NBA on Christmas Day: Fantasy Guide
Kevin Durant is among the players to consider for your FanDuel lineups on Christmas.
FanDuel is the perfect companion to Christmas Day hoops. Build your perfect Christmas Day fantasy squad — then enter FanDuel’s Santa Slam contest to compete for a share of $1,000,000 in total payouts.
Before the action tips off with Pelicans-Heat at noon ET on ESPN, check out some players to consider for your FanDuel daily fantasy lineups on Christmas Day.
Point Guards
Luka Doncic ($11,300): The third-year Mavericks star is the second-most expensive player on Christmas Day, but he should be able to still provide value in his team’s matchup against LeBron James and the Lakers. Doncic got his season off to a solid start with 32 points, eight rebounds and five assists (for 48.1 daily fantasy points) against the Suns on Wednesday.
Jrue Holiday ($7,000): The Bucks’ main offseason addition will have a chance to showcase his impact on defense when Steph Curry comes to town with the Warriors. While he may be focused on defending Curry, Holiday should still be able to provide value at his price point. He posted 25 points, six rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block (for 42.7 daily fantasy points) in the Bucks’ season opening loss to the Celtics.
Jeff Teague ($5,800): Where in the world is Jeff Teague? He’s in Boston with a chance for extended playing time as Kemba Walker recovers from a knee injury. The veteran guard should be able to provide a steady presence for the Celtics so he’s worth a look if you need a mid-level point guard option. Teague looked great against the Bucks on Wednesday, tallying 19 points, four assists, three rebounds, two steals and a block (for 37.6 daily fantasy points) in just 25 minutes.
Shooting Guards
Paul George ($7,600): The All-Star forward struggled during the season restart in Orlando. But he looked like his old self in the Clippers’ opening night win over the Lakers. He scored 33 points on 13-for-18 shooting to go along with six rebounds, three assists and a steal. He’ll look to keep his strong start going against a Nuggets squad that likes to push the pace.
Dennis Schroder ($5,000): The Lakers’ offseason addition showed off his skills in their opening night loss to the Clippers. He tallied 39.4 daily fantasy points as he came close to posting a triple double (14 points, 12 rebounds and 8 assists) in just 27 minutes. At just $5,000, Schroder could be in a lot of daily fantasy lineups for his team’s matchup against the Mavericks.
Donte DiVincenzo ($4,500): The third-year guard has quickly settled into his role as a starter in Milwaukee. He caught fire in the Bucks’ loss to the Celtics, finishing with 30.5 daily fantasy points thanks to 15 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals. He should receive even more opportunity in what should be a high-scoring matchup against the Warriors on Christmas, so he’s worth a look if you need a low-to-mid-level option at shooting guard.
Small Forwards
Jaylen Brown ($7,500): With Kemba Walker sidelined by a knee injury, Brown has more opportunity on the offensive end with Boston to start the season. This makes him an intriguing option at the small forward spot in a matchup against the Nets. He tallied 33 points, five rebounds, four assists, two steals and a block (for 54 daily fantasy points) in the Celtics’ opening night win over the Bucks. He should provide similar value on Christmas.
Caris LeVert ($5,800): The Nets’ promising young guard was terrific on opening night as he tallied 20 points, nine rebounds, five assists, two steals and one block in just 24 minutes to rack up 45.3 daily fantasy points. This huge performance means LeVert likely will be in a lot of daily fantasy lineups on Christmas for his team’s matchup against the Celtics.
Tyler Herro ($5,000): The second-year guard shined for Miami during the season restart in Orlando. And he has started the 2020-21 season at a similar pace. He posted 13 points, six rebounds and four assists (for 22.2 daily fantasy points) in his team’s opening night win over the Magic. There aren’t many solid, low-priced options at small forward on Christmas, so if you need one, Herro should be a solid choice.
Power Forwards
Giannis Antetokounmpo ($11,600): What more needs to be said about the reigning back-to-back Kia MVP? While he’s the most expensive option on Christmas, he could be eager to shine after the Bucks lost to the Sixers last year on the holiday. He should be able to dominate against the Warriors. He started his season on Tuesday with 35 points, 13 rebounds, two assists and two blocks (for 52.6 daily fantasy points). Plus, he may have some extra motivation after missing a game-tying free throw in the loss to Boston.
Kevin Durant ($8,500): The two-time Finals MVP made it look effortless in his season debut with the Nets on Tuesday. He tallied 22 points, five rebounds, three assists, three steals and one block (for 43.5 daily fantasy points) in just 24 minutes against the Warriors. He should be in line for even higher minutes and numbers against the Celtics on Christmas.
Kyle Kuzma ($4,200): If you want to win a large daily fantasy tournament, you need to take some risks in your lineup. Kuzma could be a solid, potentially low-owned option to consider as you try to create your winning squad. He scored 15 points in 26 minutes on Tuesday, but struggled to tally many other stats. If he can add some rebounds and defensive stats against the Mavericks, then he could end up providing good value.
Centers
Bam Adebayo ($8,500): Adebayo will have his work cut out for himself with a matchup against Zion Williamson, Steven Adams and the Pelicans. But this challenge could be just what Miami’s All-Star center needs to post a monster stat line. He dominated the Magic in the Heat’s opening night win with 25 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and a block (for 40.2 daily fantasy points).
Steven Adams ($5,500): The former Thunder center is in New Orleans this season and he should receive plenty of opportunities to produce alongside Zion. Adams posted 40.1 daily fantasy points in the Pelicans’ season opener against the Raptors. The 27-year-old big man finished with eight points, eight rebounds, three assists, two blocks and four steals in 30 minutes. Expect another stat-stuffing performance from him on Christmas.
James Wiseman ($4,200): The No. 2 overall pick started at center for the Warriors in their season opening loss to the Nets on Tuesday. He was solid in his debut, posting 19 points, six rebounds and two steals in 24 minutes for 31.2 daily fantasy points. He’ll have a tough matchup against the Bucks. But if the game turns into a blowout, he could have a great chance to shine on Christmas Day.
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