Putting together an NBA DFS lineup lately has not been the easiest thing in the world. Late scratches, players clearing protocols at the last second, and other tomfoolery has led to a huge increase in difficulty. So take some of the pressure off yourself and let us help you through this Thursday night slate.
(NOTE: This NBA DFS lineup was made ahead of time. Always check for the latest injuries and inactives prior to lineups locking.)
NBA DFS Picks for Thursday – Dec 30th
PG – Jrue Holiday ($8,900) – MIL
Holiday was on a tear with Giannis Antetokounmpo out of the lineup for a few games. Somebody on the Bucks needed to pick up on the scoring and that answer was typically Holiday. Now with the Greek Freak back, some people have shied away from Holiday. However, his assist totals have shot up above his yearly average with his points still right around his yearly average. I think there’s a lot of upside with him in NBA DFS lineups and he might be lesser owned.
SG – Gary Payton II ($5,100) – GSW
In three straight games sniffing thirty minutes, Payton has been filling out the stat sheet. Plus even before he saw an increase in minutes, he was becoming an NBA DFS asset. He has at least 24 fantasy points in all of his last five games and is pulling down a ton of rebounds.
SF – Lauri Markkanen ($5,800) – CLE
Markkanen is averaging over 29 fantasy points in his last two games. That’s on the heels of a spell that saw him go 0-12 from three-point range. His price is still pretty low in NBA DFS lineups thanks to that dry spell, so let’s get him on the heater while he’s still relatively cheap.
PF – Wendell Carter Jr ($7,600) – ORL
Carter has been a rebounding machine this year. He’s averaging double-figures and has given us an average of twelve in the last three games. However, with the depleted Magic lineup, he’s also adding in the points. In those same three games, he averaged nearly 15 a game. If he does that again, he should be a steal for your NBA DFS lineup.
C – Joel Embiid ($11,000) – PHI
Embiid has been good all year, but in the last two games he’s looking untouchable. Back-to-back games with a 36 point double-double, there’s no reason to think he doesn’t continue that against Brooklyn, in what should be a shootout. If you’re going to pay for a high-priced NBA DFS option, with Kevin Durant and James Harden‘s uncertainty, Embiid is the play.
G – R.J. Hampton ($3,900) – ORL
Cole Anthony is out. Jalen Suggs is out. Markelle Fultz is out. Even Hassani Gravett is out. The Magic are going to need someone to put in some serious minutes at the guard spot. I’d expect Hampton to log close to 30 minutes on the floor. That alone would make him a valuable play in NBA DFS lineups, but he’s also showed that he can add assists to his scoring – which could make him a huge sleeper here.
F – Corey Kispert ($4,000) – WAS
Playing Kispert is somewhat contingent upon one or both of Bradley Beal and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope being out. Both are listed as questionable. With them out, Kispert has seen extra minutes and made good on it. Twice in the last three games he’s banged in four 3-pointers.
UTIL – Austin Rivers ($3,500) – DEN
With Monte Morris out, Rivers has been seeing some extra time and the numbers have shot up. He’s got multiple three-pointers in each of his last four games. He isn’t filling out much of the rest of the stat sheet, but the deep threat alone makes him a value in NBA DFS lineups. It’s worth noting that he has a nagging ankle injury that may sideline him. If he can’t suit up, I’d target Bones Hyland as a replacement.
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