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Welcome back, RotoBallers! We had a solid eight-game slate ahead of us, but it has dropped to seven. The fires in LA have put the game against the Hornets in jeopardy, and it looks like DraftKings and Fanduel have removed that game from the slate just in case. So that makes it a little bit easier and less stressful to watch for news regarding that game.
We have a few injuries to monitor for this seven-game slate. When putting these players in your lineup, you want to keep a close eye on them: Jaren Jackson Jr., Jalen Johnson, Stephen Curry, Desmond Bane, Jalen Suggs, John Collins, Draymond Green, Ausar Thompson, Dennis Schroder, Santi Aldama. The key to succeeding in NBA DFS is making adjustments during the day as injury information becomes available. But it's always essential to have a game plan and zero in on the best players and spots before making those adjustments. 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 1/9/25. Remember to monitor NBA injury news and our excellent NBA injuries report tool, as the slate can completely change before lineups lock at 7:00 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.
Devin Booker gets an elite matchup against the Atlanta Hawks who are giving up the sixth most fantasy points to SGs this season. Booker has been on fire since coming back from injury averaging 9.5 assists and 21 points a game in the last four games. This is his best matchup since coming back from injury and I'm expecting a big game and hopefully continues the hot streak after the 39-point game he had on Tuesday.
P.J. Washington sees a massive increase in usage when Kyrie and Luka are out. He becomes the primary scorer on the team and against Portland we should take advantage of that. He has seen 33+ FP in three of his last five and one of those was with Kyrie in the lineup. P.J. will likely be one of the first guys I plug into my lineup.
Jarrett Allen has been sneaky good over the last couple of weeks and now gets the best matchup on the slate! Toronto has bled fantasy points to opposing centers this season as they give up the second most! Allen has finished with 40+ in four of his last six games and just had an incredible game against OKC where he finished with 60 FP! He is the sixth highest-priced center on the slate and could finish as the top-scoring center on the night!
- Devin Booker, PHX vs. ATL ($9,000 DK; $8,900 FD)
- P.J. Washington, DAL vs. POR ($6,900 DK; $7,000 FD)
- Jarrett Allen, CLE vs. TOR ($6,400 DK; $7,300 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.
Trayce Jackson-Davis played the most minutes in his last game against Miami, finishing with 35. This resulted in a 36-point fantasy performance, and now Draymond is questionable. This should result in him continuing to see that many minutes with Kuminga also out. Detroit is middle of the pack when it comes to defense against PFs this season, but TJD should be able to take advantage of his minutes and come out with a big one here.
Toumani Camara has been flying under the radar, he has scored 25+ FP in five straight games and is seeing upwards of 30+ minutes a game right now. His shooting has increased along with how well he has played on defense. He is averaging 2.3 STOCKS per game over the last five games. At his price, Toumani is a sneaky GPP option to throw in your lineups.
With Keyonte George and Jordan Clarkson going down with injuries that has opened up minutes for Isaiah Collier to perform. Over the last three games he has played 24+ minutes, he has had 20+ FP in two of those games which is already good for 5x his price. They just played against Miami four days ago and he had 26 and that was with George playing. I expect something similar in this contest.
Top Value Plays:
- Trayce Jackson-Davis, GSW at DET ($5,000 DK; $6,100 FD)
- Toumani Camara, POR at DAL ($4,500 DK; $5,400 FD)
- Isaiah Collier, UTA vs. MIA ($4,200 DK; $4,100 FD)
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Today's NBA DFS Picks: Point Guard
Tyler Herro will continue to be the primary ballhandler/scorer with Jimmy Butler being off the team now. Herro has been a bit up and down but has averaged 38 FP this season. Utah is giving up the second most fantasy points to PGs this season putting Herro in a prime position to have a big game.
Both Ja Morant and Desmond Bane may be out for this game against the Rockets. Putting Scotty Pippen Jr. in an elite spot as he did in Monday's game against Dallas where he finished with 47 FP. Scotty is still relatively cheap and if both Morant and Bane are out he will be highly owned in cash games so hop on the train and enjoy the ride.
Shoutout to Lauri for popping off, but damn this was a beautiful find by Isaiah Collier
He’s had some issues with his decision making & ball control, but his playmaking is legit
On days like today, where he gets downhill & collapses defense, he shines pic.twitter.com/1QlgjGdI49
— Point Made Basketball (@pointmadebball) January 8, 2025
Top PG Options:
- Tyler Herro, MIA at UTA ($9,000 DK; $8,100 FD)
- Scotty Pippen, MEM vs. HOU ($6,000 DK; $6,200 FD)
- Isaiah Collier, UTA vs. MIA ($4,200 DK; $4,100 FD)
Today's NBA DFS Picks: Shooting Guard
Spencer Dinwiddie is a solid value with Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic out, his usage increases by nearly 4% in their absence. He gets an elite matchup against Portland who gives up the fourth most fantasy points to opposing PGs. When Luka was out in their last matchup against Portland, Dinwiddie finished with 31 FP. Imagine what he and Quentin Grimes will be able to do without Irving on the court.
