Written By: Ryan Humphries on Twitter/X & LineStar chat @Ryan_Humphries

DFS Main Slate Rundown 📰

A huge 11-game Tuesday slate is on tap tonight. There are 14 games on the full NBA schedule, but both DraftKings and FanDuel will be excluding the three West Coast contests that tip off in the 10:00pm ET window. As a reminder, every team will be off tomorrow for Christmas Eve, followed by the traditional five-game Christmas Day slate.

As you’d expect with a slate of this size, there are plenty of moving parts, and the injury report is absolutely loaded with impact players listed as either out or questionable. The overall game environments look solid across the board, with only one matchup (BKN at PHI) carrying a double-digit spread. We also get a trio of games with 240+ point totals, highlighted by an absurd 254.5 over/under in Bulls–Hawks.

This one’s going to be a grind, so let’s dig our heels in and get to work. Best of luck tonight.

Main Slate Match-Ups w/ Game Totals & Point Spreads

Today’s Key Injuries 🚑

^{Note: NBA injury reports can be fickle and often update throughout the day. Be sure to stay up-to-date on all injury news leading up to tip-off as the list below may be a bit outdated by the time you’re reading this.}

^{Additional Note: Players who have yet to play this season will be excluded from the injury report, unless they have either a probable, questionable, or doubtful injury designation, with some amount of chance to make their season debut. Injured players who have been out for an extended period of time and/or are not expected to play for a month-plus will also be excluded.}

• Wizards: C. Whitmore – OUT

• Hornets: C. Sexton – Probable, R. Kalkbrenner – Questionable, J. Green – Probable, M. Plumlee – OUT

• Nets: C. Thomas – OUT, T. Mann – Probable, D. Powell – OUT, B. Saraf – Questionable

• 76ers: J. Embiid – Probable, Q. Grimes – Questionable, VJ Edgecombe – Questionable, K. Oubre Jr. – OUT, D. Barlow – Questionable, T. Watford – OUT

• Bulls: None

• Hawks: D. Daniels – OUT, K. Porzingis – OUT, M. Gueye – Questionable

• Pelicans: J. Poole – Questionable, H. Jones – OUT

• Cavs: E. Mobley – OUT, D. Garland – Questionable, L. Ball – OUT, L. Nance Jr. – OUT

• Bucks: G. Antetokounmpo – OUT

• Pacers: A. Nesmith – OUT, TJ McConnell – Questionable, I. Jackson – OUT, B. Sheppard – OUT

• Raptors: RJ Barrett – OUT, J. Poeltl – OUT

• Heat: T. Herro – OUT, P. Larsson – OUT, N. Jovic – OUT

• Nuggets: A. Gordon – OUT, C. Braun – OUT, P. Watson – Probable, J. Valanciunas – Probable

• Mavs: PJ Washington – Questionable, B. Williams – Questionable, M. Christie – DOUBTFUL, K. Thompson – DOUBTFUL, D. Powell – Questionable

• Knicks: J. Brunson – OUT, OG Anunoby – OUT, M. McBride – OUT, L. Shamet – OUT, G. Yabusele – OUT

• Timberwolves: J. McDaniels – OUT

• Thunder: A. Mitchell – OUT, A. Wiggins – Questionable, Jay. Williams – OUT, O. Dieng – OUT

• Spurs: V. Wembanyama – Questionable

• Grizzlies: J. Morant – OUT, Z. Edey – OUT, C. Coward – Questionable, V. Williams Jr. – OUT, B. Clarke – OUT, J. Konchar – OUT, J. Small - Questionable

• Jazz: L. Markkanen – OUT, J. Nurkic - OUT

• Lakers: L. Doncic – OUT, R. Hachimura – OUT, G. Vincent – OUT

• Suns: J. Green – OUT, G. Allen – OUT

Top DraftKings & FanDuel DFS Plays

Note: NBA position designations are never going to perfectly align between the major DFS sites. For the purposes of these newsletters, positional designations will default to DraftKings.

Point Guards/Shooting Guards to Consider 🏀

PG Josh Giddey, CHI | DK: $9.1k, FD: $9.5k | at ATL

Josh Giddey once again finds himself in an elite game environment as Chicago (2^nd in pace) and Atlanta (5^th in pace) run it back in what should be another fast-paced shootout. These two teams just combined for a season-high 302 points on Sunday, and Giddey nearly posted a triple-double (19/9/12) in that game while finishing with 54.2 DKFP. Tonight’s rematch carries a mammoth 254.5 total, and while a repeat of that scoring level from Sunday’s matchup is unlikely, the pace and volume remain extremely favorable. Giddey has averaged 50.5 DKFP across two meetings with Atlanta this season and continues to operate as Chicago’s primary playmaker, leading the team at 1.48 FPPM behind a 25.5% usage rate and massive 39.0% assist rate. Atlanta has also struggled against the position, allowing the second-most fantasy points per game to starting point guards over their last 20 contests. At these price points, Giddey brings one of the strongest ceilings among guards on the slate.

