12 games make up Wednesday night's slate of NBA action. When there are a ton of options to choose from, I typically like to take a more well-rounded approach to selecting a squad, instead of splurging and unloading my salary cap on just two big names.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 2/1/17. The DFS lineup picks will range from some of the elite players to mid-priced options and value plays on DraftKings.
If you have any questions or comments, feel free to reach out to me on Twitter @DemetriRafto.
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DraftKings DFS Guards
Isaiah Thomas - PG, vs TOR ($9,500)
There haven't been many point guards, or players in general, on more of a roll than Isaiah Thomas. This year is certainly his coming out party, as he continues to show the league how elite of a one-guard he really is. Thomas' price has progressively risen, and continues to do so, as he has become a true points/assists threat in Boston's backcourt.
Boston and Toronto sit second and third overall in the Eastern Conference, and are only a handful of games behind the defending champions. Expect a competitive matchup, including another impressive stat line from Thomas.
Brandon Jennings - PG, @ BK ($5,200)
Derrick Rose is expected to miss Wednesday night's contest against crosstown rival Brooklyn Nets. Jennings has performed admirably in Rose's absence this season, specifically a 18 points, 11 assists showing in New York's quadruple overtime loss to the Atlanta Hawks. While he should see a lot less than the 53 minutes he did in that game, Jennings should see a majority of the playing time at point guard. Jennings has been inconsistent for daily fantasy all season, but enters a solid matchup against a Nets squad that allows the most fantasy points to the one spot.
Courtney Lee - SG, @ BK ($4,800)
Courtney Lee should also benefit from the absence of Rose, and has even been a lot more consistent than Jennings of late. Lee has posted double-digit scoring totals in five straight games, including showings of 30-plus fantasy points in three straight. His price is too enticing to pass up on, especially against the Brooklyn Nets. Lee can free up a ton of cap space and find a good amount of openings on the court to produce alongside Carmelo and company.
DraftKings DFS Forwards
Nicolas Batum - SF/SG, @ GS ($7,400)
Amidst their dominance throughout the league, the Golden State Warriors have been particularly vulnerable defending shooting guards and small forwards. (They allow the most fantasy points to shooting guards, and the sixth most to small forwards). Batum has been a generous stat spreader in all DraftKings categories, but will need to limit the turnovers in order to reach full value against a very dangerous Warriors squad.
Tobias Harris - SF/PF, vs NO ($5,400)
Tobias Harris is another value option on this list that will help free up cap space for some of the bigger names. Harris will not blow you away with his stat lines, but has been a consistent producer for daily fantasy. He often struggles to donate a bulk of stats to categories other than points, but is truly at his best when he's dishing and grabbing boards as well. He's not much of a threat from behind the arc, but has shot over 50% from the field in five straight contests. Expect a high scoring contest against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Karl-Anthony Towns - PF/C, @ CLE ($10,600)
The Cleveland Cavaliers have allowed the fewest fantasy points to the power forward position. Although, Karl-Anthony Towns has become matchup-proof and should be started against anybody. The Cavaliers have not been playing well of late, but we can expect the defending champions to come out firing. The Timberwolves have been playing much better over their last 1o and sit only three games out of a playoff spot in the Western Conference. Towns' seven straight double-doubles, and nine out of his last 10, certainly speak for themselves, but I'm a fan of this matchup simply because Minnesota will need to rely on their best in order to stay close.
DraftKings DFS Centers
Andre Drummond - C, vs NO ($7,900)
Drummond has suddenly revisited his dominant ways from the beginning of last season. Drummond has posted 20 or more rebounds in two straight games, has posted a double-double in three straight, and double-digit rebounds in 10 straight. To make things even sweeter, the New Orleans Pelicans have allowed the sixth most fantasy points to centers this season. Drummond should feast as he will likely be pinned against Anthony Davis. This is where I usually like to spend up, but Drummond's price is still more than reasonable, and a lot cheaper than most big name centers.
Dirk Nowitzki - C/PF, vs PHI ($5,000)
It's crazy to think that Dirk Nowitzki's price is as low as it is right now. A future hall-of-famer, Nowitzki has seen a decline in performance, mainly because of an injury that has kept him out of a majority of Dallas' games this season. But Dirk is still a scoring threat, and will be called upon against the improving Philadelphia 76ers. It will be an interesting matchup to watch, the veteran versus the rookie, Joel Embiid. Even with Embiid's emergence, the Sixers have struggled to defend big men this season.
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