NBA DFS Picks: FanDuel Plays and Strategy for Monday, December 18

NBA DFS Picks: FanDuel Plays and Strategy for Monday, December 18

This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.

We kick off the week with a massive 11-game slate that begins at 7:00 p.m. ET. We've got all of our best selections for FanDuel contests below!

SLATE OVERVIEW

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.

Highest Totals: WAS/SAC (245), DET/ATL (243.5), LAC/IND (242.5)

Back-to-back games: WAS

INJURIES

For all the latest updates, visit RotoWire's NBA Injury News page and our comprehensive NBA Injury Report. Below are some of the most recent and relevant injuries for Monday. Keep in mind that this is not a complete list. Use your best judgment when evaluating ongoing injury scenarios elsewhere on the slate.


IND Tyrese Haliburton (knee) - QUESTIONABLE

If Haliburton misses again, T.J. McConnell ($5,800) would start, but I think his salary is a bit too high among the bevy of backcourt options available.

SAC De'Aaron Fox (shoulder) - QUESTIONABLE

I'll outline my favorite Sacramento option later in the article.

CLE Evan Mobley (knee) - OUT

Mobley will be out for over a month, so Jarrett Allen ($7,300) will figure to be a sought-after fantasy commodity. We have the advantage of his usability at three different positions, and we'll seize the opportunity against Houston.

ATL Bogdan Bogdanovic (ankle) - QUESTIONABLE

ATL Clint Capela (knee) - QUESTIONABLE

Capela could still play, but Onyeka Okongwu ($6,200) would draw the start if he's out. I would also give Saddiq Bey ($6,300) a look with Bogdanovic sidelined.

CHA Gordon Hayward (illness) - QUESTIONABLE

CHA P.J. Washington (shoulder) - QUESTIONABLE

Miles Bridges ($7,600) is the first pivot I can think of at this spot, as output isn't guaranteed among the other potential replacements.

MIA Kyle Lowry (undisclosed) - OUT

Tyler Herro ($7,400) is slated to return, but any reports on a minute restriction should be considered before rostering him. The team will need backcourt support, so Josh Richardson ($4,800) should also have some impact.

DET Isaiah Stewart (shoulder) - OUT

Although Marvin Bagley ($5,000) will start, James Wiseman ($4,100) has played quite well as a fill-in, and he should definitely be considered at this rock-bottom price.

ELITE PLAYERS

We have 11 players at 10k or above in Monday's player pool. Of the group, Trae Young ($10,100) stands out in a soft spot against Detroit. He'll need to step up with Bogdanovic and Capela potentially out for this game. I also like LeBron James ($10,000) in a spot against the Knicks, provided he suits up. He is still dealing with a calf injury and sat the second half of a back-to-back last week.

Jaren Jackson ($8,900) should be able to keep the production going against the Thunder, provided he can get a higher rebound total, a metric that has floundered for him recently. The Thunder rank 27th in total rebounding, which is an encouraging sign for an uptick. I also like Desmond Bane ($8,600) in the same contest.

Also consider: Kawhi Leonard, LAC ($9,500) @ IND, DeMar DeRozan, CHI ($8,200) @ PHI

EXPECTED CHALK AND OTHER TARGETS

Dante Exum, DAL ($6,600) @ DEN

Luka Doncic ($12,600) should finish with a massive total in this game, but I like Exum as Kyrie Irving's fill-in a bit better at this salary. If he keeps his shot volume up, he has an excellent chance to match value and has the added advantage of eligibility at PG and SG.

Michael Porter, DEN ($6,500) vs. DAL

Porter dances around 5x value at this salary, and although you'd like a slightly steadier number, Porter is simply too cheap to ignore. There's an opportunity for an opening here, as Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic will take a lot of focus, and Porter will be able to slip in and grab some open looks and rebounds off the rim.

Keegan Murray, SAC ($6,500) vs. WAS

The league sat up and took notice as Murray drained 12 three-pointers in his last game, challenging Klay Thompson's record and fully realizing his immense potential. If De'Aaron Fox misses again as expected, I expect Murray to pick up the slack against the Wizards. Although one shouldn't expect a similar explosion, I'll gladly ride the hot hand.

Collin Sexton, UTA ($6,300) vs. BKN

FanDuel is being a bit too generous with Sexton, who will continue to be a solid streaming option amid Utah's slew of backcourt injuries. Keyonte George and Jordan Clarkson will still be out, giving Sexton potential as the team's floor general.

Also consider: Cam Thomas, BKN ($6,400) @ UTA

VALUE PLAYS

Per usual, you should look to the injury section for the slate's best values, but here are some additional budget spots to consider for Monday.

Isaiah Jackson, IND ($4,700) vs. LAC

This will be a tough matchup against the Clippers, but Jackson has put together two value-crushing games, and we should expect his usage to remain high. If he can get around Kawhi Leonard, he should be well worth the bargain at $4,700.

Vince Williams, MEM ($4,600) @ OKC

Williams will probably continue to be overlooked Monday as he continues to find a spot in Memphis' starting lineup. The roster will shuffle when Ja Morant returns, so we should take advantage of Williams' budget price while we can. A number above 20 FDFPs is a great total at this salary, and he's beaten that number for three consecutive games.

Terance Mann, LAC ($4,200) @  IND

I wouldn't expect miracles from Mann, but you have to consider him as a starter in one of the league's most potent offenses. You'll rarely find a first-unit guy at this salary, and although there is plenty of variance associated with this choice, he's a great salary saver and also has dual eligibility.

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.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jeff Edgerton
Jeff has provided sports content for numerous sports outlets and has played fantasy sports since scores had to be tabulated via newspaper. He started working with RotoWire in 2017. Originally from South Carolina, he's a lifelong Clemson fan now enjoying the sun in Los Angeles.
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