Orlando Magic (FD – $5200, DK – $4900)

Chicago Bulls forward Bobby Portis is another strong option to consider. Portis is still putting up 17.8 points and 8.5 rebounds off the Bulls’ bench and is set to face an undersized Magic team which will be playing Mario Hezonja a good amount at power forward in the absence of Aaron Gordon.

C – Alex Len, Phoenix Suns @ Los Angeles Clippers (FD – $5700, DK – $5600)

Alex Len might have done enough to finally earn the backup center spot over Greg Monroe. In two games as the sole backup to Tyson Chandler, Len has come up with back-to-back double-doubles. That includes a dominant 12-point, 19-rebound, six-assist game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Len has topped 35 points per FanDuel scoring in each of his last three games, and while his price has risen since, he can still provide value if he can get enough playing time against the Clippers.

Also consider: DeAndre Jordan (FD – $8000, DK – $7500) and Clint Capela (FD – $7900, DK – $7400)

But for those looking for slightly surer picks at center, take a good look at both DeAndre Jordan (FD – $8000, DK – $7500) and Clint Capela (FD – $7900, DK – $7400). Jordan has been an absolute beast on the boards lately, averaging 17 rebounds per game over his last ten contests to go along with 13 points. Meanwhile, Capela dominated a Rudy Gobert-less Jazz team to the tune of 24 points and 19 rebounds. He’ll now go up against a Lakers team which will be lacking in size with the injury to Lopez.

What do you think of tonight’s DFS picks? Share them in the comments below!

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