NBA DFS Breakdown (Monday, Dec. 20): Donovan Mitchell & Rudy Gobert Make Sensational Stack

Tonight’s six-game slate is highlighted by… you guessed it — protocols!

With so many players out due to health and safety protocols, DFS players can find value and smash plays at every turn. Today, I’ll highlight some of those players getting a bump as well as some favorable matchups to target, such as the Hornets vs. Jazz, which comes in with a huge 236.5 over/under.

Let’s dive into some of the top plays using the FantasyLabs Tools and metrics.

Also, don’t forget that for large-field tournaments, you can utilize our Lineup Optimizer to effortlessly create up to 150 lineups, or use our Lineup Builder if you like to hand-build your lineups.

Note: Projections and Leverages Scores/Ratings may change throughout the day after this article is posted. The NBA DFS landscape changes quickly. Consult the Player Models directly for any updates as we get closer to lock.

Point Guard

Stud

Tyrese Haliburton has got to be one of the best plays on the slate tonight for cash games or tournaments. With De’Aaron Fox out due to health and safety protocols, Haliburton has taken over as the Kings’ primary playmaker and a focal point on offense.

Over his last three games, the second-year stud has averaged 18.7 points, 10.0 dimes, 6.0 boards and 3.0 combined blocks/steals across 37 minutes. Sacramento gets a pace-down spot and a negative Opponent Plus/Minus, but Hali’s minutes and ability to stuff the stat sheet mean that we won’t downgrade him based on the matchup.

Value

Maybe he had some extra juice against his former team, but Alex Caruso played well Sunday, going 17/9/2/1 across 38 minutes in the starting lineup.

Chicago is still without key players due to protocols, and the team is finally able to play games after two of them were postponed last week.

Caruso gets a huge pace-up spot and a favorable Opponent Plus/Minus tonight. He can get it done in a variety of different ways on offense and defense, making him a strong value tonight with Zach LaVine and Ayo Dosunmu (among others) out again.

Fast Break

Steph Curry is priced at just $9,700 on FanDuel compared to $11,800 on DraftKings. That’s an incredible disparity and one for which fantasy managers should take advantage. He’s averaged just 24/5/4 across his last five games, but Curry is one of the only players on this slate capable of posting 70 fantasy points in a game. Well-rested after sitting Saturday, he’s worth a look in tournaments on FanDuel and doesn’t belong in lineups on DraftKings due to the insane price.

Shooting Guard

Stud

Donovan Mitchell is enjoying yet another strong campaign, and he’s been huge across his last 10. In that span, Spida has averaged 29.2 points, 5.1 assists, 3.9 triples, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.6 steals.

He’s recorded multiple steals in six of those games and scored at least 30 points five times. He gets the benefit of facing a Charlotte team that we’ve highlighted at length in this column due to the Hornets’ fast pace and horrendous defense.

Mitchell is a clear stud for this six-game slate. The over/under for this one is set at a whopping 236.5, so expect him to take on an even more aggressive approach on offense.

Value

Josh Giddey has impressed as a rookie thus far, though what he’s done over his last two games shows he’s just scratching the surface.

In that two-game span, Giddey has averaged 12.5 points, 13.5 rebounds, and 8.5 assists. In his last game out, the Australian guard pulled down 18 boards and dished out 11 assists, just missing a triple-double with eight points.

He has huge upside when he’s rebounding and assisting at a high level and an even higher ceiling when he’s scoring effectively.

Fast Break

Buddy Hield ($5,800 DK, $5,100 FD) went for 29/3/4/1 in his last game and has averaged 38.5 minutes per contest over his last two (both starts). Fox and Davion Mitchell are both out again tonight, setting Hield up for another strong showing against Golden State.

Small Forward

Stud

DeMar DeRozan returned from a three-game absence related to protocols, and he dropped 38 points on the Lakers in Sunday’s win. In that one, he commanded a massive 40.4% usage rate with Zach LaVine (protocols) out of action.

Over his last five games played, DeRozan has averaged 31.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.8 assists. He gets a positive Opponent Plus/Minus, a pace-up spot, and a game with an over/under of 222.5.

Note: DeRozan is eligible only at PF on DraftKings.

Value

Javonte Green ($3,100 DK, $4,000 FD) has a rock-bottom salary with starter’s minutes. It’s a win-win for DFS players tonight.

Like DeRozan, Green returned from a three-game absence and went 9/6/2 with a steal and two blocks in 35 minutes as a starter. He figures to see similar minutes and usage tonight.

Fast Break

Jaylen Brown’s pricing on FanDuel is pretty laughable at $7,300 considering he’s way up at $9,000 on DraftKings. If Jayson Tatum sits, Brown is a near-lock given his discounted salary.

In three games since returning to the lineup, he’s averaged 20.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 4.0 triples, and 1.7 steals.

Power Forward

Stud

Jaren Jackson Jr. gets the nod tonight, as he’s been the team’s offensive focal point and defensive leader since Ja Morant went down.

Tonight’s matchup with the Thunder is particularly friendly, given OKC’s struggles this season. The Grizzlies beat this team 152-79 just a couple of weeks ago, and JJJ went 27/3/1 with two steals and two blocks in just 21 minutes in that one.

With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey available this time around, expect this game to be a little more competitive and for JJJ to have a solid showing.

Value

Chimezie Metu has gotten back in the Kings’ starting lineup, and he’s been effective in that position in each of his last two games. In that span, he’s averaged 13.5 points, 8.5 assists, and 3.5 stocks over 33.5 minutes per contest.

Our model loves him as a value on DraftKings tonight at just $4,700. He’s still a favorable play on FanDuel, but at $6,000, he’s far less appealing.

Fast Break

Just like Steph Curry above, Tobias Harris gets a very generous discount on FanDuel for tonight’s slate. Priced at $8,700 on DraftKings, he’s just $7,000 on FanDuel, and our model gives him a ceiling of over 50 fantasy points.

Harris would be a slam-dunk on FanDuel if Joel Embiid sits out. Embiid played through a knee injury Sunday, but Philly plays the second night of a back-to-back Monday against the Celtics.

Center

Stud

Rudy Gobert against Charlotte is money, baby! In the month of November, he’s averaging 15.1 points, 15.5 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks. He leads the league comfortably in rebounds and is second to only Myles Turner in the blocks department.

Gobert gets a huge Opponent Plus/Minus and Pace Differential tonight, as he’ll take on a very generous Charlotte frontcourt defense that has yielded the most points, most fantasy points and second-most rebounds to opposing centers this season. Gobert is in the stud conversation on every slate, but he’s especially studly tonight.

Value

Enes Kanter Freedom ($3,600 DK, $3,700 FD) is a player our model loves tonight due to his ceiling and low, low price tag. In three games in which he’s played at least 20 minutes, Freedom has averaged 7.3 points, 10.7 rebounds and 2.0 stocks.

Our model projects him for 19 minutes tonight in a favorable matchup with Philly, which may be sweetened if Embiid misses time. With Al Horford still out, let Freedom ring!

Fast Break

Kevon Looney is another big man offering great value tonight, as he’s seen his minutes and production trend up over the last two weeks.

Across his last five games, Looney has averaged 9.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.2 blocks across 24.2 minutes. He’s just $3,900 on DraftKings and $4,600 on FanDuel, and he faces the Kings tonight.

Photo Credit: David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images.

Pictured: Donovan Mitchell.