X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

NBA DFS: Top Daily Fantasy Expert Picks for DraftKings, FanDuel (1/19/25)

Domantas Sabonis - Fantasy Basketball Rankings, DFS Picks, NBA Injury News

Free daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for today's slate on DraftKings and FanDuel. Use Kyle Ringstad's NBA DFS expert picks to building winning DFS lineups on January 19th, 2025.

It’s great to be back in the swing of things in the NBA, RotoBallers. In these articles, I focus on the top plays, traditionally geared toward cash games. However, with over a decade of NBA DFS experience under my belt—and as someone who rarely dives into cash formats—I'm selecting picks that also typically come with high upside. That means they offer the steady floor needed for cash games while packing the high ceiling we need for tournaments.

We have another five-game slate on tap for Sunday night, and it will be nearly impossible to identify the best options until we get more injury news. Anthony Davis, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, James Harden, Paul George, Cameron Johnson, Norman Powell, Ivica Zubac, Deni Avdija, Malcolm Brogdon, and Deandre Ayton carry legitimate questionable tags. Those are just the mid-to-high-salary players - we'll also need updates on Guerschon Yabusele, Khris Middleton, Caleb Martin, Lonzo Ball, and Keon Ellis. Stay locked into news sources for updates and adjust accordingly.

NBA DFS success hinges on in-day adjustments to injury news, but having a game plan and top targets early is essential. To keep up with all the latest developments and get access to updated projections, grab an NBA season pass and access our RotoBaller Premium Discord, where @chiefjustice6 is talking about the slate up until lineups lock!

This article will provide my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 1/19/25. Remember to monitor NBA injury news and our excellent NBA injuries report tool, as the slate can completely change before lineups lock at 7 p.m. EST on DraftKings and FanDuel. Good luck, RotoBallers!

 

Today's NBA DFS Core Picks

Here is a look at some of the higher-priced players we can use as building blocks for cash and GPP contests.

I don't say this too often, but I'm aligned with the optimizer today. Domantas Sabonis is the clear priority on this slate, as he and the Kings get to face the Wizards on their home court. Sure, there is plenty of blowout risk, with Sacramento currently favored by 16.5 points. However, that's a gamble we should feel comfortable taking against a defense that allows the most fantasy points per game to opponents this season. Sabonis needs just 49.5 DK points to hit 5x value at his DraftKings salary, and he has exceeded that mark in five of his last six games while popping off for 65.5 and 70.5 DK points in that stretch.

De'Aaron Fox is also firmly in play against the Wizards, but I'm not sold on going overboard with my exposure to the Kings on a five-game slate. Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic look excellent against a putrid Portland defense, but "Vuc" piques my interest the most. The veteran big man is in great form, and his 65.25 DK point outing in his latest game against the Hornets is a reminder that he can put up fantasy points with the best of them in the right matchups. The Blazers have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points per game to Cs over their last 15 games, and they may be without Ayton tonight.

  1. Domantas Sabonis, SAC vs. WAS - C ($9,900 DK; $10,300 FD)
  2. Nikola Vucevic, CHI @ POR - C ($8,300 DK; $8,100 FD)
  3. Malik Monk, SAC vs. WAS - PG/SG ($7,300 DK; $8,000 FD)

 

Today's NBA DFS Value Picks

This is where we talk about saving salary. Whether it's a severely underpriced backup or even as simple as a guy playing like someone who should be priced higher, this is where you'll find guys who make lineups work.

Sorting the best value picks of the day by fantasy points per dollar:

We will undoubtedly get a ton of injury news on this fine Sunday because that always happens. Instead of speculating on who will sit or not, I will focus on a few players who stand out as value options right now, such as Kyshawn George and Cason Wallace. George has seen his playing time fluctuate wildly this season, but it's encouraging to see him playing 31 and 30 minutes over his last two contests. He crushed value with 38.5 DK points against the Suns but then came back down to earth with 15.25 DK points against the Warriors in those games. He'll face the Kings in an excellent game environment tonight and only needs 18 DK points to hit 5x value at his (completely mispriced) DraftKings salary.

