Monday’s NBA slate kicks off the work week with a nine-game featured slate tipping off at 7:00 p.m. ET on DraftKings and FanDuel. Let’s look at the player pool to discuss the top NBA DFS building blocks today for DraftKings and FanDuel lineups. Be sure to check out the Stokastic NBA DFS & Fantasy Basketball home page, where you can find NBA DFS picks and analysis for each slate of games.
NBA DFS Picks Building Blocks Today: Monday, Dec. 19
Core Play of the Day — Giannis Antetokounmpo: Milwaukee Bucks-New Orleans Pelicans
- Stokastic’s Preliminary Point Projections: DraftKings: 55.9 | FanDuel: 54.5
- Stokastic’s Preliminary Rostered Projections: DraftKings: 6.7% | FanDuel: 21.3%
- DFS Salary: DraftKings: $12,300 | FanDuel: $11,600
Salary is not a concern tonight with 18 teams in action across The Association. Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) was held out on Saturday, though the Bucks easily dispatched the Jazz 123-97 in Milwaukee. Khris Middleton remains out with his own knee issue, so we should see Antetokounmpo continue to soak up the fantasy opportunities with a usage rate somewhere north of 30%.
New Orleans is slightly above league average from a defensive efficiency perspective over the last fortnight, but we know that Antetokounmpo is all but matchup proof. Jrue Holiday deserves consideration tonight as well as he gets an uptick in his scoring and rebounding when Middleton is off the court. Bobby Portis and Brook Lopez are neutral options, though they have utility as part of a mini-game stack for added synergistic potential.
Domantas Sabonis: Sacramento Kings-Charlotte Hornets
- Stokastic’s Preliminary Point Projections: DraftKings: 48.6 | FanDuel: 46.2
- Stokastic’s Preliminary Rostered Projections: DraftKings: 25.8% | FanDuel: 43.0%
- DFS Salary: DraftKings: $9,600 | FanDuel: $9,200
Tonight, is a back-to-back for Charlotte, which lost a spirited matchup last night to the Nuggets in Denver. Nikola Jokic had a ridiculous stat line with 40 points, 27 rebounds, 10 assists and a pair of steals. Clearly Domantas Sabonis is not at the same level as the two-time reigning NBA MVP, but he is a fantasy force and gets a great matchup against a hilariously bad frontcourt. Sabonis is a stellar option on FanDuel where he has power forward eligibility, and he is a strong play on DraftKings when using the utility slot on a center.
Additional NBA DFS Picks Building Blocks Picks Today – Sports Wagering Opportunities
Tonight, Devin Vassell has a 2.5 over/under line on his assist prop for his matchup against the Rockets in Houston. The Stokastic NBA player projections have him for 4.0 assists and a 66% likelihood that he exceeds this threshold.
The third-year wing is averaging a career best 3.4 assists per game this season and he has recorded at least three assists in 26 of 32 (86%) games. Though we are paying heavy “juice” at -170, this wager looks like a nice one to work in as part of a straight or same-game parlay for additional upside.
Did you know that you can get two free months of Stokastic Plus Platinum for signing up and making your first bet at BetMGM? Claim here today!
Portland Trail Blazers-Oklahoma City Thunder
Jusuf Nurkic was added to the injury report today with a sore calf and Jerami Grant (back spasms) is a game-time decision after missing Saturday’s tilt. Josh Hart (ankle) is also questionable so we could see Portland potentially missing three starters.
This is the first of two matchups between the Blazers and Thunder in Oklahoma City with the second game coming on Wednesday. Portland has won six of their last eight games and can use this road trip to continue climbing up the Western Conference standings.
Damian Lillard is a fine play in most circumstances, but he should thrive tonight with a day of rest and potentially picking up the slack for a couple of injured teammates. Anfernee Simons moves from a neutral play to a strong option if Grant is out as he will see a boost in scoring opportunities. Depending on the final status of Nurkic, Grant and Hart, Drew Eubanks, Trendon Watford, Shaedon Sharp and Justise Winslow will all have varying degrees of improved baseline projections.
Latest NBA DFS Content
- NBA DFS Picks & Building Blocks: Joel Embiid and Jalen Brunson (April 30)
- NBA DFS Late Swap Advice: How to Use Our New Tool to Improve Your Process and Profit
- NBA DFS Picks & Building Blocks: Can LeBron and Davis Win Again? (April 29)
- FanDuel Fantasy Basketball Cheat Sheet: Best Picks From NBA DFS Contest Sims | Jalen Williams (April 29)
- DraftKings Fantasy Basketball Cheat Sheet: Best Picks From NBA DFS Contest Sims | Jamal Murray (April 29)
- Stokastic DFS on Youtube
Turning our attention to Oklahoma City, it certainly feels like they are tanking this year. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (back) and Josh Giddey (non-COVID related illness) have each been ruled out for a second consecutive game. On Saturday when this pair was out, it looked like the Thunder were content to extend their losing streak to six games, except the unexpected occurred and the shorthanded crew managed to upset a heavily favored Memphis team 115-109.
The score was much closer than the game actually was as OKC had a 24-point lead early in the third quarter and they led by 19 points early in the final frame. Either way, it seems suspect that both of their best players are out yet again.
Setting the conspiracy theory aside, Darius Bazley is also out with an illness and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl will be out through Christmas with an ankle injury. That means big minutes for Aleksej Pokusevski, Luguentz Dort, Kenrich Williams, and Jalen Williams. Tre Mann and Jaylin Williams seem to be earmarked for the G-League, so pay attention to their status closer to lock.
This leaves the Thunder quite thin in the backcourt, which means Isaiah Joe, Aaron Wiggins and Lindy Waters III will be the primary facilitators. Giddy-up!
Update: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was announced as probable on the 5:30 p.m. injury report, full speed ahead with SGA, Isaiah Joe is still in play as well. Then focus on whomever is starting between Pokusevski, Dort and the Williams. Consider the non-guard starters as secondary plays.
Final Thoughts on NBA DFS Picks Building Blocks Today
Tonight, is a staggered slate with games tipping off at five different times, so do not be distracted by Monday Night Football after the contests lock. Also, be sure to tune into the Stokastic NBA Live Before Lock show on YouTube at 5:00 p.m. ET for all of the up-to-date analysis.
Thanks for reading to the end of this article! If you appreciate this free content and want to see more of it every day, you can help us out by sharing this article on social media!
