NBA Winners from Downtown 12-14-15

Winners From Downtown is bringing the top daily picks for your cash games, alongside some value plays, and Vegas notes. Be sure to check out our minutes tool, and Colossus lineup optimizer.

Projections show DraftKings prices and fantasy points.

Vegas Notes

- Rockets-Nuggets (+5, 209.5), Suns-Mavericks (-4, 209) Pelicans-Blazers (-3, 209), Clippers-Pistons (+1.5, 202.5), and Raptors-Pacers (-5, 202) are the top totals on tonight's 10-game slate.

- We have a few blowout concerns tonight: 76ers-Bulls (-13, 194) and Jazz-Spurs (-12.5, 185.5).

Top Picks

Salary: FD: $10,700 DK: $10,800

Since the beginning of last season, Harden has averaged 56.75 DK points per game against the Nuggets, and tonight is the perfect time to target him. This game has the highest total on this huge slate, and Harden provides you with a floor that is as high as any player in the NBA. In his worst game of the season against the Nets, Harden still managed over 30 FP, and the Nuggets have been a poor defensive unit this season. He has monstrous upside and a high floor in this game. If I'm going to pay up for a top-tier guard, Harden is the guy.

Salary: FD (PG): $7,300 DK (SG): $7,000

Evans has been a much needed boost to the Pelicans' often stagnant offense. Aside from a dud against Boston, he has 45.25, 32, 37.25, 46.75, and 38.25 FP and has played at least 31 minutes in each contest. Tonight he faces off against a Portland team that ranks 24th in the NBA in defensive efficiency. This game comes in just behind HOU-DEN as the second-highest total on the slate, and Evans has been playing very solid basketball. Take advantage of the price tag before it continues to increase.

Salary: FD: $6,300 DK: $6,200

Despite the tough matchup against Marc Gasol tonight, Gortat makes for a fine play. He has been solid since his return from injury, averaging 14/11 in three contests. He provides you with a solid floor for cash games without having to pay top dollar at the C position. He and John Wall feed off of each other, and with Wall facing a tough matchup of his own against Mike Conley, look for Gortat to see some opportunities down low. Jahlil Okafor catches my eye as well, but the 76ers are 13-point underdogs, which makes him a tough roster in cash games.

Salary: FD: $10,700 DK: $10,600

With plenty of mid-range and value options on tonight's slate, it is a simple task to fit in one or both of Davis and Harden into your lineups. Davis has been the player DFSers love to hate, with some disappointing performances and injuries, but he remains one of the best fantasy performers on the planet. He is averaging 23.4/10.8 with 1.6 steals and 2.6 blocks per game. Portland has allowed the 2nd-most fantasy points to opposing PF over their last 5 games, and Davis is in a prime spot to excel. If you can't quite fit Davis, give Blake Griffin a look for a little bit cheaper against the Pistons.

Salary: FD: $7,700 DK: $7,600

I've been looking to list players who aren't priced as the top options at their respective positions, and Knight fits the bill as a mid-range option with elite upside. This game has a high total as well at 209, and Knight has displayed an elite balance of floor and upside this season. He is averaging 20.7/4.4/5.4/1.7 and 38.5 FPPG, and should have no trouble posting a solid line tonight against a Dallas frontcourt that really only has one good defender (Wesley Matthews). Deciding between Knight and teammate Eric Bledsoe is tough, but I'll take the discount with Knight in this up-tempo battle against the Mavs.

Value Plays

Matt Barnes (SF - MEM) FD: $4,100 DK: $4,300

The small-ball era is beginning in Memphis, with Zach Randolph headed to the bench and Barnes drawing the start. In his first start, he posted a 13/13 line and 42.75 DK points. I'll be throwing him in to my cash games early and often against a Wizards team that ranks 23rd in defensive efficiency.

Wesley Matthews (SG - DAL) FD: $5,600 DK: $5,600

Matthews has finally rounded into form, and is simply too cheap for his recent production (59.5, 28.5, 30.5, 36.25). He faces off against a Suns team tonight that ranks 19th in defensive efficiency, and he is playing a ton of minutes (34+ in 7 straight games). Matthews is one of my favorite cheap plays tonight.

While Felton is in play either way, he makes for an elite option if Deron Williams (illness) sits out another game. Felton was tremendous last time out, as he posted 45.75 DK points in 38 minutes with Williams out. Monitor D-Will's status today to determine just how much Felton exposure you will need.

Bismack Biyombo (C - TOR) FD: $4,000 DK: $4,900

Biyombo has been on the "punt-play" radar since the injury to Jonas Valanciunas, and tonight he draws a solid matchup against the Pacers, who are allowing the 2nd-most FP per game to opposing C over their last 5 games. Biyombo hasn't been tremendous, but will see upper 20s to low 30s in minutes tonight in a solid matchup.