NBA Winners from Downtown 12-7-15

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

Top Picks

Salary: FD: $9,300 DK: $8,900

As you all know by now, the Lakers are a sieve on the defensive end, especially against point guards. Lowry already had his way with them once this season, posting a 25/5/5 line and 47.75 DK points on November 20th. He is coming off the best game of his career against Steph Curry and the Warriors (67.75 FP), and has now eclipsed the 46 FP mark in 8 of his last 10 games, with at least 37 in the other two games as well. Matchups don't get any better than this, and despite the big point spread (-13), I expect Lowry to be involved deep into the game as the Raptors brush aside an inferior opponent tonight.

Salary: FD: $11,200 DK: $10,700

As always, "The Brow" makes his way onto the list of top plays for the night. He draws a fine matchup against a Boston frontcourt that has struggled to contain big men at times. We are all aware of the generous scoring regarding blocks and steals for Davis on his home floor, and Davis may not even need the help. In the last 8 games where he played at least 30 minutes (he played 28 against LAC, scoring 23 FP), he has scored 61.75, 52, 69.75, 54.75, 61.75, 61, 55.75, and 59.5 FP. He has a monstrous floor and enormous upside, especially on DK with the double-double bonus. He is easily the top overall option in my book tonight.

Salary: FD: $7,800 DK: $7,700

Since the injury to Marcus Smart, Thomas has slid into the starting role and dominated. He has posted 40+ FP in 4 of 8 games since then, including 51 and 43 in his last two. Tonight he faces a New Orleans backcourt that has allowed the 2nd-most FP to opposing PG, behind only the Lakers. Thomas has a massive usage rate of nearly 30%, and should be able to score at will tonight. He has scored at least 20 real points in 6 of 8 games since Smart's injury, and tonight should be more of the same. This game has the highest total and closest spread, and IT2 has excelled in these types of games.

Salary: FD: $7,700 DK: $6,900

Monroe is a double-double machine, and heavily involved in the Bucks' offensive attack. Tonight he'll face off against the likes of Mason Plumlee and Meyers Leonard, and he'll have an athletic advantage against either one of them. Monroe has at least 31.75 DK points in 8 of his last 10 games, including 5 double-doubles. His price is less than ideal on FD, but on DK, you can fire him up as an elite midrange play with upside.

Salary: FD (SF): $7,500 DK (SG): $7,300

DraftKings has done us a favor and moved Batum over the SG, which is ideal for tonight's slate. Jimmy Butler is a fine option as well against Phoenix, but I'll give Batum the slight edge, as he has been slightly more consistent over the last 10 games. Aside from a clunker against the Knicks, Batum has at least 31.75 FP in all but one of his last 10 games, including 40+ in 6 of those games. Batum falls into that category of players who aren't completely scoring reliant to pay off their salaries. He is averaging 6.6 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.2 steals per contest this season. Look for him to fall in the 35-45 FP range once again tonight as he faces the Pistons, especially considering usage monster Kemba Walker is listed as "doubtful" for tonight's game.

Value Plays

As mentioned above, Kemba Walker is officially "doubtful" for tonight, which means more minutes and a likely start for Lin against Reggie Jackson and the Pistons. While he is a subpar defender (see Jackson, Reggie), Lin can stuff the stat sheet on offense, and will be a very popular value play if Kemba indeed sits out. Lin is averaging a respectable 0.90 FPPM this season, and has a solid floor with upside if he draws the start.