Need a jump start on your lineups before Awesemo’s NBA DFS rankings or projections? No worries, Damien Mathews has you covered his Pick 3! favorite NBA DFS Picks for DraftKings and FanDuel for Monday, Dec. 2. We have a six-game slate with a myriad of options to choose from. He has some hot takes on Joel Embiid and more!
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Cheatsheets: DraftKings; FanDuel; FantasyDraft; Yahoo
NBA DFS PICK #1: Joel Embiid $10,900 FanDuel $10,300 DraftKings
Joel Embiid is sporting a respectable 31.5 usage percentage on the year, averaging 22.8 points, 12.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.4 blocks, with an effective field goal percentage of 49.4 and a true shooting percentage of 57.5. He is playing 31 minutes a night and has been on a rampage since Toronto Raptors held him to 0-for-11 and zero points. Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers get a Utah team that Embiid has dominated, with fantasy outputs of 61 and 53 over his last two games dating back to last year.
Thanks in large part to Rudy Gobert, Utah is top-five in points allowed, and are also middle of the road in pace. Plus, the over/under is relatively modest at 208. In theory, that could limit Embiid’s upside, but again, he has had his way with Gobert recently. Given that Embiid is at home where the crowd gives him a boost every time he touches the ball, look for him to pay off his high salary. On the year, Embiid is averaging 50.1 FPPG, 1.56 FPPM and is attempting 17 shots per game. Without many pay-up options on this slate, Embiid will be a focal point in my NBA DFS lineups.
*Honorable Mention: Alec Burks $6,200 FanDuel $6,000 DraftKings
NBA DFS PICK #2: Malcolm Brogdon $8,400 FanDuel $8,100 DraftKings
Malcolm Brogdon has been outstanding since coming back from a three-game absence. On the year, he is averaging 19.4 points, 4.9 rebounds and 7.9 assists and 20, 5.0 and 7.3 over his last four. Brogdon has a 52.3 effective field goal percentage and a 47.7 raw field goal percentage with a 73.3 unassisted percentage, meaning he’s creating his own shot at will. He has a usage of 26.6 and is averaging 28.5 FPPG. Most impressively, despite solid talent around him, Brogdon leads the Pacers in points, assist, attempts, three-point attempts and percentage. With a healthy matchup and a high 218 over/under, Brogdon could be in for a true ceiling night in Memphis. The Grizzlies are sixth in pace and bottom-10 in defensive rating and points allowed, so there will be plenty of opportunity for scoring. As such, Brogdon will center a good portion of my NBA DFS builds.
*Honorable Mentions: T.J. Warren $6,000. FanDuel $6,200 DraftKings
NBA DFS PICK #3: Trae Young $10,000 FanDuel $10,500 DraftKings
Trae Young is in a great spot against one of the league’s worst defenses in Golden State. The Warriors rank 28th in defensive rating and are allowing 116.4 points to opposing offenses on average. The Hawks are arguably even worse defensively, ranking 29th in defensive efficiency. However, both teams are top-15 in pace and the over/under of 222 bears out that Vegas expects points to be at a premium.
This sets up well for Young, who is averaging 28.4 points and 8.4 assists while attempting 20 shots per game. Young has a usage percentage of 33.8, and has been efficient with that usage as his true shooting is just shy of 60 and his PER 24.6, 11th in the league. He also has an assist percentage of 40.7, trailing only Luka Doncic and LeBron James. Young is averaging 45.6 FPPG, 1.17 FPPM with a floor of 27.8 and ceiling of 74.1, making him a cash game lock.
*Honorable Mention: Buddy Hield $7,000 FanDuel $7,100 DraftKings
*Honorable Mention: Tyus Jones $4,000 FanDuel $5,600 DraftKings (will be chalk)
