It's the first LineStar Daily Dribble of December and we've got a Goldilocks docket that is “just right” tonight. The 7 game slate is not too big where value gets lost but it's not a minuscule three game docket where you have to try to justify value out of Cameron Payne. This is Carl Taylor (@dailydogsports) digging a little deeper into the app today like a Chilean miner. It's national 'roof over your head day' but with a big night, we'll make sure that roof is a vaulted ceiling on our own personal Sistine Chapel.

Games that Stand Out at First Glance

10 days ago, the Cleveland Cavaliers upset the Philadelphia 76ers (+13) and Houston Rockets (+6) in back-to-back games. Could the Cavs actually be a good bet tonight getting +6 at the Brooklyn Nets? Cleveland players could be strong DFS options too, as the Nets rank 24th or worse vs. every position on the floor in FPPG allowed.

Russell Westbrook is the 2nd highest priced DFS player tonight as the Oklahoma City Thunder face the Detroit Pistons. Russ went for 31 points, 11 rebounds, and 13 assists (71.25 FP) when these teams met up last January but the Pistons ride a 5-game win streak into tonight's game and are still +1 home dogs.

The Houston Rockets have put together a nice weekend, winning games vs. the San Antonio Spurs and Chicago Bulls by a combined 47 points. They could be a bit fatigued though, playing their 3rd-game-in-4-nights Monday at the Minnesota Timberwolves who are +2 home underdogs. The Timberwolves are in the top half of the league in DFS points allowed to backcourt players, so could it be a down night for James Harden? PS, a down night for Harden is like 29 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists.

There are close expectations when the Los Angeles Clippers are just +2 point underdogs on the road at the New Orleans Pelicans, who are 9-2 at home this season. The Toronto Raptors (+6.5) host a Denver Nuggets team with 2 days rest and a 5 game win streak in a sneaky good game. The Nuggets are my 'dog of the day' so keep an eye on Denver players for DFS tonight. Here are some more daily fantasy picks:

Guards

John Wall (DK: $9,300 FD: $9,500 Y! $39)

There's a lot of value at F and even C on tonight's slate, so if you're going to spend at G, the best spot to do it is with John Wall. The Wizards are playing the Knicks on Monday and New York has allowed 43+ FP to 3 of the last 5 PG's they've faced. Wall is coming off a 30 point, 9 assist, 5 rebound game against Brooklyn on Saturday and had 26 points and 7 assists vs. New York on November 4th. The Knicks are the 6th best on defense in limiting opposing SG fantasy points the past 5 days, so that should limit Bradley Beal's production tonight – opening up a big evening for Wall in the backcourt. Wall hasn't scored more than 17 points in his last three road games, but great players get up a bit when they're at Madison Square Garden as Washington is tonight.

Collin Sexton (DK: $5,200 FD: $5,500 Y! $19)

Collin Sexton's production has a chance to take a bit of a hit as George Hill is back in the lineup for the 2nd straight game after being out since the beginning of November with a shoulder injury. That being said, Sexton is still a value play tonight for a couple reasons. First off, Hill played just 18 minutes on Saturday and should continue to ease into the lineup, playing his 2nd game in three nights. Sexton is also worth a play because the Cavs are up against Brooklyn who is 27th in FPPG allowed to opposing PG. In the last two games the Nets have allowed 61.25 FP to Mike Conley and 52.25 FP to John Wall. Sexton has 21, 23, and 29 point games in his last 6 contests and he should see his assist numbers rise tonight as Tristan Thompson is up against the Nets front court which is 30th in points allowed to centers.

Derrick Rose (DK: $6,200 FD: $6,100 Y!: $22)

The Rockets are in a trap situation as +2 road favorites in Minneapolis, where the T'Wolves are 9-4 on the season. Houston is playing their 3rd game in 4 nights which has to lend itself to a big game for somebody on Minnesota. With Karl-Anthony Towns banging with Clint Capela down low, you have to like Derrick Rose's chances as that player to step up. Rose had 26 points in 29 minutes as the Wolves dropped a 109-118 contest to Boston on Saturday. The former MVP has gone for 20+ in 4 of the last 6 as well. Houston has an improved defense, but they're also a) fatigued and b) have allowed 128+ in two of the last four. One position the Rockets do struggle to defend is also SG, where they are 25th in FP allowed. The Rockets are also 24th the past 5 days vs. PG reserves, so Rose should have a big night all around in the Minnesota back court.

Forwards

Paul Millsap (DK: $6,300 FD: $7,200 Y: $28)

Not everybody likes Paul Millsap in this spot vs. the Raptors, as Toronto is a solid 15th in the league in FP allowed to opposing PF's and has allowed the 3rd fewest points to PF over the past 5 games. That being said, Otto Porter, Jr. put up 34.25 FP vs. Toronto 10 days ago and Millsap has just as good a chance as anybody to have a big night. That's mainly true because the Denver PF is well rested and his production is 41.19 FPPG on 2+ days rest (+48.38%). Millsap has posted back-to-back 20+, 10+ rebound nights and if the Nuggets are indeed going to pull off an upset up North (or at least keep it close) then expect a big night from the Denver front court.