PG Keyonte George, UTA | DK: $8.3k, FD: $8.8k | vs. MEM

Keyonte George has been on a strong run, clearing 41 DKFP in five straight games while seeing his per-minute production climb during that stretch. Over this five-game heater, he’s produced 1.38 FPPM, up from his 1.21 FPPM season-long mark, while continuing to lead Utah with a 27.8% usage rate. He opened this run against Memphis on Dec. 12th, torching the Grizzlies for a 39-point, six-rebound, eight-assist line and 63.5 DKFP in 34 minutes. Memphis is on the second leg of a back-to-back and is still without Zach Edey, which has contributed to defensive slippage in the paint and overall efficiency. They’ve also struggled against the position recently, ranking 24th in DvP versus starting point guards over their last 10 games. His DFS price points continue to climb, but George’s current role and form make him a strong target in a spot that sets up well for another high-end outcome.

PG Tyler Kolek, NYK | DK: $3.8k, FD: $4.1k | at MIN

Tyler Kolek is in line to start at point guard with Jalen Brunson, OG Anunoby, and Miles McBride all sidelined, opening up a clear path to extended run. With those three off the floor this season, Kolek has produced 1.06 FPPM while carrying a 25.2% usage rate and a hefty 33.3% assist rate, which is exactly what you want from a near-minimum guard stepping into a starting role. He’s projected for roughly 30 minutes tonight, putting him firmly on the value radar despite a tougher defensive matchup on paper. While Minnesota ranks sixth in defensive rating overall, they’ve been far more attackable versus point guards, allowing the eighth-most fantasy points per game to the position over their last 20 contests. Kolek has already flashed upside when given at least 20 minutes to work with, posting 28.2 DKFP against San Antonio and a career-high 45.5 DKFP versus Indiana. At these price points, he’s going to be immensely popular on this slate, but he also has realistic 10x upside, which is the type of point-per-dollar potential that cannot be ignored.

Other Guards to Consider

PG Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC at SAS

SG Donovan Mitchell, CLE vs. NOP (Boost if Garland is out)

PG/SG Devin Booker, PHX vs. LAL

PG Kevin Porter Jr., MIL at IND

PG LaMelo Ball, CHA vs. WAS

SG Brandon Ingram, TOR vs. MIA

SG Josh Hart, NYK at MIN

SG Kon Knueppel, CHA vs. WAS

PG/SG Cam Spencer, MEM at UTA (Boost if Coward is out)

PG/SG Collin Gillespie, PHX vs. LAL

PG Bub Carrington, WAS at CHA

PG/SG Marcus Smart, LAL at PHX

PG Isaiah Collier, UTA vs. MEM

PG Ryan Nembhard, DAL vs. DEN (Preferred if B. Williams is out)

PG/SG Tre Johnson, WAS at CHA

PG Craig Porter Jr., CLE vs. NOP (Only if Garland is out)

Small Forwards/Power Forwards to Consider 🏀

PF Jalen Johnson, ATL | DK: $9.7k, FD: $10.8k | vs. CHI

Jalen Johnson just torched Chicago for 64.8 DKFP in 36 minutes, and he gets the Bulls again in the highest-total game on the slate (254.5). As we’ve already discussed, the pace and game environment in this matchup are elite, and Chicago ranks second in pace and sits 24th in defensive rating. Johnson has been on a tear overall, topping 60 DKFP in six of his last 10 starts (70+ DKFP in five of those games) and he leads Atlanta at 1.53 FPPM behind a career-high 26.9% usage rate this season. Trae Young’s recent return has shifted some ball-handling duties away from Johnson, but the tradeoff has been more scoring responsibility -- Johnson has put up 36 and 43 real points in the two recent games that Young has played, with usage rates of 29.6% and 34.7%, respectfully. And, it’s not like Johnson’s facilitating numbers have completely disappeared, as he’s contributed nine assists in each of those two games played with Young, so the triple-double upside remains intact.