Cason Wallace regularly plays at least 30 minutes for the Thunder, and, more importantly, he typically doesn't get benched in blowout scenarios. Oklahoma City is favored by 17 points at home against the tanking Nets, so Wallace will likely see a lot of run against the bench unit for Brooklyn. He's not the best fantasy producer at just 0.79 FPTS/min this season, but I love his chances at hitting value in this spot. His teammate, Jaylin Williams, also projects as a solid value but doesn't seem to have the guaranteed minutes that Wallace does.

Top Value Plays:

  1. Kyshawn George, WAS @ SAC - SF/PF ($3,600 DK) DraftKings Only
  2. Cason Wallace, OKC vs. BKN - PG/SG ($4,300 DK; $5,300 FD) Prefer on DraftKings
  3. Jaylin Williams, OKC vs. BKN - C ($4,000 DK) DraftKings Only

 

Want more NBA DFS tools and exclusive content? Check out our premium daily content from proven winner Will Priester! Grab an NBA season pass and get access to our daily projections, optimizer, Will's personal picks, props, advice, and VIP chat rooms. Use promo code BALLER at checkout to save 10%

 

Today's NBA DFS Picks: Point Guard

Fox and Monk lead the way at the top of the salary board for PGs, but I find myself prioritizing Monk at their respective pricing. Monk is $1,300 cheaper on DraftKings despite averaging more DK PPG (47 to 44.3) over his last five games. He has also shown a similar ceiling lately, so I'll gladly take the salary savings and move on with my lineups. As covered in the "Values" section, Wallace is a favorite punt play of mine due to his favorable matchup and guaranteed minutes.

Coby White and Anfernee Simons are other options for the position. White has been right around 5x value lately and hasn't popped off for a ceiling game in a while, but there isn't a much better time to do so than against a Blazers team allowing the fourth-most fantasy points per game to PGs and the fifth-most fantasy points per game to SGs this season. Simons has been much more volatile, but the Bulls allow the most fantasy points per game to PGs this season. Both players are firmly in play at their mid-range pricing.

Top PG Options:

  1. Malik Monk, SAC vs. WAS ($7,300 DK; $8,000 FD)
  2. Cason Wallace, OKC vs. BKN ($4,300 DK; $5,300 FD) Prefer on DraftKings
  3. Coby White, CHI @ POR ($6,500 DK; $6,500 FD)
  4. Anfernee Simons, POR vs. CHI ($6,600 DK; $6,800 FD)

 

Today's NBA DFS Picks: Shooting Guard

Monk, Wallace, and White qualify at SG, so they will be my top priorities tonight. Corey Kispert is worth mentioning due to his cheap salary, though his minutes aren't locked in, and his ceiling leaves much to be desired. He's a punt option in a game that could turn into a blowout, so I will focus on the trio until we receive more injury updates.

Top SG Options:

  1. Malik Monk, SAC vs. WAS ($7,300 DK; $8,000 FD)
  2. Cason Wallace, OKC vs. BKN ($4,300 DK; $5,300 FD) Prefer on DraftKings
  3. Coby White, CHI @ POR ($6,500 DK; $6,500 FD)

 

Today's NBA DFS Picks: Small Forward

George and his ridiculous salary lead the way at SF, though he's not an option at $5,000 on FanDuel. I'll take some shots on DeMar DeRozan as he's only $7,000 on DraftKings and in the same matchup as Sabonis, Fox, and Monk, but as stated earlier, I don't want to put all of my eggs in the Kings' basket.

Toumani Camara is a little sneaky, though. He feels underpriced, considering he has games of 33.75 and 42.25 DK points over his last three outings, and tonight, he gets a Bulls defense that has allowed the second-most fantasy points per game this season. He's a gamble I'm more than willing to take at an awkward position tonight.

Top SF Options:

  1. Kyshawn George, WAS @ SAC ($3,600 DK) DraftKings Only
  2. DeMar DeRozon, SAC vs. WAS ($7,000 DK; $7,900 FD)
  3. Toumani Camara, POR vs. CHI ($5,100 DK; $5,100 FD)

 

Today's NBA DFS Picks: Power Forward

It's George and a few other options for me at PF tonight. Keegan Murray, Kyle Kuzma, and Alexandre Sarr are the different pieces I will rotate in, with Sarr being the priority of the three, considering his recent form and potential upside. The rookie is averaging 33.4 DK PPG over his last three games, and he should see his full allotment of playing time even if the game is uncompetitive.

