Tonight’s NBA action features a high stakes two game main slate starting at 8:00 PM ET. The slate is headlined by the Cleveland Cavaliers taking on the Chicago Bulls and the Minnesota Timberwolves hosting the Memphis Grizzlies. With several major injury situations, including the questionable status of superstars Ja Morant and Anthony Edwards, this slate is defined by finding the right value to fit in remaining high usage studs.

 

 

Before actually diving into the meat and potatoes, welcome to the NBA DFS season. If this is your first time reading our column on NBA DFS picks, I just want to welcome you and give you a few tips and tricks on what you should be looking for each night.

  • News outlets: reliable sources that give us injury news & starting lineups
  • Pace of play: who's playing fast vs. who's playing slow. Which teams get a pace-up spot (more possessions) vs. pace-down (fewer possessions)
  • Usage rates: is a percentage of how many plays that player is being used in
  • NBA DFS Projections
  • Lineup Generator
  • NBA Ownership

NBA DFS Picks & Daily Fantasy Playbook Today, December 17th

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Pre/Post-Lock Update

This section will be used for anything that changes from the morning until right up to roster lock. 

Injury updates, players we’re higher on than we were in the morning and so much more.

Update: 5:56 PM ET 

  • Anthony Edwards - OUT
     

Update: 2:06 PM ET 

  • Ja Morant - Doubtful

All status updates after contest roster lock will be made in the Fantasy Alarm Discord: https://discord.gg/2yATJxXe8G

NBA Injuries, News & Updates Today, 12/17

Injuries 12/17

CLE:

CHI:

MEM:

MIN:

H/T UD

 

 

NBA DFS Slate & Game Overviews

The focus of this slate rests on two matchups with contrasting profiles. The Cleveland Chicago game is expected to be a high scoring affair with a total of 243.5 and a spread of 5.5 in favor of Cleveland. Meanwhile, the Memphis Minnesota clash features the Timberwolves as 7.5 point home favorites with a total of 232.5. Because both games tip off at the same time, DFS players will have all necessary injury information at lock to finalize their builds.

Chicago Bulls vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

Spread: Cavaliers -5.5 Total: 242.5

Bulls NBA DFS Breakdown

The Chicago Bulls have become a projection challenge lately, having recently utilized an erratic 11 player rotation within the first quarter of a game. The primary offensive engine remains Coby White, who carries the highest usage rate on the team when everyone is healthy, though his minutes have occasionally been capped near 30. Josh Giddey possesses immense triple double upside but is coming off a game where he logged only 24 minutes due to significant foul trouble. In the frontcourt, Nikola Vucevic remains a tournament only option as Chicago continues to experiment with a three center rotation involving Jalen Smith and Zach Collins. Ayo Dosunmu is currently listed as questionable; if he is ruled out, it will likely tighten the perimeter rotation for White and Giddey.

Cavaliers NBA DFS Breakdown

The Cleveland Cavaliers enter this matchup dealing with a thin frontcourt due to the absence of Evan Mobley. In this environment, Darius Garland is an elite play as he finally played a halfway decent game and is seeing heavy overlap with other guards. With Mobley and Sam Merrill off the floor, Garland boasts a 36.9% usage rate and averages 1.2 Fantasy Points per Minute. Donovan Mitchell is the highest priced player on the slate and serves as a priority for a safe, high ceiling. Lonzo Ball has integrated effectively into their rotation, recently logging 32 minutes and playing a significant role alongside Mitchell and Garland. For value, Jaylon Tyson has seen his role expand to 30 regulation minutes and has shown the ability to close games over starters. Additionally, Dean Wade remains a viable salary saver if he continues to start in Mobley's place.

Memphis Grizzlies vs. Minnesota Timberwolves

Spread: Timberwolves -7.5 Total: 233.5

Grizzlies NBA DFS Breakdown

Memphis is currently thinned out with Zach Edey and Cam Spencer both ruled out, which creates massive usage gaps across the starting lineup. Jaylen Wells has emerged as a model of consistency for the Grizzlies, recording 11 straight games with 20+ fantasy points. Jaren Jackson appears to have rediscovered his offensive rhythm after a dominant recent performance and remains a high-upside play, especially if Ja Morant (ankle) is limited or eventually ruled out. If Morant is unavailable, Vince Williams is expected to be the "mega chalk" of the slate, as he would likely step into a primary playmaking role. Santi Aldama is also a strong mid-range target after logging 30 minutes in his last start in place of Edey.

Timberwolves NBA DFS Breakdown

The primary decision point for the Minnesota side revolves around the status of Anthony Edwards (foot), as his absence would make the entire remaining core highly viable. Julius Randle is the main beneficiary when Edwards sits, consistently producing 40+ fantasy points in high-usage spots. Rudy Gobert is back in the lineup after missing time for the birth of his daughter and faces a Memphis team that has historically surrendered high production to opposing centers. If Edwards is ruled out, Bones Hyland becomes a high-priority value play following his recent 36-minute outing. Finally, Naz Reed remains a robust option regardless of the starting five, as he continues to see a high volume of three-point attempts against a Grizzlies defense that frequently struggles to contain perimeter shooters.

NBA DFS Core Player Pool & Lineup Picks

High

Mid

Value