NBA DFS DraftKings.com & FanDuel.com Lineups & Picks for January 17, 2018
For the 1/17 NBA DFS slate, and for the rest of the fantasy 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 DFS and Draftboard DFS.
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.
1/17/18 NBA DFS TOURNAMENT PICKS
Excellent 8’s: $8 buy-in, $400k guaranteed (DraftKings) -$50,000 to 1st!
Medium Snow Ball: $44 buy-in, $215k guaranteed (DraftKings)
Mini Snow Ball: $4 buy-in, $140k guaranteed (DraftKings)
EPIC Monster: $444 buy-in, $400k guaranteed (FanDuel)
Clutch Shot: $6 buy-in, $400k guaranteed (FanDuel) – $100,000 to 1st!
Slam: $33 buy-in, $110k guaranteed (FanDuel)
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PLAYERS RULED OUT
DeAndre Jordan (ankle)
Rudy Gobert (knee)
D’Angelo Russell (knee)
Nikola Vucevic (hand)
Mike Conley (Achilles)
Austin Rivers (heel)
Reggie Jackson (ankle)
INJURY NEWS TO MONITOR
Draymond Green (shoulder)
Lonzo Ball (knee)
Brandon Ingram (ankle)
Pau Gasol (wrist)
Skal Labissiere (shoulder)
Tyler Johnson (ankle)
Avery Bradley (groin)
Larry Nance Jr. (hip)
Markieff Morris (ankle)
Dewayne Dedmon (leg)
Taurean Prince (finger)
Best NBA DFS Picks for January 17, 2018
Guards
Tyreke Evans vs. NYK ($8.5k DraftKings, $8.4k FanDuel)
There are some flashy options at the guard position tonight, but Tyreke Evans is old reliable with Mike Conley still unavailable for Memphis. The veteran is averaging 20.3 PPG, 6.5 APG, and 5.8 RPG over his last four appearances and should have little trouble knifing through the Knicks’ defense at home tonight. He’s essentially playing PG with Conley out, and the Knicks allow the fourth-most APG (9.0) and the eighth-most FPPG (47.31) to opposing PGs this season.
Jordan Clarkson @ OKC ($4.8k DraftKings, $3.9k FanDuel)
While Josh Hart ($4.1k, $3.5k) had a much better game on Monday with Lonzo Ball (knee) out, Jordan Clarkson has much more upside going forward. Ball missed Tuesday’s practice and is questionable ahead of a matchup against the inconsistent Thunder tonight. Brandon Ingram (ankle) is also banged up, and Clarkson’s averaging 1.17 FPs per minute with a team-high 33.2 percent usage rate when both Ingram and Ball are off the floor this season. Clarkson is dirt cheap on FanDuel.
Tyrone Wallace vs. DEN ($4.6k DraftKings, $4.3k FanDuel)
The Clippers are suddenly rolling. They managed to take down the Rockets on Monday in what should become a heated rivalry. Lou Williams ($8.7k. $8.4k) has been the key to their success and remains an appealing tournament option tonight. But if you’re looking for value, consider Tyrone Wallace. He’s moved over to the SF slot with Milos Teodosic back in the fold and continues to produce. The rookie out of Cal is averaging 15 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.9 steals per 36 minutes this season and has topped 32 minutes played in four consecutive appearances.
Others to Consider: Russell Westbrook, Lou Williams, Donovan Mitchell, Goran Dragic, Gary Harris, Zach LaVine, Bogdan Bogdanovic, De’Aaron Fox
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Forwards
Anthony Davis @ ATL ($10.5k DraftKings, $11.7k FanDuel)
Fresh off consecutive huge games to down the Knicks and Celtics in overtime, Anthony Davis looks to stay hot on the road against the defenseless Hawks. Atlanta is giving up the eighth-most FPPG (47.9) and sixth-most RPG (12.76) to opposing PFs this season. “The Brow” has corralled 33 boards over his last two appearances. His injury history is always a concern, but if he stays out there for 36-plus minutes once again, Davis should have little trouble exceeding value at a reasonable DK price.
Derrick Favors vs. SAC ($6.4k DraftKings, $6.9k FanDuel)
While he doesn’t have tremendous upside, Derrick Favors should continue to serve as a solid Cash play with Rudy Gobert (knee) at least a week from returning. The Jazz starters just haven’t been able to keep many games close. But the lowly Kings (+4) are actually underdogs at home tonight. Sacramento coughs up the most FPPG (49.95) and second-most RPG (13.12) to opposing PFs this season. Favors should be good to log heavier minutes in his third game back from an ankle issue.
Kyle Kuzma @ OKC ($5.9k DraftKings, $5.9k FanDuel)
The Lakers offer a couple of surprisingly cheap options with upside tonight. Kyle Kuzma returned to his status as a Rookie of the Year candidate with 36 points, 17 rebounds, and eight assists over his last two appearances. Granted, that spike in production has something to do with Brandon Ingram’s absence. But even with Ingram potentially back in the lineup, Kuzma is in a good spot with Larry Nance Jr. (hip) also banged up. The Thunder’s defense is strongest at the PG and center position, whereas Kuzma should get to work on a poor defender in Carmelo Anthony. Along with Clarkson, he makes for an intriguing correlation play in a stack with Russell Westbrook tonight.
Others to Consider: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Blake Griffin, Paul George, Nikola Mirotic, Skal Labissiere, Kelly Oubre Jr.
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Center
Nikola Jokic @ LAC ($8.9k DraftKings, $9.6k FanDuel)
With DeAndre Jordan (ankle) expected to miss at least one more game due to an ankle sprain, Willie Reed ($4.0k, $4.2k) is a solid value tonight. But Nikola Jokic has a chance to keep rolling after a monstrous performance against the Mavericks last night. The 22-year-old is actually averaging more PPG (17.6) on 51.8 percent shooting over seven appearances on zero days rest this season. “The Joker” is also averaging more PPG (16.3) on the road. Jordan’s defensive importance can’t be overestimated, and the Clippers will be very vulnerable down low without him.
Willie Cauley-Stein vs. UTA ($6.2k DraftKings, $6.9k FanDuel)
The youth movement has officially begun in Sacramento. The Kings reportedly plan to rest a couple veterans per night for the rest of this lost season. Along with young PF Skal Labissiere, Willie Cauley-Stein should benefit from that trend with increased playing time. The lively young center is averaging a career-best 16.4 points along with 8.8 rebounds per 36 minutes this year. He’s been hot lately with 50 points and 27 rebounds over his last three appearances and draws a plus matchup against a Jazz team that’s much more vulnerable down low with the reigning Defensive Player of the Year out.
Others to Consider: Andre Drummond, Marc Gasol, Steven Adams, Willie Reed
