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DFS NBA Picks for FanDuel and DraftKings - Monday 1/2
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Guards
Luka Doncic FD - $12400 DK - $12400
Opponent - HOU
Proj Pts FD - 60.86 DK - 64.5
If you aren't just locking in the massive fantasy point floor at this point, you are missing out on an all-time run from Luka. He has now dropped 80 or more DraftKings points in three straight and four of his last five games while averaging a triple-double with 45.6 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 10.2 assists. He has even hit that 80 or more total twice against these Rockets in which he faces again tonight. The price has only come up slightly on the best player in fantasy against a bottom-three defence. There should be more than enough value on this bigger slate to build around Luka in all formats.
LaMelo Ball FD - $9700 DK - $10000
Opponent - LAL
Proj Pts FD - 49.09 DK - 54
The more optimal route on this slate is probably to load up on the Lakers/Hornets game which brings us the highest total(240.5) on the slate between two teams that run a Top 10 pace. We will talk about LeBron shortly but on the other side of the ball, we have another very consistent fantasy option in LaMelo Ball. When healthy, is easily one of the best fantasy guards in the game and since returning from injury in mid-December(10 games), he has been elite dropping at least 40 DraftKings points in every game and 50 or more in six of his last seven. Like you would expect from a superstar, he contributes in all areas and is a great play to build around in all formats.
Klay Thompson FD - $7600 DK - $7100
Opponent - ATL
Proj Pts FD - 34.93 DK - 38.69
For the most part, we have been concentrating mostly on Jordan Poole since Stephen Curry went down with a shoulder injury but it's actually Thompson who stands out for me tonight. It starts with the obvious with Klay now cheaper than Poole on both sites while showing a little more consistency in terms of his fantasy returns. It is a small sample size but it appears Klay has found his shot lately with double-digit attempts from beyond the arc in three straight while shooting nearly 40% and providing 40+ fantasy points in each. This game has the 2nd highest total on the slate and while the Hawks are 13th in defensive efficiency, they give up the 4th most fantasy points to guards. Fire up Klay in all formats.
Also Consider: Patrick Beverly(LAL) as a value play who has provided a solid floor and is in a great spot with this game's monster total
Small Forward
Caris LeVert FD - $6200 DK - $4800
Opponent - CHI
Proj Pts FD - 29.82 DK - 32.87
We aren't really in love with the matchup here as this game has the 2nd lowest total on the slate but it ultimately comes down to opportunity. The Cavs are likely to be without Darius Garland for a second straight game and could also be without Evan Mobley who also sat out New Year's Eve. While Donovan Mitchell theoretically gets the biggest bump, it was LeVert capitalizing on the opportunity dropping 10 of a team-high 19 shots while adding seven rebounds and four assists for a near 40-point fantasy performance. I am not nearly as interested on FanDuel tonight but at a price still under $5K on DraftKings, I am on board in all formats as a top value play.
Also Consider: Herbert Jones(NO) who has been getting more involved lately with double-digit shots in three of his last four while putting up 23 or more DraftKings points in each
Power Forward/Center
LeBron James FD - $10800 DK - $10300
Opponent - CHA
Proj Pts FD - 55.99 DK - 60.03
When breaking down the superstars on this slate, the system slightly favours Lebron as the top player as he checks almost every single box on Monday. It starts with this game having the largest total(240.5) on the slate, a spread within one point, and two teams that both rank inside the Top 10 in pace in 2022. For Lebron, he has been an extremely consistent fantasy play all season and especially so since AD went down. In seven games without him, James has averaged 34 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 7.6 assists for just over 55 DraftKings per game. With stats like that, I fully expected Lebron to be over $11K on both sites by now so this definitely feels like a buy low and our top overall play in all formats.
Christian Wood FD - $8300 DK - $8000
Opponent - HOU
Proj Pts FD - 40.2 DK - 42.97
The price is on the rise but at some point we have to realize just how good Christian Wood has been since entering the starting lineup on the regular. Over those eight starts, he has taken double-digit shots seven times and has taken 15 or more shots in four straight. He has also done damage with that volume averaging 19.5 points and has been a beast on the glass adding 8.4 rebounds per game, as well. At these prices, we are looking for a 40-point fantasy floor and he has hit that in four straight and is averaging 40.6 DK/40.9 FD points in those eight starts. In this plus matchup against the Rockets, Wood is a top power forward and/or center on this slate.
Myles Turner FD - $7400 DK - $6400
Opponent - TOR
Proj Pts FD - 35.35 DK - 36.48
Another price differential play to cap things off here as Myles Turner is $1000 cheaper on DraftKings putting him on the map when looking at PTS/$ plays at the center position tonight. He is coming off one of his best offensive games of the season where he dropped 34 points on 64% shooting but it's the combo of his offense and rebounding that has me liking the fantasy floor. He has posted double-digit rebounds four times in his last 10 games while posting at least 28 DraftKings points seven times(average of 33.6). The Raps are middle of the pack in terms of defense and below-average rebounding which has me interested in Turner in all formats on DraftKings tonight.
Also Consider: Drew Eubanks(POR) if Nurkic sits again on Monday
