This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Here we go with a brief two-game NBA slate on Thursday, December 20.
Of those two matchups, the Dallas-LA Clippers tilt appears to have the best fantasy environment with a strong 219 point over/under. We'll get into the specific player write-ups soon, but Tobias Harris, DeAndre Jordan, Montrezl Harrell and others look good on the surface.
Per usual, we have several injuries to monitor with potential for more while moving closer to tip-off. You'll want to stay in the loop with Rotowire's NBA News Feed before setting your final lineups. As of Thursday morning, these are the situations we are looking at:
Justise Winslow is questionable.Wayne Ellington would see a boost if Winslow is sidelined. Dwyane Wade and Derrick Jones Jr could see additional minutes as well.
Dennis Smith Jr and DeAndre Jordan are questionable.Jalen Brunson has been seeing more minutes with Smith Jr out the past two games. However, he hasn't made an impact from a fantasy perspective. Luka Doncic has absorbed more responsibilities in the Dallas backcourt with Smith Jr sidelined. If Jordan is sidelined, Dwight Powell seems primed for more minutes.
These notable players will continue to miss time: Goran Dragic, Lou Williams
With that, I'll be breaking down the best fantasy choices on DraftKings for Thursday. The following write-ups contain a blend of cash game staples, bargain fillers, and tournament pivots.
GUARDS
James Harden, HOU at MIA ($11,600): It's possible to make James Harden work in your DraftKings' lineups tonight, and that's a strategy I fully intend on deploying. The matchup is non-imposing on paper, as Miami ranks middle-of-the-pack (16th) in defensive efficiency against opposing backcourts. Harden has been on an absolute tear lately while averaging 65 fantasy points over his past five games. This is a competitive tilt that should require a full workload from Harden, which could translate to another strong fantasy output.
J.J. Barea, DAL at LAC ($4,500): I would feel more confident in Barea if Dennis Smith Jr. (questionable) is ruled out. However, Barea may be playable regardless due to the low opportunity cost (and need for value) on this two-game slate. The veteran guard should continue to see around 20 minutes, and he has a scoring mentality that translates to viable fantasy efficiency. I'll take a chance on Barea in this appealing game environment against the Clippers.
Luka Doncic, DAL at LAC ($8,400): Doncic is more of a pivot away from Harden if you don't have enough cap space to make the Houston superstar work. Doncic may profile better if Dennis Smith Jr. doesn't play, as the rookie has thrived with 49 and 53 fantasy points respectively over the past two games with Smith sidelined. Definitely keep an eye on that development while considering Doncic's upside.
Other guards to consider: Patrick Beverley, LAC vs. DAL ($4,300), Wesley Matthews, DAL at LAC ($4,800)
FORWARDS
Tobias Harris, LAC vs. DAL ($7,800): Harris is a strong cash game cornerstone within tonight's small slate. He's fresh off a breakout 59 fantasy point performance against Portland, and the game environment vs. Dallas sets up for more success. Tobias is still underpriced due to some poor fantasy outings in blowout losses. That shouldn't be the case tonight, and you'd be advised to view Harris as a buy-low commodity.
Derrick Jones Jr, MIA vs. HOU ($4,400): Jones has been a steady value play while hovering between 20-30 minutes in each of his past five games. As a result, he's averaging a solid 29 fantasy points per contest over that span. He should find himself with that level of playing time again tonight, although he'd have an opportunity to push the upper end of that range if Justise Winslow (questionable) is ruled out. I like him as a bargain forward either way.
Other forwards to consider: Danilo Gallinari, LAC vs. DAL ($6,600), Josh Richardson, MIA vs. HOU ($6,800)
CENTERS
DeAndre Jordan, DAL at LAC ($7,400): This is Jordan's first game playing at the Staples Center against the Clippers, an organization he called home for 10 years. You better believe he'll be looking to "show out" against his former team on national television. Even if you don't buy into that motivational angle, this matchup is pretty good too. The Clippers rank 27th in defensive efficiency against opposing centers, and Jordan toasted them for 16 points and 23 boards earlier this month (Dec. 2).
Montrezl Harrell, HOU at MIA ($5,800): Harrell started the season on fire. However, regression has seemingly plagued him over the last few weeks. Blowouts and rotational quirks have certainly played a role in those recent setbacks. But Harrell has seemed to recover by posting 34 and 31 fantasy points over his past two games. The price has decreased due to those aforementioned struggles, and Montrezl could be on the rise again. I'm willing to take a chance on him given the lack of options on this two-game slate. Harrell went for 43 fantasy points in 24 minutes the last time he faced Dallas.
Other centers to consider:Clint Capela, HOU at MIA ($8,000)
