The Shot Dude: Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.
Your favorite Shot Dude brings you good tidings, a cup of good cheer, and a sack full of NBA fantasy options.
There are five games to behold on the Christmas slate, which you can research using the Bovada data tool located on our Home page.
On this special day, FanDuel has a great assortment of games for every player, whether you've been naughty or nice.
Let's see which ballers made it into my stocking ... figuratively speaking, of course:
Point Guards
Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers ($9000) ... has scored 40 or more fantasy points in 6 of his last 8 games and is coming off a 55-fantasy point effort in his last contest against Oklahoma City. This game has the second-highest total of the day (208), and I think the Lakers keep it closer than most believe, which would keep Paul on the floor into the fourth quarter. Paul provides just as much scoring potential as Westbrook and Curry, but at a savings of $1400 and $1900, respectively.
Tyreke Evans, New Orleans ($7300) ... is rolling right now and just missed a triple-double in two straight games. In fact, Evans has scored 36 or more fantasy points in 5 of his last 7 games. Without many value players on today's docket, it'll be too hard to afford Anthony Davis, so I'm choosing to roll with the Pelicans' second scoring option. Maybe my present will be that Evans outscores everyone.
Shooting Guards
Dwyane Wade, Miami ($7100) ... is primed to have a bust-out game at home today against the Pelicans. Dude takes 16 shots a game and averages 30 fantasy points but should take advantage of New Orleans' 24th-ranked defense against shooting guards. This has the earliest start time of all the Christmas games, and I'd wager Wade has a big first quarter to excite the Miami faithful.
Manu Ginobili, San Antonio ($4500) ... is a veteran whom I feel will have a strong performance today. He provides salary relief for your lineup but still can meet value due to his production off the bench. Ginobili has been a fantasy point-per-minute player in 5 of his last 9 games.
Small Forwards
LeBron James, Cleveland ($10,400) ... has the ability to go off in any game he wants. It's not a shock that dude's the NBA's leader in shot attempts per game, and what bigger stage is there to perform than on Christmas Day? It's when casual fans annually realize that the NBA season is under way. This game has a total of 212, and if Cleveland wants to beat the one-loss Warriors, James will have to carry them.
Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio ($8900) ... has scored 36 fantasy points or more in six of his last seven games and seems to be the one player you can count on to always get his share of minutes in San Antonio. The Spurs travel to Houston who average 104 points per game. Since San Antonio only gives up 89 points to their opponents, we will see whose pace of play wins out.
Power Forwards
Taj Gibson, Chicago ($4700) ... has seen an increase in minutes due to Joakim Noah's injury and has responded with at least 27 fantasy points in 2 of his last 3 games. Today's tilt in Oklahoma City has a healthy total of 206 points with the Bulls at a team total of 100 and no matchups that stand out. We should see balanced team scoring for Chicago, which will help lower-priced starters like Gibson meet or even exceed value.
Bobby Portis, Chicago ($3800) ... is just too cheap for the 20-plus minutes he should get off the Bulls bench today. The last time Noah didn't play, dude saw 23 minutes and tallied almost 36 fantasy points. You'll well and truly have a leg up on your opponent if you have a sub-$4000 piece of your lineup contribute over 30 fantasy points.
Center
Andrew Bogut, Golden State ($4300) ... came back with a healthy performance in his last game against the Jazz with a double-double in 27 minutes, resulting in 32 fantasy points. Since today's game has the highest total and Bogut's lower back problems are behind him, he should once again be in a good position to hold his own.
If you got coal in your stocking, that's on you. Your favorite Shot Dude hopes you unwrap a great day of fantasy winning.
Make today a great Christmas with your family by giving it your best shot!
You can follow me on twitter@fsofia8.