Daily Fantasy NBA Basketball Picks for FanDuel, DraftKings and Draftster 1/8/15

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With this short Thursday slate I'm just going to highlight some interesting plays rather than go position-by-position.

Top Plays

James Harden - FD 11000 DK 10300 DFSTR 9100
He, of course, is you top projected player of the night. This isn't exactly hard-hitting analysis as he's one of the top considerations every single night. But considering the matchup you would be getting money in pretty decent with the guy even against the Knicks. Unfortunately, the same things that make him a good play (the Knicks are horrible) are the things that could make this game get out of hand quick (the Knicks are horrible). On such a short slate I think you need to just kind of forget the blowout potential and move on with your life. Get money in with Harden isn't a bad proposition even though he's expensive. He contributes in so many different ways that his floor (most nights) is high.

Chris Kaman - FD 4600 DK 4400 DFSTR 5000
If you believe the minutes are a a real thing and that he'll continue starting at the five for Portland then you pretty much have to play Kaman today against the Heat. I actually don't mind Bosh on the other side of things, but Kaman's price and now found opportunity are simply too good to pass up. He gives you a lot of flexibility to play guys like Harden above and Walker below.

Kemba Walker - FD 9000 DK 9900 DFSTR 7200
Our system doesn't love the price or the matchup against Lowry. But it also hasn't totally accounted for how much Walker has been doing in the offense with Jefferson and Stephenson out. He's getting up a ton of shots and has scored over 30 points three games in a row. That kind of volume means something and gives him a high floor even in a tougher matchup.

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Mid-tier value plays

Cole Aldrich - FD 5600 DK 6000 DFSTR 3600
He isn't going to do every night what he did when first entering the Knick's starting five. And he'll have his hands full with Dwight tonight. But there is some value in Aldrich simply because the Knicks have almost no size at all on their roster right now. Aldrich basically has to play big minutes because they have no one else. That helps him stave off a little of the blowout risk. Though he might foul out early. It's a risk, but he's a way to get away from Bosh.

Nicolas Batum - FD 5800 DK 5900 DFSTR 5100
I'll like him a lot more if Wes Matthews sits, but I think Batum's price dictates a play here regardless. The scoring had just started coming back until it inexplicably disappeared against the worst defensive team in the league, the Lakers. Part of that was it being the Lillard show and all. Look for him to bounce back tonight especially if some of Matthews' shots need taking.

Trevor Ariza - FD 5500 DK 5600 DFSTR 5200
Had a huge game last night against the Cavs thanks to a clearly unsustainable 5 steals. The rest of his line looked a lot like what he's been doing with the Rockets. With Smoove and Brewer in on the action now, Ariza's price has dropped and with good reason. But he still plays enough minutes and does enough across the stat line that I don't mind him in all formats tonight considering the player pool.

Quincy Acy - FD 4700 DK 4400 DFSTR 3100
God the Knicks are a disaster. But he got 30 minutes last night and considering the lack of options you can hold your nose, shut your eyes and throw him in a lineup or two. I don't love it but we are looking for opportunity here and Acy is starting with no one else really challenging him for minutes. Which says everything you need to know about the Knicks.

Consider Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade though there are better C options than the former and the latter is a bit expensive.

Take a Chance Maybe

Tim Hardaway Jr. - FD 5400 DK 5100 DFSTR 3400
Sat a bunch of the second half yesterday which I was a little surprised with. The Knicks don't really have anyone who can score and Hardaway is a legit threat from beyond the arc. If the minutes were there I'd have him in the shooting guard spot without hesitation. But the lack of run is a concern especially when you figure the rest of the trash on the roster.

James Johnson - FD 4600 DK 4600 DFSTR 4600
He's an all or nothing guy. Can fill it up in a big way when he's on the court, but can also sit on the bench for long stretches. I'll have him in some GPPs on the chance that this is one of his monsters. He's anything but safe though.

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