Daily Fantasy Basketball 2015: NBA DFS Must-Starts for Each Position Dec. 23
The 2015-16 NBA season is nearly two months old, and the injuries are really starting to pile up. According to CBS Sports, there were 62 players in the league listed as questionable or worse as of Dec. 22 because of an injury or suspension. A whopping seven of those players are on the Wizards.
For the fan experience, mounting injuries hurt the quality of the game, but for top daily fantasy players, the redistribution of those injured players' minutes creates more opportunity to gain an advantage in a 50/50 or Guaranteed Prize Pool on DraftKings.
Point Guard: Tim Frazier ($3,600) at Pelicans
The Trail Blazers' Tim Frazier played all 48 minutes in relief of Damian Lillard in Monday's loss in Atlanta. His numbers were modest—12 points, seven assists, seven boards, two steals and five turnovers—but he only cost $3,000. His price is up, but he's still a lock to exceed value if he plays close to the number of minutes he logged on Monday.
Frazier will also benefit from playing against a leaky backcourt in New Orleans. The Pelicans have allowed the fifth-most fantasy points per game this season to opposing point guards, according to RotoGrinders.
Others: Jameer Nelson ($5,600) at Suns; Rajon Rondo ($8,500) at Pacers; John Wall ($9,700; if healthy) vs. Grizzlies
Shooting Guard: Garrett Temple ($4,500) vs. Grizzlies
The Wizards are crumbling. After a two-game stretch a couple of weeks ago when they had no available big men, they're now short of nearly all their guards. Bradley Beal, Gary Neal and Alan Anderson are all out with varying ailments. John Wall might also miss the game, though he expects to play, according to Jorge Castillo of the Washington Post.
Garrett Temple is all the Wizards have left at the shooting guard position. He's made something of his opportunity, averaging 38.5 minutes, 22 points, five boards, 3.5 three-pointers and three assists in his last two games. The Grizzlies are tough on shooting guards, but Temple should see such a high volume of possessions that he'll exceed value despite the hounding defense.
Others: Will Barton ($6,800) at Suns; Monta Ellis ($5,500) vs. Kings; Courtney Lee ($4,500) at Wizards; Allen Crabbe ($4,400) at Pelicans; Gerald Henderson ($3,500) at Pelicans; Wayne Ellington ($3,300) vs. Mavericks; Victor Oladipo ($6,100; if Elfrid Payton sits) vs. Rockets
Small Forward: Gordon Hayward ($7,200) at Warriors
With all of the cheap options out there, we have to spend up somewhere. I like Gordon Hayward's chances against the league's top team. Surprisingly, the Warriors have allowed the most fantasy points per game to opposing small forwards over the last three weeks, according to RotoGrinders.
Hayward is excellent in Utah's slow-down system because he's patient offensively and guards multiple positions well. However, if this game turns into a shootout, Hayward will not shy from filling up the stat sheet. He's scored 20 or more points in three straight games and played nearly 40 minutes per game since San Antonio blew out the Jazz on Dec. 14.
There is fear of a blowout when anyone goes against the Warriors. However, the Jazz seem to have the Warriors figured out. According to StatMuse, since the start of last season, the two teams have played five times, and the margin of victory has never exceeded 15 points. Hayward will play late into the fourth quarter of this game.
Others: Paul George ($8,900) vs. Kings; Jared Dudley ($4,600) vs. Grizzlies; Kelly Oubre ($3,700) vs. Grizzlies
Power Forward: David Lee ($4,300) at Hornets
This one is a bit circumstantial. The Celtics listed power forward Amir Johnson and center Jared Sullinger as questionable for Dec. 23's bout in Charlotte. If neither plays, David Lee carries a ton of value. A terrible defender, he's a double-double machine who was passed up by a quicker, more guard-oriented league. But if Lee gets minutes, he'll definitely score and grab weak-side rebounds.
Before Draymond Green was the designated pick-and-roll partner for Stephen Curry, Lee ran it nearly to perfection. He's capable of running similar offensive sets for 25 minutes alongside Isaiah Thomas and Avery Bradley.
Others: Anthony Davis ($10,300) vs. Blazers; DeMarcus Cousins ($10,000) at Pacers; Draymond Green ($9,000) vs. Jazz; J.J. Hickson ($3,800) at Suns
Center: Enes Kanter ($4,200) at Lakers
Playing Enes Kanter is quite a gamble. His lack of defensive prowess has him buried behind Steven Adams and Serge Ibaka in the crowded Thunder frontcourt. However, this kid (he's shockingly just 23) fills up the stat sheet when he gets minutes.
In Saturday's drubbing of the Lakers, Kanter scored 19 points and gathered 14 rebounds in just 23 minutes. If you're playing Kanter, pray for another blowout. That way he'll be on the court for the entire fourth quarter playing against the Lakers benchwarmers.
Others: Kelly Olynyk ($4,600) at Hornets; Zaza Pachulia ($5,700) at Nets; Marcin Gortat ($6,700) vs. Grizzlies; Festus Ezeli ($4,600; if Andrew Bogut sits) vs. Jazz
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