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FanDuel NBA: Best Picks, Lineup For Dec. 26

By Michael Yaffe

Dec 18, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) is defended by Detroit Pistons forward Ersan Ilyasova (23) and guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (5) during the second half at the United Center. The Detroit Pistons won 147-144 in quadruple overtime. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) is defended by Detroit Pistons forward Ersan Ilyasova (23) and guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (5) during the second half at the United Center. The Detroit Pistons won 147-144 in quadruple overtime. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 20, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) being defended by Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) in the 1st half at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: William Hauser-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) being defended by Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) in the 1st half at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: William Hauser-USA TODAY Sports /

Top Four Centers

  1. Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves ($7,600) vs. Indiana Pacers
  2. Zaza Pachulia, Dallas Mavericks ($6,200) vs. Chicago Bulls
  3. Andre Drummond, Detroit Pistons ($9,400) vs. Boston Celtics
  4. Marc Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies ($8,000) vs. Charlotte Hornets

Rationale:

  • The Pacers are worst in the league over their past 10 games vs. opposing centers on FanDuel NBA. Towns predictably had a dud vs. the Spurs but he had averaged 47.4 FPPG over the prior two contests. The Rookie of the Year candidate is becoming a must-start against teams that struggle to defend his position.
  • Only at the American Airlines Center does Zaza average a double-double (10.7 PPG, 12.6 RPG), and the Bulls are fourth-most generous to opposing centers over their last 10 games. It’s still up for debate whether DeAndre Jordan did the right thing this past offseason, but the Mavs sure are getting the most out of their “Plan C” acquisition in Jordan’s stead.
  • The Celtics are second-worst over their past five games against pivots and Big Penguin had monster performances (48.4 and 70.7 fantasy points) in two of his last three outings. That said, he only produced 33.9 fantasy points in the last meeting, so he drops a couple of spots as a result.
  • Gasol laid an egg last time out, but that was the team’s fourth game in six nights and he had averaged 44.6 FPPG in the two previous contests. Charlotte should have Al Jefferson back in uniform for the matchup, but he will probably be limited after his extended absence for injury, drugs and battling demons in general.

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