The NBA Daily Plays for Friday, January 29th breaks down the best Stud, Value and GPP plays at each position for FanDuel and DraftKings daily fantasy sports contests. The Stud & Value plays should be considered relatively chalky and are ideal for cash games. The GPP plays dig a little deeper to hopefully find some low owned talent who could pay off big in a tournament. Make sure you check out our NBA projections page to help in your DFS research. We have also added an NBA Injury News page which monitors all injury news and offers pivot plays to consider if the injured player ends up sitting.
Game Lines
Point Guard
Studs
Russell Westbrook (FD $10,800, DK $10,800) –
Russell is a frequent visitor to the stud section at DFS Report. He has everything that we DFS players like: 1. He scores a ton of fantasy points. That’s it. That’s all that matters. So that’s all we care about. He gets to take on the Rockets, in what will no doubt be the highest scoring game on the night. We all will want as much exposure to this game as possible, so make sure you can fit Westy into your lineup.
Values
Archie Goodwin (FD $5,000, DK $5,600)-
The 3rd year player out of Kentucky has been playing well in the absence of Brandon Knight. He had a breakout game a few days ago against the Sixers, when he went off for 42.2 fpts. He gets a decent matchup against the Knicks tonight, and should be able to easily reach value. There are definitely some other positions that you’ll want to spend up on, so getting some value like Archie is a must.
GPP Plays
Chris Paul (FD $9,900, DK $9,800) –
This one is pretty easy. You play the guard that is going up against the Lakers. Fortunately for us, the decision is much easier to make because it’s an elite PG going up against a very very bad team. There is the potential for a blowout, but if the Lakers are able to keep this close, then CP3 could have a huuuuuge game.
Shooting Guard
Studs
James Harden (FD $10,200, DK $10,000) –
The beard was held in check when he and his team took on the Spurs the other night. Surprised? You shouldn’t be. The Spurs are an elite defense and keep everyone not named Stephen Curry in check. Unfortunately, his poor game won’t keep anyone away from her, but who cares. This is going to be a fast paced, high scoring game and you’ll want one of the best players on the court in your lineup. Easy decision, lock him in.
Values
Dion Waiters (FD $3,900, DK $4,200)-
The Thunder will be without Andre Roberson and Cameron Payne tonight, which leaves Dion Waiters to soak up as many minutes as possible. Waiters gets the James Harden defense, one of my favorite “defenses” to pick on. Everything about his price, matchup and opportunity scream must play to me. Think about it! Not too long, as he is one of the best value plays of the night.
GPP Plays
C.J. McCollum (FD $7,600, DK $7,400) –
C.J. has been fairly consistent as of late, but hasn’t gone off for one of those monster games in awhile. Is tonight the night? He gets a nice juicy matchup against the Hornets, who have had trouble guarding wing players. He makes for an excellent GPP, as everyone will be all over Harden (and for good reason), so McCollum won’t be as highly owned and will really pay off if he goes off.
Small Forward
Studs
Kevin Durant (FD $10,600, DK $10,100) –
If there’s one player that I HAVE to have in my lineup tonight, it’s Durantula. What’s not to like about him tonight? He gets a juicy matchup, his usage rate is ridiculous and he’s playing in the game that has the highest projected score EVER. Well, maybe that last one’s not true, but I’m sure it’s close. When you click on that SF tab, do not scroll past KD, just click him and get him into that lineup. Then move on. You’ll thank me tomorrow.
Values
Wesley Johnson (FD $4,100, DK $3,900) –
This one is more of a hunch. Wes has been playing great lately and has been playing near 30 minutes for the Clippers. He gets to take on the Lakers, who are awful at defending every single position on the court. Wes could get some more playing time if this game turns into a blowout, but even if it stays close, I can see him still playing a lot of minutes.
GPP Plays
Chandler Parsons (FD $6,600, DK $6,700) –
Parsons has been playing his best basketball of the season this week. He’s averaging well over 30 fpts a game and seems to be in vintage form. He gets a so-so matchup tonight against the Brooklyn Nets, but nothing that should scare you away from him. He has been easily reaching value and I can see him easily going over that tonight against the Nets.
Power Forward
Studs
Chris Bosh (FD $7,600, DK $7,700) –
Bosh isn’t the flashiest of plays tonight, but he is the one PF you should consider starting everywhere. He gets a plus matchup against the Bucks, who have a real problem with guarding power forwards. He’s not going to get you that 50 point game, but he will guarantee you upper 30s and possibly 40 fpts. For his price, I’ll gladly take a sure thing, especially in cash lineups. With Whiteside out again tonight, look for Bosh to get some minutes at PF and the center position. He’s going to rack up the rebounds, which is fantasy gold. Do the right thing, start Bosh.
Values
Aaron Gordon (FD $4,400, DK $4,900)-
The best thing that Orlando Magic have done this season is put Aaron Gordon in the starting lineup. This athletic freak makes them such a better team when he is on the floor. He’s a good defender and can get up for those rebounds. He gets a great matchup against the Boston Celtics and if you’ve been reading this article on a regular basis, you know that I like to pick on the Celtics “big men.” I like him more on FanDuel than on DK, but I think you can play him on either. He’s a great play tonight, make sure to lock him in if you’re trying to save up for multiple studs.
GPP Plays
Kristaps Porzingis (FD $6,900, DK $7,300) –
This pick relies on a few things. First, we need to make sure he’s actually going to play tonight. He missed last night’s game due to an upper respiratory illness, but he has not been ruled out for tonight. Second, if Carmelo Anthony misses this game, Kristaps is even more attractive. He’ll be the main offensive weapon if ‘Melo is out. Porzingis takes on a lowly Phoenix Suns team and can easily take advantage. Make sure you get an update on his status before you lock him in, if he’s playing and ‘Melo is out, I might put him in the “stud” category.
Center
Studs
DeAndre Jordan (FD $7,900, DK $7,500) –
DJ takes on the Lakers tonight. That’s all that you really need to know. Jordan could score 40 fpts in his sleep against this team and I full expect him too. DJ is the #3, maaaaybe the #2 option in the offense when there is no Blake Griffin on the court. Even if Blake was in, it’s the Lakers. Don’t get cute, start the big man that’s taking on the Lakers.
Values
Spencer Hawes (FD $4,000, DK $4,800)-
Hawes is dirt cheap. For a productive starting center, on a team that is riddled with injuries, you’d think his price would be much more. But it’s not, so lucky us. Hawes takes on the Blazers, who are middle of the pack when it comes to defending the center position. If you’re paying up for CP3, Westbrook, heck AND Durant, you might want to save on the center position.
GPP Plays
Nikola Vucevic (FD $7,800, DK $7,600) –
Nikola is one of my favorite basketball players. I bet no one has ever said that to him before. Poor Nikola. As all of you know, I like to pick on the Celtics front court. So, we will continue to do so. One of the things that I like about Nikola is that he takes advantage of plus matchups, unlike some big men out there. He is averaging 37 fantasy points in his last 4 games and I can easily see him exceeding value tonight.
