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Point Guard
Patty Mills - Brooklyn Nets (vs. Los Angeles Lakers)
It’s very hard to nail down the most popular plays on today’s five-game slate considering lineups will be released before each game. If you’re able to monitor these lineups before each game starts, it will provide you with a massive advantage today. With that said, James Harden has been confirmed starting for tonight‘s game against the Lakers. I expect him and LeBron to be two of the most popular investments on today’s small slate. Pivoting off of these superstars is simple. If James Harden is forced to make the first pass Patty Mills will be the main benefactor. The same goes for LeBron. I don’t believe Brooklyn has the personnel to limit LeBron. The Lakers are slightly more equipped to maintain Harden though. Patty Mills is averaging 22.6 DKFP this season while over his past five games we have seen two totals surpass 40 DKFP with scattered mediocre efforts in between. Mills is still at a reasonable salary of $7200 on DraftKings.
Other PG Option: Kemba Walker
Strategy Note:
If you’re able to use the late swap function properly tomorrow, you’re already at an advantage. Most might not have the ability to adjust their lineups before every lineup confirmation, especially on Christmas Day. If you can monitor tomorrow’s confirmed lineups before each game (noon ET, 2:30 pm ET, 5:00 pm ET, 8:00 pm ET, 10:30 pm ET), I can guarantee you that a valuable GPP play will open up. Simply put, make your lineup game by game allowing for as much late swap flexibility as possible. If significant news hits, not only will you be there to make the changes but you will have had the foresight to reserve the necessary roster slots.
Shooting Guard
Evan Fournier - New York Knicks (vs. Atlanta Hawks)
The New York Knicks are allowing opponents to shoot 35.4% from beyond on the arc this season. This ranks 11th highest in the NBA. Atlanta has a hobbled lineup today but Cam Reddish is expected to play. Reddish is a talented score and deserves to be one of the most popular investments on today’s small five-game slate. Once again, how can we fade high exposure to Reddish? Well, Reddish is expected to be defended by New York’s Evan Fournier. Fournier is a talented defender, quite capable of maintaining the 2019 first-round pick in Reddish. Fournier is a likely candidate to benefit from increased rebounds, as well as shot attempts. If Atlanta goes down big, Fournier will benefit from the transition play. If shots simply don’t fall for Atlanta, Fournier is the most likely candidate to grab a rebound and benefit off of an assist or basket while racking up steals and blocks. Bing bong. Call of the day. Evan Fournier.
Other SG Option: R.J. Barrett
Small Forward
Bogdan Bogdanovic - Atlanta Hawks (vs. New York Knicks)
Atlanta‘s bench is looking bleak with Kevin Huerter, Danilo Gallinari, and Lou Williams all out today. So who scores in this potential blowout that I keep referring to. Well, Bogdan Bogdanovic should see all the minutes one could handle. He’s averaging 21.8 FPPG this season and has been all over the place as of late with a low of 6.75 DKFP and a high of 36.75 DKFP over his past five games. I’m very interested to see where his roster percentages end up when it’s all said and done. They might be lower than you think considering his inconsistencies.
Other SF Options: Alec Burks
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Power Forward
Julius Randle - New York Knicks (Vs. Atlanta Hawks)
Julius Randle has been inconsistent this season resulting in roster percentages that are lower than he deserves. This is less a pivot play, and more so a solid, low-rostered, GPP option. Randle has averaged 42.1 DK FP so far this season. His shooting percentages have been poor and his salaries remain high. I fully expect Randle to carry a high ceiling at low percentages and really, that’s all we can ask for out of a GPP play on a five-game slate. His matchup with John Collins is fine. The Knicks are currently - 6 point favorites with a 207.5 O/U.
Other PF Option: John Collins
Center
Mitchell Robinson - New York Knicks (vs. Atlanta Hawks)
The New York Knicks will be without Derrick Rose, and Immanuel Quickley today as they face the Atlanta Hawks. The Hawks will be without many of their ball handlers too. This includes Trae Young. If Wright Is confirmed starting, he will be one of the most popular players on this slate. Atlanta needs him to run the point for most of a game that is expected to be close. Not to mention, Kemba Walker struggles on defense. For pivoting purposes, fading Delon Wright could be a lucrative strategy. The narrative you’d have to follow to fade a chalky Wright would be a Knicks blowout narrative. Which is possible. In a potential blowout, Julius Randle and Mitchell Robinson would stand to benefit the most. The Hawks are allowing opponents to average 4.7 blocks per game. Robinson leads the Knicks with 48 blocks. New York’s big man could be a sneaky play today as he matches up against Clint Capela.
Other C Option: Clint Capela
Bargain Bin
PG Kemba Walker
SG Alec Burks
SF R.J. Barrett