Luke Kennard is in a similar position as Scotty Pippen Jr., but Luke is quite a bit cheaper. This is one of those plays you only play if Bane and Morant are out though! If they are both out then Luke should see 28+ minutes which has resulted in two games of 36+ FP. They will be extremely thin at the guard position so take advantage of the value.
Top SG Options:
- Devin Booker, PHX vs. ATL ($9,000 DK; $8,900 FD)
- Spencer Dinwiddie, DAL vs. POR ($6,500 DK; $5,900 FD)
- Luke Kennard, MEM vs. HOU ($4,600 DK; $4,400 FD)
Today's NBA DFS Picks: Small Forward
Amen Thompson has had back-to-back massive games for Houston and now gets one of the best matchups he can get! Memphis is giving up the fourth most fantasy points to opposing SFs this season. Amen has had 37+ FP in five of his last six games and has seen 40+ minutes in the last two games. I don't see him playing 40 minutes again in the second half of a back-to-back but he should be still good for 35+ minutes.
Amen Thompson is a problem
20-15-5-3, 7/8 FG, 0 TOV, +19 pic.twitter.com/QvnDuE3U0I
— Brett Usher (@UsherNBA) January 8, 2025
Kyle Anderson is a bit of a risky option but if Draymond Green ends up being out, Anderson could see solid minutes and for 4k I can't pass that up. With Kuminga out he saw 26 minutes in his last contest and finished with 31 FP thanks to his defensive prowess.
Top SF Options:
- Amen Thompson, HOU vs. MEM ($7,100 DK; $7,900 FD)
- Toumani Camara, POR at DAL ($4,500 DK; $5,400 FD)
- Kyle Anderson, GSW at DET ($3,400 DK; $4,000 FD)
Today's NBA DFS Picks: Power Forward
I've already mentioned PJ and Trayce but I also like Lauri Markannen, RJ Barrett, and Nikola Jovic as other options at PF.
Kevin Durant like Devin Booker gets a great matchup for this slate. The Hawks are giving up the third most fantasy points to opposing PFs this season. Durant has finished with 40+ DK FP in 11 of his last 12 games. He could very well drop 50+ in this matchup as well especially since Jalen Johnson won't be there to guard him in this one.
Trayce Jackson-Davis with the POSTER 📸😲 pic.twitter.com/akGntooUcn
— NBA TV (@NBATV) January 8, 2025
Top PF Options:
- Kevin Durant, PHX vs. ATL ($9,200 DK; $9,000 FD)
- P.J. Washington, DAL vs. POR ($6,900 DK; $7,000 FD)
- Trayce Jackson-Davis, GSW at DET ($5,000 DK; $6,100 FD)
Today's NBA DFS Picks: Center
Jalen Duren isn't playing many minutes but is still getting it done for Detroit. Golden State is giving up the tenth most fantasy points across the last seven games. Duren has seen 30+ FP in four of his previous five games, which is still good for 5x his price. He isn't someone I would play in cash games but is a solid GPP option if you want to get different.
I bet Atlanta was wishing they didn't waive Bruno Fernando right now. Onyeka Okongwu might be out of this one with a face contusion that he suffered in their game against Utah.
With that being said Clint Capela is going to have to play big minutes as outside of Dominick Barlow he is the only big man on the team at the moment. Capela in the last two games played 25+ minutes he finished with 33 and 34 FP. At least he is cheap and we don't need too much from Clint in this spot!
Top C Options:
- Jarrett Allen, CLE vs. TOR ($6,400 DK; $7,300 FD)
- Jalen Duren, DET vs. GSW ($5,700 DK; $6,000 FD)
- Clint Capela, ATL at PHX ($5,100 DK; $5,200 FD)
Today's Top NBA DFS Game Stacks
- Rockets at Grizzlies (o/u 233.5)
- Hawks at Suns (o/u 238.5)
- Trail Blazers at Mavericks (o/u 219.5)
Today's Top NBA DFS Avoids
I'm pretty much avoiding the entire Timberwolves game. The total is the lowest on the slate by a lot and both teams have played great defense. Orlando has some decent value plays but has been injury-riddled. Paolo Banchero is returning but could be on a minute restriction.
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: Devin Booker
- My favorite CASH play on the slate: Jarrett Allen
- My favorite GPP play on the slate: Amen Thompson
- My favorite value play: Isaiah Collier
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