Strategy and Stats for 12/09/24 NBA Daily Fantasy Slate

As the clock ticks towards 08:30 PM EST tonight, all eyes will be on Scotiabank Arena where the New York Knicks clash with the Toronto Raptors in what’s anticipated to be a high-scoring affair, with an Over/Under set at a whopping 232.0. Fantasy enthusiasts, get ready to adjust your lineups as this single-game slate offers a treasure trove of top-tier talent. Key players to watch include the Knicks’ sharpshooting guard who has been averaging 25 points per game this season, and the Raptors’ versatile forward, known for his double-double potential. This pivotal Eastern Conference matchup not only promises excitement but also demands a deep dive into strategic player selections and potential game-changers. Stay tuned as we break down the optimal picks and sleeper candidates in the detailed analysis to follow.

Point Guard Analysis: Daily Fantasy Sports Insights

Jalen Brunson ($10600), New York Knicks – Projected 44 pts

Jalen Brunson continues to be a pivotal player for the New York Knicks, especially in the realm of daily fantasy sports. Over his last five games, Brunson has averaged 40.5 fantasy points per game, a slight dip from his previous five-game average of 45.0 points. Despite this decrease, his scoring remains robust at 24.6 points per game, complemented by 6.8 assists and 3.0 rebounds. Notably, Brunson’s shooting has been exceptionally efficient, boasting a 50.0% field goal percentage and an impressive 55.2% from three-point range. While his assists have seen a decrease from 9.8 to 6.8 per game, his overall performance remains strong. Facing the Toronto Raptors, who rank 12th in defense against point guards, Brunson’s matchup is moderately challenging yet his recent form suggests he can capitalize effectively. With a DraftKings salary of $10600 and a DFS value score of 4.2, Brunson stands out as a core value pick in your DFS lineups, promising both reliability and the potential for high returns.

Shooting Guard Spotlight

Gradey Dick ($6400), Toronto Raptors – Projected 26.0 pts

Gradey Dick of the Toronto Raptors has been a notable player in the realm of Daily Fantasy Sports, particularly over his last five games. With an average of 25.9 daily fantasy points during this period, Dick has shown a slight decrease from his previous five-game stretch where he averaged 26.9 points. Despite this minor dip, his scoring remains robust at 16.8 points per game, although down from 19.2 points in the earlier games. His assists have seen a more noticeable decrease, moving from 2.0 to 1.2 per game, which could impact his overall fantasy value. Rebounds, however, have improved, climbing from 2.8 to 3.8 per game. This increase, coupled with significant improvements in shooting accuracy (45.8% from the field, up from 38.7%, and 39.0% from three-point range, up from 32.1%), suggests a potential for higher fantasy scoring if these trends continue. His playing time has slightly decreased, with an average of 31.4 minutes per game compared to 35.0 minutes previously, which might be a factor in the slight decrease in some of his stats. Facing the Knicks next, who rank 12th in defense against SGs, presents a challenging but manageable matchup for Dick. With a DraftKings salary of $6400 and a DFS value score of 4.1, Dick represents a core value pick who could potentially outperform his recent metrics if he maintains his improved shooting efficiency.

Top Small Forward Picks for Today’s DFS Slate

None ($1200), Toronto Raptors – Projected 3.0 pts

In the realm of daily fantasy sports, every player carries potential, but some are more speculative than others. For the Toronto Raptors’ SF, None, the recent stretch offers a mixed bag of outcomes. With an average of 7.8 fantasy points over the last five games, None shows a slight improvement from his previous five-game stretch where he averaged 5.5 points. Despite this uptick, his overall impact remains minimal, highlighted by a stark 0% field goal shooting in recent games, although his three-point shooting stands at a decent 38.5%. Given his minimal court time of 12.3 minutes per game and a low DraftKings salary of $1200, None’s DFS value score lands at a 2.5. This positions him as a risky play against the Knicks, who rank 14th in defensive efficiency against SFs. Fantasy managers might consider him a deep sleeper or a last-resort fill-in, given his current trajectory and matchup.

Power Forward Analysis

Chris Boucher ($3600), Toronto Raptors – Projected 6.0 pts

Chris Boucher’s recent performances have shown a dip compared to his previous outings. Over the last five games, he’s averaged 16.1 daily fantasy points, a decrease from the 22.4 points in the games prior. His scoring has also dropped to 7.4 points per game from 10.8, alongside a significant decrease in shooting efficiency from the field, plummeting from a stellar 76.9% to just 45.5%. His three-point shooting has halved, now at a mere 16.7%. Despite these declines, Boucher’s minutes on the court have only slightly reduced, indicating he still holds a role in the Raptors’ game plan. However, his upcoming matchup against the Knicks, who rank #4 in defense against PFs, doesn’t bode well for a rebound in his fantasy production. With a DraftKings salary of $3600 and a projected point total leading to a DFS value score of 1.7, Boucher’s current form and matchup make him a risky pick for the upcoming slate.

Center Position Daily Fantasy Analysis

Karl-Anthony Towns ($11200), New York Knicks – Projected 43 pts

Karl-Anthony Towns, now anchoring the center position for the New York Knicks, continues to be a dominant force in the NBA. Over his last five games, Towns has posted an impressive average of 49.5 daily fantasy points. Despite a slight dip from his previous five-game stretch where he averaged 56.1 points, his current performance remains robust, especially in rebounding where he’s seen an increase from 11.8 to 15.4 per game. His scoring has seen a decrease, dropping from 32.5 points to 22.6 points per game, which correlates with a decrease in shooting efficiency from the field (67.3% to 59.3%) and beyond the arc (48.1% to 40.9%). However, his ability to maintain high efficiency in shooting while being heavily involved in the Knicks’ offensive plays highlights his critical role. Looking ahead, Towns faces the Raptors, who rank #29 against centers, suggesting a favorable matchup that could see him exploiting these defensive weaknesses. Despite this, his projected DFS value score stands at 3.8, primarily due to his high DraftKings salary of $11200, which slightly overshadows his expected performance output. Fantasy managers should weigh his recent uptick in minutes and rebounds against his high cost to determine if he fits strategically into their lineup.