👉 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


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





REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

De'Von Achane

Dealing With Injury at OTAs?
Dalton Kincaid

Says he Feels "Really Good"
Keenan Allen

Door isn't Closed for Keenan Allen in Los Angeles
Ty Simpson

Does Ty Simpson Have First-Round Appeal in Rookie Drafts?
Fernando Mendoza

Working Behind Other QBs
Cam Ward

is "Perfectly Healthy"
James Cook III

Absent From OTA Practices This Week
Darnell Washington

Is it Time to Drop Darnell Washington in Dynasty Leagues?
Fernando Mendoza

a Top Dynasty Target Even if He Doesn't Start Week 1?
Tyreek Hill

Dynasty Outlook Dependent on Landing Spot
Mack Hollins

Should Managers Trade for Mack Hollins Amid Roster Questions?
Michael Wilson

a Prime Dynasty Sell Candidate
Jake Ferguson

Insurance Upside Makes Him a Borderline TE1 in Dynasty
Brock Bowers

One of the Most Valuable Assets in Dynasty
Devin Vassell

Contributes 22 Points in Wednesday's Loss
Mike Gesicki

Still Provides Some Dynasty Insurance as His Standalone Value Fades
Stephon Castle

Tallies Team-High 25 Points in Game 2 Loss
Victor Wembanyama

Records Eighth Postseason Double-Double
Philadelphia Eagles

Nolan Smith Arrested for Speeding and Reckless Driving
Isaiah Hartenstein

Bounces Back With Double-Double
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Leads Thunder to Game 2 Victory WIth 30 Points
Dylan Harper

Exits Game 2 Early Due to Right-Leg Injury
Jalen Williams

Suffers Another Hamstring Injury
Valeri Nichushkin

Ends Scoring Slump in Game 1 Loss
Nathan MacKinnon

Extends Point Streak With an Assist
Brett Howden

Pots Another Goal in Game 1 Win Against Avalanche
Tomas Hertl

Extends Point Streak to Four Games
Pavel Dorofeyev

Scores in Fourth Straight Outing
Carter Hart

Records Third Consecutive Win
Timothy Liljegren

Capitals Re-Sign Timothy Liljegren to Two-Year Extension
Jackson Merrill

Tweaks his Back on Wednesday, Pulled Early
New York Giants

Giants Offense to be a Run-First Unit?
Joshua Palmer

Working Out on the Side at OTAs
Maxx Crosby

Raiders "Counting" on Maxx Crosby Being Ready for Training Camp
Kirk Cousins

the First Up in OTA Practice on Wednesday
Chicago Bulls

Jerry Stackhouse Emerges as Bulls Head-Coach Candidate
Cooper Flagg

Kon Knueppel Headline All-Rookie Team
De'Aaron Fox

is Ruled Out for Game 2 on Wednesday
Jiri Kulich

Aims to Return Next Season
Jeremy Lauzon

Not Expected to Play Wednesday
Brock Bowers

Klint Kubiak Calls Brock Bowers a "Football Robot From Heaven"
Mark Stone

Likely to Remain Out Wednesday
Scott Wedgewood

Starting Western Conference Finals for Avalanche
Sam Malinski

Set to Return Wednesday
Artturi Lehkonen

Expected to Play Wednesday Night
Cale Makar

Will Miss Game 1 Against Golden Knights
CFB

Lincoln Riley Believes USC is Ready for Playoff Run
CFB

Notre Dame-Stanford Rivalry Renewed Through 2028
CFB

Ahmad Hardy Says He's "Back to the Road to Success"
CFB

Texas Tech Graduate Judge Recuses Himself from Brendan Sorsby Case
CFB

UCLA Tackle Jordan Davis Officially Eligible for 2026 Season
CFB

Bret Bielema Supports Significant College Football Playoff Expansion
Michael Thorbjornsen

Brings High Upside to CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Luke List

Carrying Poor Form Into CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Tom Kim

Hoping to Build on Strong Myrtle Beach Finish
PGA

Sungjae Im Brings Upside to TPC Craig Ranch
Billy Horschel

Looking for Turnaround at CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Adam Hadwin

Difficult to Trust at TPC Craig Ranch
Tony Finau

Looking for Consistency at TPC Craig Ranch
Luke Clanton

Searching for Form at CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Aaron Rai

Withdraws From CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Wyndham Clark

