NBA DFS DraftKings.com & FanDuel.com Lineups & Picks for January 18, 2018
For the 1/18 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 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.
1/18/18 NBA DFS TOURNAMENT PICKS
Excellent 8’s: $8 buy-in, $400k guaranteed (DraftKings) – $50,000 to 1st!
Triple Threat: $33 buy-in, $115k guaranteed (DraftKings)
Sharpshooter: $3 buy-in, $100k guaranteed (DraftKings)
Clutch Shot: $5.55 buy-in, $400k guaranteed (FanDuel) – $100,000 to 1st!
Slam: $33 buy-in, $100k guaranteed (FanDuel)
And One: $25 buy-in, $45k guaranteed (FanDuel)
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PLAYERS RULED OUT
Nikola Vucevic (hand)
Myles Turner (elbow)
Trevor Ariza (suspension)
Gerald Green (suspension)
Richaun Holmes (illness)
J.J. Redick (leg)
INJURY NEWS TO MONITOR
James Harden (hamstring) – Will Play
Kyrie Irving (shoulder)
Marcus Smart (illness)
Lance Stephenson (illness)
NBA DFS Slate Breakdown for January 18, 2018
Orlando Magic (+11) at Cleveland Cavs (Over/Under – 226.5)
This is a great spot for the struggling Cavs to bounce back against one of the worst defensive teams in the NBA. Orlando ranks 27th in defensive rating and 29th in opponent 3-point percentage (.381). This plays right into the hands of the Cavs’ spread offense.
LeBron James ($11.3k, $12.5k) should be able to pile up assists by kicking out to shooters tonight and he obviously has tons of upside, but is a bit too expensive on FanDuel. Kevin Love ($7.4k, $7.5k) arguably possesses even more per-dollar upside as a double-double threat and sharpshooter. Orlando gives up the most RPG (16.68) to opposing centers this year, and Love shot 6-of-12 from deep on his way to 27 points in a recent win over the Magic.
Isaiah Thomas ($5.7k, $5.7k) is due for a much better shooting performance. He’ll almost certainly exceed value once he begins to connect on his outside shots. Orlando also gives up the most FPPG (50.57) to opposing PGs. The Cavs need Thomas to find his groove as a secondary playmaker next to LeBron.
Evan Fournier ($5.5k, $5.7k) went off to lead the Magic in an upset over Minnesota on Tuesday, but he might be worth fading tonight. Aaron Gordon ($7.5k, $7.5k) could take the reins of the offense. The superbly athletic PF is a mismatch for Cleveland and torched the Cavs for 30 points on Jan. 6.
Elfrid Payton ($6.4k, $6.7k) is struggling and losing playing time to D.J. Augustin ($3.7k, $4.2k), who is a solid value in a prime matchup against Cleveland’s backcourt. Khem Birch ($3.3k, $3.9k) could also serve as an intriguing punt in tournaments after showing out in the absence of Marreese Speights (personal) on Tuesday.
Bismack Biyombo ($6.2k, $7.5) has been very productive lately with 31 points, 29 rebounds, and seven blocks over his last two appearances. He’s worth a look in tournaments against the fast-paced Cavs.
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Philadelphia 76ers (+6) at Boston Celtics (Over/Under – 211.5)
The Sixers got off to a dynamite start in this matchup last week but fell apart down the stretch while coughing up a 22-point lead in London.
Joel Embiid ($9.4k, $10.0k) struggled to score in a matchup with the league’s top-rated defense but quickly bounced back with 34 points in a win over Toronto. He remains an elite GPP option. Ben Simmons is probably worth fading against a savvy and lengthy Celtics defense.
T.J. McConnell ($4.4k, $5.1k) can often surprise when Simmons struggles. He should see more run with J.J. Redick (leg) inactive. Redick’s injury also opens up more shots for Robert Covington ($5.2k, $5.3k) and Dario Saric ($6.1k, $5.3k), who is an underrated PF with a chance to produce in this matchup.
Kyrie Irving ($8.5k, $8.2k) continues to show a solid floor with limited upside in the Celtics’ spread system. He’s questionable with a shoulder injury and Marcus Smart (illness) is also iffy, so Terry Rozier ($4.7k, $4.0k) could emerge as a fantastic value and is worth a look regardless.
Jaylen Brown ($5.9k, $5.7k) remains a solid Cash play, while Jayson Tatum ($5.4k, $5.2k) is another good option in a matchup against the 76ers, who play at the second-fastest pace in the NBA.
Marcus Morris ($4.9k, $4.7k) is a decent lower-tier play as a volume shooter off the bench. Finally, Al Horford ($7.0k, $7.4k) is worth a look at center despite drawing a tough assignment in Embiid.
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Minnesota Timberwolves (TBD) at Houston Rockets (Over/Under – TBD)
The biggest news on this four-game slate is the potential return of James Harden ($10.5k, $10.5k), who has never been treated with kid gloves and could produce a gaudy line even in his first game back.
Jimmy Butler ($8.8k, $10.0k) has been on fire for Minnesota. He would likely draw the assignment of slowing down Harden, but no individual defender can contain “The Beard.” Chris Paul ($9.5k, $10.4k) would take a slight hit in usage if Harden can return. But keep in mind he was posting excellent numbers regardless and maintains a 26.3 percent usage rate while averaging 1.37 FPs per minute with Harden on the floor this season.
Jeff Teague ($6.3k, $6.8k) got into foul trouble and failed to produce much in a prime spot on Tuesday. So he’s only a contrarian mid-tier play to consider as Butler orchestrates the T-Wolves’ offense. Karl-Anthony Towns ($9.1k, $9.2k) remains the most reliable player in a Minnesota uniform as a double-double machine. He posted his highest RPG average (19.3) while dropping 32.3 PPG over four meetings with Houston last season.
The Rockets can still provide value with Harden back since Trevor Ariza and Gerald Green will be suspended for their role in Monday’s locker room confrontation at the Clippers, increasing the prospects of Ryan Anderson ($4.5k, $4.5k) and of course, Eric Gordon ($6.3k, $6.8k) as well.
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Indiana Pacers (+3.5) at Portland Blazers (Over/Under – 213.5)
The Blazers and Suns provided a lot of DFS goodness in a shootout on Tuesday. Tonight, we could see similar results as Portland welcomes Indiana, which scores the ninth-most PPG (107.4) in the NBA. Both the Blazers and their opponents have scored 100-plus points in six consecutive games.
Damian Lillard ($8.7k, $9.4k) is locked in right now. He shot 11-of-19 from the field for 31 points on Tuesday and could thrive in this matchup. Evan Turner ($4.0k, $4.0k) and Al-Farouq Aminu ($5.0k, $5.6k) offer decent floors as value options.
Victor Oladipo ($8.5k, $9.3k) has been the man for Indiana all season and has a chance to pick up where Devin Booker left off in torching the Blazers’ weak SG defense for 41 points on Tuesday. Dipo is shooting an efficient 52.2 percent from the floor and could see even more usage if Lance Stephenson (illness) is limited tonight.
With Myles Turner (elbow) out, Domantas Sabonis ($6.0k, $6.0k) remains a solid Cash play as a reasonably priced PF. Lance Stephenson ($4.7k, $4.9k) is now listed as questionable, so if he sits look at Cory Joseph ($4.0k, $4.3k) as a potential punt play.