PF/C Sandro Mamukelashvili, TOR | DK: $5.5k, FD: $4.9k | at MIA

Sandro Mamukelashvili is center-only on FanDuel but carries PF/C eligibility on DraftKings, so he’ll fit into the forward pool here. With Jakob Poeltl sidelined, Mamu should pick up another spot start at the five. He’s been productive in expanded minutes, posting 35.8, 32.8, and 39.0 DKFP in his last three starts while logging at least 30 minutes in each. On the season, he’s produced a respectable 1.04 FPPM, and Toronto draws the largest pace boost on the slate, -- the Raptors check in at 24th in pace while the Heat remain 1st in pace. The added possessions should translate into more rebounding, scoring, and shot-blocking opportunities, and the Heat have ranked 26th in DvP versus starting centers over their last 20 games.

SF Zaccharie Risacher, ATL | DK: $4k, FD: $4.6k | vs. CHI

Risacher hasn’t fully lived up to his 2024 No. 1 overall pick billing yet, but he’s been a serviceable rotation piece and offers an affordable way to add exposure to this Atlanta–Chicago shootout. He isn’t a high-usage player and doesn’t pile up peripherals, but his minutes should be secure with the Hawks down multiple starters, as Dyson Daniels and Kristaps Porzingis are both out. With those two off the floor this season, Risacher’s usage rate climbs to 22.2%, up from his usual 18.8%. Any player logging 25–30 minutes in this game environment has a chance to produce, and if Risacher’s shot is falling, a 30+ DKFP outcome is well within reach.

Other Forwards to Consider

PF/C Anthony Davis, DAL vs. DEN

PF/C Karl-Anthony Towns, NYK at MIN

SF Mikal Bridges, NYK at MIN

PF/C Kyle Filipowski, UTA vs. MEM

PF Matas Buzelis, CHI at ATL

PF Noah Clowney, BKN at PHI

SF/PF Jake LaRavia, LAL at PHX (Assuming he starts again)

SF/SG Alex Caruso, OKC at SAS

SF/SG Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, MEM at UTA

SF/SG Kevin Huerter, CHI at ATL

SF/SF Vit Krejci, ATL vs. CHI

PF/C Collin Murray-Boyles, TOR at MIA

Centers to Consider 🏀

C Kel’el Ware, MIA | DK: $5.9k, FD: $7.1k | vs. TOR

Miami has leaned into a bigger look with Tyler Herro sidelined, starting Kel’el Ware in each of the last three games, and the results have been eye-opening. Ware has posted 48.5, 51.0, and 57.25 DKFP in those starts while averaging 30.7 minutes/gm. He’s also been extremely efficient in this stretch, shooting 71.7% from the field and 75% from three, and has knocked down at least five triples in back-to-back games. That combination of minutes, efficiency, rebounding, and perimeter involvement gives him a ceiling well beyond what his current DFS price points might suggest. Toronto grades out as a solid defense overall (9th in DEFRTG), but they’ve been more middle-of-the-pack against centers (16th in DvP) and Ware’s current usage and shot quality keep him firmly in play if he remains in the starting lineup. He’s a much stronger value on DraftKings, but even at FanDuel’s higher price tag, Ware has still been returning elite value during this run.

C Zach Collins, CHI | DK: $3.4k, FD: $3.9k | at ATL

Collins represents another cheap piece to consider in the CHI/ATL game. He’s not going to play big minutes (17.0 projected mins), but he’s been averaging an excellent 1.18 FPPM over his last five games and has scored at least 19.8 DKFP in four games during that stretch. We’d need 20.4 DKFP and 23.4 FDFP for 6x value, which is very attainable even in Collins’ limited role. The Hawks have also ranked 28th versus reserve centers over their last 10 games, allowing 1.22 FPPM to the position over that time.

Other Centers to Consider

C Nikola Jokic, DEN at DAL

C Onyeka Okongwu, ATL vs. CHI

C Nic Claxton, BKN at PHI

C Nikola Vucevic, CHI at ATL

C Mitchell Robinson, NYK at MIN

C Moussa Diabate, CHA vs. WAS (Preferred if Kalkbrenner is out again)

C Day’Ron Sharpe, BKN at PHI

C Jonas Valanciunas, DEN at DAL

🔥 Props AI 🔥

In LineStar’s ongoing mission to improve, innovate, and help you reel in some cash, we have rolled out Props AI for NBA – available for LineStar Premium users! This tool can help you find value and mispriced odds on player props from sportsbooks and, more specifically, for PrizePicks, UnderDog Fantasy, and other prop apps/sites!

That will wrap us up with today’s “Daily Dribble” edition! Once again, you can find me on Twitter/X or in LineStar chat @Ryan_Humphries. Good luck everyone!