Tuesday’s NBA slate brings a staggered five-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: Tuesday, Dec. 20
Core Play of the Day — Nikola Jokic: Denver Nuggets-Memphis Grizzlies
- Stokastic’s Preliminary Point Projections: DraftKings: 61.96 | FanDuel: 59.64
- Stokastic’s Preliminary Rostered Projections: DraftKings: 20.4% | FanDuel: 16.6%
- DFS Salary: DraftKings: $11,800 | FanDuel: $12,500
Nikola Jokic is in rare form with three games of 78 or more fantasy points in his last four appearances. Yes, quite a few things have gone in his favor, along with some great matchups, but even if we extend this window over the last two weeks he has been phenomenal.
During this stretch, he has appeared in four games, averaging 35.6 minutes with 19.7 field goal attempts and a 60.1% conversion rate. All told, he has produced 31.9 points, 14.0 rebounds, 9.4 assists and 3.1 combined blocks and steals over the span. This will be the first time this season Jokic has faced Memphis, however, the Grizzlies have done little to slow down the two-time reigning NBA MVP.
Over his last seven games against Memphis, Jokic averaged 36.3 minutes and just over 63 fantasy points. Salary should not be an issue today and as one of the best point per dollar options at the center position. There are just 10 teams in action, so there are not as many value plays at the pivot position as there have been over the last two days.
Jokic does have a probable designation with a knee issue, but he had the same tag on Sunday when he rolled up a 40 point, 27 rebound, 10 assist triple-double. Even if Michael Porter Jr. returns, he is likely to be rusty after an extended layoff and his presence should not diminish the fantasy projection for Jokic.
Ja Morant: Memphis Grizzlies-Denver Nuggets
- 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
Ja Morant should be well rested after playing only 16 minutes in his last game before being ejected on Saturday. Prior to that kerfuffle, he had tallied 57 or more fantasy points in three of four games and looked to be in good form. This is a nice matchup for Morant as Denver lacks any daunting rim protectors and over the last eight games, the Nuggets have allowed 117.7 points per 100 possessions, which is the third worst defensive efficiency rating in the league.
Additional NBA DFS Picks Building Blocks Picks Today – Sports Wagering Opportunities
Tonight, Nikola Jokic has a 10.5 over/under line on his rebound prop for his home matchup against the visiting Grizzlies. The Stokastic NBA player projections have him for 12.1 rebounds and a 59% likelihood that he exceeds this threshold.
For this wager, we are seeing moderate “juice” at -130, which has this wager looking like a nice one to work in as part of a straight or same-game parlay for additional upside.
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Golden State Warriors-New York Knicks
The Warriors are without Stephen Curry and Andrew Wiggins, plus Donte DiVincenzo was downgraded to doubtful with an illness on Tuesday’s early injury report. Additionally, Klay Thompson is questionable with a sore knee, so it looks like this matchup will be the best source of value on Tuesday.
Thompson is a fine option if he plays and of course Jordan Poole will continue to be the driving force in the backcourt and even with his elevated salary, he has the potential for some upside profit, along with a tremendous baseline projection.
We will need to wait and see who is in or out closer to tip off, but Anthony Lamb, Ty Jerome and Moses Moody are potential point per dollar plays if DiVincenzo and/or Thompson are out. The frontcourt is wide open as well with James Wiseman in the G-League, we should see solid minutes going to Kevon Looney, Draymond Green and Jonathan Kuminga against the bigger New York frontcourt.
Jalen Brunson, Julius Randle and RJ Barrett are in line to see solid minutes against the woeful and up-tempo ‘Dubs which should boost their fantasy prospects. Obi Toppin remains out, which clears a path for Isaiah Hartenstein to approach 20 minutes in the rotation, though he will cost his backers a center slot.
Final Thoughts on NBA DFS Picks Building Blocks Today
Tonight’s five-game slate has four different start times which of course means we will need to be vigilant with watching for updates. 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.
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