NBA DFS DraftKings.com & FanDuel.com Lineups & Picks for January 8, 2018
For the 1/8 NBA DFS slate, and for the rest of the basketball season, we’ll be writing up the best picks for guards, forwards, and centers we’re considering for Cash and GPP lineups on DraftKings and FanDuel. The info below can also be used for crafting your strategy on Draft and Draftboard.
Please note the advice below is relevant for daily fantasy purposes. A player or team might be better or worse from a fantasy perspective than in real life due to matchup, price, and lots of other factors. This is important to consider when constructing a roster.
Injuries play a huge role in NBA DFS on a nightly basis, and value plays at the various daily fantasy sites can arise at a moment’s notice. Always, always check the starting lineups and injury news right before tipoff.
1/8/18 NBA DFS TOURNAMENT PICKS
Big Jam: $10 buy-in, $500k guaranteed (DraftKings)
Spin Move: $44 buy-in, $200k guaranteed (DraftKings)
Sharpshooter: $3 buy-in, $130k guaranteed (DraftKings)
Layup: $7 buy-in, $60k guaranteed (FanDuel)
Clutch Shot: $5.55 buy-in, $444k guaranteed (FanDuel)
Slam: $55 buy-in, $200k guaranteed (FanDuel)
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PLAYERS RULED OUT
James Harden (hamstring)
Reggie Jackson (ankle)
Jeff Teague (knee)
D’Angelo Russell (knee)
Rudy Gay (heel)
Austin Rivers (heel)
Milos Teodosic (foot)
DeMarre Carroll (knee)
INJURY NEWS TO MONITOR
Kevin Durant (calf)
Andre Drummond (ribs)
Kawhi Leonard (shoulder)
Zach Randolph (mouth)
Bojan Bogdanovic (ankle)
George Hill (personal)
Caris LeVert (groin)
Best NBA DFS Picks for January 8, 2018
Guards
Steph Curry vs. DEN ($10.5k DraftKings, $9.8k FanDuel)
Clearly the top guard option if Kevin Durant (calf) misses another game, Steph Curry might be a superior play to Chris Paul ($10.0k, $10.2k) despite Steph’s higher price on FD. He’s shown true MVP form with incredible shooting (45-77 FG, 28-52 3PT) while averaging 36 PPG over four appearances since returning from his ankle injury. Some of those huge lines came while playing limited minutes in blowout wins. The Nuggets, ranked seventh in offensive rating, are capable of keeping pace with the high-scoring Warriors. The fact that they rank 27th in opponent shooting percentage (.471) and cough up the sixth-most APG (24.1) this season bodes well for Curry.
DeMar DeRozan @ BKN ($8.8k DraftKings, $9.1k FanDuel)
As easy as it was to fade DeMar DeRozan in a rematch with the Bucks after torching them for a career-high 52 points, it should be easier to pay up for him in a prime matchup against the lowly Nets. Brooklyn gives up the third-most 2PTM (31.9) per game this year. And DeRozan hits 14.5 twos per game on solid 51.3 percent shooting. He torched the Nets for 31 points on nearly immaculate 14-of-19 FG shooting in a meeting earlier this year. He might find the sledding even easier with Caris LeVert (groin) questionable and DeMarre Carroll (knee) ruled out tonight.
Tyrone Wallace vs. ATL ($3.6k DraftKings, $3.5k FanDuel)
The Clippers offer a number of value options in the backcourt with Milos Teodosic (foot) expected to sit out another game. While Jawun Evans ($4.1k, $5.1k) drew the start with Teodosic out Saturday, he was yanked early in the second half in favor of Tyrone Wallace, who managed 13 points, three rebounds, and three steals over 31 minutes against the fast-paced Warriors. Tonight’s matchup is more favorable. The Hawks rank 28th in defensive rating and cough up the sixth-most FPPG (43.44) to opposing SGs this season. Therefore, Evans and Wallace are great values with Austin Rivers (heel) also ruled out and Blake Griffin (concussion) questionable.
Others to consider: Chris Paul, Lou Williams, Gary Harris, Spencer Dinwiddie, Kris Dunn, Delon Wright, Dwight Buycks
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Forwards
LeBron James @ MIN ($11.5k DraftKings, $11.4k FanDuel)
“The King” bounced back from a weak offensive output against the Celtics this week. On Saturday, he dominated Orlando’s weak defense for 33 points, 10 rebounds, nine assists, and six steals. The Cavs will need another herculean effort from LeBron James on the road tonight against a Wolves team that leads the tough Northwest Division this season. Old foe Jimmy Butler could do a solid job keeping James out of the paint. However, LeBron is arguably the best passer in the game. He’ll have plenty of scorers around him with Isaiah Thomas ($6.5k, $6.5k) expected to suit up for this potential shootout.
Domantas Sabonis vs. MIL ($5.3k DraftKings, $5.9k FanDuel)
While he doesn’t offer enough upside to serve as a strong GPP play, Domantas Sabonis has been as consistent lately as any forward in the mid-tier price range. Even with Victor Oladipo back in the lineup, he went for 22 points over 26 minutes against the Bulls. Tonight, he faces a Bucks team he burned for 24 points over 32 minutes last Wednesday. Milwaukee ranks dead last in total rebounding, and Sabonis is playing well as a stretch PF or center when Myles Turner struggles.
Joe Harris vs. TOR ($4.2k DraftKings, $3.7k FanDuel)
With DeMarre Carroll (knee) out and Caris LeVert (groin) questionable tonight, Joe Harris could emerge as a solid value option. Then, there are Rondae Hollis-Jefferson ($5.8k, $6.9k) and Allen Crabbe ($4.7k, $4.8k), who could offer more upside and more risk. Harris was already coming on strong with 56 points and 18 boards over four appearances before producing his first double-double with 12 points and 10 boards against the tough Celtics defense on Saturday. He’s dirt cheap across the DFS industry.
Others to consider: Anthony Davis, LaMarcus Aldridge, Ersan Ilyasova, Gerald Green, Trey Lyles, Nikola Mirotic, Montrezl Harrell
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Center
Karl-Anthony Towns vs. CLE ($9.2k DraftKings, $9.6k FanDuel)
The best player to target in a Wolves uniform has to be Karl-Anthony Towns. He produced a whopping 46 points and 39 rebounds over two games this past weekend. Towns averaged 26 PPG and 10 RPG on 57.9 percent FG shooting over two meetings with Cleveland last year. Since then, the Cavs have become even more vulnerable on the interior with Tristan Thompson (calf) limited all season. Kevin Love is solid down low, but he’s more of a natural PF and could struggle to keep KAT from producing a third consecutive double-double.
DeAndre Jordan vs. ATL ($7.8k DraftKings, $8.3k FanDuel)
While you can’t necessarily expect the Clippers to feature DeAndre Jordan offensively with Blake Griffin (concussion) likely out, he’ll probably see increased usage in PnR sets and grab more rebounds without his running mate active. Jordan followed up a monstrous double-double against the Thunder with 15 points and 11 boards over just 24 minutes in a blowout loss to the Warriors. Tonight’s game should be much closer against a Hawks team that’s given up the fourth-most RPG (16.38) to opposing centers over the last month.
Others to consider: DeMarcus Cousins, Kevin Love, Willie Cauley-Stein, John Henson
