Strategy and Stats for 12/29/24 NBA Daily Fantasy Slate

As the clock strikes 04:30 PM EST today, the NBA fantasy landscape is set to ignite with six thrilling games, but all eyes are on the Atlanta Hawks as they prepare to clash with the Toronto Raptors at the bustling Scotiabank Arena at 07:00 PM EST. With an Over/Under set at a staggering 238.0, this game promises to be a fantasy goldmine. Fantasy managers should closely monitor top-tier talents like Trae Young, who has been dazzling with his sharpshooting and playmaking abilities, and Pascal Siakam, whose all-around performances continue to captivate. This high-stakes matchup not only sets the stage for potential fantasy glory but also serves as a perfect segue into our in-depth analysis of today’s games, where we’ll break down key players and hidden gems across all positions to help you dominate your daily fantasy contests.

Top Point Guard Picks for Today’s DFS Slate

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ($11000), Oklahoma City Thunder – Projected 54 pts

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been a powerhouse for the Oklahoma City Thunder, particularly in his recent performances. Over the last five games, he’s averaged a robust 55.9 daily fantasy points, demonstrating not just scoring prowess with 31.8 points per game, but also versatility with 6.0 assists and rebounds each. His shooting efficiency stands out as well, maintaining a 57.7% from the field, although there’s a slight dip compared to his previous five games where he shot an exceptional 67.3%. Despite a slight increase in three-point percentage to 35.5% from 26.9%, his overall field goal percentage has seen a minor decline. This could be attributed to his increased shooting volume, up to 21.8 shots per game from 15.6. His minutes on the court have also risen to 36.5 per game, up from 32.6, indicating a heavy reliance on him in the Thunder’s gameplay. Looking ahead to the next game against the Grizzlies, who rank #12 defensively against point guards, Gilgeous-Alexander’s matchup is moderately challenging. However, his recent form and increased role suggest he can navigate this with continued success. His DraftKings salary of $11000 reflects his elite status, though his DFS Value Score of 4.9 places him just shy of the strong value category. Fantasy managers should consider him a core part of their lineups, especially given his high ceiling in both scoring and playmaking.

Shooting Guard Spotlight: DFS Analysis

Jalen Green ($6100), Houston Rockets – Projected 30 pts

Jalen Green’s recent surge in performance makes him a noteworthy candidate for today’s DFS lineup. Over his last five games, Green has averaged 34.1 daily fantasy points, a slight improvement from his previous set of games where he averaged 32.8. His scoring has also seen an uptick, with an average of 22.4 points per game, supported by a robust 57.1% shooting from the field. Despite a slight decrease in three-point accuracy, down to 37.2% from 39.3%, his overall impact remains strong. Green’s assist numbers have grown modestly to 3.0 per game, and while his rebounding slightly dipped to 4.0, his contributions across the board keep him as a solid pick, especially considering his increased shot volume, now at 18.4 attempts per game. Facing the Heat, who rank #12 against SGs, might pose a challenge, yet Green’s current form suggests he can navigate this with relative ease. With a DFS Value Score of 4.9, he sits just below the strong value threshold, making him a core value pick for today’s slate.

Top Small Forward Picks for Today’s DFS Slate

Jaime Jaquez Jr. ($5400), Miami Heat – Projected 25 pts

Jaime Jaquez Jr. has been a consistent performer for the Miami Heat, showcasing his ability to contribute across the board. Over his last five games, Jaquez Jr. has averaged 19.7 daily fantasy points, a slight dip from his previous five-game stretch where he posted 21.7 points. Despite the slight decrease in fantasy output, his scoring remains solid at 8.6 points per game, with a stable field goal percentage of 50.0%. However, his three-point shooting has seen a significant improvement, jumping from 11.1% to 21.4%. His upcoming matchup against the Rockets, who rank #3 in defense against SFs, poses a challenge. Yet, his ability to adapt and maintain efficiency on the court, as evidenced by his consistent playing time and shot attempts, suggests he could overcome this tough defense. With a DraftKings salary of $5400 and a projected DFS value score of 4.6, Jaquez Jr. offers core value for today’s slate, making him a viable option for your DFS lineups.

Power Forward Analysis for Today’s DFS Slate

Jalen Johnson ($9300), Atlanta Hawks – Projected 47.0 pts

Jalen Johnson has been a revelation for the Atlanta Hawks and daily fantasy sports players alike. Ranked as the third-best PF in generating fantasy points, Johnson’s recent performances have been nothing short of spectacular. Over his last five games, he’s averaged 47.6 fantasy points per game, a significant increase from the 42.0 points in the previous five-game stretch. His scoring has also seen an uptick, with 21.6 points per game recently, compared to 18.5 points earlier. Although his assists have slightly dipped from 6.5 to 4.8, his rebounding has impressively increased from 8.5 to 11.6 per game. Johnson’s shooting efficiency remains high at 59.4% from the field, despite a slight decrease from an even more impressive 67.6%. His three-point shooting has cooled off to 30.8%, down from 37.5%. However, the increase in his shots per game from 10.6 to 15.4 indicates a growing confidence and role in the Hawks’ offensive schemes. With an average of 37.0 minutes on the court per game, Johnson’s impact is undeniable. Facing the Toronto Raptors next, who rank 23rd against PFs, Johnson’s matchup is favorable. His DraftKings salary of $9300 reflects his elite status and with a DFS value score of 5.1, he stands out as a strong value pick in today’s games.

Center Position Daily Fantasy Analysis

Victor Wembanyama ($11400), San Antonio Spurs – Projected 57 pts

Victor Wembanyama has been nothing short of spectacular in his recent outings for the Spurs, putting up an impressive average of 63.4 daily fantasy points over his last five games. This surge in performance includes averages of 30.6 points, 4.2 assists, and 10.0 rebounds per game, with a solid shooting efficiency of 58.5% from the field and 40.4% from three-point range. His minutes have also seen a slight increase, averaging 35.3 per game during this stretch. Comparing his recent performances to the previous set of five games, Wembanyama has shown improvements in scoring (+3.6 points per game) and three-point shooting (+1.9%), although there has been a slight dip in assists and rebounds. Notably, his field goal percentage has seen a decrease from an unusually high 68.6% to 58.5%, which aligns more closely with typical shooting percentages. Looking ahead to the next game against the Timberwolves, who rank #17 in defense against centers, Wembanyama’s matchup appears favorable. Despite a high DraftKings salary of $11400, his projected fantasy points stand at 57.0, translating to a DFS value score of 5.0. This positions him as a strong value play in daily fantasy sports, particularly given his recent form and the potential for high usage against a mid-tier defensive team.