NBA DFS DraftKings.com & FanDuel.com Lineups & Picks for January 15, 2018
For the 1/15 NBA DFS slate, we’ll take a look at the best picks for the guards, forwards, and centers we’re considering rostering in our Cash and GPP lineups on DraftKings and FanDuel. The info below can also be used when crafting your strategy on the Draft Fantasy App and on 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.
1/15/18 NBA DFS TOURNAMENT PICKS
Frozen Fiesta Icy 8’s: $8 buy-in, $250k guaranteed (DraftKings) – $50,000 to 1st!
Triple Threat: $33 buy-in, $125k guaranteed (DraftKings)
Frozen Fiesta Icebreaker: $3 buy-in, $100k guaranteed (DraftKings)
Layup: $9 buy-in, $70k guaranteed (FanDuel)
Clutch Shot: $4 buy-in, $250k guaranteed (FanDuel) – $50,000 to 1st!
Slam: $33 buy-in, $120k guaranteed (FanDuel)
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PLAYERS RULED OUT
Austin Rivers (heel)
Danilo Gallinari (glute)
James Harden (hamstring)
Rudy Gobert (knee)
Myles Turner (elbow)
André Roberson (knee)
INJURY NEWS TO MONITOR
DeAndre Jordan (ankle)
C.J. Williams (ankle)
Andre Iguodala (hip)
NBA DFS Slate Breakdown for January 15, 2018
Golden State Warriors (-5) at Cleveland Cavs (Over/Under – 231)
This is a smash spot for Steph Curry ($10.2k, $10.2k) against a bewildered Cavs defense. On that end, Cleveland has struggled mightily of late, allowing the most 3PTA (32.3) and second-most 3PTM (12) per game this season. Curry’s 25-of-56 (46.6 percent) from 3-point range while averaging 32.4 PPG over his last five appearances. He has plenty of upside in this matchup.
Kevin Durant ($9.8k, $10.7k) is a relative value on DK, although his actual impact on the game outweighs his DFS production in most matchups. The second-best Warrior to consider might be Draymond Green ($7.7k, $8.2k), who averaged 13.5 PPG, 8.5 RPG, and 7.5 APG over two meetings with Cleveland last year.
LeBron James ($11.1k, $11.4k) produced an elite line in Indiana on Saturday, but it still wasn’t enough to snap Cleveland’s losing streak. Expect him to play with as much ferocity as we’ve seen from him all year in this home matchup. I anticipate a much better line than he put up in Golden State (20 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and seven turnovers) on Christmas. Isaiah Thomas ($5.6k, $5.5k) should see over 25 minutes in this game and his price is quite reasonable considering his ceiling. His floor is still low, but we’re talking upwards of 40-50 fantasy points should things go well.
Tristan Thompson ($3.9k, $3.9k) is a low-upside value despite his apparent minutes limit. He could get hot in a fast-paced matchup and earn more run from Ty Lue. Kevin Love ($7.6k, $7.0k) was immense with 31 points and 18 rebounds in his last meeting with the Warriors. He’s at least worth deploying in tournament formats. Jeff Green ($4.0k, $3.9k) is also a decent value to consider on the Cavs’ side of the ball.
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Sacramento Kings (+11.5) at Oklahoma City Thunder (Over/Under – 210.5)
Russell Westbrook ($11.5k, $8.9k) is so much more expensive than anyone else in this game and might be worth fading with the Thunder heavily favored at home. The Kings are playing at the fourth-slowest pace in the NBA and aren’t giving up too many FPPG to opposing PGs this season.
Still, Westbrook is a safe play. So is Steven Adams ($6.2k, $7.0k) against a Kings team that gives up the second-most RPG (16.62) and fourth-most FPPG (55.01) to opposing centers. Paul George ($7.4k, $8.3k) is more of a tournament play but is worth considering as an upper-tier option in the hopes he gets hot for OKC.
For Sacramento, Bogdan Bogdanovic ($5.0k, $5.4k) has stunningly emerged as the most consistent Cash option on the board. That said, Willie Cauley-Stein ($5.8k, $6.3k) has flashed some nice upside and is a bit under-priced on DK tonight.
De’Aaron Fox ($4.9k, $6.3k) also sees a drop in price on DK despite consistent results lately. He should find extra motivation in a matchup with Westbrook.
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Indiana Pacers (+4.5) at Utah Jazz (Over/Under – 205.5)
The Pacers are almost always led by Victor Oladipo ($8.6k, $9.3k). Meanwhile, Utah is riding Rookie of the Year candidate Donovan Mitchell ($7.1k, $7.4k), who nearly rivals Oladipo’s upside but comes with more risk and a lower floor.
Both shooting guards should thrive in what could be a surprisingly high-scoring game. Rudy Gobert (knee) will not return for the Jazz, and Indiana will be without Myles Turner (elbow).
Domantas Sabonis ($6.4k, $6.5k) did play on Sunday and remains a solid option with Turner out. Thaddeus Young ($5.5k, $5.8k) should also see a spike in usage under the circumstances, although he’s only a high-risk GPP play. Sabonis can be used in Cash games.
Lance Stephenson ($5.1k, $5.1k) has found a role for the Pacers even with Dipo back in the lineup. “Born Ready” is another tournament option to consider with Turner out.
Other than Mitchell, the Jazz offer solid values in Joe Ingles ($4.7k, $5.0k) and Derrick Favors ($6.0k, $6.3k). The latter could ramp up in terms of production after dealing with an ankle injury last week. Keep in mind that Indiana allows the most FPPG (57.57) to opposing centers this season, and that’s with Turner out there most of the time.
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Houston Rockets (-3) at Los Angeles Clippers (Over/Under – 228.5)
This should be the best game to target with the Warriors-Cavs matchup drawing too much attention and featuring too many high-priced superstars. The Clippers are finding ways to compete with nearly half the roster injured. Namely, Lou Williams ($8.9k, $9.1k) has been the catalyst. He’s a good bet to keep rolling against the fast-paced Rockets.
DeAndre Jordan ($7.9k, $8.8k) could miss a second consecutive game tonight, which would force more onto the plate of Blake Griffin ($9.1k, $8.6k). The former MVP candidate is worth a look in tournaments despite struggling with DAJ out on Saturday.
The Clippers can still provide solid value at guard with Jawun Evans ($4.2k, $4.3k) and Tyrone Wallace ($4.4k, $4.2k) seeing steady run despite the return of Milos Teodosic ($5.1k, $4.8k), who is also a decent Cash play.
Yet the main narrative of this game centers on Chris Paul ($10.3k, $10.8k) in his return to the Staples Center to face his former team. He’s been a monster with James Harden (hamstring) on the shelf and got ample rest after playing just 27 minutes in Houston’s last game, a route of Phoenix on Friday.
Clint Capela ($7.2k, $7.8k) only really makes sense as an option if DeAndre Jordan is out. Finally, Gerald Green ($5.3k, $4.6k) is arguably the best value in a Rockets uniform despite his reputation as a streaky shooter.