Top PF Options:

  1. Kyshawn George, WAS @ SAC ($3,600 DK) DraftKings Only
  2. Alexandre Sarr, WAS @ SAC ($5,800 DK; $6,700 FD) Prefer on DraftKings
  3. Keegan Murray, SAC vs. WAS ($5,100 DK; $6,000 FD) Prefer on DraftKings

 

Today's NBA DFS Picks: Center

Sabonis is the clear priority at center tonight, but there are a few others I want to get into my lineups. Vucevic was covered in the "Core Picks" section, but it's worth a reminder that he's looking like an excellent play against an overmatched Portland frontcourt.

If he plays, Ivica Zubac will be a target of mine. He puts up 30+ DK points with ease and can spike for 50+ DK points in the right situations, and this might be one of those spots as the Lakers allow the 13th-most fantasy points per game to Cs this season. If the Lakers are missing Davis, we can feel even better about firing up Zubac, as they won't have anyone to slow him down at the rim.

Jaylin Williams and Brook Lopez are viable value options, but most of my exposure will be focused on Sabonis, Vucevic, and Zubac on this slate.

Top C Options:

  1. Domantas Sabonis, SAC vs. WAS ($9,900 DK; $10,300 FD)
  2. Nikola Vucevic, CHI @ POR ($8,300 DK; $8,100 FD)
  3. Ivica Zubac, LAC vs. LAL ($7,200 DK; $7,700 FD)
  4. Jaylin Williams, OKC vs. BKN ($4,000 DK) DraftKings Only

 

Today's Top NBA DFS Game Stacks

  1. Bulls @ Blazers (o/u 237; 104.9 projected pace)
  2. Wizards @ Kings (o/u 235.5; 104.7 projected pace)

 

Today's Top NBA DFS Avoids

This could come back to haunt me, but I won't be getting to Giannis Antetokounmpo, Anthony Davis, or Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on tonight's slate. Giannis has the highest ceiling on the slate, but he is prohibitively expensive, and I'm not willing to hamstring my lineups without more value options.

Davis has been in decent form, but he's questionable for tonight's game, and he's not likely to hit a true ceiling game against a solid Clippers' frontcourt. SGA has exceeded 60 DK points once over his last nine games, and he is likely to see reduced minutes against a Nets team that isn't remotely trying to be competitive.

 

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: Malik Monk
  • My favorite GPP play on the slate: Nikola Vucevic
  • My favorite value play: Kyshawn George / Cason Wallace


Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy basketball mobile app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, lineup notifications & DFS articles. All free!

NBA DFS News and Injury Alerts

More DFS Lineup Picks and Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Keon Johnson

Gets Team Option Picked Up
Rayan Rupert

Staying in Portland
Jonathan Kuminga

Recieves Qualifying Offer
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Expected to Make Second-Year Jump
Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Pena Out of Lineup Saturday
Sam Merrill

Sticking with Cavaliers
Davion Mitchell

Staying in Miami
Jalin Hyatt

Looking to Flip the Script in 2025
Garrett Mitchell

to Undergo Shoulder Surgery
José Ramírez

Jose Ramirez in Guardians Lineup on Saturday
Kyle Larson

Don't Expect Kyle Larson to Win First Drafting Track Race on Saturday
Christopher Bell

Unlikely to Complete Atlanta Sweep
Brad Keselowski

Seeks Another Clutch Win for Hail-Mary Playoff Bid
Chris Buescher

Unlikely to Lead Enough to Have Much DFS Value
Alex Bowman

Qualifies Best Among Non-Fords but Unlikely to Contend at Atlanta
Ryan Preece

Will Probably Run Better Than Usual at Atlanta
Austin Dillon

Consistently Mediocre at Atlanta
Ty Gibbs

Slightly Faster Lately but Unlikely to be a Factor at Atlanta
Erik Jones

a Low-Key Strong DFS Option
Noah Gragson

Could Have DFS Value as One of the Lowest-Qualifying Fords
Riley Herbst

Unlikely to Replicate February Atlanta Finish
Ty Dillon

Could Benefit from Kaulig Speed
Cody Ware

Rarely Enough Attrition at Atlanta for Cody Ware to Seriously Contend
Ryan Blaney

