Adam Strangis NBA DFS: Gems with Ghost and Adam 12/19
We continue to forge ahead in the NBA and even last night was a challenge. A backbone of our lineups was ruled out around 15 minutes before his game started and that’s been about how everything has gone lately. We’re going to stick with the same format as last night and it’s another reminder to please join the Discord if you haven’t yet because that’s how we were able to get away from Jrue Holiday last night. We have nine games tonight and I’m sure there will be even more grenades to dodge in the NBA DFS: Gems with Ghost and Adam 12/19 so let’s get rolling!
One thing I want to clarify based on the questions I have received over the past few years is that I will never list a player under the $5,000 price tag simply because I use the projection model to identify all targets in this range and below. While there are often plenty of options that I like at $5,000 and less, since I often find myself with not only one – but multiple – in my NBA DFS lineups, you all have access to the very model I use to make my own selections, so when asking yourself: “Should I use player X or player Y?”, make sure to check the model because that is how I make all of my own decisions and I truly ride or die by it on a daily basis.
Before running to the DraftKings, FanDuel, or Yahoo lobby to construct your NBA DFS lineup after reading this article, please make sure to utilize the abundance of tools we have at Win Daily:
Nuggets vs. Nets
Nuggets
On the Denver side, there is not currently a lot to dissect past Nikola Jokic is going to be popular. We have plenty of value, the Nets have virtually nothing on the interior to slow him down, and he can rack up fantasy points in a hurry with nearly 1.80 fantasy points per minute. Jokic is second in post-up points per game on the season at 5.2. The spread is not up yet but that will be worth keeping an eye on with Brooklyn so short and on a back-to-back.
Nets
It almost seems unfair that the Nets have to play again and last night, all of David Duke, Kessler Edwards, Blake Griffin, Cam Thomas, and Patty Mills played a minimum of 32 minutes. Everyone that wasn’t named Griffin played over 35 and I’m not sure how they can do it again. Griffin and Mills are not spring chickens. Mills and Thomas both took at least 20 shots and it seems clear they would be the triggermen. With the perimeter defense of Denver not being all that great, that should be in line to repeat. The other trio all took at least 13 shots and I do wonder if Shaq Harrison, Langston Galloway, and James Ennis get more involved. If Mills and Blake see fewer minutes, they have to come from somewhere. As of tonight, my main three are Thomas, Duke, and Edwards. That trio is still plenty cheap to have meat on the bone to hit 40+ DraftKings points and be a value.
Spurs vs. Kings
Spurs
Much like the Nuggets, the Spurs aren’t the main targets in this game because they have (knock on wood) not dealt very much with the protocols yet. Now, Dejounte Murray, Derrick White, and Jakob Poeltl are certainly in play. Sacramento plays a top-five pace and they are 29th in defensive rating. It’s a great spot for all three of those players and Murray should be on triple-double watch again.
Kings
With much of the Kings roster still in protocols right now, they are going to be a popular team to choose players from. Tyrese Haliburton will headline the group as he played almost 38 minutes and his full skill-set was on display. He scored 21 points, dished 10 assists, and grabbed six rebounds. The shocking part was that came on a 19.6% usage while Harrison Barnes and Chimezie Metu both were over 23% in usage. The disappointment was Buddy Hield because he only took 10 shots. 10! I don’t think that sticks so he’s still in play but with the salaries, Haliburton and Metu would be the primary targets.
Lakers vs. Bulls
Lakers
LA is coming off a game where the T-Wolves ran them off the court and they lost Anthony Davis for the next month. They are only sixth in the West and four games ahead of the last play-in spot. He’s not been the most consistent player this season, but it’s time for LeBron James to flex his muscles. When Davis is off the floor, James has 1.38 fantasy points per minute and a 29.9% usage rate while Russell Westbrook is over 29% and 1.16. If you’re not playing Jokic, James could be next on the list and I’m not really looking at the other Lakers since we have other teams that are shorthanded.
Bulls
Chicago is finally going to get some health back in the lineup as DeMar DeRozan is out of protocols while Zach LaVine is still out. In that scenario, DDR has a 36.3% usage and 1.33 fantasy points per minute and he’s not expected to face any restrictions coming back. Nikola Vucevic is also going to be an issue for the Lakers to defend with no AD and Vuc has 1.19 fantasy points per minute and 30.6% for the usage. He can pop out to the three-point line and he averages 5.3 paint touches. One of those two is in the running for a spend-up option tonight.
Honorable Mention
Mavericks vs. Timberwolves
The main piece to highlight from this game is Karl-Anthony Towns. As we sit Saturday night, KAT is one of my highest priorities on this slate. Since Minnesota is without Anthony Edwards, KAT has 1.55 fantasy points per minute and a usage pushing 34%. While he’s not a huge factor in the paint all the time, Dallas is 23rd and 24th in rebounds allowed in the paint and points. He’s going to be able to do whatever he’d like in this game. Luka Doncic is still out for Dallas, but Kristaps Porzingis and Jalen Brunson are viable but about as expensive as they can get.
Spend Up Options
Nikola Jokic, Karl-Anthony Towns, LeBron James, Dejounte Murray, Dear DeRozan, Nikola Vucevic
Value Options
Cam Thomas, David Duke Jr., Kessler Edwards, Chimezie Metu, whatever else comes up during the day
You can find us on Twitter @DFS_Ghost and @Bucn4life
