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FanDuel NBA Picks and DraftKings NBA Picks - Tuesday, 1/12/21
I want to start off by saying something. If you can't be at your computer or phone up until the last second before lineup lock, you shouldn't be playing DFS right now. That's always been the case with injuries and players being rested but the COVID protocols make it all the more imperative to be up on every bit of news. We actually have a matchup between the Celtics and Bulls canceled here and postponements are going to be a regular thing from here on out. So, just try to swallow up everything you hear in terms of news because that's the real edge in DFS right now.
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Point Guard
Malcolm Brogdon FD - $8400 DK - $8600
Opponent - GS
Proj Pts FD - 47.31 DK - 48.87
Brogdon might honestly be the most underrated player in the NBA. He's always been an elite defender but with his offense coming around, he's established himself as a legit All-Star contender. So far this year, he's averaging 23.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, 7.2 assists and 1.8 steals en route to 44.4 DraftKings points per game. What's equally as impressive is his floor, collecting at least 32 fantasy points in every game this season. That floor and 44-point average look even more satisfying when you consider that he faces a Warriors team that ranks 26th in points allowed.
Dejounte Murray FD - $7500 DK - $7200
Opponent - OKC
Proj Pts FD - 39.72 DK - 40.29
Murray has established himself as one of the best rebounding guards in the NBA. So far this year, he's averaging 16.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.2 steals per game. With those scoring and assisting numbers coming around, it's led to him averaging 36 DK points per game for the season. That's really all you can ask for from a player barely cracking $7,000 and his role could be even bigger here with DeMar DeRozan and Derrick White sitting. If you take those two off the floor, Murray is posting a 29 percent usage rate and that's a godsend from a stat-stuffer like this.
It's weird to see Jamal Murray below $7,000 and he could be one of the best GPP options out there with his upside.
Shooting Guard
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander FD - $8500 DK - $8000
Opponent - SA
Proj Pts FD - 38.04 DK - 39.1
Oklahoma City gave up a lot to acquire this guy and he's showing why with his stellar play. After scoring at least 50 DraftKings points in each of his last three games, SGA is now averaging 21 points, 5.3 rebounds, 6.8 assists and 1.1 steals per game. That equates to 41 fantasy points per game for the season and it's backed up by a 27 percent usage rate. Anytime a young player is posting a 27 percent usage rate while averaging 33.4 minutes and 16 shots a game, it's clearly his show. The matchup isn't too bad either, with San Antonio owning a 27th OPRK against opposing shooting guards according to DraftKings.
Caris Levert FD - $7900 DK - $7600
Opponent - DEN
Proj Pts FD - 41.06 DK - 41.5
LeVert is an absolute monster when Kyrie Irving or Kevin Durant are out and that's expected to be the case here with Kyrie continuing to sit. What we love is his 34 percent usage rate when Irving is off the floor, averaging 1.4 DK points per minute. If he plays a modest 30 minutes, that would equate to 42 fantasy points. Not to mention, if you look at the four games that LeVert has played at least 27 minutes, he's averaging 49.4 fantasy points per game. We certainly expect him to play 27-plus here and it's scary to think that he gers to face a 25th-ranked Nuggets defense too.
Luguentz Dort is regularly playing over 30 minutes a night and that alone makes him a nice punt play in the $4,000-range.
Small Forward
LeBron James FD - $9900 DK - $10000
Opponent - HOU
Proj Pts FD - 52.6 DK - 54.98
With limited options at small forward, we want to ride the studs. LeBron is certainly that, carrying DFS teams to big cashes for nearly two decades now. The former Hall-of-Famer is on a heater right now too, averaging 25.3 points, 8.8 rebounds and 8.1 assists over his last eight ballgames. How is an 18-year veteran doing that? The matchup against Houston only adds to his value, with the Rockets ranked 20th in total defense this season. We also like that the last matchup was a blowout and that should force Houston to be hungrier here, thus leading to more minutes and usage for LBJ.
Kevin Durant FD - $10100 DK - $9400
Opponent - DEN
Proj Pts FD - 53.17 DK - 55.25
Let's keep the studs rolling with KD. There were a lot of skeptics worried about Durant after his Achilles tear but he hasn't looked any different in his return with the Nets. Not only has the superstar scored at least 40 DraftKings points in all seven games this season, he's also averaging 29.3 points, 7.6 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.9 blocks per game. That's the MVP Durant we remember and he could be even better here with Irving expected to miss this game. Not to mention, Denver owns a 24th OPRK against opposing power forwards.
Kelly Oubre has been a little better recently and it's just a matter of time before he turns things around.
Power Forward
Domantas Sabonis FD - $9200 DK - $9300
Opponent - GS
Proj Pts FD - 49.15 DK - 52.34
Brogdon and Sabonis have taken their games to another level this season. Sabonis especially so, proving that his All-Star appearance last year was no fluke. He's backed up that campaign with averages of 21.6 points, 12.6 rebounds and 7.1 assists per game this year. That makes him one of the most dangerous players in DFS, averaging about 50 DK points per game for the year. We truly believe that those 50 fantasy points are the floor here, facing a Golden State team that ranks 26th in points allowed and second in pace.
LaMarcus Aldridge FD - $7200 DK - $6300
Opponent - OKC
Proj Pts FD - 32.39 DK - 32.38
We already talked about how Derrick White and DeMar DeRozan will miss this game, opening up the door for Aldridge to run things. That's certainly evident in his usage, leading the club with a 30 percent usage rate with those two off the floor. Getting all those touches and shots for a struggling player is a good way to get him going and 39 DK points in two of his last three games would indicate that the slump is coming to an end. We also love this matchup, with Oklahoma City surrendering the third-most fantasy points to opposing power forwards this season.
Anthony Davis is always a good choice and he should thrive against a subpar Rockets defense.
Center
Andre Drummond FD - $9800 DK - $9100
Opponent - UTA
Proj Pts FD - 50.51 DK - 51.5
Drummond isn't necessarily considered a superstar player but he's a superstar in DFS circles. This guy has been a fantasy monster throughout his career and it's no surprise when you see that he grabs nearly 18 boards a game. What really adds to his value here is the fact that Kevin Love, Collin Sexton and Darius Garland are all sidelined. That strangely leaves him as the focal point of the offense, posting a 34 percent usage rate with those guys off the floor. It's also led to him averaging 35 minutes and 20 shots over his last four games. A rebounding monster like this getting that many minutes and shots is impossible to overlook, especially with him sitting below $10,000.
Jarrett Allen FD - $6800 DK - $6500
Opponent - DEN
Proj Pts FD - 35 DK - 35.5
Everyone in the DFS industry knew that Allen was better than DeAndre Jordan for most of last season and Brooklyn has finally taken notice this year. It did take them a few games though, with Allen gaining that starting center job just three games ago. Since then, he has at least 31 DK points in four-straight games while averaging just shy of 40 fantasy points per outing in that stretch. Those are stupendous numbers from a player below $7,000 on both sites and we love that he faces a defensively-inept Nikola Jokic.
If you're looking for a cheap GPP option, DeMarcus Cousins could be a sneaky pick around $4,500 on both sites.