Is Always Strong at Atlanta
Joey Logano

Wins Pole, Looking for Third Atlanta Win
Denny Hamlin

Has Huge Place-Differential Upside But Shaky Atlanta Record
Isaac Okoro

on the Move to Chicago
Chase Burns

Slated to Make Next Start on Monday
Lonzo Ball

Traded to Cleveland
Kyle Busch

Has Been Elite at Atlanta Lately
Dylan Sampson

Being Used as a Receiver
Carson Schwesinger

Figures to be in Full-Time Role in 2025
Ross Chastain

a Prime DFS Target at Atlanta
Cedric Tillman

Should Have Full-Time Role
Daniel Suarez

Hopes to Rekindle Atlanta Flame as Contract Concerns Loom
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

. an Easy DFS Pick at Atlanta
Bryce Young

Looking More Comfortable, Showing More Intensity
Todd Gilliland

Has Shown Upside at Atlanta
Charlie Coyle

Blue Jackets Acquire Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood From Colorado
Jack Quinn

Signs Up for Two More Years with Sabres
Brandon Saad

Stays in Vegas on One-Year Deal
Trent Frederic

Inks Eight-Year Extension
Josh Naylor

Exits Friday's Contest Early with Neck Stiffness
Emil Heineman

Shipped to the Islanders
Noah Dobson

Traded to Montreal
John Tavares

Agrees to Four-Year Extension with Maple Leafs
Sam Bennett

Signs Eight-Year Extension with Panthers
NYI

Islanders Select Matthew Schaefer With No. 1 Pick in NHL Draft
José Berríos

Jose Berrios Tosses Seven Scoreless Innings in Fourth Win
Nick Martinez

Flirts With No-Hitter, Settles for Win
Gary Sánchez

Gary Sanchez Homers, Reaches Five Times in Onslaught
Trea Turner

Blasts Two Homers, Steals Base
Los Angeles Angels

Ron Washington to Remain on Medical Leave for Rest of the Season
Jeremy Peña

Imaging Negative on Jeremy Pena's Ribs on Friday
Spencer Steer

Slugs Three Home Runs in Win
Ace Bailey

to Report to Utah on Saturday
Sonny Gray

Tosses Complete-Game Shutout
Justin Edwards

Sixers Agree on a New Contract
Naz Reid

Agrees to a New Contract with Minnesota
Hunter Goodman

Dealing With Hamstring Soreness
Aaron Rodgers

Roman Wilson Could Fit Nicely With Aaron Rodgers
Josh Simmons

on Schedule to Open the Year as a Starter
Micah Parsons

Contract Length an Issue for Cowboys, Micah Parsons
Denver Broncos

Broncos Unsure How Their Running Back Room Will Look
Russell Wilson

Not the Only Leader in Giants Clubhouse
Eugenio Suárez

Eugenio Suarez Returns Against Marlins
Wyatt Langford

Rangers to Place Wyatt Langford on Injured List
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Now in Friday's Lineup
Wyatt Langford

Out With Strained Oblique
Luis Robert Jr.

Out on Friday
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Not in Friday's Lineup
Xander Bogaerts

Back in Lineup on Friday
Jae'Sean Tate

Rockets Want to Bring Back Jae'Sean Tate
Andre Drummond

Accepts Player Option
Jihaad Campbell

to Begin at Inside Linebacker
Josh Conerly Jr.

to Play Right Tackle for Now
Tyleik Williams

Expected to Fill Big Role Right Away
Malaki Starks

Should Make an Immediate Impact
James Pearce Jr.

