What’s up, GF2 fans! I’m back once again with my NBA DFS FanDuel advice for the 12/8/16 slate of games. On Thursday evening we’ll get to enjoy a nice six-game schedule packed full of enticing plays. I find myself once again liking the Wizards for this slate in an extra juicy matchup. In this article, I’m going to throw you guys a top play and value pick for each position, so let’s get started.
Here are my top NBA DFS FanDuel plays for 12/8/16:
Point Guard
Top Play: John Wall, vs. DEN ($9,800)
I’m so glad that Wall has finally started to get his full-time minutes back because he’s absolutely dominating his opponents. In eight of his last nine games, he has scored 42+ FD points per outing for his owners, including a whopping 70.8 point night versus Orlando. In that game, Wall went off for 52 points, four rebounds, eight assists and three steals for Washington. For this slate, he’ll be facing off against a Nuggets defense that has allowed an average of 48.0 FD points per game this year to opposing point guards.
Value Pick: Sergio Rodriguez, @ NOP ($4,900)
Jerryd Bayless will be out once again for this game, so Rodriguez has a nice shot at being an amazing value option. In two of his last three games, Sergio has scored 33+ FD points per outing for his owners, which is around 6x value. So far this season, the Pelicans have been terrible versus point guards, giving up an average of 44.7 FD points per game to the position.
Shooting Guard
Top Play: Bradley Beal, vs. DEN ($6,800)
Beal is getting dangerously close to being a bit too pricey, so we need to play him while we can. This is the perfect matchup for the young Wizards guard, facing off against a high-octane Nuggets squad. So far this season, Denver has given up a league-worst 42.1 FD points per game to opposing shooting guards. This year, Beal has managed to average a cool 30.51 FD points per outing for his loyal owners.
Value Pick: Will Barton, @ WAS ($5,700)
This game is easily my favorite one of the night to attack from a DFS standpoint. Barton has been absolutely electric for the Nuggets since returning from his injury. Over his last three games, he has scored 32+ FD points per outing for his owners and should flourish in a fast-paced matchup. This year, the Wizards have allowed an average of 36.4 FD points per outing to opposing shooting guards.
Small Forwards
Top Play: Gordon Hayward, vs. GSW ($8,100)
I’m not super excited about the top names taking the floor for Thursday other than Kevin Durant. I decided to look elsewhere for this slate and find myself jumping on the Hayward bandwagon. In three of his last five games, he has scored 45+ FD points per outing for his owner. Hayward will also get a bump in pace for this slate, which will increase his value also. If Utah wants to keep this game close, they’ll need his scoring prowess to be successful.
DeMarre Carroll, vs. MIN ($4,200)
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I feel even worse about the value plays at small forward for this slate. I’m going to throw Carroll’s name out there mostly due to his juicy matchup versus the Wolves. Over their last five games, Minnesota has given up an average of 47.5 FD points per outing to opposing small forwards. The Wolves are very good at defending against shooting guards, so DeMarre may have to pick up some of the slack for DeRozan.
Power Forward
Top Play: Anthony Davis, vs. PHI ($12,100)
I’m going to go ahead and say that Davis is easily the top overall play for this slate, especially in your cash games. He draws a stellar matchup against an awful Sixers defense that has allowed an average of 46.1 FD points per game to power forwards this year. So far this season, Davis has been killing for the Pelicans, averaging 55.38 FD points per contest for his fantasy owners.
Ersan Ilyasova, @ NOP ($5,300)
Ilyasova’s value takes a slight bump with Joel Embiid most likely playing but I still like him anyways. Both Jahlil Okafor and Nerlens Noel won’t be available for the Sixers, so Ilyasova’s presence will be needed to counteract a guy such as Anthony Davis. So far this season, the Pelicans have given up an average of 44.6 FD points per outing to opposing power forwards. In his last game, Ilyasova went off for 53.4 FD points against the Grizzlies.
Center
Top Play: Marc Gasol, vs. POR ($8,200)
When Mike Conley went down with another injury, Gasol really seemed to step it up for the Grizzlies. Over his last four games, he has scored 40+ FD points per outing, including a 62.7 point effort against the Pelicans. So far this season, the Blazers have been terrible versus opposing centers, allowing an average of 45.9 FD points per contest to the position. I think Gasol is in store for another big night!
Value Pick: Pau Gasol, @ CHI ($6,000)
If you guys feel like gambling, just insert any of the Spurs into your lineups. San Antonio’s rotation is a bit tough to figure out but I’ve got a gut feeling that Pau will be ready to play his old teammates. Plus, Chicago has been terrible versus opposing big men all season long. This year, the Bulls have given up an average of 47.7 FD points per game to opposing centers. Gasol has managed to average a smooth 25.81 FD points per game for his owners in 2016.
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