We’ve got another three-game slate on the docket tonight, but we might get to see a piece of history with Steph potentially breaking the 3PM record. Can’t wait! These can be the most fun to play as tournaments may not fill up, and there are less relevant players in your player pool, so you might be able to pull down a win! Because the tournaments are bigger on Draftkings, I’ll focus on those prices, so be mindful if you’re using Fanduel, Yahoo, or any other competitor, that varying prices will also change the attractiveness of each play.
Playing NBA DFS can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also make your head spin. It’s our job to make sure you’re winning as much as possible! There are countless variables that can lead to a player’s individual performance, but I’ve found it’s best to focus on just a few that can lead to better predictability.
My favorite factors to track for NBA DFS targets: Matchups (Offensive/Defensive Ratings), Opportunity (expected player minutes, game pace), and Recent Form.
This is the AM VERSION of a living article that will be updated throughout the day, as news comes through the wire.
LET’S GET INTO THE SLATE!!!!
If you also play season-long fantasy as well as doing the daily dance, make sure to check out the Fantrax Fantasy Basketball Commissioner. Its features blow every other option out of the water!
NBA DFS Targets and Preview for December 14
Raptors (13-14) vs. Nets (19-8)
Offensive Rating: 16th vs. 12th in the league
Defensive Rating: 17th vs. 6th in the league
Net Rating: 18th vs. 6th in the league
Pace: 30th vs. 9th in the league
Predicted Outcome: The Nets seem to be hitting on all cylinders at the moment, and the Raptors are just now seeming to find their footing. I expect KD and Harden to overpower the Raptors’ 17th ranked defense, and even if they had an off night, the Raptors are last in the league in pace. That’s not a recipe for beating a high-powered offense. I expect the Nets to take this one.
DFS Targets: The Raptors play with a slow pace so I’ll only be targeting the bigs in this one for Toronto. That includes Pascal Siakam at $8300 and Scottie Barnes at $7400 (I know Scottie isn’t really a big, but he thrives in Toronto’s play style). Chris Boucher is interesting for value at $4800. That goes for Watanabe as well ($3600). KD and Harden are the no-brainers for Brooklyn ($11600 and $11200).
Warriors (22-5) vs. Knicks (12-15)
Offensive Rating: 4th vs. 17th in the league
Defensive Rating: 1st vs. 24th in the league
Net Rating: 1st vs. 22nd in the league
Pace: 7th vs. 24th in the league
Predicted Outcome: Steph is only seven threes away from the all-time record, and since he’s not going to be sitting tonight, I expect him to break that record. Or at least he’ll be trying very hard to do so. That’s tonight’s story. This game could go two ways…either Steph breaks the record and the Warriors win easily, or Steph struggles/presses and the Warriors don’t play with the fluidity they’ve played with all year, and lose to a struggling, but playoff-worthy, Knicks squad. I’m expecting the former, but it’s important to note that this is the second leg of a back-to-back for the Dubs.
DFS Targets: Steph is expensive at $11500. I’ll probably be underweight on him, but it’s Steph. Don’t overthink it. Wiggins and Poole are the only other Warriors I’d consider ($6200 and $5800). The Knicks are going up against the best defense in the league, so I’ll stick with their best player in Julius Rnadle ($9200).
Suns (21-5) vs. Trail Blazers (11-16)
Offensive Rating: 8th vs. 9th in the league
Defensive Rating: 2nd vs. 29th in the league
Net Rating: 3rd vs. 25th in the league
Pace: 4th vs. 17th in the league
Predicted Outcome: The Blazers are going through it. Their GM has been fired. Dame is nursing an injury and fighting leaks/rumors. CJ McCollum has a collapsed lung (I don’t even know what that is, but I know it’s not ideal/fun). On top of all of that, they have to play the 21-5 Suns with the 2nd best defense in the league. I don’t expect this to be close. Suns should win this one, even without Booker and Ayton.
DFS Targets: CP3 at $8400 is a lock for me. Dame will get all the usage rate he can handle at $9700, which is enough for me to overcome the disadvantage of facing a top defense. Cam Payne is also attractive with the Suns pace and his minutes rising. $4400 is too cheap. If Ayton doesn’t play, McGee is a lock.
Don’t forget to check back later in the day as Bradlee will be updating his NBA DFS preview with all the info you need to turn tonight’s slate into a resounding success!
For help in getting ready for your season-long leagues, check out Bradford Nickerson’s Weekly Schedule Preview. and Mike Omelan’s Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire.
Fantrax was one of the fastest-growing fantasy sites of 2020, and we’re not stopping now. With multi-team trades, designated commissioner/league managers, and drag/drop easy click methods, Fantrax is sure to excite the serious fantasy sports fan – sign up now for a free year at Fantrax.com.