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Jamie's top DraftKings NBA DFS picks for today, Monday, 1/6/25. His favorite daily fantasy basketball lineup sleepers and value picks for DraftKings DFS.
The NFL Regular Season wrapped up yesterday, and I hope we at RotoBaller helped make your pockets heavier. We will be continuing football coverage through the Super Bowl, so stick with us! I have two big GPP hits over the last week, so 2025 is off to a phenomenal start.
The NBA takes center stage tonight with no Monday Night Football to worry about, and we have eight games to tackle. Some of the teams (namely Memphis and Brooklyn) are dangerously thin, and Dallas will be without Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic. Stick with the news, as more values are sure to open up during the day.
Make sure to join in the RotoBaller chat! We'll be breaking down the slate and analyzing any news that hits as the day goes on, and we'll do our best to help you in both your cash and GPP contests. Good luck, and enjoy the games!
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DraftKings NBA DFS Core Picks
Victor Wembanyama, SAS - C ($11,100)
Despite two straight monstrous games against Denver, Victor Wembanyama's price tag has DROPPED for some reason. It's at its lowest point since 12/27, and Wemby has averaged 60.25 DK PPG in that span. Tonight he gets arguably the best matchup against the Bulls, making him the top overall option of the evening.
The Spurs-Bulls game sports a 236 O/U which is the highest on the slate, and the Bulls rank third in pace and 22nd in defensive efficiency. In addition, Chicago has also allowed the second most FPPG and the seventh most to opposing centers, and Wembanyama's 32% usage rate is third in the NBA among qualified players.
Need more incentive? The Bulls have allowed BY FAR the highest at-rim frequency, and also the third most blocked shots. This feels like a game where Wemby could post a massive double-double while flirting with one of his patented 7-8 block games, and you're getting a discount compared to his previous price tags.
Cade Cunningham, DET - PG ($9,700)
Cade Cunningham is reaching new levels of star status this season, and the fact that he's still priced below $10k should make him one of the top players you consider this evening. Cade is averaging 24.1 PPG, 6.7 RPG, and 9.5 APG this season, and gets a soft matchup against Portland.
The Trailblazers are ranked seventh in pace factor this season, so we'll see a bit of a boost for all Pistons players. In addition, Portland has allowed 26 PPG to opposing PGs along with the fourth most FPPG to the position. Cade is top five in drives per game over the past month, creating a slew of ways he can score for you.
Jaden Ivey's absence is significant. With Ivey off the court, Cunningham sees his usage rise to 34.4% and his assist rate bumps to a robust 47.1%. Portland has allowed the sixth most assists per game, and the spread projects this game will be close.
Others Under Consideration: Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL - PF/C ($11,300), Kevin Durant, PHX - PF/C ($9,300), Jaren Jackson Jr., MEM - PF/C ($9,100)
DraftKings NBA DFS Tournament Pivots
Joel Embiid, PHI - C ($9,600)
One of these days I'll write about someone else in this section, but as long as Joel Embiid sits under $10k he's going to be hard to ignore. Embiid being a perpetual Q tag this year has the masses shying away, but the big man has proven that he can still post gaudy numbers with a full complement of minutes.
We always have to wonder if Embiid will suit up this season, but the fact that Philly is not playing this game as part of a back-to-back set bodes well. Phoenix has ranked 28th in defensive efficiency over the past ten games and doesn't have anyone to size up with Embiid. He has gone over 51 DK PPG in the last four games.
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DraftKings NBA DFS Value Picks
Scotty Pippen Jr., MEM - PG ($6,200)
Memphis is going to be your main source of value tonight. Scotty Pippen Jr. has not shown himself to be the most efficient of players, but also that he can rack up fantasy points when given a full allotment of minutes. Memphis will be missing Ja Morant, Marcus Smart, Luke Kennard, and Desmond Bane is doubtful.
Even with those players off the court, Pippen does not see a significant usage boost. However, his assist rate balloons to 34.7%, and Memphis is currently the top-ranked team in pace factor (and gaining on the field). Pippen is averaging 1.13 FPPM so far this season, which is in line with his career rate. He'll be chalky, and rightfully so.
Jake LaRavia, MEM - SF/PF ($5,000)
Continuing with the Memphis theme, Jake LaRavia is likely to start and play heavy minutes in the absence of the players listed above. Last game, he played 32 minutes, posted 37.5 DK points, and also dished out a career-high ten assists.
LaRavia is averaging a shade under a fantasy point per minute, so the upside is certainly there if he gets full run again. Dallas is not the best matchup to target, but the Grizzlies are so thin you'll want part of these volume plays. The fact that Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving are both sitting also bodes well for the same to stay close.
Dereck Lively II, DAL - C ($5,300)
Dereck Lively's price seems to remain stagnant even though he's putting up gaudy per-minute numbers with a high possession rank. This makes him a top value at the C position with 25-27 guaranteed minutes and a fast-paced matchup on deck with the Grizzlies.
Memphis' pace factor is now two points higher than the next-highest team (Atlanta), and the additional touches for Lively should create extra opportunities for both scoring and rebounding. The absence of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving should also shift some balance Lively's way, and he has a 17.6% rebounding rate with those two off the court.
Others Under Consideration: Pascal Siakam, IND - PF ($6,900), Myles Turner, IND - C ($6,400), Devin Vassell, SAS - SG/SF ($6,100), Tobias Harris, DET - PF ($5,400), Cole Anthony, ORL - PG/SG ($4,800), Jaden Hardy, DAL - PG/SG ($4,500), Jalen Wilson, BKN - SF/PF ($4,500), Keldon Johnson, SAS - SF/PF ($4,400)
Today's Top NBA DFS Game Stack
Spurs at Bulls (O/U 236)
The Spurs and Bulls are both top-ten teams in pace factor and the 236 O/U is the highest of the night. Victor Wembanyama is the key piece of this stack, and it's doable with so many ancillary values from Memphis or Dallas. Devin Vassell and Jeremy Sochan are both affordable, and the $4,400 Keldon Johnson has surpassed 25 minutes in consecutive games.
Nikola Vucevic has four straight double-doubles and can be used despite the imposing matchup against Wemby. The Spurs have allowed the seventh most FPPG to centers. Zach LaVine, Coby White, and Josh Giddey are all usable, and obviously, they all gain value if one or more sit. Lonzo Ball is playing just enough to warrant consideration at $4,200 as well.
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: Victor Wembanyama
- My favorite CASH play on the slate: Scotty Pippen Jr.
- My favorite GPP play on the slate: Joel Embiid
- My favorite VALUE play: Dereck Lively II
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