NBA Winners from Downtown 12-9-15

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-Wizards owns the highest total on the slate at 215.5 points, with the Wizards favored by 3 points at home.

- A whopping 10 points behind is the Magic-Suns game, which has a 205.5 point total and the Suns favored by 4 on their home court.

- There are no blowout concerns according to Vegas, with the biggest spread being the Wolves favored by 6.5 against the Lakers (204.5).

- The lowest total on the slate belongs to Spurs-Raptors (+5.5, 189).

Top Picks

Salary: FD: $10,800 DK: $10,600

Coming off his worst performance of the season (2/9 shooting, 7 turnovers), Harden finds himself in the highest total on the slate tonight. He is the king of bounce-back games this season, with impressive performances after each "down" game. Following games where he had 41 or less FP, he has posted FP totals of 39.50, 58.75, 74, and 84.50. Certainly the 70+ mark is tough to replicate, but point is that Harden is no stranger to a quick recovery. Tonight's matchup against a Washington team that has struggled on the defensive end this season puts him in a prime spot to put last night's performance in the rear-view mirror. He's my top play on this slate by quite a bit.

Salary: FD: $6,700 DK: $7,000

I'm not sure what Hayward has to do to see a price increase, but I'm certainly not complaining. I'll continue to ride the Hayward train to the bank each night, as he has been one of the most consistent performers at the SF position for the past few weeks. His worst performance in his last 9 games was a 24.25 FP performance against the Pelicans, but aside from that he has at least 32 FP in all but one contest during that span. Tonight he draws a tough assignment defensively, but with Rudy Gobert out he has jumped his FPPG total from 29.5 to 38.8, per StatMuse. He's an elite cash game play once again. I saw a suggestion on Twitter from @dickieboy5 to give him the nickname "The White Knight". Anybody else on board with this one? I'm rolling with it.

Salary: FD: $6,800 DK: $6,600

The time has come to start considering Payton a viable cash game option. The main drawback with him before was his lack of consistent scoring, but he has now scored 12+ real points in 6 of 7 contests, and is looking to find his shot as well (13.7 FGA per game during that span). Tonight he draws a matchup with an up-tempo Suns team that has struggled to contain opposing PG (51.5 FPPG on the season). Fire up Payton as a solid option at a mid-tier price tonight.

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

Blake is that superstar who continues to be underpriced this season. He is averaging 44.8 DK points per contest, and has had less than 31 DK points just twice this season. He faces a Milwaukee team that ranks 28th in the NBA in rebounding with a -4.2 differential. He has a solid floor (as always), and a massive ceiling as well in this ideal matchup. It has been the Blake show in LA this season, and I expect that to continue once again tonight in a dream matchup.

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

Monroe has been a consistent force down low for the Bucks, averaging 35.9 FP in just 30.8 MPG this season. The Clippers have allowed the 8th-most FPPG (57.1) to opposing C over the last 5 games, and Monroe will need a big game down low if the Bucks are going to keep this one close (Clippers are -5.5 favorites). DeAndre Jordan is an elite rebounder, but not an elite 1 on 1 defender. Monroe has a safe floor for cash games as always.

Value Plays

With Markieff Morris still in the doghouse (7 minutes played in last two games) Leuer should continue to pick up the extra minutes. He takes a hit if Tyson Chandler returns tonight, but not enough to keep him off my radar. If Chandler sits again, he'll be one of the better value plays once again.