This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Here we go with a five-game NBA slate on Thursday, Dec. 27.
Of those matchups, the Lakers-Kings tilt features two teams that rank top five in pace. Subsequently, a 230 point over/under has been assigned, creating one of the best fantasy environments of the night. Guys like Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma, and Lance Stephenson look particularly good in DFS with LeBron James sidelined. The following write-ups will cover them in more detail, but keep in mind that you'll want to draw heavily from this contest through all formats.
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:
LeBron James and Rajon Rondo are out. As mentioned earlier, guys like Ball, Stephenson, and Kuzma will see a strong uptick in this elite game atmosphere.
James Harden is questionable but expected to play. Remember that Chris Paul will continue to miss time. If Harden is out, Eric Gordon would become a strong mid-range pick as the top option for Houston. Austin Rivers would likely see starter minutes with Gerald Green stepping up as well.
JaVale McGee is questionable. His absence would keep the door open for Ivica Zubac, who has posted three straight games of 36+ fantasy points.
These notable players will continue to miss time: Chris Paul, Marvin Bagley, Aron Baynes
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
Lonzo Ball, LAL at SAC ($5,500): Tonight provides a perfect storm for Ball to find fantasy success. His price has fallen due to three-straight subpar outings. However, his minutes and usage should spike with LeBron James and Rajon Rondo out. Also, the matchup is phenomenal while playing up in pace against a Sacramento team that ranks 20th vs. opposing point guards and 27th in overall defensive efficiency. Ball makes for a bargain staple through all formats on DraftKings.
Lance Stephenson, LAL at SAC ($4,200): As mentioned several times already, James and Rondo will be out for the Lakers tonight. That opens the door for Stephenson to see at least 25 minutes with solid usage as well. Stephenson has logged 23 minutes in three recent games, hitting 25-plus fantasy points in each contest. We can safely consider that his baseline with upside for much more if things fall his way in this elite matchup.
De'Aaron Fox, SAC vs. LAL ($8,000): I wasn't joking when talking about stacking this Lakers-Kings matchup. Sacramento is in a back-to-back situation after playing the Clippers last night, but they'll return home to a fantastic fantasy matchup against the other Los Angeles team. De'Aaron Fox has been red-hot as of late with 40-plus fantasy points in six straight games (removing the Minnesota game from consideration where he only played six minutes). This is a great opportunity for Fox to keep things going.
Other guards to consider: Brandon Ingram, LAL at SAC ($5,800), Eric Gordon, HOU vs. BOS ($5,800)
FORWARDS
Kevin Durant, GS vs. POR ($9,300): There's a lot to like with Durant tonight, and he checks in with a much cheaper salary than other superstars like Harden (questionable), Giannis Antetokounmpo (blowout risk), and Joel Embiid (tough matchup). Durant will square off against a Portland team that ranks 27th in defensive efficiency vs. opposing small forwards. The last time these two teams met, KD ended up with 32 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. Stephen Curry didn't play in that game, but the fact remains that this is a very winnable draw for Durant to find some upside.
Draymond Green, GS vs. POR ($6,100): Green is still underpriced on DraftKings. He had a tough time in the Christmas Day blunder against the Lakers, but Draymond posted 39-plus fantasy points in two straight games prior to that letdown. I'm expecting him to get back to that level of production against a Portland team that ranks dead last in defensive efficiency against opposing power forwards. Go ahead and look towards Green as a safe mid-range option through all formats.
Kyle Kuzma, LAL at SAC ($7,400): If you watched the Christmas Day matchup between the Lakers and Warriors, you would've noticed that Kuzma saw a spike in shot attempts after LeBron's injury. His efficiency wasn't great, however, leading Kuzma to only 29 fantasy points in 31 minutes. Regardless, he should see plenty of opportunities with James out for this elite game environment in Sacramento. I'm fully expecting a 40-plus fantasy point performance.
Other forwards to consider: Nemanja Bjelica, SAC vs. LAL ($4,800), Khris Middleton, MIL vs. NYK ($6,200), Wilson Chandler, PHI at UTA ($4,000)
CENTERS
Ivica Zubac, LAL at SAC ($5,400): Zubac has been a revelation for the Lakers with 33-plus fantasy points in three straight games. He'll continue to see 30-plus minutes if JaVale McGee (questionable) is out. Even if McGee ends up playing, I'm thinking the Lakers will continue to give Zubac extended minutes with the hot hand. He's a strong bargain selection against a Sacramento team that ranks 26th vs. centers and 27th in rebound rate.
Willie Cauley-Stein, SAC vs. LAL ($6,600): If McGee ends up playing, you may want to pivot away from Zubac and the uncertainty surrounding his minutes. In that case, Cauley-Stein makes for a solid backup plan from the other side of this elite game environment. Sure, he's more expensive than Zubac, but Cauley-Stein will continue to hold down the Sacramento frontcourt as long as Marvin Bagley is out. He only played 23 minutes last night, so there's reason to believe he should see a full workload tonight against a Lakers team that ranks 24th in defensive efficiency vs. centers.
Other centers to consider: Rudy Gobert, UTA vs. PHI ($7,500), Jusuf Nurkic, POR at GS ($6,400)
