NBA

3 NBA DraftKings Studs to Target on 12/13/17

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Giannis Antetokounmpo, SF/PF, Milwaukee Bucks

DraftKings Salary: $11,300

There is a lot to like in terms of value on this slate, so one of the make-or-break decisions will be who to pay all the way up for. James Harden ($11,600), Giannis Antetokounmpo, Russell Westbrook ($11,200), and DeMarcus Cousins ($11,000) are all in good spots and have legitimate claims to the throne, but of the bunch, Giannis has arguably the most advantageous game script coming tonight. While Harden's Houston Rockets have the slate's highest implied team total, there is significant blowout risk in that game, as made clear by the 12.5-point spread. Antetokounmpo's Bucks have the fourth-highest implied team total (108 points) against the New Orleans Pelicans, in what could be the most competitive and high-scoring game on the slate.

Their opponent, the Pels, have played at the league's sixth-fastest pace, while ranking 25th in defensive efficiency. As such, they have allowed the third-most transition points and the second-highest field goal percentage in transition this season -- an area in which Antetokounmpo thrives. He leads the league in transition points per game, and it really isn't very close. From a personnel perspective, New Orleans really has nobody on their roster who has a prayer of slowing down the Greek Freak. With Dante Cunningham questionable and Tony Allen out, they will be left assigning Darius Miller or potentially even a severely undersized E'Twaun Moore on Antetokoumpo. He should get whatever he wants in this matchup and is the safest bet among the studs on this slate.