RADIO
We have another smaller slate in the NBA tonight with an exciting five-gamer featuring the 76ers-Lakers nightcap. For DFS purposes, the Kings-Spurs matchup stands out far above the rest, as the 245.5-point implied total is a full 11 points ahead of the next-highest total game. It also projects to be the fastest-paced game and features the highest combined fantasy points per game allowed on the slate, so we'll want to get exposure there. The Magic-Nuggets affair also looks intriguing, but we'll be getting to most teams tonight, as that's the nature of a short slate. There isn't much to monitor in terms of injury situations, but that can change instantly with coaches giving players their much-needed "rest." Let's get to it.
Here are my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for FanDuel and DraftKings on 1/15/23. Keep an eye on RotoBaller’s NBA injury news and also our full NBA injury report today to stay up to date before lineups are locked.
DraftKings and FanDuel Guards - NBA DFS Lineup Picks
James Harden, vs. LAL (FD: $10,600, DK: $10,100)
Embiid was originally my pick from this squad, but he hasn't reached value or shown his ceiling often enough lately for me to want to pony up the salary for him again. Enter Harden. The Beard has been exceeding salary-based expectations recently as he has at least 56.5 DK points in each of his last four games, a stretch that includes two triple-doubles and at least 11 assists in each contest. His salary is still more than palatable, especially against a Lakers team that allows the fourth-most fantasy points per game and the second-most fantasy points per game to opposing point guards. If we're ever going to see a true "ceiling" game that harkens back to his Houston glory days, it's going to be tonight against this hapless Lakers' defense.
Josh Giddey, vs. BKN (FD: $7,700, DK: $7,200)
I love playing this guy when he's hot, and he is. Giddey has produced at least 38 DK points in eight of his last nine games and at least 51 DK points in two of his last three outings. We don't see that potential ceiling for a player in this $7k price range, and while the matchup tonight against the Nets isn't ideal, Giddey's salary is too low not to want to take shots on him.
Also consider: Luka Doncic, Damian Lillard, Tyrese Maxey, De'Aaron Fox, Malik Monk, Davion Mitchell, Jamal Murray
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DraftKings and FanDuel Forwards - NBA DFS Lineup Picks
Ben Simmons, vs. OKC (DK: $5,900) DraftKings only
I don't enjoy playing this guy or even writing a blurb about him as a recommended play for this evening. However, he's underpriced on DraftKings as he needs 29.5 DK points to hit 5x value, and that shouldn't be a problem against a Thunder squad that allows the eighth-most fantasy points per game to opposing teams this season. Their frontcourt is abysmal, and I think we finally see some scoring output from Simmons against the likes of Muscala, Bazley, Kenrich Williams, and Jaylin Williams.
Harrison Barnes, vs. SAS (FD: $6,100, DK: $5,700)
Barnes might be the unsexiest of all unsexy plays for DFS lineups, but we'll have to take what we can get from the top game environment on the slate. The Spurs can't defend anyone this season, as they're allowing the most fantasy points per game to opposing teams and rank dead last in defensive efficiency this season. Barnes has come on as of late, exceeding what he'd need for 5x value tonight (28.5 DK points) in four of his last six games. He put up a 27/7/3/1 line in his last game, finishing with a strong 44.25 DK point output against the Rockets. The potential return of Kevin Huerter could put a slight dent in Barnes' outlook, so keep that in mind when you're building lineups tonight.
Also consider: LeBron James, T.J. Warren, Luguentz Dort, Reggie Bullock, Bruce Brown, Josh Hart
DraftKings and FanDuel Centers - NBA DFS Lineup Picks
Jusuf Nurkic, vs. DAL (FD: $7,900, DK: $7,000)
Why in the world is Nurkic priced at $7,000 on DraftKings? He needs 35 DK points to hit salary-based value tonight, and he's averaging 44.1 DK points over his last five games. He had a 67.75 DK point outing a few weeks ago on 12/26. The Mavericks boast one of the tougher interior defenses in the NBA, but this price is way too low for a player like Nurkic, especially with his recent form.
Also consider: Joel Embiid, Wendell Carter Jr., Darius Bazley
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