RADIO
Ten games on the board tonight, and there's lots to break down. With so many fluid situations today - potential resting players, injured players sitting/returning, back-to-backs, etc - I am going to update the article throughout the day (as much as I can) when impact-ful news breaks. For now, I'll begin with my value plays, trying to focus on ones that have three characteristics - solid floor, good upside, and not likely to be impacted by injury news.
Now that we have some lines to dissect, let's talk Vegas and see what we can learn from the lines that have been set, and those that sharp players have already adjusted. As of roughly 1pm Eastern time, we have three games with monstrous totals (220+) and a few games not far behind that tier, which also happen to be attractive because of matchup and game context. The big three are the Rockets at Pelicans (227), Pacers at Cavs (223) and the Lakers at Bulls (222.5). Personally, I have the most interest in the games in New Orleans and Chicago. The Lakers - Bulls may be the most attractive, seeing as a lot of their key pieces aren't too pricey today, and the defense on both sides is rather absent. For what it's worth, that over/under was 4.5 points lower this morning - that is some pretty serious movement in a positive direction. After all, we're rooting for points right? The Knicks at Suns (217) and Bucks at Nets (213) have pretty attractive overs as well.
Below you will find our daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for FanDuel on 1/26/18. These DFS lineup picks can vary from higher-priced players and elite options, to lower-priced players and value picks on FanDuel. Let's get to it, shall we?
FanDuel DFS Guards
Isaiah Canaan - PG, vs NYK ($3,700)
Canaan has been fantastic in three of his last four games, posting +/- point figures of +6, +3, and +11 in that span. Those really positive marks came in the same price range Canaan sits in today, and he has a pretty strong matchup that could allow him to flourish. For the season, he's posted a 0.91 FanDuel point per minute mark and projections have him for 25 minutes tonight with a Usage rate percentage right around his season average, which is 18%. Seeing as he has been excellent in making the right pass lately, he has a fairly solid floor that isn't very point dependent at all. If his shot is falling on top of his regular production, he could give us big time return on the dollar. The game context is strong as well - the Knicks are horrible defensively, run at a fairly quick pace, and happen to be on the road and a back-to-back (playing at elevation in Denver last night, no less).
Also Consider: Shabazz Napier - PG, at DAL ($3,800)
Devin Booker - SG, vs NYK ($8,000)
The nice thing about Booker playing less minutes and taking less shots over his last two games? A $500 price drop since Monday and he finds himself in a fantastic matchup against a Knicks team that really struggles to defend two-guards. Booker is essentially always in consideration for tournaments thanks to his enormous Usage rate percentage (32% on the year), but he's a strong play in either format today thanks to the game context and softer matchup. This could be one of the highest scoring games on a crowded slate (there is a dud chance, too, if the shooting % is poor - but the volume will be there) and if it gets to that ceiling, it more than likely is due to a Booker explosion. Seeing as the opponent is the Knicks on a back-to-back, he could end up being a popular play, but with the potential to return 8-9 times his value on the dollar, it's chalk you can eat.
Also Consider: Donovan Mitchell - SG, at TOR ($7,100)
FanDuel DFS Forwards
Brandon Ingram - SF, at CHI ($5,800)
Ingram is an incredible value tonight and could be a building block for your cash game lineups. Ingram gets a date with the Bulls, who are one of the worst teams in terms of defensive efficiency. His recent price drop (returning slowly from an ankle injury) puts him at a point where returning 8-9 times his value is not out of the question, seeing as how the game context (fast pace, poor defensive efficiency) should lead to a high scoring affair. Since Lonzo Ball has already been ruled out, Ingram should see more of the offensive responsibility fall on his shoulders. His ultimate ceiling is only achieved if he's shooting it well, but his floor is pretty strong too seeing as he's averaging roughly 5.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game.
Also Consider: LeBron James - SF, vs IND ($10,900); Dillon Brooks - SF, vs LAC ($4,300)
Blake Griffin - PF, at MEM ($8,700)
Blake looks like one of the best spend up plays among big men today. He has a good matchup against Memphis, as they struggle to defend strong fours and are overall very limited defensively (much thanks to their myriad of injuries). This is a pace down game for Blake and the Clippers, but data has shown big men to be less effected by these situations. Griffin compiles his stats in a number of ways, and could clean up the boards too against a team missing so much of their front court. My projections have him for somewhere in the range of 33-36 minutes with a very attractive Usage rate of 29 percent.
Also Consider: Kyle Kuzma - PF, at CHI ($5,600)
FanDuel DFS Centers
Tristan Thompson - C, vs IND ($3,600)
Indications right now are that Thompson could play upwards of 25 minutes or so tonight, and at least 20. Being the very strong rebounder that he is - and seeing as how Indiana is not a strong rebounding team - I'd say he has a relatively safe floor for a player of his style and caliber. In the past month, in games where he's seen 22 or more minutes, he's provided plus value (with the same or very similar price tag to the one he has tonight) in three of those four contests. He's not likely to get a lot looks by way of play calling, but a few put-backs and he's got the ability to give a big time return on our investments.
Also Consider: Marc Gasol - C, vs LAC ($7,700)
