NBA DFS Picks - DraftKings Plays and Strategy for Thursday, December 8

NBA DFS Picks - DraftKings Plays and Strategy for Thursday, December 8

This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.

Slate Overview

LAC at MIA
HOU at SAS
DEN at POR

For the latest spreads and over/unders, visit RotoWire's NBA Odds page. There, you can also find player props, futures, picks, articles and sportsbook bonus codes.

Injuries to Monitor  

For all the latest updates, visit RotoWire's NBA Injury News page and our comprehensive NBA Injury Report    

LAC - Luke Kennard (calf), Marcus Morris (illness), John Wall (knee), Norman Powell (groin): Questionable    

MIA - Max Strus (shoulder), Tyler Herro (ankle), Duncan Robinson (ankle), Nikola Jovic (foot), Victor Oladipo (knee): Probable
Dewayne Dedmon (foot), Jimmy Butler (rest): Questionable 
Omer Yurtseven (ankle), Gabe Vincent (knee): OUT   

HOU - Josh Christopher (foot), Bruno Fernando (illness), Kevin Porter (knee): Questionable 
Jae'Sean Tate (ankle): OUT

SAS - Romeo Langford (back), Doug McDermott (ankle), Josh Richardson (ankle): Probable 
Devin Vassell (knee): Doubtful 
Keita Bates-Diop (foot), Jakob Poeltl (knee), Jeremy Sochan (quadriceps): OUT

DEN - Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (wrist): Probable 
Michael Porter (heel): OUT    

POR - Drew Eubanks (back), Josh Hart (ankle), Keon Johnson (hip): Probable 
Gary Payton (abdomen), Nassir Little (hip): OUT        

Elite Players

Guards

Jalen Green, Rockets ($6,900) at Spurs 

Green continues to lead the way offensively for the Rockets and surpassed 40 DK points in four of the last seven games. He should excel against the Spurs, who give up league-worst averages of 121.3 points per game and allow opponents to shoot 50.8 percent from the field.  

Paul George, Clippers ($9,200) at Heat 

George is set for his third game since a seven-game absence. He topped 30 DK points in the last two and should do well against the Heat, who concede an average of 13.6 three-pointers per game. George could have an extra advantage if Jimmy Butler is sidelined. 

Forwards/Centers

Keldon Johnson Spurs ($7,600) vs. Rockets

Johnson is back on a roll, averaging 20.4 points, 7.4 rebounds and 3.2 assists over the last five games, including one occasion totaling 52 DK points. He should stand out against the Rockets, who give up an average of 117.2 points per game and allow opponents to shoot 48.4 percent from the field. 

Jerami Grant, Trail Blazers ($7,400) vs. Nuggets 

Grant topped 39 DK points in each of the last five games, while averaging 29.8 points, 3.2 rebounds and 4.0 assists. He should keep it rolling against the Nuggets, who are shorthanded and have been struggling on the defensive end. 

Alperen Sengun, Rockets ($5,800) vs. Spurs

Sengun is averaging 13.5 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.4 assists over his last 10 games, including one outing where he went off for a total of 65.3 DK points. He has a favorable matchup against the Spurs, without Jakob Poeltl in the lineup. The Spurs also give up the ninth most rebounds per game. 

Expected Chalk 

Anfernee Simons, Trail Blazers ($8,700) vs. Nuggets

Simons continues to impress, averaging 27.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.3 steals over the last 10 games. He topped 40 DK points six times during that span, including four over 50. He has a favorable matchup against the Nuggets, who allow opponents to shoot 48.9 percent from the field. 

Value Picks

Charles Bassey, Spurs ($3,600) vs. Rockets 

Bassey saw a bigger role in the last two games, averaging 8.8 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in 20.5 minutes per outing. He should continue to pick up more playing time due to the absence of Jakob Poeltl

Justise Winslow, Trail Blazers ($4,900) vs. Nuggets 

Winslow does a good job contributing across the stat sheet, averaging 10.2 points, 7.6 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.2 steals over the last five games. Despite moving back to the bench, he will remain a key part of the rotation as the Blazers continue to deal with injuries. 

Kenyon Martin, Rockets ($4,100) at Spurs 

Martin has been productive in fluctuating playing time over the last 10 games, with 11.0 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.1 assists in an average of 24 minutes per game. He should find a good opportunity against the Spurs' hobbled and underperforming frontcourt.

Josh Richardson, Spurs ($4,100) vs. Rockets

Richardson is expected to play for the first time after missing six games. He averaged 7.8 points, 2.4 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 22 minutes per game in his last five outings, and his return to the lineup should come with extended playing time due to the absence of Devin Vassell

Malaki Branham, Spurs ($3,200) vs. Rockets

Branham is averaging 6.2 points, 1.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 19 minutes per game over the last five. He should continue to see considerable playing time as the Spurs manage a number of injuries. 

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire. Dan Bruno plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: FanDuel: duelingdan.
RotoWire Community
Join Our Subscriber-Only NBA Chat
Chat with our writers and other RotoWire NBA fans for all the pre-game info and in-game banter.
Join The Discussion
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dan Bruno
Dan has been writing all things NBA for RotoWire since 2014. He is an active fantasy sports player, with a love for DFS. Dan is a certified Coach with the Ontario Basketball Association and is a recreation professional in his home city.
Best NBA Bets Today: Picks and Player Props for Saturday, December 7
Best NBA Bets Today: Picks and Player Props for Saturday, December 7
NBA DFS Picks: DraftKings Plays and Strategy for Saturday, December 7
NBA DFS Picks: DraftKings Plays and Strategy for Saturday, December 7
NBA Player Props and Picks Today: Bets for Friday, December 6
NBA Player Props and Picks Today: Bets for Friday, December 6
NBA DFS Picks: DraftKings Plays and Strategy for Friday, December 6
NBA DFS Picks: DraftKings Plays and Strategy for Friday, December 6
NBA DFS Picks: FanDuel Lineup Plays and Strategy for Friday, December 6
NBA DFS Picks: FanDuel Lineup Plays and Strategy for Friday, December 6
Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire: Week 8 Adds Include Micic, Missi, Martin
Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire: Week 8 Adds Include Micic, Missi, Martin