Even though it's bowl season we've got daytime NBA basketball to close out the 2021 calendar year. By the time you read this the Suns @ Celtics and possibly even the Bulls @ Pacers have already tipped off. There's also an earlier Dallas at Sacramento 6:00 PM ET tip-off that is left off the main slate, leaving us 7 games to sift through on this New Year's Eve (COVID permitting).

It's been tough navigating these last few weeks with all the health and safety protocols, but there are reasons to be optimistic that 2022 is going to be getting back to normal (whatever that is anymore).

Happy New Year from the LineStar family, cheers to health, happiness, and takedowns.

Tonight's Key NBA Matchups

Heat (-4) @ Rockets , O/U 216.5 7:00 ET

Miami had Wednesday's game with the Spurs postponed because they didn't have enough players, but seem to be on track to play in Houston tonight. An extra night off isn't a bad thing as it let Jimmy Butler rest his ankle, making him probable for tonight.

Hawks @ Cavs (-1.5), O/U 217.5 7:30 ET

Ricky Rubio's season ending injury has Cleveland on the cusp of acquiring Rajon Rondo from the Lakers for Denzel Valentine. That means the Cavs must be serious about making a playoff run as they are currently 5th in the East. The Hawks have allowed 130+ their last two games (both against the Bulls) so Cleveland could be a target here.

Clippers @ Raptors (-7), O/U 210.5 7:30 ET

Toronto loses a bit of their home court advantage starting tonight with capacity being cut to 1,000 fans for the next three weeks to 'stop the spread.' Nick Nurse will trade that for getting his team healthy, as their health and safety protocols injury report is down to just two players left.

Knicks (-4.5) @ Thunder , O/U 206 8:00 ET

There's 27.7% usage opening up for the Knicks tonight as Julius Randle heads into H&S protocols. New York spreads it around when Randle isn't in the lineup, with Alec Burks getting the biggest bump but at just 3.22%.

Timberwolves @ Jazz (-12) , O/U 221.5 9:00 ET

Donovan Mitchell is expected to return from a couple game absence, but Mike Conley is resting here with Utah getting set for a showdown with Golden State tomorrow.

Trail Blazers @ Lakers (-5.5) , O/U 227 10:30 ET

The Lakers have dropped 6 of 7, Portland 10 of 12 so something has to give in this matchup. Lebron James is the highest priced player on the slate at $12k after three straight 70-burgers 🍔.

Tonight's Point Guard / Shooting Guard Notables

Alec Burks DK $7.3k FD $5.2k @OKC

• Probably pass on DK, but tremendous FD value

• Had 34 real points (5-8 three pointers) Wednesday at Detroit

• Gets best boost on the Knicks with Randle out, +11.48 fp total if Evan Fournier (ques-ankle) sits too

Tyler Herro DK $7.2k | FD $6.7k @ Houston

• 21+ shots two of last three games

• Miami gets best pace boost of the night

• Rockets have allowed 120+ points in 4 of the last 5

• Rockets have allowed 49+ to 4 of past 5 PGs

Jordan Clarkson DK $6.3k | FD $6.5k vs. Minnesota

• Take-a-look spot in his first start of the season (Mike Conley out - rest)

• Other Jazz starter minutes may be limited with Golden State game tomorrow

• 38.5 fp average last two games

• Utah scored 128 vs. Minnesota last Thursday,

RJ Barrett DK $5.6k | FD $5.5k @ Oklahoma City

• Thunder have allowed 50+ fp to four straight SGs

• Averaged 42fp in two games vs. Thunder last season

• +2.76% usage boost with Randle out,

Tonight's SF / PF Notables

Lebron James DK $12k | FD $11.2 vs. Portland

• Seems like a must play after three straight 70+ fp games and up against a Portland defense that is 26th in points allowed (111.9) and last in opponent field goal %

• 30+ real points in six straight, 9+ boards last four, 7+ assists last three games

• 55 fp floorlast five meetings with Trail Blazers

Marcus Morris DK $6.3k | FD $6.9k @Toronto

• Has hit 6X DK price four straight dating back to before protocol absence

• 38 minutes, 21 shots Wednesday against Boston

• 36+ fp in two of last three vs. Raptors

• +2.72% usage, +8.28fp without Paul George

Kelden Johnson DK $5.9k | FD $6.4k @ Memphis

• 12+ shots in six straight games

• 6X DK price in 5 of the last 6

• Made PL in 2 of 4 games vs. Memphis last season

Tonight's Center Position Notables

Rudy Gobert DK $9.5k | FD $9.1k vs. Minnesota

• Only thing to worry about is a minutes restriction with Golden State game tomorrow

• 17 rebounds in three of last five vs. Timberwolves including 8 days ago

• Minnesota just allowed 18 rebounds to C Mitchell Robinson on Tuesday

Chris Boucher DK $6.5k | FD $7.4k vs. Clippers

• Risky play with Toronto getting healthy, but has to have earned more court time after 28 points and 19 rebounds vs. Joel Embiid on Tuesday

• Solid matchup as Clippers have allowed 12+ rpg to last three C's

• Omer Yurtseven ($5.8k) a nice pivot here too vs. Houston

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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.

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