Tim Hardaway, Jr. (DK: $6,900 FD: $7,300 Y! $27)

Another player people aren't crazy high on tonight with a low 9.6% ownership is Tim Hardaway, Jr. Yes, fatigue may be a factor, as he logged 47 minutes in the Knicks 136-134 upset win over the Bucks on Saturday. Then again, the Knicks will be playing just their 2nd game in 5 nights so Hardaway should see plenty of usage again Monday. Trey Burke played just 0:58 vs. Milwaukee before leaving with a knee injury (O-Monday) and we see how much Hardaway's court time increased (the real player to watch on that injury front is Lance Thomas who goes up 24.74 FP with Burke out). If Hardaway gets more backcourt minutes tonight, it's favorable as the Wizards are 27th in FPPG given up to SG starters over the last 5 days. Jrue Holiday and Eric Gordon have put up 45+ fantasy point nights vs. Washington over the past week – plus.

Julius Randle (DK: $6,700 FD: $7,100 Y! $29)

Monday night is Julius Randle's time to shine as the Pelicans are playing in consecutive games after a win over Charlotte on Sunday. Anthony Davis logged 37 minutes yesterday and three other Pelicans starters were on the court for 30+. This creates a great opportunity for Randle, who should be fresh after getting just 20:41 of usage yesterday. New Orleans opponent on Monday is the Clippers, who played at Dallas on Sunday while their front court starters both logged 34+ minutes. That's a very favorable matchup for Randle who still scored 13 and grabbed 9 rebounds yesterday in his 20 minutes. LA gave up 11 rebounds to PF reserves vs. Portland a week ago and allowed 21FP to Kings backups two games ago. Prior to yesterday's contest, Randle had 7 double digit rebound nights in his last 9 games and had went for 20+ points in five of those games, so he's no stranger to production.

Centers

Nikola Jokic (DK: $8,200 FD: $8,500 Y!: $39)

Nikola Jokic is pricey tonight but not comparatively, as he's the 6th highest priced C on the board at DK. That being said, with Anthony Davis being fatigued, Andre Drummond up against OKC's #1 FPPG defense vs. C the past 5 days, and Karl-Anthony Towns and Clint Capela battling each other, it could be Jokic who has the best production today. The Raptors rank 6th vs. opposing C the past 5 days but Serge Ibaka was lit up for 18 points and 19 rebounds (49.75 FP) by Tristan Thompson of the Cavs the last time out. Jokic hasn't matched up up with the Raptors since last March, but he had 29 points and 16 rebounds (68.5 FP) in that contest. Denver is well rested, and Jokic's numbers jump to 50.5 FP (+20.93%) on 2+ days rest. You just gotta love the big man in this spot tonight.

Steven Adams (DK: $6,400 FD: $7,300 Y! $28)

You need binoculars to find Steven Adams' ownership tonight as it's at a measly 5.1% early. On paper, the matchup vs. Andre Drummond doesn't sound ideal for Adams but the Pistons big man has been exploited recently. Two games ago, Chicago rookie Wendell Carter Jr. went for 28 points and 7 rebounds vs. the Pistons front court, good for 43.2P FP which is 23 above his average. On November 25th, Deandre Ayton scored 50.25 FP vs. Detroit, which is 15 higher than his average and that was preceded by a 66.75 FP night from Clint Capela (41.85 avg). Adams' scoring is down a bit with just 6 points in each of the last two games, but he put up double figures in each of the 8 games prior. With 6 double digit rebound games in his last 10, there's some good potential for Adams to overachieve vs. the Pistons on Monday.

Tristan Thompson (DK: $6,500 FD: $6,700 Y!: $23)

The various DFS sites are giving us Tristan Thompson today so the common sentiment is that we might as well take him. It's similar to when a sportsbook sets Golden State as underdogs in any contest you just say, “eh, worth a shot” and bet on the Warriors. Thompson is going to be in a ton of lineups today for a number of reasons, including that he was in the perfect lineup on December 1st with an 18 point, 19 rebound night. The Cavs are also playing the Nets tonight – a Brooklyn team that is dead last in the NBA in opposing C points allowed. The Nets have allowed three 50 FP games to C in their past four contests – the only non 50-burger being vs. Thomas Bryant of Washington who barely played 20 minutes. Brooklyn has allowed 4 C's in perfect lineups over the past month and Tristan Thompson just has incredible value tonight, lurking around the 12th highest priced center.

It's Ozzy Osbourne's birthday today so hopefully today's newsletter will give you no more tears. I really like Denver as the 'dog of the day' (@dailydogsports) and I'll give you more reasons why via Twitter this afternoon. Otherwise, there's 5 games on the slate for tomorrow – a little lighter menu but plenty of opportunities to eat regardless.

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