NBA Daily Notes: The Pistons finally win; top fantasy picks for December 16th

C 1 - Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers):

The Philadelphia 76ers are doing really well this season and are currently 4th with a 19-11 record in the Eastern Conference. They have been in some bad form recently, losing their last 2 games and are on a 6-4 run in their last 10 games. Jimmy Butler has been acquired by the 76ers in a trade with the Timberwolves, instantly vaulting them into a sort of Big 4 of the East, with the Raptors, the Celtics and the Bucks. If they are to be in this discussion, the 76ers really need their star center, Joel Embiid to step up and perform.

Joel Embiid has been on a tear of late

With a groin strain keeping Jimmy Butler out for a few games, Joel has stepped in and started performing at the level he started the season at. Over the season, Embiid has averaged a mammoth 27 points per game, with more than 13 rebounds as well. He is an elite defender and it shows, as he is averaging almost 2 blocks per match too. In his last game against the Indiana Pacers, Embiid scored a monstrous 40 points, while grabbing 21 rebounds as well. He had 3 assists, 1 steal and a block to go with it as well. It is clear that he is the main man at Philadelphia, he just needs to perform at this level consistently.

Alternate pick: Nikola Jokic (Toronto Raptors)