NBA Winners from Downtown 12-30-15

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

- There are 10 games on tap for tonight, and no shortage of injury news to watch out for on the slate. The highest total (at the moment) belongs to Warriors-Mavericks (212.5, +8.5).

- The lowest total (and largest spread) is Suns-Spurs (196, -14.5).

- There are a few potential blowouts, including Lakers-Celtics (205.5, -12.5)

- A few lines aren't posted yet as of this morning, and will likely come once we get some more clarity on potential injury news/updates today.

Top Picks

Salary: FD: $8,200 DK: $7,700

Despite the big slate, Vuc is still a tough fade for me in cash games. He has been in tremendous form recently, scoring at least 20 real points in 6 straight contests and reaching at least 40 FP in all but one of those games. He posted 33 FP in less than 28 minutes last time out against the Nets, and you'll be hard pressed to find a C on this slate with a better floor/ceiling combo at a similar price tag. He should be a popular target once again, especially against a Nets team that is allowing more points to opposing C than any team in the NBA.

Salary: FD: $9,000 DK: $9,200

Paul has been on a tear recently, and even more so since the injury to Blake Griffin, averaging 1.31 FPPM in two contests without the big man on the court. Tonight he draws a good individual matchup with Kemba Walker, who has never been known for his play on the defensive end. Paul has an elite floor/ceiling combo, and comes at a reasonable price in this one. This game has a great combination of close spread and high total, and those games are tough to find on this slate. Paul may just be the most popular expensive PG again, but I'm going back to the well.

Salary: FD: $7,300 DK: $7,400

With Stephen Curry rumored to potentially sit out the next two games, Klay Thompson (and Draymond Green) will get a significant offensive bump. If Curry suits up, you can bump Klay down to a GPP-only play, but if we proceed on the assumption that the Warriors take it easy with the league MVP, then it makes sense to look to Klay. After an awful start to the season, he has really turned it on in December, with a usage rate of 27.9% and averages of 25.6/3.8/2.1 (37.8 DK points) in 10 games. SG isn't a great position tonight, but Klay instantly becomes a cash game lock for me if Curry sits out.

Salary: FD: $6,800 DK: $7,200

Thad has been one of the best cash game options in the midrange at PF all year long. He has 40+ FP in 3 of his last 4 contests, and now draws a matchup against a Magic team that is allowing the 8th-most FP to opposing PF over their last 5 games. He soaks up minutes, contributes in all categories, and is often a threat for the DK double-double bonus as well. There really aren't many expensive options to feel good about at the 4 today, so it make a lot of sense to lock Thad into your cash games and move on.

Salary: FD: $8,800 DK: $8,600

I don't like to label players as "blowout proof", but Kawhi may be just that. The Spurs have been blowing away inferior competition this season, and Leonard has reached at least 38 FP in all but one of his last 10 games (33.75 vs LAC). Tonight he faces a Suns team that he absolutely manhandled in the first meeting to the tune of 24/13/4/1/4 and 56.75 DK points. While that number is unlikely again, this team doesn't possess a defender capable of slowing him down. You can rest assured that if the Spurs blow out any team, Kawhi had his hand in it (literally). He's as safe as they come at SF tonight, and he comes with some upside if the Suns are competitive.

Value Plays