👉 TAP TO SAVE 50% WITH CODE SPRING
X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

#1 Expert Projections
Save 50% Now
Import Your Leagues
Props Tool
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
24x7 News and Alerts

FanDuel NBA DFS Lineup Picks (1/5/18): Daily Fantasy Basketball Advice

You know what we deserve after a two game slate? Double digit games and good matchups. Tonight, we're getting both as there are 10 games across the Association. As usual, tip (and thus, FanDuel lock) is at 7pm EST. Two-thirds of the games are taking place in the Eastern or Central time zones, meaning we should have an ample amount of injury/start/sit news before our lineups lock. There are a quad of games tipping at 9pm or later - fingers crossed we know the status of the players on those eight teams.

Thanks to this being a monster slate, we've got quite a lot of injury news to monitor throughout the day. Vegas is monitoring said news closely, and because there is a lot of uncertainty as of this morning, we still have a few games without spreads or over/unders listed. I'll update the section when we have more information, but as of now, there are three games which I consider to have relatively elite point total projections. In no particular order, those games are the Raptors at Bucks (216.5), the Hornets at Lakers (216.5) and Bulls at Mavericks (213).

Below you will find our daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for FanDuel on 1/5/18. These DFS lineup picks can vary from higher-priced players and elite options, to lower-priced players and value picks on FanDuel. You can also read more DFS lineup picks for DraftKings and other sports too.

Featured Promo! Save 50% on any PGA Premium Pass using discount code MASTERS, this week only! Win more with our DFS and Betting Packages, get expert tools and advice from proven winners including the Lineup Optimizer, Research Station, betting/props cheat sheet and more. GAIN FULL ACCESS HERE

 

FanDuel DFS Guards

Goran Dragic - PG, vs NYK ($6,800)

It seems like it has been a while since I've been able to comfortably suggest Dragic as a cash game play. Which is odd, seeing as he has generally been one of the most consistent point guards over the last few seasons. It appears that whatever was ailing Goran and the rest of this Heat squad (injuries) has gone away, and Dragic has looked really impressive over the last pair of games, dropping more than 46 FanDuel points in each. In that stretch, the price has risen by just $100, and with a fantastic matchup against the soft defense on the Knicks, I can see him continuing his streak of crushing value. This is a slight pace up game for Dragic, being played at home, against a team that ranks 26th in DVP versus point guards and 27th in defensive efficiency against the position. So long as the game stays close, Dragic should see minutes in the 33-36 range with a Usage rate hovering around his season average of 25%.

Also Consider: Ish Smith - PG, at PHI ($6,100); Tony Parker - PG, vs PHX ($3,900); Kris Dunn - PG, at DAL ($7,900)

 

Tyreke Evans - SG, vs WAS 

Extreme pace-up alert! The Memphis Grizzlies are going to be fantasy blessed today with a monstrous pace-up game, and the biggest beneficiaires (as the data has shown us before) in pace up games are the back court mates. Tyreke, who has essentially re-invented his offense, is posting totals in field goal percentage, field goal percentage from three, true shooting percentage, free throw percentage and PER. There's more, but you get the point. His price tonight is fairly steep, but he's been able to hit and/or exceed value in three of those four games, and none was as good a matchup as the one in front of him this evening. Yes, the Wizards ranks 8th in defensive efficiency against shooting guards, but I think the sheer volume of possessions and Evans' massive 30 Usage rate will help him to exceed value tonight.

