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It's already been an awesome week of fantasy basketball, and the NBA keeps things rolling with seven games on tap for Friday night. The Warriors and Magic are the only two teams playing for the second night in a row and none of the 14 teams in action play again on Saturday.
Several big names are expected to make their returns to the court on Friday, so there are plenty of matchups and angles to consider as you get your team together. Let's look at the best of these matchups from a DFS perspective on DraftKings. If you're looking for FanDuel-specific advantage, check out Thunder Dan's FanDuel picks!
This article will provide you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 1/10/25. Remember to monitor NBA injury news and our awesome NBA injuries report tool, as the slate can completely change before lineups lock at 7:00 p.m. EST on DraftKings.
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DraftKings NBA DFS Core Picks
Domantas Sabonis, SAC - C ($9,400)
On Friday's slate, there are so many unknown situations and so much volatility that I'm going back to one of the mainstays of production over the past few seasons and rolling with Sabonis. The Kings big man is almost a nightly double-double and has picked up his production even more with De'Aaron Fox ($8,300; glute, questionable) out the last two games.
Sabonis had a triple-double of 21 points, 18 rebounds, and 11 assists on Monday against Miami while playing a massive workload of 50 minutes in the double-overtime win.
SABONIS GIVES THE KINGS THE LEAD 🔥 pic.twitter.com/ufmgzXsit6
— NBA TV (@NBATV) January 7, 2025
Sabonis has over 50 DraftKings points in nine of his last 11 games and has averaged 54.2 DraftKings points per game and 1.51 DraftKings points per minute. He has 32 double-doubles in his 34 games this season and five triple-doubles.
The Kings are in Boston on Friday for a tough matchup, so if Fox returns, it should set up a close, competitive game where Sabonis needs to step up and shine.
If Fox sits again, Sabonis will have even more work to do, although there's more potential for a blowout. Either way, his salary under $10,000 makes him a great place to start your core, given his consistency and excellence all season.
Tyrese Haliburton, IND - PG ($8,600)
The Pacers have started 2025 with four straight wins and will look to keep rolling as they host the injury-depleted Warriors, who are on the second night of a back-to-back. Overall, Haliburton has had an up-and-down season, but he has put together some strong games lately and found a very nice rhythm, which gives him a high ceiling.
In those four wins to start the new year, Haliburton averaged 1.65 DraftKings points per minute and 53.3 DraftKings points per game. He showed his immense ceiling with 33 points, 15 assists, and 73.25 DraftKings points against the Heat last Thursday.
He had another solid double-double in his last game on Wednesday, finishing with 16 points, 13 assists, and 45.25 DraftKings points in a comfortable win over the Bulls.
Haliburton Highlights: 13 AST, 1 TOV, 16 PTS
Jan. 8th vs. Chicago Bulls👇 pic.twitter.com/3ALdj52xjf
— HaliMuse (@hali_muse) January 9, 2025
He's a solid core piece to build around on Friday since he brings elite upside but comes at a salary under $9,000.
Cole Anthony, ORL – PG/SG ($5,500)
The Magic are expected to get Paolo Banchero ($9,500) back in the rotation on Friday, although he may have a minutes restriction since he's been sidelined since the end of October. Banchero's return should be a huge boost for the offense, and it should help Anthony be a good option at this salary while he continues to fill in for Jalen Suggs (back).
Anthony has started the last three games for the Magic and played over 26 minutes in each of the last four. In those four games, he has produced 1.0 DraftKings points per minute and 31.4 DraftKings points per game. His best game during that stretch was Monday against New York when he had 41.25 DraftKings points on 24 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and a steal in 37 minutes.
Cole Anthony drives and finishes after the spin cycle move pic.twitter.com/ZQOcxwkFnZ
— The Magic Way (@MagicFilmRoom) January 10, 2025
He should continue to facilitate the offense on Friday against the Bucks, and getting Banchero back should give the whole offense a huge lift.
Others Under Consideration: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - PG ($10,400), Karl-Anthony Towns - C ($10,000), Tyrese Maxey - PG ($9,400), Josh Hart - SF/PF ($7,800)
DraftKings NBA DFS Tournament Pivots
Zach LaVine, CHI - SG/SF ($8,100)
The Bulls and Wizards are two of the best teams to stack against since they play fast and allow plenty of points in almost every game. As the two teams go head-to-head on Friday, there should be plenty of fantasy goodness to go around.
While it's not clear exactly who will play for the Wizards, LaVine has been the focal point of the Bulls offense lately and has been turning in great numbers.
LaVine has scored 30+ points in four straight and five of his last six games. In those four games since returning from a toe contusion, the former UCLA Bruin has averaged 5.5 assists, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.0 steals per game to go with his 32.8 points per game.
In what should be a great matchup, LaVine has a great chance to continue to thrive as his Bulls host the Wizards (more on this game below).
Malik Monk, SAC - PG/SG ($7,000)
Monk has been a key part of the Kings' recent turnaround under interim coach Doug Christie. He has stepped into a larger role in the last two games without Fox but was already productive before getting the extra load to lift. He's a higher-risk option if Fox returns, but he's shown enough upside to be in tournament lineups either way.
Over his last six games (four with Fox and two without), Monk has produced 1.19 DraftKings points per minute and 41.9 per game. He had 23 points, six assists, five rebounds, and 42.25 DraftKings points against the Heat despite a rough shooting night.
He played 20 minutes fewer against the Warriors in his previous game and posted better numbers with 26 points, 12 assists, and 59.75 DraftKings points in just 29 minutes.
MALIK MONK TAKES FLIGHT ✈️ pic.twitter.com/UPYeVHisp6
— NBA (@NBA) January 6, 2025
Kyle Kuzma, WAS - PF ($6,400)
While his salary is still reduced since he was recently playing lighter minutes while working his way back from a rib injury, Kuzma seems to be all systems go at this point. He brings great upside at barely over $6,000, although he's a volatile play on Friday since so many of his teammates are questionable.
He played 31 minutes against the Pelicans on Sunday, dropping 28 points and 41.25 DraftKings points in his best game since returning. He was forced to leave early by a calf injury on Tuesday but was able to play 31 minutes again on Wednesday, finishing with 16 points, five rebounds, and 24.75 DraftKings points against the Sixers.
While it's not always pretty to watch, Kuzma gets enough usage to be a huge value at just over $6,000, and the Wizards should give him plenty of work to try and potentially raise his trade value before the deadline.
Kelly Oubre Jr., PHI - SG ($5,700)
The Sixers are expected to get back Paul George ($7,500; groin, probable) but will remain without Joel Embiid (foot) on Friday for their matchup with the Pelicans. Even with George back, there should be enough work to give Oubre a great ceiling to consider at under $6,000.
Oubre had a massive 26-point, 11-rebound double-double in the last game George played, which was against the Suns on Monday. He finished that game with 42.75 DraftKings points and followed it up with 33 DraftKings points on Wednesday in the game that George missed against the Wizards.
Oubre relocates after a missed triple to slam it home (courtesy of Yabusele on the offensive rebound + assist) pic.twitter.com/qhzUIK0oQV
— Liberty Ballers (@Liberty_Ballers) January 9, 2025
In a favorable matchup against the Pelicans, Oubre still brings great upside as he continues to help Philly push through Embiid's latest injury issue.
Others Under Consideration: Nikola Jokic - C ($12,300), Jayson Tatum - SF/PF ($10,300), Dejounte Murray - PG ($8,500), Pascal Siakam - PF ($7,200), Coby White - PG ($6,600), Jonas Valanciunas - C ($5,800), Bilal Coulibaly - SF ($6,300), Mikal Bridges - SG/SF ($6,300), Keon Johnson - PG/SG ($5,800)
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DraftKings NBA DFS Value Picks
Guerschon Yabusele, PHI – PF/C ($5,500)
Without both Embiid and Andre Drummond (toe) for a third straight game, Yabusele should continue to get plenty of work for the Sixers at center. His eligibility at power forward makes him even easier to work into builds and increases his usability in multiple constructions.
On Monday, Yabusele had 14 points, 10 rebounds, and 33 DraftKings points against the Suns, but he was even better on Wednesday, scoring 21 points to go with eight rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and a steal in 34 minutes to finish with 43.5 DraftKings points. His second block came at a critical point in the game as well.
YABUSELE GAME SAVING BLOCK AS THE SIXERS WIN‼️🙌 pic.twitter.com/jQqeelOPZC
— Justin Lever ❤️⚾️ (@JustinLever3) January 9, 2025
He has been excellent in his last two games and should get another huge workload. He's my top value play on the board as a result, even though he isn't quite as cheap as the rest of these picks.
Peyton Watson, DEN – PF ($3,700)
There are a lot of "ifs" in the rest of my values since there are so many stars uncertain on Friday's slate. For example, if Nikola Jokic (illness, questionable) is sidelined for a third straight game, Watson will be an awesome play under $4,000.
Watson played 34 minutes against the Celtics on Tuesday and had one of his best games of the season, producing 29.5 DraftKings points on 14 points, four blocks, and four rebounds. The next night against the Clippers, Watson had nine points, four rebounds, two blocks, and 21 DraftKings points against the Clippers.
Throw it up to P-Wat 💥 pic.twitter.com/GHkzRSL3Td
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) January 8, 2025
Watson could end up being a good value option even if Jokic returns since Aaron Gordon ($5,400; calf, doubtful) is unlikely to return. He has been regularly involved and has averaged 21.9 DraftKings points per game over his last eight contests.
Buddy Hield, GSW – SG ($4,100)
The Warriors listed just about everyone questionable or out before Thursday's game, so there's a lot of uncertainty over who will be available for the second night of their back-to-back. Andrew Wiggins (personal) has already been ruled out along with Jonathan Kuminga (ankle), which opens up playing time for Hield even if the rest of the rotation is mostly intact.
Hield started Thursday in Wiggins' spot and had 19 points, five rebounds, three assists, and 34.25 DraftKings points.
Buddy Hield knocks down 5 triples as the Golden State Warriors get the road W! 🗣
Steph Curry: 17 PTS, 9 REB, 6 AST
Trayce Jackson-Davis: 14 PTS, 10 REB
Cade Cunningham: 32 PTS, 6 REB, 8 AST pic.twitter.com/qZV7aATgCq— Cata Paul (@CataPaul2) January 10, 2025
While Hield can often be a boom-or-bust option, if he gets another start on Friday, he brings a very high ceiling of just over $4,000. Returning to Indiana could give him a nice boost as well.
Noah Clowney, BKN – PF/C ($5,000)
The Nets are a mess right now and are missing multiple key players as they visit the Nuggets on Friday. Cam Thomas (hamstring), Cameron Johnson (ankle), and D'Angelo Russell (shin) have all been ruled out for the game, leaving plenty of opportunities for players to step up. Even with so much usage available, the Nets' other options have been inconsistent.
Clowney had a huge game on Wednesday against the Pistons, scoring a career-high 29 points and adding six rebounds, three assists, and two steals for 47 DraftKings points.
have a (career) night, @NoahClowney!
29 points 🪣 pic.twitter.com/qE3lprjrod
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) January 9, 2025
While he hasn't been able to consistently hit that ceiling, he does have a ton of upside and should get all the usage he can handle after what could be the start of a breakout for the 20-year-old out of Alabama.
Others Under Consideration: Jared Butler - PG ($3,900), Cason Wallace - PG/SG ($3,600), Andrew Nembhard - PG/SG ($4,800), Trayce Jackson-Davis - C ($5,500), Kyle Anderson - PF ($3,500), Julian Strawther - SG/SF ($3,400)
Today's Top NBA DFS Game Stacks
Wizards at Bulls (240.5 total)
No other matchup comes within 10 points of this point total on Friday. The Wizards are a hard stack to figure out, though, since Jordan Poole ($8,200; hip) and Alexandre Sarr ($6,100; illness) are questionable. If Poole is out along with Malcolm Brogdon (foot), Jared Butler ($3,900) would become an exceptional value play after his recent success while Bub Carrington ($4,600) and Bilal Coulibaly ($6,300) would also have high upsides with more work. If Sarr is out, Jonas Valanciunas ($5,800) would be a strong play. Kyle Kuzma ($6,400) can also be a strong part of the stack, as mentioned above.
On the other side, the Bulls' stack can be a good option built around Zach LaVine ($8,100), Coby White ($6,600), and Nikola Vucevic ($8,500). There's a huge salary drop-off to the rest of the roster, but Jalen Smith ($3,200), Patrick Williams ($4,300), and Lonzo Ball ($3,900) are good value pieces that could go off against Washington.
Kings at Celtics (229.5 total)
The big question for the Kings is the availability of De'Aaron Fox. If Fox is out, Domantas Sabonis ($9,400) and Malik Monk ($7,000) are both great plays against Boston while Keon Ellis ($4,000) and Trey Lyles ($3,800) are good values. Fox's return would raise the ceiling of the offense but could take usage from all those players, hurting their fantasy value but raising the team's ceiling as a whole.
On the Celtics' side, the team is mostly healthy coming into this matchup with Jayson Tatum ($10,300), Jaylen Brown ($8,500), Derrick White ($7,100), and even Kristaps Porzingis ($7,000) off the injury report. They don't have as many potential value plays as a result, but they are favored in this good spot at home against visiting Sacramento.
My Favorite NBA DFS Picks for Today
Here is where I leave you with some of my favorites.
- My favorite OVERALL play on the slate: Domantas Sabonis
- My favorite CASH play on the slate: Tyrese Haliburton
- My favorite GPP play on the slate: Zach LaVine
- My favorite VALUE play: Guershon Yabusele
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