Merry Christmas and happy holidays, everyone! We have a five-game slate on Christmas day with the first day tipping at noon EST while the final game tips at 10:30 pm EST. We have a ton of players already ruled out due to injury and due to the protocols as well. I’m sure by the time tomorrow rolls around, we’ll have more joining the list when you consider how frequent it’s been.
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Let's get into the plays now, shall we?!
Gorgui Dieng vs. NYK
The Hawks have pretty much lost all their front court players due to the health and safety protocols as Clint Capela and Onyeka Okongwu are out. Dieng started on Wednesday and played 23 minutes, but then came off the bench on Thursday and played just 14 minutes. That said, he still put up 24 DKP on Thursday, so he doesn’t need a lot of time to put up a crooked number. Dieng has averaged 1.08 FP/min on the year and could play 25+ minutes here out of necessity.
Bogdan Bogdanovic vs. NYK
I love his price on DraftKings at just 4.7K. It was great to see, in just his second game back, he was extended to 28 minutes. He took 17 shots in those 28 minutes too, which doesn’t shock me considering who’s out. With those out as it stands, Bogdanovic has a 28.8% USG rate, which is second on the team behind Cam Reddish. You can use him in cash or GPPs at this price. He’s one of the best values on the board against a shaky Knicks defense. Over the last two weeks, the Knicks are 20th in DRtg as a team.
Gary Payton III vs. PHX
The Warriors are down a LOT of players due to the health and safety protocols and if everything remains status quo, we should see Payton draw another start here. He not only started last time out, but he played 30+ minutes, scored 22 points and 30 DKP. It’s a much tougher match-up with arguably the best defensive unit in the league on the other side of the floor, but his price is quite appealing. With Poole, Lee and Wiggins out, Payton has a 1.07 FP/min average.
Nemanja Bjelica vs. PHX
Similarly to Payton, we need to find out who’s in and who’s out for Golden State, but it doesn’t seem like many – if any – of their players are going to return from the protocols. If they don’t, I could see Bjelica extend past 20 minutes again, and three of the last four times he’s played at least 17 minutes, he’s topped 20 DKP. With Wiggins, Poole and Lee off the floor, Bjelica averages 1.02 FP/min. He’s a tournament play only, and maybe not as appealing if Andre Iguodala returns to action as well.
Sterling Brown vs. UTA
Whether Kristaps Porzingis is in or out, Brown is going to have an extended role out of necessity here. Dallas has nine, yes NINE, players in health and safety protocols and a 10th in Porzingis who may not play due to an injury. They’re 12 point dogs, sure, but Brown has been extremely productive on the floor, notching two straight double-doubles, while notching three assists in each game as well. It also doesn’t hurt he’s seen an $800 price deduction since last slate for whatever reason.
Dwight Howard vs. BKN
I know his price isn’t the most appealing thing in the world, but let’s take a look at how things shook out last game. Howard played nearly 17 first half minutes and only five in the second. The Lakers were down big in the second half and didn’t force the issue with Howard as he didn’t play after the seven minute mark in the third quarter. He also said he was tired after playing those 22 minutes, so his conditioning will continue to improve as the days go on, so he could be extended even further here. I like Howard in tournaments, especially if he draws another start like he did the other day.