Impressing the Falcons
Jaxson Dart

has "Excellent" Spring
Donovan Jackson

has Inside Track on Starting Job
Matthew Golden

Appears Set for Significant Role
Derrick Harmon

in Line to Start
Jahdae Barron

Primarily Working at Cornerback
Cleveland Cavaliers

Tyrese Proctor Selected by Cavaliers With the No. 49 Pick
Portland Trail Blazers

Caleb Love Lands with Trail Blazers
Dallas Mavericks

Ryan Nembhard Signs a Two-Way Deal with Mavericks
Orlando Magic

Noah Penda Drafted and Traded to the Magic
Phoenix Suns

Rasheer Fleming Taken With the First Pick of the Second Round
Charles Oliveira

Can Become A Two-Time Lightweight Champion
Ilia Topuria

A Favorite At UFC 317
Kai Kara-France

Can Become The New Flyweight Champion
Josh Giddey

Receives Qualifying Offer from Chicago
Alexandre Pantoja

Set For Fourth Title Defense At UFC 317
Joshua Van

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Brandon Royval

Looks For His Third Win In A Row
Renato Moicano

Returns At UFC 317
Beneil Dariush

An Underdog At UFC 317
Payton Talbott

Looks To Bounce Back
Felipe Lima

Set To Open Up UFC 317 Main Card
Daniil Tarasov

Panthers Bring in Daniil Tarasov
Frederick Gaudreau

Kraken Pick Up Frederick Gaudreau From Wild
SJ

Sharks Buying Out Marc-Edouard Vlasic
Jamie Benn

Stays in Dallas on One-Year Deal
Reilly Smith

Signs New One-Year Deal with Vegas
Michael Kesselring

Traded to Sabres
Josh Doan

Moves to Buffalo
JJ Peterka

Mammoth Acquire JJ Peterka
Evander Kane

Traded to Canucks
Miami Heat

Miami Selects Guard Kasparas Jakucionis
Brooklyn Nets

Brooklyn Takes Nolan Traore in the First Round
Utah Jazz

Walter Clayton Jr. Heading to Utah
Michael Thorbjornsen

Returns in Detroit at Rocket Classic
Adam Hadwin

Could Struggle Over the Weekend in Detroit
Cam Davis

Hopes Detroit Magic Can Spark Turnaround
Matt Wallace

a Boom-or-Bust Option at Rocket Classic
Joel Dahmen

Not Cutting it Lately
Michael Kim

Searching for Spark at Rocket Classic
Rasmus Hojgaard

a High-Ceiling Play in Rocket Classic
Matt McCarty

a Wild Card Heading into Detroit
Emiliano Grillo

Rolling into the Summer Season
Rickie Fowler

Looking for More Magic at Rocket Classic
Wyndham Clark

Brings High Upside to Detroit Golf Club
Max Greyserman

Could Make Noise at Rocket Classic
Akshay Bhatia

a Strong Value Play at Rocket Classic
Eric Cole

Hoping for Better Times at Rocket Classic
Beau Hossler

Searching for Form at Rocket Classic
PGA

Byeong Hun An in Good Form Heading into Rocket Classic
Cameron Young

Looking For Redemption and Possible First Career Victory in Detroit
Collin Morikawa

is The Headliner This Week in Detroit For Good Reason
Si Woo Kim

Back in Competition After Last Week's Withdrawal
PGA

Alex Noren Finishes Tied For 30th at Travelers Championship
Kurt Kitayama

Misses The Cut at RBC Canadian Open
Ryan Poehling

Becomes a Duck
Trevor Zegras

Moves to Philadelphia
Andre Burakovsky

Traded to Blackhawks
Jamahal Hill

Gets Dominated At UFC Azerbaijan
Khalil Rountree Jr.

Dominates At UFC Azerbaijan
Rafael Fiziev

Gets Back In The Win Column
Ignacio Bahamondes

Drops Decision At UFC Azerbaijan
Curtis Blaydes

Gets Split-Decision Win at UFC Azerbaijan
Curtis Blaydes

Rizvan Kuniev Unsuccessful In His UFC Debut
Tofiq Musayev

Submitted In His UFC Debut
Myktybek Orolbai

Scores First-Round Submission
Nikolas Motta

Gets Finished After Back-And-Forth Fight
Nazim Sadykhov

Scores Second-Round TKO
Bogdan Grad

Drops Decision