- LineStarยฎ Daily Dribble
- Posts
- Top NBA Plays 12/19 | The Superstars Align
Top NBA Plays 12/19 | The Superstars Align
4 games on tap for tonight, which isn't too bad considering some Thursday nights in the NBA are limited to just 2 tilts and some really slim DFS pickings. It's a superstar laden night with Harden, LeBron, Giannis, and Kawhi and Korver all in action but let's see if we can't dig up some tier 2 players that will step up and deliver here.
Tonight's DFS Headlines
Jazz @ Hawks
Atlanta is not-so-slowly creeping into one of those defenses like Washington that you just target regardless of the matchup. The Hawks just gave up 143 points to the Knicks on Tuesday as NY shot 55% from the field. The Jazz offense had two players (Mitchell, Bogdanovic) go for 30+ on Tuesday and two more (Gobert, Ingles) post a double-double - and that was against a good Orlando defense.
Lakers @ Bucks
A combined 48-8 record gets together in Milwaukee tonight with both the Bucks and Lakers coming off a rare loss. The big question in this matchup is whether Anthony Davis ($10.1k) plays in this one after sitting last game with an ankle injury. It's also a meeting of the top two teams in defensive efficiency but with a betting total of 225.
Nets @ Spurs
This would seem like a high scoring game on paper, but the Spurs held the Rockets to 109 points in Houston on Monday. San Antonio's recent points allowed totals are a little skewed after playing in 4 straight OT games before the loss to Houston. The Nets slowed things down on Tuesday, and managed just a 108-101 win over the Pelicans' 4th worst defense - and that was with an OT period.
Rockets @ Clippers
Which Rockets defense shows up tonight? The one that allowed 72 1st half points to the Spurs on Monday - or the one that went into lockdown and gave up just 17 and 18 points in the final two quarters? LAC has given up an average of 42 points to Harden over the team's first two meetings this season.
Guards
Spencer Dinwiddie DK $7.9k | FD $8k
Spencer Dinwiddie is a Mr. Consistent for cash games tonight. He's had between 38-45 fp in 8 of the last 10 games reaching outside that for a 61 point ceiling vs. Boston at the end of December and a 35 point floor two games ago against Philly's top 6 defense. Dinwiddie has at least 18 fg attempts in 7 of the last 10 games. The Spurs have also allowed 50+ point DFS nights to Russell Westbrook (2) and Ricky Rubio over their last 5 games.
Lou Williams DK $5.9k | FD $5.5k
The bait is set on Lou Williams at under $6k but on a smaller slate how do you not take it? The Sweet One is fighting back from a calf injury that cost him two games, but he looked comfortable Tuesday vs. Portland, hitting 5 of 7 three pointers and dishing out 8 assists en route to a 34 fp night. Williams has averaged 23/5/6 in two games vs. Houston this season. Is it a trap? d-Con tastes lovely this time of year anyway.
Donovan Mitchell DK $8k | FD $8.6k
He's really only hit about 5X lately at this price, but you've got to take your chances on Donovan Mitchell when up against the Hawks. There can't be that big of a difference between Atlanta's defense at home and on the road...can there be? In their last three road games, the Hawks have allowed 135, 136, and 143 points to the Heat, Bulls, and Lakers. Atlanta has held L.A. to 101 and the Pacers to 110 in their last two home games. Either way, Mitchell has hoisted 19+ shots in 5 of the last 6 and has gone for 26+ real points in four straight. Trae Young (calf) being a game-time decision might actually hurt Mitchell in this one.
๐๐ Other Likes / Dislikes ๐๐
Both James Harden ($12.4k) and Russ Westbrook ($9.3k) played their high school ball less than 45 minutes from L.A. and feel at home in the Staples Center spotlight. Dejounte Murray ($5.7k) usually gets into egg lay mode when everybody loves him, and he's coming off a 40 and 31 fp night the last two FYI.