Also Consider: Malcolm Brogdon - SG, vs TOR ($4,900); Khris Middleton - SG, vs TOR ($7,200); Kentavious Caldwell-Pope - SG, vs CHA ($5,500)

 

FanDuel DFS Forwards

Denzel Valentine - SF, at DAL ($4,500)

No disrespect to Mr. Valentine or any of the other small forwards mentioned below, but this position is essentially a wasteland as it stands right now. This is a bit shocking and annoying seeing as we have a big, 10-game slate, but I'm just calling it as I see it. We've got studs in tough matchups or easy fade situations and the value plays, well, just aren't dripping with the value you'd hope for. Thanks to there being so many guards worth paying up for and this position being weak, it's best to spend down here and save your cash for positions with more elite options. Relatively speaking, I think Valentine finds himself in a good position to cash tonight. He's got a cheap price tag - one he's paid off several times and in two of his last three games - and a matchup that should feature a lot of offense and little defense. The thing I like most about Valentine tonight is that he should see in the range of 28-30 minutes as a player who averages 3/4 point per minute on the floor.

Also Consider: Evan Turner - SF, vs ATL ($4,800); Kyle Anderson - SF, vs PHX ($5,000); Robert Covington - SF, vs DET ($6,000)

 

Kyle Kuzma - PF, vs CHA ($6,000)

I really love Kuzma tonight in what should be an offensive slug-fest in Los Angeles. This is a slight pace down game for the Lakers, but Vegas and several other projections have this as one of the highest scoring games of the night. Why? Soft defenses on either side. Specific to the power forward, Kuzma has an excellent matchup, as the Hornets rank 25th in DVP and 27th in defensive efficiency. Thus far this season, Kuzma owns a really strong .322 points per touch and is no stranger to knocking down shots with consistency, posting a 57% True Shooting percentage.

Also Consider: Derrick Favors - PF, at DEN ($6,400); Taj Gibson - PF, at BOS ($5,800)

 

FanDuel DFS Centers

Joel Embiid - C, vs DET ($10,500)

A well rested Joel Embiid has a matchup I am really digging today. Whether or not Andre Drummond plays (currently Questionable - my guess is he sits), I think this is a game where we can witness Embiid's ceiling. Detroit slows it down a bit, and that actually suits Embiid's half-court game quite well. So far this season, he's posting an elite point-per-minute rate of 1.46 and a Usage rate at 31%. Both of those figures are extremely attractive, and I see Embiid as an elite play tonight, particularly for tournaments.

Also Consider: Dwight Howard - C, at LAL ($8,600); Enes Kanter - C, at MIA ($4,900); Miles Plumlee - C, at POR ($3,700)



NBA DFS News and Injury Alerts





POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

#1 Expert Projections
Save 50% Now
Import Your Leagues
Props Tool
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Shane Lowry

Searching For Answers at Cadillac Championship
Russell Wilson

Jets Host Russell Wilson for a Visit, Considering him as Backup Option
Russell Henley

