Happy MLK Day! We’ve got games going all day, but we’re focused on the main slate of games for this article. Make sure to note that the Main Slate starts at 6:00 p.m. ET on FanDuel and 7:00 p.m. ET on DraftKings. To keep things simple, we’ll exclude the Milwaukee/Atlanta game and just focus on the games that start at 7:00 p.m. or later.
Let’s dive into some of the top plays using the FantasyLabs Tools and metrics.
Also, don’t forget that for large-field tournaments, you can utilize our Lineup Optimizer to effortlessly create up to 150 lineups, or use our Lineup Builder if you like to hand-build your lineups.
Note: Projections and Leverages Scores/Ratings may change throughout the day after this article is posted. The NBA DFS landscape changes quickly. Consult the Player Models directly for any updates as we get closer to lock.
Point Guard
Stud
Luka Doncic is one of the few players with a 70-point ceiling every time he takes the court. Tonight, he’ll get a tremendous Pace Differential against the fast-paced Thunder, where he should make for a studly option.
Doncic flopped against Orlando on Saturday, which may drive his ownership down, but he’s recorded a triple-double in two of his last four contests and a double-double in three of four.
Value
Russell Westbrook has cooled off considerably since recording four triple-doubles in a row from Christmas to New Year’s Eve. In six games since, he’s recorded three games with fewer than 30 fantasy points.
His ownership will likely be way down, but at just $8,100 on FanDuel, he’s got to be on your radar. Brodie is priced at $9,400 on DraftKings, where he’s a much less appealing option. Westbrook’s performances run hot and cold, so he’s worth a shot in tournaments in a game with an over/under of 230.5, the highest on the slate.
Fast Break
Derrick White returned from his five-game absence Saturday and went off for 19 points, four rebounds, four assists, three blocks, three triples and a steal in just 25 minutes off the bench. He should be expected to play more minutes tonight as he’s eased back into action, and at only $7,100, he’s quite the bargain.
Shooting Guard
Stud
Dejounte Murray has been tremendous over his last seven games, averaging 24.6 points, 9.4 assists, 8.3 rebounds and 2.3 steals while posting four double-doubles and a triple-double.
Tonight’s matchup with the Suns has a 227.5 over/under, the second-highest on the slate. Murray has a solid Opponent Plus/Minus and a 65-point ceiling on both sites. He’s become a stud to target on every slate he’s available.
Value
Donovan Mitchell comes in at $9,000 on DraftKings and $8,100 on FanDuel, where he has a 94% Bargain Rating and gets our model’s highest Points/Salary projection.
His price is far too low considering the highly favorable matchup with the Lakers due to Opponent Plus/Minus, Pace Differential and the high implied game total. Spida has scored at least 30 points in three of his last four contests.
Fast Break
CJ McCollum isn’t on the Blazers’ injury report for tonight’s matchup with the Magic, but he’s not a guy I’d be playing in any lineups. He hasn’t played since Dec. 4 due to a lung injury and the birth of his child, so there’s bound to be some rust. His return could certainly bring down the value of Anfernee Simons, who has been on fire in recent weeks. Neither are recommended plays tonight, though Simons is the cheaper and safer option of the two.
Small Forward
Stud
LeBron James is always one of the highest-ceiling options on any slate, so he’s our featured stud tonight against the Jazz. The matchup between the Jazz and Lakers sports the highest over/under on the slate at a whopping 230.5.
LeBron will need to be at his best to overcome one of the league’s most prolific offenses, and our model gives him a ceiling of over 70 fantasy points on both sites. On the season, he’s averaging 28.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 2.8 stocks and 2.9 triples. This will be his first meeting with the Jazz this season.
Value
Scottie Barnes is priced at $6,300 on DraftKings but just $5,600 on FanDuel, where he gets a 92% Bargain Rating. Barnes has appeared in just one of the Raptors’ last three games due to a knee injury, but his absence Saturday was for injury management, so there shouldn’t be any lingering effects tonight.
Barnes has averaged 14.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.9 stocks on the season. His recent down stretch will likely hurt his ownership, making him a nice, low-priced pivot in tournaments.
Fast Break
Bojan Bogdanovic has averaged 20.5 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.4 triples over his last eight games and scored 20 points in six of eight contests in that span. Tonight, the sharpshooter will get a highly advantageous matchup against the Lakers. He’s an excellent play on either site, but he’s especially valuable on FanDuel at just $5,400.
Power Forward
Stud
Pascal Siakam has been on an incredible run as of late, and his production over the last 10 games has raised his price to $9,200 on DraftKings and $9,900 on FanDuel.
In that span, Spicy P has averaged 24.5 points, 10.0 rebounds, 6.6 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.4 triples across nearly 40 minutes per contest while racking up six double-doubles. He’s fresh off a 30/10/10 triple-double against Milwaukee on Saturday and should be in plenty of lineups tonight as the Raptors take on the Heat.
Note: Siakam is eligible at PF on FanDuel and C on DraftKings.
Value
Robert Covington is a guy who simply can’t be ignored anymore. His price tag is just $6,400 on DraftKings and $5,900 on FanDuel, though his ceiling is above 40 fantasy points on both sites.
Over his last five games, RoCo has averaged a ridiculous 14.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.0 steals, 3.0 triples, 1.8 blocks and 1.0 assists. That across-the-board production has netted him 37 fantasy points per game with two showings of over 40 fantasy points in that span. The matchup with Orlando provides him a favorable Opponent Plus/Minus and a solid Pace Differential.
Fast Break
Chuma Okeke has averaged 7.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 2.5 steals and 1.3 triples in four recent starts. With Wendell Carter (hamstring) still out of action, Okeke should be in the starting five once again against Portland. Okeke is a nice bargain tonight at just $4,600 on DraftKings and $5,000 on FanDuel.
Center
Stud
Rudy Gobert returned from a five-game absence Sunday and showed no signs of rust, posting 18 points, 19 rebounds, two assists and two blocks against the Nuggets in 35 minutes.
His playing time and production mean he’s ready to take on another full workload tonight against the Lakers. Gobert gets an excellent Opponent Plus/Minus and a huge Pace Differential and will be playing in one of the friendliest matchups for opposing centers.
Gobert’s price has come down by $400 ($8,300 DraftKings, $8,600 FanDuel) from his pre-protocols salary, so DFS players can take advantage of the discount without sacrificing any of the upside. Gobert is one of the best bang-for-your-buck plays on the entire slate.
Value
Deandre Ayton was forced out of Sunday’s matchup with Detroit early due to an ankle injury, and JaVale McGee finished the game with 20 points, six boards and a block across 15 minutes.
In 10 starts, McGee has averaged 12.8 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.1 blocks. In that span, he posted three double-doubles and racked up at least 48 fantasy points twice. Playing on the second night of a back-to-back set, it wouldn’t be surprising for Ayton to sit, making McGee a fantastic value in a very friendly matchup with San Antonio.
Fast Break
Chris Boucher’s performances have been a mixed bag on the season as a whole, and that’s how they’ve been in nine games since his brief stint in the starting five. Boucher has averaged 9.1 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 1.3 blocks across 24.9 minutes in that span. He’s also recorded three multi-block games and a double-double over those nine games. His upside is a 50-point game, while his floor is rock bottom. Boucher is a fine tournament option, but he’s not a cash game play.
Photo Credit: Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images. Pictured: Rudy Gobert (27) and Donovan Mitchell (45)