Forwards
Bojan Bogdanovic DK $6.7k | FD $6.6k
It never hurts to charge after the Atlanta defense like Cousin Eddie heading to the egg nog, especially in the post where Julius Randle and Mitchell Robinson of the Knicks combined for 39 points and 24 rebounds on Tuesday night. Bojan Bogdanovic is in a great spot here after averaging a dozen three point attempts the last two games. He's gone for 30+ real points in both those games against Golden State and Orlando, although they were at home. Tonight's tilt is in Atlanta but the Hawks are just 3-10 at home on the year.
De'Andre Hunter DK $5.1k | FD $4.8k
The first thing you love about De'Andre Hunter of Atlanta tonight is his recent usage. The rookie out of Virginia has 32+ in 4 of the last 5 and has gone over 36 minutes in three of those. Another big benefit is that even with Trae Young possessing most of the launch codes for the Hawks, Hunter has 16+ fg attempts in 3 of the last 5 games. Hunter went for 33 fp vs. the Knicks last time out despite going 0-5 from three point land. Utah has been absolutely shutting down the SF position lately, but for the price, usage and 109 implied team points, Hunter deserves a spot.
Khris Middleton DK $6.3k | FD $6.4k
He's never going to 'WOW' you with that 50 fp ceiling game, but there are very few players more consistent (for the price) in cash games than Khris Middleton. That being said, this is pretty much one of the worst spots that the Bucks SF will be in this season, coming off a 4-12 shooting night against Dallas on Monday and up against the Lakers #2 defense. Even so, at least Middleton took 12 shots last game even while Antetokounmpo was en route to piling up 48 points. Eric Bledsoe is still out for Milwaukee, which ensures those opportunities will still be there and even the matchup with L.A. isn't that intimidating considering Middleton had 30/10 vs. them last March. Granted, neither Antetokounmpo nor LeBron James played in that game but those are minor details.
๐๐๐ Other Likes / Dislikes ๐๐๐
Giannis Antetokounmpo ($11.3k) is priced high per usual but still hit 7X that last game with 48/14. He scored just 16 points in his only game vs. the Lakers last season though. One of the Utah F's is going to step up tonight vs. Atlanta's D, that could also be Royce O'Neale($4.1k) or Joe Ingles ($6k).
Center
Jarrett Allen DK $6.5k | FD $6.1k
Not only has Brooklyn's Jarrett Allen posted a double-double in 9 of the last 10 games, he's also playing under 2 hours away from Round Rock, making this a ๐ Hometown Game๐ . Allen is putting up great rebounding numbers of over a dozen in 5 of the last 10 and the Spurs rank just 17th in rebounding rate. Allen hasn't taken double digit shots in any of the last four games, but he did make it to the FT line 11 times December 11th vs. Charlotte.
๐๐ Other Likes / Dislikes ๐๐
Clint Capela ($7.6k) looks to be rediscovering his rebounding prowess with 19 and 15 in the last two. Dwight Howard ($5k) shot 10-10 last game with Anthony Davis out and has a favorable matchup vs. Milwaukee and the Lopezeseses.
You can follow me, Carl Taylor (@dailydogsports), on Twitter for more daily fantasy and sports betting talk and make sure to check out the LineStar chat.
Freeroll
The NBA freeroll contests will take place on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday on DraftKings:
1st Place: Your Choice: One month LineStar premium membership, a LineStar T-Shirt or $10 via PayPal.
Bonus: If you place 1st in the LineStar Freeroll and you are using the LineStar avatar below, you can choose 2 prizes.
Please Note: While you may enter the LineStar freeroll as often as youโd like, you can only win a prize 1 time.
Winners: DM us on Twitter with a screenshot of your win to claim your prize.
๐ฅ SuperDraft Multiplier Must-Play
Today's SuperDraft multiplier must-play is Donovan Mitchell. The streaky Mitchell is on a heater right now 26+ real points in four straight and has a matchup with an Atlanta defense that gave up 143 points to the Knicks last game.
๐จ Bonus: Get 3 Free Months of LineStar Premium
Get 3-months of LineStar Premium for new users to SuperDraft who deposit/play $10!
Terms: Partnership offers do NOT renew. See SuperDraft landing page for full terms and conditions. Must be a new user to SuperDraft and deposit and play a minimum of $10 to qualify. If you have an existing LineStar Premium subscription you get a Hat/Tee/Pen combo instead of the 3-months.