Six games make up Wednesday's slate of NBA action. A rookie visits the world's most famous arena for the first time while two of the loudest producers so far this season are set to take the court.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 1/11/16. 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
Patrick Beverley – PG, @ MIN ($5,600)
Russell Westbrook and James Harden both take the floor tonight. The two are always obvious choices to break out for big points in daily fantasy, but often compromise the rest of your lineup because of how expensive they are. Patrick Beverly is undoubtedly more affordable, and has been seeing 30-plus minutes of floor time consistently. While Beverly won't post Westbrook/Harden type numbers, he could see a boost in playing time if Eric Gordon sits.
Beverly attempts around three to four from behind the arc per game, and is at his best, for daily fantasy and real life, when he's accurate from downtown. The Timberwolves own the 10th highest opponent three point percentage in the league.
Nik Stauskas – SG, vs NYK ($3,900)
Stauskas is another value option taking the court Wednesday night, and will help free up plenty of cap space for other big names on this list. That isn't the young guard's only appeal, though, rather his minutes played and what he's capable of doing with during his allotted time. He's a solid stat-spreader, and could take full advantage of a vulnerable New York Knicks squad.
The Knickerbockers allow the sixth most points in the league, 108.9 per game, and have lost eight of their last nine games. Also, after the one night disappearance of Derrick Rose, it is unclear what the team plans to do, despite already announcing that the team plans to fine him. If Rose is punished further, Stauskas could have an even easier time producing.
Brandon Jennings – PG/SG, @ PHI ($4,900)
If Rose doesn't play, Brandon Jennings sees a huge boost in daily fantasy value. Listed at both point and shooting guard, Jennings has proved capable of stepping up in the absence of Rose. Without Rose Monday night, Jennings started at the one-spot and dropped 20 points, five rebounds, four assists, two steals, and sunk four of nine from behind the arc in 29 minutes of court time. Jennings will certainly be more appealing if Rose sits, but is still another value option to consider on Wednesday regardless. The Sixers surrender 105.9 points per game.
DraftKings DFS Forwards
Robert Covington – SF, vs NYK ($6,000)
Yes, it is wise to stack against the New York Knicks. The Knickerbockers remain in complete disarray, and have become one of the most vulnerable targets in daily fantasy, even against the lowly Philadelphia 76ers. Covington has produced 30-plus fantasy points in three of his last four games, including a 15 point, 11 rebound double-double against the Brooklyn Nets in his most recent; his second over that span. Covington has been playing close to 40 minutes of late and should feast on a Knicks squad that relinquish the fifth most fantasy points to small forwards.
Kevin Love – PF/C, @ POR ($8,100)
Kevin Love, when healthy, is a double-double threat every time he laces up. Love has posted a double-double in six straight appearances, including nine over his last 10. He enters an extremely favorable matchup against a Portland Trail Blazers team that allows the third most fantasy points to the position. Love is a beast for daily fantasy, as he posts an abundance of rebounds and attempts a ton from behind the arc per game.
Marcus Smart – SF/SG, vs WAS ($6,300)
If Avery Bradley misses his second straight contest, Marcus Smart will continue to see a boost in playing time and value. Smart's price has jumped nearly $2,000, likely because of Bradley's injury. Smart is an inconsistent scorer on the floor and is often plagued by low field goal percentages, but has proved his worth in increased roles this season. It will be interesting to see if his price drops back down to reality if Bradley is announced active for Wednesday night's tilt against the Washington Wizards.
DraftKings DFS Centers
Karl-Anthony Towns – C/PF, vs HOU ($9,500)
Karl-Anthony Towns is the highest priced center on the card Wednesday night, rightfully so considering the big man has posted eight double-doubles in a row, and nine out of his last 10. Towns is also coming off 34 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, three blocks, and two three pointers on three attempts against the Dallas Mavericks Monday night, and could have an easy time producing a similar stat line in what should be a high scoring affair with the Houston Rockets. The fact that Towns is shooting threes consistently this season is a bonus.
Joel Embiid – C/PF, vs NYK ($8,000)
Are we picking up the trend here? Joel Embiid is the third Sixers player on this list, as the first-year big man should have no problem feasting against a Knicks ball club that has been vulnerable guarding the center position all season (allowing the fifth most fantasy points to centers). Embiid has not played in a regular season game at Madison Square Garden yet in his career, and I'm not sure The Big Apple and the Knicks are ready for him. Joakim Noah and Kyle O'Quinn have struggled, while New York has suddenly become an easy out for opposing teams.
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