Daily Fantasy Basketball Picks for FanDuel Late Games 1/20/14

 

It's a packed day in the NBA. Don't have much time to waste with witty and genius banter. We need to get right to the nitty gritty. We have picks for FanDuel's early game schedule, as well as picks for DraftStreet. You may see some overlap there, but it was easiest to give you picks separately.

Quick reminder about these picks. At DFSR we employ a system that seeks to gain the most points-per-dollar. When we give a recommendation, it’s because we believe that player has the best chance to meet or exceed his price. On any given the night the highest dollar player can be expected to score the most points, but that doesn’t always make him the best play for the money. Just something to keep in mind. On to the picks. 

 

Point Guard

My strategy today is to save in a couple of areas (point guard being one of them) in order to spend at power forward and center where the big money value lies.

Kirk Hinrich $4700 / DJ Augustin $5600 - I'm grouping these guys together because I don't think you can play both (although man it's close because they both paid more than 5x last game) and it's tough to tell who has more upside in a given matchup. Hinrich and Augustin essentially split minutes, though I do believe they share the court at times. They both are great matchups against the Lakers. I do want to point out that with Kendall Marshall the Lakers are improved against opposing PGs but the prices on these two are still worth it.

George Hill $4600  - This should be a fascinating game with two completely different styles of play. I see Hill as a low end option for cash games. Like I said, I'm trying to save money for other positions today and am not really willing to pay for the Curry's or Lillard's of the world. That leaves guys like Hill. He has no GPP upside, but he's relatively safe, especially in what should be a close game.

Kendall Marshall $7000 - The price is starting to catch up with Marshall, but honestly this is still pretty good for a guy who just has the ball in his hands for a high percentage of every Laker game. Chicago isn't great defending opposing PGs and Marshall could put up his high volume assist numbers again.

 

Shooting Guard

Again the theme here is saving money. The value just isn't in upper tier guys like Harden, Stephenson and Wade.

Jimmy Butler $6100 - You'll see a lot of Bulls on this list today. The Lakers are getting shredded by opposing two guards. Like completely killed. Epically bad. Butler hasn't been great of late but if there was any game for him to break out, this is the one.

Wesley Matthews $6200 - I see Matthews as a safe cash game play because I think he'll see a good run in this game with enough open looks to pay. Houston is among the worst in the league allowing opposing SGs to score. Matthews should be able to capitalize.

Courtney Lee $5400 - This price has for sure climbed since he's taken over starting SG duties in Memphis, but I still see this as value, especially against New Orleans who's getting shredded by shooting guards.  

 

Small Forward

I think there's a case for Lebron at 10,700 today but I don't think I'll do it.

James Johnson $4600 - If Hall of Fame nominations were handed out based on fantasy points per minute played Johnson would be a first ballot guy. This guy gets in for short stretches and just straight dominates. Even with the price climbing I still think I can recommend safely at a weak position.

Ryan Kelly $3900 - Coach Mikey D said he wanted to get Kelly more playing time, and he made good on that promise giving the dude 37 minutes yesterday versus Toronto. Kelly made best use of the time going 17/5/2. I'd be shocked if he didn't go again today against Chicago. D'Antoni fucks with lineups, but even he won't screw with Kelly today. Right?

Chandler Parsons $6700 - Getting a little expensive but if Parsons is going to turn in a game, this is it. For as cool as Nic Batum seems, he lets opposing SFs get it early and often. They are worse than league average it meets well with Parsons' price dropping.  

 

Power Forward

Now this is where to spend the money today. You'll spend on one of the big boys, but pair him with:

Carlos Boozer $5900 - Wanted you to start him the other night against Philly and I like this matchup against LA even more. Do you have any idea what opposing interior players do to the Lakers? It's dirty and disgusting and possibly illegal in more conservative hamlets. Boozer could post a monster.

Lamarcus Aldridge $10500 - Do you remember what he did to Houston last time they played. I did, but went back to confirm just in case. It looked like this: 31/25/2/2/2. You read that line correctly.

Anthony Davis $9400 - Crushing lately and should be able to work a little on Randolph. I love his upside always. 

Zach Randolph $7900 - If you aren't spending on Aldridge or Davis, you can go with Z-Bo. Davis is great on the defensive end, but guarding a dude like Randolph is a chore and not exactly for what Davis is built. In his two games against New Orleans this year Randolph left early with injury and was in foul trouble the other.  I think he puts together a full line tonight.

 

Center

Another place to spend and I see the two options as fairly obvious.

Dwight Howard $9500 - Two games against Portland this year and Dwight is averaging 31/15 in those matchups. So there's that. 

Joakim Noah $9100 - Thibs showed the other night that he is going to play his guys even in blowouts. Noah was in during the fourth quarter against Philly the other night. Thibs is coaching mad. Noah should lay waste to the Lakers.

 

Who'd I miss? What did I get totally wrong? Leave a comment down below or hit us up on Twitter @dailyfantasysr

   

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