NBA DraftKings & FanDuel DFS Primer: Jan. 4
Keep an eye on Steven Adams tonight as the Grizzlies visit the Hornets.
We have 12 games in total, with all but six teams taking the floor. That always leads to some saturated player pools and lengthy injury reports. It also means a lot to discuss, so let’s get started!
Injury Report
- Devin Booker (groin) OUT
- Darius Garland (thumb) Questionable
- Evan Mobley (ankle) Questionable
- Kelly Oubre (hand) Questionable
- Gordon Hayward (hamstring) Questionable
- RJ Barrett (finger) OUT
- Khris Middleton (knee) Questionable
- Jrue Holiday (hamstring) Questionable
- Zion Williamson (hamstring) OUT
- Brandon Ingram (toe) Questionable
- Lonzo Ball (knee) OUT
- Karl-Anthony Towns (calf) OUT
- D’Angelo Russell (illness) Questionable
- Cade Cunningham (shin) OUT
- Stephen Curry (shoulder) OUT
- Andrew Wiggins (illness) Questionable
- Anthony Davis (foot) OUT
- Russell Westbrook (foot) Questionable
- Clint Capela (calf) Questionable
- Malik Monk (shoulder) Questionable
- Kevin Huerter (back) Questionable
Core Plays
Joel Embiid (PF/C – PHI): $11,200 DraftKings, $11,600 FanDuel
Embiid has scored at least 53 DraftKings points in 16 of his previous 19 games, generating a 62-point average in that span. He’s thrived against the Pacers over the last two years, averaging 63 DK points per game in their last three meetings. That’s no surprise since they surrender the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing centers.
Julius Randle (PF/C – NYK): $10,500 DraftKings, $9,900 FanDuel
Randle has scored at least 58 DraftKings points in six straight games, posting a 61-point average in that span. That’d make him a worthy play against anyone, but San Antonio is the best matchup in fantasy. The Spurs are last in both points allowed and defensive efficiency while owning a 29th OPRK against opposing power forwards. He also had 70 DK points in their one matchup earlier in the season.
CJ McCollum (PG/SG – NOP): $8,200 DraftKings, $8,600 FanDuel
In the last six games without Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, McCollum is averaging nearly 50 fantasy points per game. It’s easy to understand why, with McCollum playing 35-40 minutes, taking 20-plus shots, and posting a 35-40% usage rate. That’s rough for the Rockets, who allow the most fantasy points to opposing guards this year.
Cash Game Considerations
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (PG/SG – OKC): $9,900 DraftKings, $10,200 FanDuel
The only concern with Gilgeous-Alexander is that this is the second half of a back-to-back set. The good news is that he’s played in most of those, averaging over 50 DraftKings points per game this season. The reason we love him here is this outstanding matchup with Orlando, who sit 22nd in defensive efficiency ratings. We expect things to be close, and you know SGA will go off as the best player on the floor. In their one matchup this year., Gilgeous-Alexander dropped 56 DK points.
LeBron James (SF/PF – LAL): $10,700 DraftKings, $11,200 FanDuel
James has scored at least 37 DraftKings points in every game this year, scoring 68 and 76 DK points in his last two outings. Those are some of the best games of his storied career, but they need him to keep balling out with Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook both nicked up.
Jordan Poole (PG/SG – GSW): $8,300 DraftKings, $8,400 FanDuel
Poole has taken over Golden State’s offense in the absence of Stephen Curry, which has allowed him to average 36 DK points per game in his 19 starts this year. He’s seeing a massive boost in minutes and shot attempts with Curry on the sidelines, leading the team with a 32% usage rate. He’s talented enough to be a monster in that expanded opportunity, and we’re not concerned about him facing a 29th-ranked Pistons defense.
GPP Targets
Immanuel Quickley (PG/SG – NYK): $6,200 DraftKings, $6,800 FanDuel
Quickley has played 36 or more minutes in four straight games, totaling a 43-point average in that span. That’s a tremendous total from a player in this price range, and we’re really encouraged that he played 36 minutes in Jalen Brunson‘s first game back. We already talked about this sensational matchup, with the Spurs having the worst defensive numbers in the NBA.
Jalen Duren (PF/C – DET): $5,000 DraftKings, $5,900 FanDuel
Duren has been starting for a few weeks now, averaging 28 DK points per game across 29 minutes a night over his last 14 games played. That’s scary for a kid this young, and he’s only going to get better from here on out. The Warriors are a wonderful matchup, too, ranked 26th in points allowed.
Steven Adams (C – MEM): $5,400 DraftKings, $6,800 FanDuel
Adams has back-to-back 20-rebound games, scoring at least 42 fantasy points in three straight outings. That’s all you can ask for from a player in this price range, and he should sting a defense like the Hornets. Charlotte sits 25th in defensive efficiency and 28th in points allowed while surrendering the most fantasy points and rebounds to opposing centers.
John Collis is looking like a great value play for Jan. 4 games.
Value Plays
John Collins (PF/C – ATL): $6,000 DraftKings, $6,200 FanDuel
It’s hard to understand why Collins still sits around $6K as he’s been providing value in almost every game over the last two weeks. The big man has scored at least 34 DraftKings points in four of his last five games, getting his minute’s restriction lifted last week. That’s massive since he’s seeing extra time in the absence of Clint Capela, and he should feast once again against a 26th-ranked Warriors defense.
Jonas Valanciunas (C – NOP): $6,300 DraftKings, $6,600 FanDuel
Larry Nance‘s injury is allowing a revival from Valanciunas and he should see a 25-minute role tonight. In fact, Valanciunas has played at least 25 minutes in 20 games this season, generating a 36-point average in those outings. He should have another one of those ceiling games with the Rockets ranked 28th in defensive efficiency ratings.
Kyle Anderson (SF/PF – MIN): $5,400 DraftKings, $5,600 FanDuel
Anderson has been doing his thing as a starter of late, averaging 27 DK points per game across 30 minutes a night in his 13 starts this season. He was also one of the primary playmakers with D’Angelo Russell out on Monday, and if that’s the case again here, Anderson is one of the best values of the day. The matchup is the icing on the cake, with Portland ranked 20th in defensive efficiency. That was on full display when Anderson averaged 27 DK points in their two matchups this year.
Advantageous Pricing
- Steven Adams (C – MEM): $5,400 DraftKings, $6,800 FanDuel
- Jalen McDaniels (SF/PF – CHA): $4,400 DraftKings, $5,500 FanDuel
- Jalen Smith (PF/C – IND): $3,500 DraftKings, $5,300 FanDuel
- Scottie Barnes (PG/SF – TOR): $6,700 DraftKings, $8,100 FanDuel
- Gary Trent Jr.(SG – TOR): $5,500 DraftKings, $7,000 FanDuel
- Ayo Dosunmu (PG-SG – CHI): $4,100 DraftKings, $5,300 FanDuel
- Drew Eubanks (C – POR): $4,100 DraftKings, $5,300 FanDuel
- Patrick Beverley (PG/SG – LAL): $4,200 DraftKings, $5,300 FanDuel
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Joel Bartilotta is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Joel, check out his archive and follow him @Bartilottajoel.
