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

- Christmas Day always brings five high total games, and this year is no different. Each game has a total over 200, but still three games rank higher than the others. Cavs-Warriors has a 210 total. Warriors have a 108 team total to go with that. Rockets-Spurs, and Pelicans-Heat have lower 200 totals, but of course are still in play.

- There is the blowout concern with the L.A. game. The Clippers are 12 point favorites, and have the highest team total on the slate. I will pray for a Christmas miracle, and hope the Lakers keep it close.

- Bulls, Rockets, and Pelicans have a 97 team total on the slate today.

Top Picks

Stephen Curry (PG), Warriors

Opponent

Minutes

Fantasy Points Per Minute

Defensive Efficiency Rating

Usage Rate

Opposing Fantasy Points Allowed

Vegas Team Total

Projection

Cavs

351.3821.332.647.210848.3

Salary: FD: $10,900 DK: $10,700

The Warriors at home on Christmas against the team they knocked out of the finals is going to be the game of the day. I am locking Steph Curry into my lineups today. In the last ten games, the Cleveland Cavaliers have allowed the second most fantasy points per game to opposing PG. Curry is averaging 26-7-6 in the last three games, but Curry has been consistent all season, averaging 31-6-5. We know the Warriors will be locked into a battle with Cleveland, so Curry will be locked into 35 minutes or so. He is shooting 52% from the field, and 45% from three. At the Oracle, I am not sure I can fade Curry today.

Jimmy Butler (SG), Bulls

Opponent

Minutes

Fantasy Points Per Minute

Defensive Efficiency Rating

Usage Rate

Opposing Fantasy Points Allowed

Vegas Team Total

Projection

@Thunder370.9917.623.940.19836.3

Salary: FD: $8,500 DK: $7,500

I am not on James Harden today in cash games, leaving me with Jimmy Butler as the top SG option. Butler dropped a 26-2-4 line against OKC earlier this season, shooting just 40% from the field. Butler is averaging 23-4-3 in the last six games, logging 38 minutes per game. Points-per-dollar, Butler is an easy call today, but definitely not one to force into your lineups. With Harden possibly seeing Kawhi Leonard, I rather not take that risk in cash games. I just know I am going to get a solid 35 fantasy point floor with Butler.

Lebron James (SF), Cavs

Opponent

Minutes

Fantasy Points Per Minute

Defensive Efficiency Rating

Usage Rate

Opposing Fantasy Points Allowed

Vegas Team Total

Projection

@Warriors

381.3416.033.437.910150.9

Salary: FD: $10,400 DK: $10,000

The Cavs are coming back for payback, and Lebron James will be leading the way. It is always tough to choose between Lebron and Kevin Durant, but I always look at it this way. Lebron James has tier two players around him, while Durant has Russell Westbrook. James is going to have to have that takeover mode in the Oracle. He has averaged 26-6-7 over the last three games, shooting 50% from the field. James is also matchup proof, in a high paced game. He is your safe bet for cash games this evening, as Golden State is allowing the 8th most fantasy points per game to opposing SF. A Curry versus James game would be a lot of fun, and I am looking forward to this one to feature the two highest scoring players on the day.

Blake Griffin (PF), Clippers

Opponent

Minutes

Fantasy Points Per Minute

Defensive Efficiency Rating

Usage Rate

Opposing Fantasy Points Allowed

Vegas Team Total

Projection

@Lakers361.2324.629.944.410944.3

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

I love Blake Griffin in all formats tonight, and any matchup against the Lakers means a positive one. Los Angeles has allowed the 13th most fantasy points per game to opposing PF. Is Larry Nance Jr. really supposed to scare me off BG? Griffin is averaging 23-5-8 this season, shooting 51% from the field. These are two of the worst rebounding teams in the league, but Lakers do rank 29th in rebounding. With Griffin's usage rate, it is hard to see him not being in contention to be the highest scoring PF on the slate, even with Anthony Davis. His price is fairly cheap, so I do like him in cash, as well as GPP's. Of course Draymond Green is in play as well.

Hassan Whiteside (C), Heat

Opponent

Minutes

Fantasy Points Per Minute

Defensive Efficiency Rating

Usage Rate

Opposing Fantasy Points Allowed

Vegas Team Total

Projection

Pelicans

311.2630.720.05310239.6

Salary: FD: $7,700 DK: $7,100

We really got a Christmas gift, because Hassan Whiteside's price has not crept up too high with his recent play. He is now logging bigger minutes, averaging 31 in the last six minutes, which was the concern before. He is shooting 62% from the field in the last six, averaging 14 and 13, with three blocks per game. Centers have abused New Orleans all season. They have allowed the 4th most fantasy points per game to opposing centers, with 8th most blocks per game. We all know blocks are the biggest part of Whiteside's game. I do feel most comfortable locking in Whiteside at this price in cash. If I am grabbing one player from this early game, it is Whiteside.

Value Plays

Beno Udrih (PG - MIA) FD: $3,700 DK: $4,000

If Goran Dragic cannot go today, Beno Udrih will step into starter's minutes. He saw 33 last game, and put up over 25 fantasy points, shooting 63% from the field. New Orleans is horrendous against opposing point guards, allowing the 6th most fantasy points per game. If Dragic sits, this opens up a big salary reliever in a great spot.

Lou Williams (PG/SG - LAL) FD (SG): $5,400 DK (PG): $5,400

Sweet Lou Williams is a great value play for the slate. He is averaging 31 points over the last five games, shooting 46% from the field. He is averaging 16-3-4 in that span, and on both sites he is one of the few plays we know will be locked in for 25 or so fantasy points. The Clippers rank in the middle of the league against opposing guards. I am more on Williams on FD, where he is SG eligible.

Steven Adams (C - OKC) FD: $4,100 DK: $4,000

Going value at center is tricky, but Steven Adams is averaging 26 minutes per game in the last five, averaging 59% from the field. He is averaging 8 and 8, with a block per game. Not sexy numbers by any means, but if you want to beef up at other positions, Adams is the option at center. Chicago has allowed the 5th most fantasy points to opposing centers this season.

Taj Gibson (PF - CHI) FD: $4,700 DK: $4,400

With Joakim Noah out, there is now a little more certainty for minutes, and Taj Gibson has started the last few games. He has played 25 minutes in the last six games, but has been a bit up and down. He is shooting 55% in the last six games, so he has been very efficient. Oklahoma City has allowed the 6th highest FG% to opposing PF this season.



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