Can Wyndham Clark Find Form at CJ Cup?
Si Woo Kim

Looks To Stay Hot at CJ Cup
James Harden

Struggles in Eastern Conference Finals Opener
Evan Mobley

Bags Second Consecutive Double-Double
Donovan Mitchell

Produces Top Two-Way Performance in Game 1 Loss
OG Anunoby

Plays Key Role in Comeback Win
Mikal Bridges

Remains Efficient in Game 1 Against Cavaliers
Karl-Anthony Towns

Extends Double-Double Streak to Four Games
Jalen Brunson

Leads Knicks to Historic Comeback Win
Scottie Scheffler

to Defend CJ Cup Byron Nelson Title This Week
Jordan Spieth

Looking For Victory at TPC Craig Ranch
PGA

Matti Schmid Looks to Keep Recent Momentum Going at TPC Craig Ranch
Brooks Koepka

a High-Upside Play at CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Yandy Díaz

Yandy Diaz Exits Early on Tuesday After Being Hit By Pitch
Dean Wade

Returns to Starting Unit Tuesday
OG Anunoby

Starting on Tuesday
Tobias Harris

May Remain in Motown
Jalen Duren

Pistons Eager to Keep Jalen Duren
Chris Kirk

Continues Search For Putting Form at TPC Craig Ranch
Rasmus Hojgaard

Looking to Shake Off Poor Major Showing at TPC Craig Ranch
Joel Dahmen

is of No DFS Consideration This Week in Dallas
Pierceson Coody

is Not The Fun DFS Play He Used to Be
Gerrit Cole

to Make Season Debut on Friday Against Rays
Drake Baldwin

Braves Place Drake Baldwin on Injured List With Oblique Strain
CFB

Ezavier Crowell has Immediate Opportunity at Alabama
CFB

Mark Bowman a Day 1 Impact Player for USC?
CFB

Bill Belichick Says Relationship with First North Carolina Team "Wasn't Great"
CFB

Kemario Taylor a Breakout Candidate at Quarterback
CFB

Trinidad Chambliss the Undisputed Top SEC Quarterback Entering 2026?
CFB

Rocco Becht The "Unifier" of Penn State's Roster
Mattias Samuelsson

Picks Up an Assist in Season-Ending Loss
Rasmus Dahlin

Nets Fourth Postseason Goal
Jakub Dobes

Records 37 Saves in Game 7 Win
Lane Hutson

Contributes Power-Play Assist in Game 7 Victory
Nick Suzuki

Extends Road Point Streak
Alex Newhook

Scores Series-Clincher in Overtime
Jackson Holliday

Orioles Reinstate Jackson Holliday From Injured List on Monday
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Braves Reinstate Ronald Acuna Jr. From Injured List on Monday
Jose Altuve

Astros Put Jose Altuve on Injured List With Oblique Strain
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Set to Start Game 7
Corey Seager

Going on Injured List With Back Injury
Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Pena Reinstated and Starting on Monday Against Twins
Melquizael Costa

Drops Decision At UFC Vegas 117
Arnold Allen

Bounces Back
Daniel Santos

Suffers Second-Round TKO Loss
MMA

Dohoo Choi Wins His Third Consecutive Fight
Malcolm Wellmaker

Suffers His Second Loss In A Row
Juan Diaz

Scores Second-Round Submission
Christian Edwards

Defeated At UFC Vegas 117
CFB

Transfer Running Back Arnold Barnes Visiting Iowa State on Monday
Modestas Bukauskas

Gets Split-Decision Win
Jhostynxon Garcia

Expected to Join the Pirates on Tuesday
Colt Emerson

Mariners Promoting Top Prospect Colt Emerson to Major Leagues
Munetaka Murakami

Fantastic First Season Continues With Two More Homers
Cristopher Sánchez

Cristopher Sanchez Dazzles With 13-Strikeout Complete Game on Saturday
Blake Snell

to Undergo Elbow Surgery on Tuesday
Clay Holmes

Could Miss Around Three Months
Jose Altuve

Exits After Swing
Corey Seager

Absent With Back Spasms on Saturday
Trevor Story

Hits the Injured List With Groin Injury
Blake Snell

Likely to Need Elbow Surgery
Kyle Schwarber

on a Heater, Hits Two More Homers to Take Major-League Lead
Clay Holmes

Suffers Fractured Fibula on Friday Night
CFB

Julian Sayin Looking To Build Off Of Strong Debut Season
CFB

College GameDay Set for First Three Weeks
CFB

Jeremiah Smith Aiming For Ohio State Receiving Records
CFB

Keshaun Singleton Projects as Auburn's WR1
CFB

Jeremiah Cobb Impresses New Auburn Staff
CFB

Alberto Mendoza Very Likely to Start for Georgia Tech
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF