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Jamie's top DraftKings NBA DFS picks for today, Monday, 1/13/25. His favorite daily fantasy basketball lineup sleepers and value picks for DraftKings DFS.
Happy Monday! I hope everyone enjoyed the NFL Playoff games this past weekend, and that you're a bit richer. My magical January continued on Saturday with my third top-ten finish in a GPP since 2025 began, so I'll be looking to keep riding the wave tonight with our six NBA games.
We have some incredibly fun games to look at for fantasy purposes tonight, but all eyes of course will be on the Lakers-Spurs game and whether or not it will play as the wildfires continue to rage. If that game is postponed, ownerships will significantly condense around the remaining games, so make sure to check in with us.
All of our fantastic RotoBaller staff will be working hard for you in the Discord chat tonight, especially if we get word that the SAS-LAL game won't play. Make sure to jump in there and check us out! Good luck, and enjoy the games tonight!
DraftKings NBA DFS Core Picks
Karl-Anthony Towns, NYK - C ($10,000)
The Knicks are on the second game of a back-to-back, but Coach Thibodeau has never given any indication he'll limit his starters' minutes. Even in yesterday's dismantling of the Bucks, Karl-Anthony Towns still played 36 minutes and dropped another monster line (good for 62 DK points).
Detroit's defense has been improving over the last month, but they're still struggling to contain the paint. Over the past ten games, the Pistons have moved up nine spots in total defensive efficiency, but have allowed the fifth-highest at-rim frequency and the sixth-most offensive rebounds.
The last time Towns faced Detroit this season, he only needed 27 minutes to post a 21-11-7 line (53.5 DK points). The fact that his price has dropped $200 since yesterday is ludicrous, and you should take advantage (particularly since the Spurs-Lakers game is still in question over whether it'll even be able to play).
Cade Cunningham, DET - PG ($10,300)
Cade Cunningham continues to absolutely sizzle. In the six games Jaden Ivey has missed, Cunningham has four ceiling games of 57 DK points or more. The other two he was limited due to a blowout and foul trouble, so Cunningham's consistency can fully be trusted. In that same span, he has a 33.3% usage rate and 47.1% assist rate.
The Knicks' defense has been much better of late, but they still rank 19th in overall defensive efficiency and have allowed the fourth most drives per game. They're also on the second leg of a back-to-back, which often promotes tired legs on defense. Cunningham should be flirting with 11k by now, but there's still value to unlock at this price tag.
Others Under Consideration: Victor Wembanyama, SAS - C ($11,300), Anthony Davis, LAL - C ($10,500), LeBron James, LAL - PF ($9,500). Note: Due to the ongoing wildfires, this game status is still up in the air
Alperen Sengun, HOU - C ($9,100), Anthony Edwards, MIN - SG ($9,000), Scottie Barnes, TOR - PG/SF ($8,900), Jalen Brunson, NYK - PG ($8,600)
DraftKings NBA DFS Tournament Pivots
Stephen Curry, GS - PG ($8,800)
It almost feels like Stephen Curry is a forgotten man in DFS circles, doesn't it? You almost never see him written up or talked about, yet he continues to do his thing. The 36-year-old PG is averaging 22-5-6 with a 28.7% usage rate, and we've seen a little more ceiling of late with the injuries to the Warriors.
Curry's signature 3-point volume has been somewhat muted this year which is affecting his ceiling, but we've seen him hoist up 31 from beyond the arc over the past two games. Tonight he gets an incredible matchup against Toronto, who has allowed the second-highest 3PT%, is fifth in pace, and is 28th in defensive efficiency.
Like most slates he's on, Curry should go overlooked tonight, but he has the capability of putting up a 55-60 point GPP-winning score, and the odds are getting that tonight look pretty good.
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DraftKings NBA DFS Value Picks
Trayce Jackson-Davis, GS - C ($5,600)
As mentioned in the Curry blurb, Golden State has a beautiful matchup this evening against the Raptors, and it's enhanced even more for the likes of Trayce Jackson-Davis. The Warriors' center is thriving in a starting role, averaging 31.6 DK PPG over his last three with a 17.7% rebounding rate.
Toronto is a middling team in the rebounding department, but they've been funneling production underneath. This season, the Raptors have allowed the fourth most FPPG to opposing centers while also allowing the third-highest FG% within six feet of the rim.
With Jonathan Kuminga set to miss more time, Jackson-Davis will be given an extra opportunity to rack up points and rebounds in this one, and his mid-tier price tag allows you a ton of flexibility at the top.
Donte DiVincenzo, MIN - PG/SG ($5,400)
We can't leave this article without mentioning a couple of Minnesota plays, as the Timberwolves have the highest team total on the slate at 119.5. They get the nuts matchup against Washington, who ranks fourth in pace and dead last in defensive efficiency.
Donte DiVincenzo has finally evolved into the player Minnesota was hoping he'd be when they traded for him, and the move to the starting role has done wonders for him. Washington is also allowing the second-highest 3PT% in the league, so DiVi's strengths should be on full display tonight.
Chasing another 57-point DK outing is unwise, but he had averaged 27.25 DK PPG in the three games prior and his price tag is still in a range that isn't prohibitive. Mike Conley is devolving into a 15-20 minute rotational player, which keeps DiVincenzo's minutes floor elevated.
Naz Reid, MIN - PF/C ($4,700)
Like DiVincenzo, Nax Reid is likely going to be very popular tonight. As a non-starter, his floor profiles are a bit shakier, but he has at least 28.25 DK points in each of the last four games and has crossed 30 minutes in two of them. I'd likely utilize a max-2 rule with Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert, but Reid's price tag is beautiful for any format.
In addition to their other defensive inefficiencies, The Wizards have also allowed the most FPPG to opposing frontcourts while ranking 28th in rebounding rate. Minnesota is fresh off a crushing loss to Memphis, so they'll be out for blood this evening. Even as 13.5-point favorites, expect a higher minutes floor from the key players.
Others Under Consideration: Julius Randle, MIN - PF/C ($7,200 - he's too cheap), Mikal Bridges, NYK - SG/SF ($6,100), OG Anunoby, NYK - SF/PF ($5,800), Draymond Green, GS - PF/C ($5,700), Rudy Gobert, MIN - C ($5,200), Jaden McDaniels, MIN - SF ($4,200)
Today's Top NBA DFS Game Stack
Grizzlies at Rockets (O/U 236.5)
There are no individual players written up for this game, but it still profiles as the top game stack of the night with its two-point spread and 236.5 O/U (highest of the night). Memphis is a little trickier to pinpoint with their roster basically healthy, but it also helps the prospect of this game staying close.
Both teams are top-five in defensive efficiency but are also top-ten in pace (Memphis is first) which opens up an endless ceiling for touches and fantasy production. Alperen Sengun is the top option for Houston with two monstrous games in a row (including 59.5 DK points against these same Grizzlies).
I've already answered questions about whether or not Amen Thompson is "bad chalk" and I can tell you he is not. Even in a blowout against Washington two games ago, Thompson still logged 41 minutes and is averaging 1.17 FPPM as a starter as opposed to 0.97 coming off the bench. Roll him with confidence.
Fred VanVleet and Jalen Green are both fine in stacks.
For Memphis, Ja Morant's and Jaren Jackson Jr's prices are a bit prohibitive with each of the other healthy, but the upside is there in a competitive game. I would implement a max-1 rule so as not to eat up all your salary among the MEM stars.
Desmond Bane is fine, but has some downside against Houston who has allowed the second-fewest 3PM this year. Jaylen Wells and Zach Edey are the best cheap plays with the most minutes upside per role.
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: Cade Cunningham
- My favorite CASH play on the slate: Julius Randle
- My favorite GPP play on the slate: Stephen Curry
- My favorite VALUE play: Naz Reid
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