NBA

NBA Daily Fantasy Helper: Tuesday 12/8/15

With Rudy Gobert already ruled out, Derrick Favors should see another massive workload tonight.

If you've never played daily fantasy basketball before, it's time to start. Unlike traditional leagues, you're able to select the players you want on that specific day only, giving you a different squad to root for each and every NBA night.

Today's lineups can be found here. The information below is to help you understand why particular players are being picked, because we don't want you going into the night completely blind. We want to help you. Keep in mind, however, that things often change up until tip-off, so make sure you're refreshing the optimal lineups as close to the start of games as possible.

Let's get to it.

The Best of the Best

Kevin Durant - You don't need me to tell you that Durant is one of the best players on the planet. The former MVP is having another spectacular season, averaging 27.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.5 steals per game with a massive 29.5% Usage Rate. He also currently ranks sixth in our player power rankings with an impressive 13.8 nERD, and ranks third in the league in efficiency according to our metrics. Although a matchup with the Grizzlies does not look great on paper, Memphis has not been nearly as good on defense as they have in the past and have allowed the tenth most fantasy points per game to opposing small forwards on the year. Durant's price tag is still at a very reasonable $10,100 on both FanDuel and DraftKings, which makes him a viable option in all formats tonight. Do not hesitate to plug the Thunder star into your lineups in all formats tonight despite the fact that he is facing the Grizzlies.

Derrick Favors - Rudy Gobert will miss his third consecutive game tonight. Over the last two games with Gobert out of the lineup, Favors has averaged 23.5 points and 11.5 rebounds in 41 minutes per game. He gets an elite matchup against a horrific Kings' defense that has allowed the second most points per game in the league (108.8), ranks 27th in Defensive Rating (108.4) and plays at the second fastest pace in the league and should see another as many minutes as he can handle tonight. The talented Jazz big man should have no trouble taking advantage of the porous Sacramento defense en route to another big double-double tonight. He is dollar for dollar one of the best plays on the board tonight.

Top Mid-Range Values

Gordon Hayward - As I just mentioned, the Kings' defense has been terrible this season. They have struggled to slow down opposing players at every single position and tonight's matchup with Utah has a huge 205.5 over/under despite the fact that the Jazz play some of the best defense in the NBA. After a slow start to the season, Hayward seems to have found his groove, scoring 22.3 points to go along with 5.1 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 37.4 minutes per game over his last eight outings. With his price tag at just $7,000 on DraftKings and $6,700 on FanDuel, Hayward makes an outstanding play against a Kings' front court that has given up the ninth most fantasy points per game to opposing small forwards on the year.

Nikola Vucevic - After a breakout campaign a year ago, Vucevic has come back down to earth to open the 2015-16 season. He's averaging 15.1 points, 8.7 boards, 2.3 dimes and 1.2 blocks in just 29.5 minutes per game, however, he finally looks to be playing his full compliment of minutes, playing at least 30 minutes in each of his last four outings and has recorded three double-doubles over that span. The Magic big man gets a terrific matchup against a Nuggets interior defense that has allowed the sixth most fantasy points per game to opposing centers and could see a slight boost in minutes is Aaron Gordon is unable to suit up tonight. Look for Vucevic to post another double-double in a big fantasy outing tonight in Denver.

Basement Ballers

Omri Casspi - With Willie Cauley-Stein still out with a finger injury, Casspi should continue to see a huge workload. The Kings' forward has played at least 27 minutes in each of his last nine games, averaging 12.6 points, 6 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 31.1 minutes per game over that span. He's been a key piece of the Kings' offense while the team has struggled through a plethora of injuries and should remain a major part of their game plan tonight against the Jazz. Although a matchup with Utah is less-than-ideal, given the amount of time Casspi has spent on the floor and the fact that he costs just $5,000 on DraftKings and $4,300 on FanDuel, Casspi is one of the best values on tonight's small slate.

Shane Larkin - The former Miami Hurricane standout has seen his role really increase over the past few games, averaging 10 points, 5.6 assists, 2.6 rebounds and 3 steals per game over his last three outings. He's played an average of 27 minutes per game over that span and should see a similar workload tonight with Rondae Hollis-Jefferson on the shelf. The Rockets have allowed the sixth most fantasy points per game to opposing point guards on the year and with Larkin coming off of the bench he will likely see a lot more of Ty Lawson and his abysmal 112 Defensive Rating rather than the stout defending of Patrick Beverley. He makes a very interesting play at just $4,600 on FanDuel and $4,300 on DraftKings.