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DFS NBA Picks for FanDuel and DraftKings - Thursday 1/27
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After two large slates back-to-back, we are left with a much smaller two-gamer on Thursday so instead of going position by position I will be breaking down a few of my top plays from each game. Let's get started.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Philadelphia 76ers
Joel Embiid FD - $11400 DK - $11400
Opponent - LAL
Proj Pts FD - 56.73 DK - 59.8
It is close between Embid and Bron for top payup on this small slate but with AD back for the Lakers, the decision to go with Embiid was much easier. The consistency and incredibly high floor are what draws me to him as he has averaged 34.5 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 4.8 assists since the start of January with an average of 59.2 DK/57.1 FD points per game. He leads all players on this slate with a massive 36.5% usage rate and is my top play in all formats.
Tobias Harris FD - $8100 DK - $7300
Opponent - LAL
Proj Pts FD - 37.04 DK - 39.89
If Embiid is my top raw points play then Harris is my top PTS/$ play in this game, at least on DraftKings. There were points of the season where Harris crept up into the $9K range on DraftKings so getting him at a low $7K price tag is a nice buy-low considering he has averaged just over 37 DK points per game since the start of the month.
Matisse Thybulle FD - $4300 DK - $3600
Opponent - LAL
Proj Pts FD - 18.84 DK - 17.02
We are going to need a couple of punt values on this small slate if we plan to roster any of the big names and Thybulle fits the bill. He returned from injury on Tuesday and wasn't limited at all playing 33 minutes and despite shooting just 1 for 5, still ended up with nearly 20 DK points which at his price is over 5x return. I will take that as a floor from a nearly min price starting player.
LeBron James FD - $10700 DK - $11100
Opponent - PHI
Proj Pts FD - 51.25 DK - 54.62
For the Lakers, there is really only one play I am interested in, at least from a cash game perspective. Davis is back in the lineup which will spread out the usage a bit but he did miss 17 games so there is still a chance he is limited tonight. Either way, Bron has been another consistent force for fantasy dropping 25 or more points in 18 straight and in that time has tallied seven or more rebounds 17 times and five or more assists 14 times. Stay tuned for news on Davis and a possible limit to his minutes and if that is the case, LeBron will be a top play for me in this game.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Golden State Warriors
Klay Thompson FD - $6200 DK - $5300
Opponent - MIN
Proj Pts FD - 25.74 DK - 28.59
After missing two games to rest, Klay returned to the starting lineup on Tuesday and played his most minutes(26) since returning to the team. While I don't think he gets a full run(32+ minutes) any time soon, I do like that the price has dropped to a season-low for him and he gets a matchup against the T-Wolves who give up the 10th most 3's per game. I will have much more exposure on DraftKings tonight but Klay is in play on both sites on this small slate.
Jarred Vanderbilt FD - $6100 DK - $5500
Opponent - GS
Proj Pts FD - 25.09 DK - 24.86
For Minnesota, Patrick Beverley is questionable after missing each of the last two games and that status will be important for their guard situation. As of now, Vanderbilt is my top PTS/$ play thanks to a price that has continually trended down over the last two weeks. He doesn't get a ton of volume but more than makes up for it on the glass with an average of 10.8 boards per game since the start of the month with an average of 30 DK points. Fire up Vanderbilt in all formats.
