NBA Winners from Downtown 12-16-15

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

-The lowest total on the slate belongs to Heat-Nets (+4, 190).

-The other blowout concerns are Wizards-Spurs (-12.5, 198), and 76ers-Hawks (-13.5, 198).

Top Picks

Salary: FD: $11,100 DK: $10,700

These two teams combined for 251 points in their first meeting, and while that number is unlikely again, a repeat of Curry's 41/8/6 line isn't too far fetched. Curry had 66 DK points in that contest, and it is no secret that the Suns struggle against opposing point guards. This game has the highest total by far, the Warriors have the highest team total, and Curry is the best player on the planet in an ideal matchup. This one is simple for me. I'm finding a way to get myself some Curry exposure.

Salary: FD: $7,400 DK: $7,600

Batum is one of the safest options you'll find at the SF position without paying an elite price tag. He has at least 31 FP in 10 consecutive games, including 5 with 40 or more. Tonight he faces off against a Magic team that has actually been solid defensively, but with Al Jefferson still out, Batum will continue to have a bigger role in the offense. He is a safe bet for 30 FP, and even has upside of 45+ tonight.

Salary: FD: $7,800 DK: $7,500

Jackson has quietly been one of the better PG in the NBA this season, and has Drew Brees-esque home/road splits. In road games, he is averaging 30.7 DK points on 39% shooting from the field, but at home he averages 42.3 DK points on 47.8% shooting. The sample size is a decent one as well, as he has now played 26 games, with exactly half of them coming at home. Tonight he faces Isaiah Thomas and the Celtics, who have struggled against opposing PG with Marcus Smart on the shelf. Jackson is a safe play tonight that also possesses massive upside.

Salary: FD: $9,400 DK: $9,000

While there is plenty of value to help you get either Griffin or Anthony Davis in this spot tonight, Griffin gives you a similar floor at a substantial discount. Over his last 5 games, Blake is averaging 43.5 DK points per game, and now faces a Bucks team that he destroyed in their first matchup to the tune of 21/14 and 50.5 FP. Milwaukee ranks 28th in the NBA with a -4.6 rebound differential. Blake and DeAndre Jordan should feast down low. The only concern here is the potential blowout if Greg Monroe sits, so monitor that situation as the day moves on. If Monroe sits, I find it hard to believe that the Bucks can keep this one close, and I would be pivoting up to Davis instead.

Salary: FD: $6,900 DK: $6,900

With the Hawks struggling to contain big men, Okafor finds himself in a fine spot tonight. The 76ers are monster underdogs (-14), but we have seen Okafor get plenty of run even when the game is out of hand, so I'm not concerned with the potential blowout tonight. The 76ers rank dead last in the NBA in rebounding (-5.0 rebound differential), but the Hawks are barely ahead of them (-4.9). Okafor has been consistent recently, posting totals of 41.5, 30.5, 45, and 36.5 over his past 4 games.

Value Plays

Matt Barnes (SF - MEM) FD: $4,900 DK: $5,100

Fire up Barnes once again, as he is thriving in the small-ball system for the Grizzlies. Despite taking just 18 shots over his last two games, Barnes has FP totals of 42.75 and 36.5 while drawing the start. He is once again THE elite value on the board in my book, and I'll have a ton of exposure in all formats.

Jrue Holiday (PG - NO) FD: $5,400 DK: $4,700

While I'm not a big fan of his price on FD at all, his DK price is still very enticing. He played a season-high 29 minutes last time out, and now has at least 29 FP in 4 straight contests. He saw a lot of run down the stretch, which is very telling for his spot in the Pelicans' rotation. I am a huge fan in all formats again tonight.

No, he isn't quite a value on DK anymore, but Leuer has been tremendous in his new role now that Markieff Morris has officially moved into the doghouse. He has now played 6 straight games with at least 27 minutes and 25 DK points. He played just 10 minutes in the first meeting between these two teams, but he should see plenty of run in the game with the highest total on the board tonight.

Joakim Noah (C - CHI) FD: $5,300 DK: $5,100

My love for Noah as a player is well-documented, and remains the team's biggest cheerleader, stating after the 76ers game that "We obviously have an issue playing with the right energy". Well, Noah's energy was just fine, as he posted a monster 5/15/8 line in just 22 minutes. He has 8 straight games with at least 24 FP, and is easily the Bulls' best bench player.