Welcome back, RotoBallers. As the league gears up for a fully loaded slate on Martin Luther King Day, we only have four total games Sunday. There is an early two-game slate and late two-game slate.
Below you will find my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 1/14/18. I'll provide my favorite players at each position in terms of value and their specific prices for both slates. Make sure to check player status ahead of tip-off as some picks could be based on injury.
If you have any questions or comments, please let me know @dmjohnsonnn on Twitter. I will be happy to view any of your suggestions. You can also read more DFS advice and lineup picks for sites like FanDuel, and other sports too. Good luck to everyone and let's dive in.
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DraftKings DFS Guards
Darren Collison - PG, @ PHO (DK - $5,300)
When you see the Phoenix Suns on the schedule, you start the opposing players. It is that simple. Collison is coming off a 34-point fantasy night and Phoenix is marked dead last in scoring defense, giving up 112.1 points per game to opponents. The Suns are also giving up the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing players at the point guard position. Granted, the game could always get out of hand and force the Indiana Pacers starters to the bench early. However, Collison has a great chance at getting five times value or more.
Jimmy Butler - SG/SF, TOR vs GS (DK - $8,900)
Butler's play in the past month and a half has skyrocketed him into MVP conversation this season. After a slow start to the season, Butler has averaged 25 points per game since the start of December. Now, Butler gets to face the Portland Trail Blazers who could be without starting small forward Evan Turner. In their last game, they started three guards to compensate without Turner and gave up 25 points to shooting guard Jrue Holiday. If that were the case again Sunday, Butler would have an exploitable matchup. Nonetheless, in a limited slate, Butler is a solid, consistent option to build around.
Other DraftKings DFS Guards to Consider: Victor Oladipo, Damian Lillard, Goran Dragic, Jrue Holiday, Devin Booker, Khris Middleton, Jarrett Jack, Shabazz Napier (if Evan Turner sits)
DraftKings DFS Forwards
T.J. Warren - SF, vs IND (DK - $6,600)
Warren is averaging career-highs in scoring and shot attempts this season as he embraces the complementary role to Devin Booker. Warren now faces the Indiana Pacers at home, where Warren prefers to play. He averages 3.7 points more on 5.3 percent better shooting in home games compared to away games. This game could turn out to be a high-scoring affair and Warren makes for a good value play for the late-game slate.
DeMarcus Cousins - PF/C, @ NYK (DK - $10,900)
Really, either of the New Orleans Pelicans big men duo of Cousins and Anthony Davis would be up for consideration. Cousins and Davis posted 63.3 and 52.3 DraftKings fantasy points, respectively, the last time these two met with the New York Knicks this season. I picked Cousins, because he has been the better overall play all season and matches up better against New York's frontcourt. Kristaps Porzingis of the Knicks is one of the top rim-protectors in the league and will mostly be matched up on Davis, leaving Cousins with the ability to facilitate from outside the key.
Other DraftKings DFS Forwards to Consider: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Anthony Davis, Kristaps Porzingis, Domantas Sabonis (listed as questionable), Taj Gibson, Dragan Bender
DraftKings DFS Centers
Hassan Whiteside - C, vs MIL (DK - $7,300)
Whiteside is finally looking like his old self after returning from various bone bruises in his knee, posting 15 rebounds in his past two games. This comes at a perfect time as Whiteside will get to face off against the Milwaukee Bucks 22nd-ranked defense to opposing centers. Milwaukee has quick guards on the perimeter, but their interior is protected by the likes of John Henson and Thon Maker who are both mediocre at best defensively. Whiteside will make for a good backup option if you can't afford the other big name centers on the slate.
Other DraftKings DFS Centers to Consider: Anthony Davis, Karl-Anthony Towns, Jusuf Nurkic, Enes Kanter, Kelly Olynyk, Al Jefferson (if Domantas Sabonis sits)