Daunting Test at Doral Likely Not a Place For Russell Henley
Jonathon Brooks

Fully Cleared for Offseason Program
Christian Gonzalez

Patriots Exercise Christian Gonzalez's Fifth-Year Option
Tyler Allgeier

One of the Biggest Losers After NFL Draft
A.J. Brown

Eagles to Receive a First-Round Pick if They Trade A.J. Brown?
Justin Rose

Returns to Action After Finishing Third at Masters Tournament
Hideki Matsuyama

Has The Approach Game to Win at Cadillac Championship
Si Woo Kim

Rolling Back Into Form For Cadillac Championship
Nicolai Hojgaard

Struggling to Find Consistency
Harris English

In Excellent Form Heading to Cadillac Championship
Corey Conners

Continues Playing Well Heading to Cadillac Championship
Daniel Berger

Needs to Find Putter At Cadillac Championship
Aaron Rodgers

Steelers Place Right-of-First-Refusal Tender on Aaron Rodgers
Jauan Jennings

Visiting With Vikings
Quentin Johnston

Chargers Exercise Fifth-Year Option on Quentin Johnston
Jahmyr Gibbs

Lions Picking Up Jahmyr Gibbs' Fifth-Year Option
Bo Nix

Undergoes Cleanup Procedure on his Ankle
Junior Caminero

Suffers Jaw Contusion on Tuesday, Considered Day-to-Day
Scottie Barnes

Leading Raptors' Comeback Effort in Round 1
Pete Fairbanks

Going on Injured List With Nerve Irritation
Tobias Harris

a Bright Spot for Pistons in Tough Series
Jalen Duren

Struggling in First-Round Matchup
Austin Reaves

Officially Listed as Questionable for Game 5
Kevin Durant

Officially Out Wednesday
Collin Gillespie

Wants to Stick With Suns
Jonathan Isaac

Expected to Remain Out Wednesday
Kevin Huerter

Iffy for Wednesday Night
Franz Wagner

Considered Questionable for Game 5
Austin Reaves

on Track to Return Wednesday
Spencer Strider

to Make Season Debut This Weekend
Kevin Durant

Unlikely to Play Wednesday
Joel Embiid

Cleared for Game 5
Roope Hintz

Likely to Miss Entire First-Round Series
Jason Zucker

Good to Go for Game 5
Josh Norris

Won't Play Tuesday
Colton Dach

Available Tuesday
Connor Ingram

Returns to Oilers Net for Game 5
Luis Robert Jr.

Out on Tuesday With Back Tightness
Jason Dickinson

Considered a Game-Time Decision for Tuesday's Action
Connor McDavid

a Game-Time Call Tuesday
Juan Soto

Dealing With Forearm Tightness, Serving as DH on Tuesday
Isaiah Likely

Remains Well-Positioned for Mid-Career Breakout Following NFL Draft
Jauan Jennings

' Dynasty Value Fading Following NFL Draft?
Luther Burden III

Poised for Breakout Season in Chicago?
CFB

Brendan Sorsby Facing Potential Permanent Loss of Eligibility
MarShawn Lloyd

Is MarShawn Lloyd a Dynasty Buy-Low Candidate Following NFL Draft?
Emanuel Wilson

Dynasty Value Fading After Seahawks' Draft Addition
Jalen Nailor

Remains Poised for Prominent Role in Las Vegas Following NFL Draft
Manny Machado

Departs Early With Undisclosed Injury on Monday
Philadelphia Phillies

Phillies Fire Manager Rob Thomson
Elmer Rodríguez

Yankees to Promote Top Pitching Prospect Elmer Rodriguez
Pete Fairbanks

Pulled on Monday With "Unusual Sensation" in his Thumb
Jaylin Noel

Could Find Meaningful Role Out of Slot
Dylan Sampson

in a Good Spot After NFL Draft
Kirk Cousins

a Low-Cost Dynasty Add That Could Pay Dividends
Mikhail Sergachev

Has Three Assists in Overtime Loss
George Holani

One of the Draft's Biggest Losers
Brett Howden

Records Three Points in Vital Win
Kendre Miller

Not Guaranteed a Roster Spot with Saints
Rasmus Ristolainen

Registers Two Assists in Game 5 Loss
Arturs Silovs

Helps Penguins Survive for Second Time
Sidney Crosby

Delivers Two Assists in Elimination-Game Win
NAS

Predators Pick Up KHL Standout Vitali Pinchuk
Paolo Banchero

Efficiency Woes Continue in Game 4
Julius Randle

Leads Timberwolves With 27 Points Monday
Rickie Fowler

Rides History into the Blue Monster at Doral
Nikola Jokić

Nikola Jokic Records Big Triple-Double as Nuggets Stay Alive
Keegan Bradley

on Good Run Heading into Cadillac Championship
Chet Holmgren

Posts Impressive Double-Double in Game 4 Win
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Notches Efficient 31 Points in Closeout Game
Franz Wagner

