NBA DFS Picks Breakdown on DraftKings (Sunday, December 8)

Sunday features a six-game main slate starting at 7 p.m. ET.

Let’s dive into some of the top plays on the slate using the FantasyLabs tools and projections.

Also, don’t forget that for large-field tournaments, you can utilize our Lineup Optimizer to effortlessly create up to 300 lineups or use our Lineup Builder if you like to hand-build your lineups.

You can also use our SimLabs Lineup Generator, a tool that creates the most user-friendly lineup generation process.

Note: Projections and Leverages Scores/Ratings may change throughout the day after this article is posted. The NBA DFS landscape changes quickly. 

Consult the NBA Player Models directly for any updates as we get closer to lock.

Stud

Dejounte Murray has been back in the lineup for the Pelicans for more than a week, but he didn’t really make an impact until his most recent outing. He racked up 26 points, nine rebounds, five assists, and four steals vs. the Thunder, resulting in 52.25 DraftKings points. Murray has always been an excellent per-minute producer, so more outings like that could be in store moving forward.

That’s particularly true with Zion Williamson still out of the lineup. He’s averaged 1.21 DraftKings points per minute for the year, and he leads the Pelicans in that department with Williamson off the court.

The Pelicans will take on the Spurs on Sunday in a matchup that could be very friendly. They’re not the same defensive team without Victor Wembanyama, and he’s missed the past two games for San Antonio. He’s officially questionable for Sunday’s matchup, so make sure to monitor that situation heading into lineup lock.

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Value

The Grizzlies stand out as the top team target Sunday. They’re taking on the Wizards in a game with a 240.5-point total. Memphis is also favored by 11.5 points, so they’re expected to do the majority of the scoring. Their 126 implied team total is the top mark on the slate by a comfortable margin.

Marcus Smart stands out as an excellent value in that matchup. He’s priced at just $4,400 on DraftKings, but he’s been producing at an elite level of late. He’s averaged 1.18 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, and he has at least 27.25 DraftKings points in four of his past six outings. He doesn’t play quite as many minutes as you’d hope, but that’s not a huge concern at his current price tag.

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Fast Break

Mike Conley continues to stand out as underpriced on DraftKings. He’s priced at just $4,900 for Sunday’s marquee matchup vs. the Warriors, and he’s historically averaged a +1.90 Plus/Minus with a comparable salary (per the Trends tool). He’s projected for 28 minutes vs. the Warriors, and he’s averaged 0.91 DraftKings points per minute for the year.

Chris Paul isn’t the same player that he was in his prime, but he’s still capable of putting up numbers every now and again. That’s been particularly true with Wembanyama out of the lineup recently. He’s scored 43.0 and 33.5 DraftKings points in his past two outings, and he’s averaged 1.20 DraftKings points per minute with Wembanyama off the floor. He’d have plenty of appeal if Wemby is out of the lineup again.

Don’t forget to check out our NBA SimLabs Lineup Generator to create advanced DFS lineups using the power of simulation:

NBA DFS Shooting Guard Picks

Stud

Jordan Poole and the Wizards snapped their 16-game losing streak Saturday by knocking off the Nuggets. Nikola Jokic put up 56 points, but the Wizards took the star big man’s best punch and ultimately delivered a knockout of their own.

Poole was the big reason why. He racked up 39 points, eight assists, and five rebounds, and he knocked down nine 3-pointers. He ultimately finished with 58.75 DraftKings points, his second outing with more than 50 in his past four games.

Can the Wizards pull off another upset Sunday? That seems unlikely, but Poole can at least provide another strong outing for DFS players. The Grizzlies have played at the second-fastest pace this season, so Washington should have more scoring opportunities than usual. They could also be without Kyle Kuzma for the fifth-straight game — we’re still waiting on their injury report — and Poole has displayed significantly more upside with Kuzma out of the lineup.

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Value

Stephon Castle started his rookie season slowly, but he’s turned it on of late. He’s posted an average Plus/Minus of +3.35 over his past 10 games, and he’s scored at least 29.0 points in back-to-back outings.

Like Paul, he would see a bump if Wembanyama is out of the lineup. He’s increased his production to 0.92 DraftKings points per minute with Wemby off the court, so he’d be an outstanding choice at $5,200 in that scenario.

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Fast Break

C.J. McCollum is also back for the Pelicans. He’s not the “sexiest” DFS target, but he’s provided value at his current price tag historically. He’s averaged 36.47 DraftKings points with a comparable salary as a member of the Pelicans, and he’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in three straight games. He provides a pretty reliable floor at what is typically a weak position.

The Blazers have lots of backcourt options, which means Dalano Banton doesn’t typically play a ton of minutes. However, he makes the most out of his time on the court. He’s averaged 1.16 DraftKings points per minute for the year, and when he plays more than expected, he has an excellent ceiling. We saw that in his last contest, finishing with 30.75 DraftKings points in 26.8 minutes. His $4,500 salary comes with an 80% Bargain Rating, and he shouldn’t garner much ownership on this slate.

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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks

Stud

Desmond Bane has not been at his best recently. His production is down to 1.03 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, which has caused his salary to dip to $6,700. He was priced as high as $7,400 last week, so that’s a pretty significant drop.

