Fantasy Basketball Picks: Top Centers for December 17

The NBA Cup is finally coming to a close, with Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks taking on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder for the in-season title. With so many big names in action, narrowing down a select group to start in season-long fantasy and DFS formats is a difficult task. Here are the three centers at the top of tonight’s board:

Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA Showdown $400K NBA Cup Special [$100K to 1st] (MIL @ OKC)

1. Isaiah Hartenstein, Oklahoma City Thunder vs. MIL ($13,500)

Since making his season debut on November 20th, Isaiah Hartenstein has been exactly what the Thunder have needed down low. The former Knicks big man has shown no signs of rust so far, using his unique skillset to help Oklahoma City in a variety of ways. Through ten games, the seven-year pro has averaged 12.5 points, 12.3 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.2 blocks.

The Bucks have a solid interior defense, with superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo patrolling the paint. Still, this is a spot Hartenstein has done well in before, posting 13.7 points and 10.3 rebounds over his previous three games against Milwaukee. In a matchup that will demand the Thunder keep their best interior defender on the court, there’s no reason to think the center can’t record another double-double.

2. Brook Lopez, Milwaukee Bucks vs. OKC ($10,500)

Even at the age of 36, Brook Lopez is still the man in the middle for Milwaukee. Although the veteran isn’t the same player he once was, he’s still capable of playing good defense and knocking down three-pointers. After a rocky start to the season, the center is putting up 11.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 blocks and 1.0 steals over 25 games.

Normally, a date with the Thunder wouldn’t be the most promising. However, Oklahoma City is vulnerable inside, giving up the most rebounds to opponents this season (57.5 RPG). The last five times these two teams have met, Lopez has generated 17.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.0 blocks on 50.0% shooting. Anything close to those numbers tonight would make the big man a steal in any fantasy lineup.

3. Bobby Portis, Milwaukee Bucks vs. OKC ($11,100)

Milwaukee’s big man duo of Lopez and Bobby Portis can sometimes eat into the other’s production, with head coach Doc Rivers opting to play the hot hand. Still, both players are putting up solid numbers, with the latter averaging 13.1 points and 7.7 rebounds on 47.8% shooting from the field.

Ultimately, Portis’ ranking on this list comes down to defensive coverage and a less reliable workload. While the Thunder are slightly undersized, they’ve given up the fifth-fewest DK fantasy points to opposing power forwards. In a game that might turn into a grind-it-out affair, Rivers might opt to keep the defensively-minded Lopez in the game longer. Both veterans are quality options at an otherwise thin position, but Portis has more question marks entering Tuesday’s showdown.

Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA Showdown $400K NBA Cup Special [$100K to 1st] (MIL @ OKC)

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All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook, lines and odds subject to change.

I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is barmy) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.