Scheduled for MRI on Tuesday
Giancarlo Stanton

Heading to Injured List With Calf Strain
Chris Gotterup

Looks to Continue Big-Game Hunting at Cadillac Championship
Jason Day

Looks to Bring Experience Back to the Blue Monster
Nikola Jović

Nikola Jovic Remains Highly Rated by Heat
Aaron Gordon

Won't Play Monday Night
Tyler Herro

to Undergo "Preemptive Procedure" on Foot
Cameron Young

Returns to Action For Cadillac Championship
Travis Bazzana

Guardians Calling Up Former First Overall Pick Travis Bazzana
Sam Burns

Looks to Have Big Impact at PGA Tour's Return to Doral
Will Smith

Back in Action in Series Opener Against Marlins
Josh Naylor

Back in Starting Lineup on Monday
Jason Zucker

Probable for Game 5 Against Bruins
Josh Norris

Could Return to Action Tuesday
Nikita Zadorov

Questionable for Game 5
Viktor Arvidsson

Considered Questionable for Tuesday
Nils Lundkvist

Won't Play Tuesday
Yakov Trenin

Could Be an Option Tuesday
Mats Zuccarello

Questionable for Game 5
Carson Hocevar

Scores his First Career NASCAR Cup Series Victory at Talladega
Chris Buescher

Misses out on Winning at Talladega by Finishing Second
Alex Bowman

Earns First Top-Five Finish at Talladega Since Returning From Injury
Chase Elliott

Scores A Fourth-Place Finish at Talladega
Zane Smith

Nabs First Top-Five Finish of the 2026 Season at Talladega
CFB

Texas Tech Quarterback Brendan Sorsby Enters Rehab
Youssef Zalal

Suffers Unanimous-Decision Loss
Aljamain Sterling

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Norma Dumont

Drops Decision At UFC Vegas 116
Joselyne Edwards

Scores Upset Win
Alexander Hernandez

Gets Dominated
Alexander Hernandez

Rafa Garcia Dominates Alexander Hernandez
Adrian Luna Martinetti

Unsuccessful In His UFC Debut
Davey Grant

Gets Back In The Win Column
Manny Machado

Clubs Two Homers, Starting to Turn Things Around?
Brandon Hagel

Pops Up With Two Goals in Sunday's Win
Logan O'Hoppe

Placed on 10-Day Injured List Due to Left-Wrist Fracture
Denny Hamlin

Is Denny Hamlin Worth Rostering for Talladega?
NASCAR

Is Bubba Wallace Playable in Talladega DFS Lineups?
Josh Naylor

Absent on Sunday With Quad Tightness
Ryan Helsley

Returns From Bereavement List on Sunday
Steven Kwan

Back in Sunday's Lineup
Brent Rooker

Activated and Starting on Sunday Against Rangers
Roman Anthony

Returns as DH on Sunday
Tyler Reddick

Stay Away From Tyler Reddick at Talladega
Ryan Blaney

Can Ryan Blaney Shake Off The Bad Luck at Talladega?
Austin Cindric

Could Contend For Another Talladega Win
Kyle Busch

an Easy DFS Pick at Talladega
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

. a High-Risk, High-Reward Pick at Talladega
Todd Gilliland

a Sleeper to Watch at Talladega
Brad Keselowski

Is Brad Keselowski Worth Rostering for Talladega Lineups?
Chase Briscoe

Could Chase Briscoe be A Sneaky Tournament Play for Talladega Lineups?
Christopher Bell

Should DFS Managers Trust Christopher Bell at Talladega?
Ty Gibbs

Is A DFS Risk for Talladega Lineups
Boston Red Sox

Red Sox Fire Manager Alex Cora and Other Coaches
Youssef Zalal

Set For UFC Vegas 116 Main Event
Aljamain Sterling

An Underdog At UFC Vegas 116
Joselyne Edwards

Set For UFC Vegas 116 Co-Main Event
Norma Dumont

Looks To Extend Her Win Streak
Alexander Hernandez

A Favorite At UFC Vegas 116
Rafa Garcia

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
Adrian Luna Martinetti

Set For His UFC Debut
Davey Grant

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF