NBA DFS Picks: DraftKings Plays and Strategy for Monday, December 26

NBA DFS Picks: DraftKings Plays and Strategy for Monday, December 26

This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.

Slate Overview

BKN at CLE 
Nets on eight-game win streak. 
LAC at DET
Pistons on five-game slide. 
MIN at MIA
Both sides 5-5 in last 10 games. 
IND at NOP 
Pelicans 13-4 at home.
HOU at CHI
Bulls on three-game win streak. 
UTA at SAS
Jazz on two-game win streak. 
CHA at POR
Trail Blazers on three-game slide. 

For the latest spreads and over/unders, visit RotoWire's NBA Odds page. There, you can also find player props, futures, picks, articles and sportsbook bonus codes.

Injuries to Monitor  

For all the latest updates, visit RotoWire's NBA Injury News page and our comprehensive NBA Injury Report    

BKN - Joe Harris (knee): OUT

LAC - Kawhi Leonard (knee): OUT

MIN - Kyle Anderson (back): Questionable 
Taurean Prince (shoulder), Jordan McLaughlin (calf), Karl-Anthony Towns (calf): OUT       

MIA - Caleb Martin (ankle): Probable 
Gabe Vincent (knee), Bam Adebayo (shoulder), Jimmy Butler (ankle): Questionable 
Dewayne Dedmon (foot): OUT

IND - Jalen Smith (ankle), Aaron Nesmith (ankle): Questionable 

NOP - Larry Nance (Achilles): Questionable 
Brandon Ingram (toe): OUT   

HOU - Eric Gordon (thumb): Questionable

CHI - Derrick Jones (ankle), Javonte Green (knee): Doubtful 
Alex Caruso (concussion): OUT  

UTA - Kelly Olynyk (ankle): OUT

CHA - Dennis Smith (ankle): Questionable
Nick Richards (ankle): Doubtful 
Cody Martin (knee): OUT   

POR - Jusuf Nurkic (calf), Josh Hart (ankle): Probable
Justise Winslow (ankle), Nassir Little (hip): OUT 

Elite Players

Guards

Donovan Mitchell, Cavaliers ($8,900) vs. Nets

Mitchell is averaging 27.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.4 steals across five outings, including two where he went over 50 DK points. He has to step up against the Nets in order to counteract the star power of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, and he should do well, considering the Nets give up the sixth most points per game to shooting guards. 

Paul George, Clippers ($9,000) at Pistons

George is averaging 24.6 points, 7.0 rebounds, 6.4 assists and 1.4 steals in his last four games, including one where he generated 65.3 DK points. He is up for more responsibility on both ends of the floor while Kawhi Leonard is sidelined and has a good chance to excel against the Pistons, who give up the league's second most points per game. 

Forwards/Centers

DeMar DeRozan, Bulls ($8,400) vs. Rockets

DeRozan is coming off a fantastic performance, where he knocked down the game-winning shot and finished with a total of 56.8 DK points. He is averaging 25.9 points, 6.5 rebounds and 5.3 assists over the last 10 games and should keep the momentum going against the Rockets, who allow opponents to shoot an average of 47.4 percent from the field. 

Kevin Durant, Nets ($10,500) at Cavaliers 

Durant exceeded 50 DK points in six of the last 10 outings, with a high of 58. He has a tough matchup against a strong Cavaliers' defense, but he also has significant size advantage at small forward and is too mobile on the perimeter to be guarded by the Cavs' talented bigs. 

Walker Kessler, Jazz ($6,400) at Spurs

Kessler is up for a fourth consecutive start and will continue to see extended playing time in the absence of Kelly Olynyk. He averaged 11.0 points, 9.7 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 2.0 blocks over the last three games and surpassed 24 DK points in eight of the last 10. Kessler also has a favorable matchup against the Spurs, who give up the league's most points per game to opposing centers. 

Expected Chalk 

Damian Lillard, Trail Blazers ($9,900) vs. Hornets

Lillard should prosper against the Hornets, who give up the league's third most points per game, including the seventh most points to point guards. He is averaging 29.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, 7.2 assists and 1.2 steals through the last 10 outings, including five with more than 50 DK points and a high of 72.5. 

Value Picks

Ayo Dosunmu, Bulls ($4,000) vs. Rockets

Dosunmu is up for a second consecutive start in place of Alex Caruso, after he produced 27.8 DK points in the last game. He has a favorable matchup against the Rockets, who give up the league's most points per game to point guards. 

Trey Murphy, Pelicans ($5,000) vs. Pacers 

Murphy topped 19 DK points in each of the last five games, with a high of 36.3 in the most recent outing. He has a good chance to shine against the Pacers, who give up the league's fourth most points per game to shooting guards. 

T.J. Warren, Nets ($3,800) at Cavaliers

Warren amassed 26 DK points in back-to-back games and poses a versatile threat off the bench. He should also see added playing time in the absence of Joe Harris. 

Patrick Williams, Bulls ($4,600) vs. Rockets

Williams surpassed 21 DK points seven times while averaging 10.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.0 blocks in the last 10 games. He should do well against the Rockets, who give up the league's ninth most offensive rebounds. 

Drew Eubanks, Trail Blazers ($3,600) vs. Hornets 

Eubanks is averaging 5.9. points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.0 blocks through 10 games, including two where he reached 26 DK points. He has a good chance to stand out against the Hornets, who give up the league's second most rebounds per game. 

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire. Dan Bruno plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: FanDuel: duelingdan.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dan Bruno
Dan has been writing all things NBA for RotoWire since 2014. He is an active fantasy sports player, with a love for DFS. Dan is a certified Coach with the Ontario Basketball Association and is a recreation professional in his home city.
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