It makes Bane an intriguing buy-low target in the best matchup of the day. Bane has still averaged 1.13 DraftKings points per minute for the year, and he still has the ability to pile up fantasy points; he had 40.0 DraftKings points vs. the Kings two games ago.

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Value

Justin Champagnie has spent most of the year in the G League, but he’s spent some time in the big leagues of late. He moved into the Wizards starting lineup Saturday in place of the injured Alex Sarr, and he responded with the best game of his career. He racked up 23 points and eight rebounds, and he finished with 42.5 DraftKings points in just under 37 minutes.

If Sarr is out of the lineup once again and Champagnie remains in the starting lineup, there’s no reason not to go right back to the well. He’s dirt cheap at $3,500 and projected for 29 minutes in our NBA Models, and players with comparable salaries and minute projections have historically averaged a Plus/Minus of +4.29.

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Fast Break

The Lakers are another nice source of value Sunday. They’re expected to be without Austin Reaves, while LeBron James is also listed as questionable. Max Christie should see a boost in playing time sans Reaves, and he’s currently projected for 26 minutes at just $3,300. He hasn’t been a very good per-minute producer for the year, but it’s impossible to ignore that much playing time at a near-minimum salary. The Blazers are also a fantastic matchup, giving Christie an Opponent Plus/Minus of +4.05.

Keldon Johnson has posted a usage rate of at least 30.7% in back-to-back games, so he’s another potential target for the Spurs on Sunday. He’s unsurprisingly returned positive value in both outings, and he’s displayed a ceiling of more than 35 DraftKings points.

NBA DFS Power Forward Picks

Stud

Father Time may be undefeated, but LeBron is giving him one hell of a run for his money. He’s in his 22nd season and has played more grueling minutes than any player in history, but he continues to get the job done at a high level. He’s not quite the same dominant force that he was in his prime, but he’s still averaged 1.41 DraftKings points per minute for the year.

James is coming off a monster performance in his last contest. He racked up a triple-double with 39 points, resulting in a season-high 83.5 DraftKings points. Cracking the 80-point threshold is not easy, and James is one of just five players to do it so far this season.

I wouldn’t expect another 83.5 DraftKings points Sunday, but he does draw a phenomenal matchup. He’s also increased his usage rate by +2.68% and his assist rate by +3.21% with Reaves off the floor, giving him more upside than usual. On a slate with limited star power and plenty of value, paying up for James is very reasonable; he has the third-highest ceiling projection on the slate.

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Value

Jonathan Kuminga moved into the Warriors’ starting lineup recently, sending Draymond Green to the bench. It remains to be seen if that will help a slumping squad that has won just one of its past seven games, but it gives Kuminga a big bump in fantasy appeal. He’s averaged 1.09 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, and he should see more playing time as a starter than as a reserve. He’s projected for 28 minutes on Sunday’s slate, and he’s scored at least 31.5 DraftKings points in three of his past four outings with at least 28 minutes.

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Fast Break

Rui Hachimura stands out as another strong value option for the Lakers. His $5,000 salary comes with an 88% Bargain Rating, and he owns a +4.16 Opponent Plus/Minus vs. the Blazers. He’s projected for 34 minutes in our NBA Models, which should give him a good chance at paying off his current price tag.

Santi Aldama has developed into a per-minute beast for the Grizzlies of late. He’s averaged 1.22 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, so he’s capable of racking up fantasy points quickly. He’s scored at least 32.5 DraftKings points in four of his past five games, so he’s definitely in play in an elite matchup.

NBA DFS Center Picks

Stud

LeBron may be the GOAT, but Anthony Davis has been their best player this season. He’s averaging 27.4 points per game this season, which is his best mark since joining the Lakers. It represents an increase of more than 2.5 points when compared to last season, and he’s added his typical 11.2 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game.

Add it all up, and Davis has averaged 1.50 DraftKings points per minute for the year. Only Wembanyama has been better among Sunday’s options, and he’s not even a lock to play. His 11 Pro Trends are tied for the top mark on the slate, so he’s another prime pay-up option. Paring him with James is also doable, with both players owning a positive correlation with each other.

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Value

Jay Huff doesn’t play much for the Grizzlies; he’s projected for just 17 minutes on Sunday, but he doesn’t need much playing time to be a force. He’s averaged 1.15 DraftKings points per minute for the year, and he’s priced at just $3,200 Sunday vs. the Wizards. He’s scored at least 22.0 DraftKings points in back-to-back games, and he leads the position in projected Plus/Minus.

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Fast Break

If Wembanyama returns to the lineup, he’s a very intriguing tournament option. He would likely carry less ownership than usual, even though his $10,300 salary comes with a 90% Bargain Rating. He’s been dominant over the past month, averaging 1.77 DraftKings points per minute, and he’s gone for at least 71.5 DraftKings points in three of his past eight outings. That gives him arguably the top ceiling on the slate.

Alperen Sengun has a poor matchup on Sunday, but at his best, he’s one of the top centers in fantasy. He’s actually been slightly better than Davis on a per-minute basis over the past month, and he comes at a $1,500 discount. He’s another interesting pivot for tournaments.