DFSGhost 
This article discusses a core for DFS players to build around for today’s FanDuel NBA slate. While there are many different sports and various contests pertaining to DFS along with their respective strategies, we focus on the main approaches to build both reliable cash and GPP lineups for a successful NBA night including pace, the projected over/under, one on one matchups, and a team’s defensive rating. Make sure to stay active when building NBA lineups – if you cannot be in front of a computer, tablet, or on your phone an hour before lock do not throw your money away! NBA DFS lineups can change at the blink of an eye and is the most variable compared to any other sport in DFS; players get injured, some sit for load management, and others find themselves on the DNP list for other reasons; any of which can sway your lineup and where to find value. Stay alert on the WinDaily Discord chat to follow along with our updated plays. GOOD LUCK TO ALL!
PointGuard: Ben Simmons, Philadelphia 76ers ($8,000)
With James Harden being my favorite of the two Houston Rockets’ superstars on today’s NBA slate, my attention turns to Ben Simmons at the point guard position. Without Eric Bledsoe in the lineup, the Bucks have been annihilated by point guards; most notably, players like Jalen Brunson, Seth Curry, and Elfrid Payton have all put up 30+ FanDuel points against the Bucks in the last week. With Ben Simmons being no match for Donte DiVincenzo, look for the former Rookie of the Year to take advantage of a Milwaukee squad that plays at the fastest pace in the league.
HonorableMention / Pivot: Kyle Lowry, Toronto Raptors ($8,000)
ShootingGuard: Damion Lee, Golden State Warriors ($4,400)
Make no mistake, the Houston Rockets-Golden State Warriors game will most likely be the highest-scoring affair on the NBA Christmas Day slate and we need our fair share of exposure to it. One of my favorite value plays of the day is Damion Lee who is averaging 25.82 FanDuel points across 29 minutes in his last 5 games since returning from injury. He is in a great matchup versus James Harden; the Rockets allow the third-most FanDuel points to opposing shooting guards at 45.3 per game. With a little amount of value on the slate available to us combined with multiple studs to jam in, Lee ($4,400) will be in a lot of my lineups today.
HonorableMention / Pivot: Lou Williams, Los Angeles Clippers ($5,100)
SmallForward: LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers ($9,800)
LeBron James on an NBA Christmas Day slate for the 13th year in a row? Sign me up. LeBron will be on a mission after sitting out the Lakers’ last game versus the Denver Nuggets; he averages 26/7.6/6.7/1.5/0.8 on Christmas Day in his career and today will be no different. With Anthony Davis likely drawing a matchup against Kawhi Leonard and an abundance of MVP candidates playing on the same day, LeBron will not only want to show that he is still the best player in the league, but also that his team is the best in the city of Los Angeles.
HonorableMention / Pivot: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks ($11,200)
PowerForward: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Toronto Raptors ($4,100)
Decimated by the injury bug, the Toronto Raptors’ bench players are being forced to play big minutes. With Marc Gasol, Pascal Siakam, and Normal Powell all out for the reigning NBA Champions, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson has stepped up in a big way and seems to have coach Nick Nurse’s trust over Chris Boucher. Averaging 31 FanDuel points across 28 minutes per game since his teammates went down with injuries, RHJ is producing 1.11 FanDuel points per minute and is one of, if not the best value play on the slate today.
HonorableMention / Pivot: Daniel Theis, Boston Celtics ($4,300)
Center:Brook Lopez, Milwaukee Bucks ($4,900)
With other roster positions taking a chunk of our salary for today’s NBA slate, Brook Lopez ($4,900) is a player finding himself in my lineups. Lopez and Giannis Antetokounmpo will be tasked with guarding 76ers center Joel Embiid in this one and with Brook Lopez averaging a career-high in blocks at 2.6 per game, he has ample opportunity to pick up a few more today. Labeled as a good defender, Embiid typically spends his nights guarding the paint and the rim for a 76ers squad that ranks in the top 10 defensive teams in the NBA whereas Lopez floats around the perimeter and presents a different outlook for Embiid. With his 3-point shooting ability a rarity amongst NBA centers combined with his defensive upside, Lopez should be leaned on in a battle between two Eastern Conference heavyweights.
HonorableMention / Pivot: Montrezl Harrell, Los Angeles Clippers ($5,500)
Gamesto Target
- Houston Rockets vs Golden State Warriors(226.5 over/under)
- Los Angeles Clippers vs Los Angeles Lakers(223.5 over/under)
- Milwaukee Bucks vs Philadelphia 76ers (220over/under)
