We have a nine game NBA slate, which is a good size for a Wednesday and there are some interesting options across the board. There are a number of injuries going around, so this should open up some value plays once we get the starting lineups.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 1/24/18. I play both cash and GPP, so I will be looking for both players who have consistency, along with value plays that have upside from a favorable match up, or other factors.
If you have any questions or comments, let me know @DFS_Tom on Twitter. You can also read more DFS advice and lineup picks for sites like FanDuel, and other sports too. Let's get to it.
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DraftKings DFS Guards
Darren Collison - PG, IND vs PHO (DK - $6,100)
UPDATE: Collison is a surprise scratch and has been ruled out for personal reasons.
Collison is up against the Suns who are giving up 48 DraftKings points per game to point guards, which is second worst in the league. Anytime the Suns are on the slate, you want to roster against them, since they play at a fast pace and are weak defensively, making it an ideals spot for us DFS players. Collison is averaging 0.90 fantasy points per minute this season, and has scored 30 or more DK points in two of his last three games. This game has an over-under of 216 points, so we should plenty of scoring in this game. Collison makes a better cash game option tonight, since he doesn't have a ton of pure scoring upside.
Zach LaVine - SG, CHI @ PHI (DK - $5,300)
LaVine makes an intersting GPP option tonight for a number of reasons, so let's get into it. We know that LaVine will be on a 24 minute limit for this game, so there is certainly plenty of risk here. But, we also know that Kris Dunn will most likely be out for this game due to still suffering from concussion symptoms. When Dunn is off the court, LaVine has a 32% usage rate, and is averaging 0.93 fantasy points per minute. He has put up over one fantasy point per minute in three of his last four games, so a nice spot for him to bring some value.
DraftKings DFS Forwards
Harrison Barnes - SF, DAL vs HOU (DK - $6,700)
Barnes has scored 31 or more DraftKings points in four of his last five games, and is now up against the Rockets, who are giving up 42 DK points per game to small forwards. This puts Barnes in a great spot to hit, or exceed his recent performances, and with this game having an over-under of 217 points, there will be plenty of scoring. Barnes certainly isn't one of the more exciting players to roster in NBA DFS, but he just gets the job done. He has a 25% usage rate and is averaging 0.88 fantasy points per minute.
Nemanja Bjelica - SF/PF, MIN @ POR (DK - $4,300)
With Jimmy Butler being listed as questionable for this game, it can present an opening for Bjelica, who got the start in the Timberwolves most recent game. In that game he started, Bjelica put up 37 DraftKings points in 35 minutes, which is fantastic production for a player at his price point. If he does start, the one good thing is that his minutes will be locked in, since Tom Thibodeau coached teams are very heavy with the minutes for the starters. He has a 18% usage rate along with averaging 0.80 fantasy points per minute when Butler is off the court.
DraftKings DFS Centers
Joel Embiid - C, PHI vs CHI (DK - $9,700)
Embiid's price has come down nearly $1K from just two games ago, and is now in a good spot at home. He is up against the Bulls, who are giving up 51 DraftKings points per game to centers, which is in the bottom half for the league. Embiid has a massive 35% usage rate, and is averaging 1.43 fantasy points per minute this season. Whenever he is out on the court, he simply gets it done regardless of match up. He is one of the more expensive options on the slate, but he has scored 46 DraftKings points or more in three of his last four games, so ride the hot hand to the cash.
Also Consider: Clint Capela - C, HOU @ DAL (DK - $6,600)