DraftKings Daily Fantasy Basketball Picks (2/8/21): NBA DFS Lineups

The NBA schedule has eight games on the main slate for Monday as sports fans around the world recover from the Super Bowl. One matchup you'll want exposure to is between the Bucks and Nuggets. This game has a point total of 240. Here are three tips on how to attack the overall slate.

First of all, it’s important to look at the pace and Vegas lines. Second, it’s also useful to understand the number of fantasy points a team gives up to a specific position. The final tip is to identify value plays which is critical on a slate of any size. You don’t have to necessarily go for the cheapest value, but you want to identify players who have a high floor and a high ceiling. 

This article will supply you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for the DraftKings on 2/8/21. You can also check out today’s FanDuel lineup picks. It’s also important to monitor injury news as a result of COVID-19 as the slate can completely change before line-up lock. Without further ado, let’s dive into the picks! 

DraftKings DFS Guards

LeBron James - PG/SF, LAL vs. OKC ($10,500)

James continues to deal with an ankle injury, but hasn't missed any time this season because of the injury. He has the highest ceiling of any player on tonight's slate. James leads all small forwards with a Usage Rate of 32%. This metric is an estimate of the percentage of team plays used by a player while he was on the floor. James (28) also has the 12th highest Player Efficiency Rating. This metric sums up all a player's positive accomplishments, subtracts the negative accomplishments and returns a per-minute rating of a player's performance. James is a great player to build lineups around.

Ja Morant - PG, MEM vs. TOR ($7,500)

Morant has struggled statistically since missing two weeks in early January. He scored 16 points, accumulated nine assists and three rebounds in 31 minutes last Saturday against the Pelicans. Morant showed us what he's capable of early this season. He combined for 110.3 DraftKings fantasy points in the first two games of the season. Morant will return to those statistical heights sooner rather than later.

Hamidou Diallo - SG/SF, OKC vs. LAL ($6,000)

Last Saturday Diallo scored 15 points, six rebounds, three assists, a steal, and one block in 24 minutes against the Timberwolves. He's back on the bench now that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has returned to the fold. Diallo can provide relief at multiple positions which makes him very valuable at his salary. He's someone to deploy in lineups if you're looking for an expensive guard or forward with upside.

Bonus Guards: Zach LaVine ($8,900), Collin Sexton ($7,100), Malik Beasley ($6,700), and Andrew Wiggins ($6,400). 

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DraftKings DFS Forwards

Giannis Antetokounmpo - PF/C, MIL vs DEN ($10,900)

Antetokounmpo scored 24 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists across 32 minutes last Saturday against the Cavaliers. He has a Usage Rate of 33% which ranks fifth among all players. Antetokounmpo remains Milwaukee's go-to player on offense and he can contribute statistically in a plethora of ways. He has a plus matchup against the Bucks in a game with the highest total on the slate.

Kristaps Porzingis - PF/C, DAL vs MIN ($8,400)

Porzingis had 18 points, 10 rebounds, and three assists last Saturday against the Warriors. Did you know that he has had double-doubles in three out of his last four games? Porzingis faces a Timberwolves team that has allowed the third-most DraftKings fantasy points per game.

Pascal Siakam - PF/C, TOR vs MEM ($7,900)

Siakam scored 33 points, accumulated 11 rebounds, six assists, three steals, and a block across 39 minutes last Friday against the Nets. Were you aware that he's scored 30 or more points in three of his last four games? Siakam is a double-double waiting to happen and he's well-positioned to go boom against the Grizzlies.

Bonus Forwards: Gordon Hayward ($7,900), Khris Middleton ($7,500), Michael Porter Jr. ($6,100), Darius Bazley ($5,800)

DraftKings DFS Centers

Nikola Jokic - C, DEN vs MIL ($11,000)

Jokic scored a career-high 50 points, 12 assists, eight rebounds, three blocks, and one steal, in 41 minutes last Saturday against the Kings. He has the ability to contribute in multiple statistical areas. Jokic has the third-highest Usage Rate (30.2%) among centers this season. He had 11 games in January with 50 or more DraftKings fantasy points.

Andre Drummond - C, CLE vs PHO ($8,200)

Drummond scored 28 points, 11 rebounds, two assists, and two steals in 30 minutes against the Bucks last Saturday. He is one of the top centers in the NBA and has the second-highest Usage Rate (32.2%) at the position. Drummond is a safe option for your lineup, but doesn't have the upside of Jokic.

Bonus Centers: DeMarcus Cousins ($7,100), Deandre Ayton ($6,900), Thaddeus Young ($6,700)

NBA DFS News and Injury Alerts

More DFS Lineup Picks and Analysis