Happy New Year, RotoBallers! Tonight we've got a tight three-game slate headlined by a marquee matchup of the two best bigs in the league. These articles focus on the overall best plays, which are typically more suited for cash games. However, some exceptions may apply, depending on the size of the slate.
This article will provide you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 1/16/24. Remember to monitor NBA injury news and our awesome new NBA injuries report tool as the slate can completely change before lineups lock.
As always, feel free to follow my X/Twitter (@Maxadelphia) to keep up to date with NBA news and for my nightly NBA bets if you're into that sort of thing. Let's go!
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Today's DraftKings, FanDuel Guards - NBA DFS Lineup Picks
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC @ LAC – PG/SG ($10.400 DK; $11.400 FD)
Confirmed to be playing shortly before tip-off last night, SGA was not his best in the first half of the Thunders' back-to-back set in LA. However, he's shown no mercy in recent times vs the team that initially traded him to OKC; averaging 30/5.8/5 in his last five games vs the Clippers.
Bradley Beal, PHX vs SAC – PG/SG ($7,400 DK; $7,600 FD)
All of the Suns' big 3 is healthy for this one, but this game has the highest total on the slate so it's a natural spot to target. Beal has had trouble finding his footing in Phoenix so far, but he's coming off his two best shooting performances of the year over the last two games which gives me hope he can perform well tonight.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, DEN @ PHI – SG/ ($4,600 DK; $4,700 FD)
The smaller the slate, the less value to be found. KCP plays 30+ minutes regularly and has the highest floor/ceiling combo of any guard under $5k.
ALSO CONSIDER: De'Aaron Fox, ($9,000 DK; $8,700 FD)
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Today's DraftKings, FanDuel Forwards - NBA DFS Lineup Picks
Kawhi Leonard, LAC vs OKC – SF/PF ($8,500 DK; $10,000 FD)
With three straight games of 45+ fantasy points, and averaging over 44 fantasy points per game in January, Kawhi feels a little underpriced here. This is also the healthiest he's seemingly been in years, and in a heavyweight matchup between the #2 and #4 seeds in the West, I expect the Clippers to lean on their main man in this game.
Jalen Williams, OKC @ LAC – SF/PF ($7,300 DK; $7,800 FD)
Sticking with the theme of both the Thunder and Clippers playing their best players; Williams has been an integral part of the the Thunders' success this year. The second-year forward has taken huge strides in all aspects of the game and plays 32 minutes per game. In January he's averaging 39.3 fantasy PPG, and if SGA is still hobbled by his knee ailment he could see a major uptick in usage.
Marcus Morris, PHI vs DEN – SF/PF ($4,300 DK; $4,300 FD)
Morris is a bit more volatile than I'd typically suggest for top plays, but while DeAnthony Melton has missed time for Philly, the minutes have been there. Let's just hope he has one of his games where he averages around 1 fantasy point per minute and not a game like he had against the Kings last Friday.
ALSO CONSIDER: Paul George, ($8,400 DK; $8,300 FD), Michael Porter, ($6,600 DK; $6,700 FD)
Today's DraftKings, FanDuel Centers - NBA DFS Lineup Picks
Nikola Jokic ($11,500 DK, $11,700 FD) or Joel Embiid ($11,400 DK; $12,200 FD) DEN @ PHI - C
This is like asking a parent to pick their favorite child. There's no wrong answer to which one of the guys who have combined for the last three MVPs you're going to build your lineup around tonight, but choose wisely because this decision feels like the pressure point of the slate tonight.
Daniel Theis, LAC vs OKC – C ($4,400 DK; $4,400 FD)
Theis got the starting nod on Sunday due to Ivica Zubac's injury and is slated to do so again tonight. Although he underwhelmed against the Timberwolves, he has a much better matchup tonight.
ALSO CONSIDER: Mason Plumlee ($3,700 DK; $4,300 FD)
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