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DFS NBA Picks for FanDuel and DraftKings - Monday 1/16
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Guards
Marcus Smart FD - $6400 DK - $6900
Opponent - CHA
Proj Pts FD - 34.2 DK - 34.6
If you are playing the early slate, some exposure to the Celtics is optimal as they get one of the best matchups on the entire day facing the Hornets who run a top-10 pace and rank 27th in defensive efficiency. The Celtics will also be without Jaylen Brown on Monday and while positional correlation isn't perfect, Smart has been playing great in his absence. He has taken double-digit shots(15/12) in back-to-back games, but the ball distribution has really stood out as he has tallied 10 and 12 assists for back-to-back double-doubles, as well. He is one of our top-rated PTS/$ guards on Monday.
Gabe Vincent FD - $5000 DK - $5200
Opponent - ATL
Proj Pts FD - 26.85 DK - 28.11
The price is on the rise but Vincent is set to make his fourth straight start with Kyle Lowry already ruled out for this one. In Lowry's three-game absence, Vincent has taken 12 or more shots in each and has been very efficient over the last two games making 21 of 31 shots and providing us 45+ fantasy points in each. While I don't expect that type of run-hot shooting to continue it is a fantasy-friendly matchup against the Hawks who rank 25th in fantasy points to guards. Fire up Vincent in all formats.
Russell Westbrook FD - $8300 DK - $8600
Opponent - HOU
Proj Pts FD - 39.09 DK - 40.15
The system is very conservative with Westbrook's projection which is directly correlated to him coming off the bench this season. I am only considering him a core play tonight as we have a smaller two-game slate on Monday and it also helps Westbrook is in great form, as well. Since laying an egg against the Hornets on January 2, Westy has averaged 23 points, nine assists, and 7.6 rebounds per game over his last five which is just shy of a 50-point fantasy average. LeBron is also dealing with an injury and playing on a back-to-back could sit this one out which would most definitely elevate Westy to elite status. Stay tuned.
Also Consider: Tyus Jones(MEM) if Ja Morant is out. He put up 40+ fantasy points in both games of a back-to-back January 8th & 9th when Morant missed
Small Forward
Naji Marshall FD - $6300 DK - $5700
Opponent - CLE
Proj Pts FD - 32.38 DK - 34.8
Injuries to Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram have opened up some opportunities for Naji Marshall and he is definitely making the most of it lately. He has started six straight games for the Pels and seen the usage rise coming in with 15 or more shots in three of his four. He doesn't provide huge upside, especially at a rising price, but has provided an excellent floor averaging 34 fantasy points during that six-game stretch. The matchup isn't great but the playing time and usage is there making Marshall one of my favourite mid-tier plays on this slate.
Mikal Bridges FD - $6800 DK - $6700
Opponent - MEM
Proj Pts FD - 31.27 DK - 31.06
Another player who maybe doesn't have the best matchup on Monday but is getting a huge bump with a mass of injuries. Almost all the starters are out for this game against the Grizzlies which puts the Suns in a giant hole as they sit as 10-point dogs and will have to avoid a blowout to capitalize on their upside for fantasy. A 30-minute floor is a safe bet for Bridges which boosts him a bit for cash games but with his boom or boost scoring style, I am more inclined to use him in GPP formats if playing anything other than the two-game slate.
Power Forward/Center
Jayson Tatum FD - $10800 DK - $10900
Opponent - CHA
Proj Pts FD - 60.31 DK - 64.14
Giannis is back for the Bucks and also in a good spot today but every penny saved on these two-game slates is crucial to our overall build. With that, I am starting my builds with Tatum who has been rock-solid lately with 50+ fantasy points in three of his last four and going back further has tallied 48 or more fantasy points in 11 of his last 15 games while averaging just over 53 per game. On Monday, he will be running the show again with Jaylen Brown still out and gets one of the best matchups on the day facing a Hornets team that runs a top-10 pace and bottom-five defence. Lock and load with Tatum in all formats.
Jarrett Allen FD - $7400 DK - $5900
Opponent - NO
Proj Pts FD - 33.64 DK - 34.77
Evan Mobley FD - $6900 DK - $6300
Opponent - NO
Proj Pts FD - 33.05 DK - 34.41
The big man combo in Cleveland is one of the best in the league and has led the Cavs to the #2 overall defence coming into Monday. While Allen and Mobley do cut into each other's upside, they continue to both provide excellent PTS/$ floors as their prices remain in the mid-range. Let's start with Allen who is averaging nearly a double-double(14.3 points, 9.4 rebounds) over the last month while averaging 33.5 DraftKings points per game. Mobley's run doesn't go back as far as Allen's but he does come in with 29 or more DK points in six of his last seven and has been two or fewer rebounds away from a double-double in four of his last five. The Pels are a good defensive team but will be missing some core pieces(Zion, Ingram) which should allow the Cavs big men to do work tonight. I prefer them in cash games but feel they are in play in all formats.
