NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Recommendations for January 6 2020
We have plenty of action on the schedule Monday with nine games in the NBA. Injuries will play a huge role in the slate, leaving other players to step into increased roles. Here are some players to target at each position who could provide value. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our NBA Lineup Optimizer to help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.
POINT GUARDS
De’Aaron Fox, SAC vs. GS
FanDuel = $7,700
DraftKings = $8,200
This has the makings of an ugly game between two of the worst teams in the league. Injuries will also play a role with both teams missing some key players. As it pertains to Fox, the good news for him is that the Warriors’ will be without one of their better defenders in Draymond Green (ankle). Also, the Warriors have already allowed the most points per game on both FanDuel and DraftKings to opposing point guards.
Aaron Holiday, IND at CHA
FanDuel = $5,600
DraftKings = $5,800
After carrying the team through injuries at the start of the season, Malcolm Brogdon (back) hasn’t been able to stay on the floor lately. He’s only played in one of the Pacers’ last six games, which was a contest in which he lasted just eight minutes before departing with an injury. In his absence, Holiday has stepped up to average 14.7 points, 2.5 rebounds and 7.3 assists during that six-game stretch.
SHOOTING GUARDS
Zach LaVine, CHI at DAL
FanDuel = $7,900
DraftKings = $7,700
LaVine is the driving force behind the Bulls’ offense with his 30.9 percent usage rate that ranks 15th-highest in the league. Now they will need him even more with Lauri Markkanen (ankle) not expected to play. LaVine has also provided value in other areas with his averages of 4.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.4 steals. While this isn’t exactly a great matchup, volume alone makes LaVine someone to strongly consider.
Marcus Smart, BOS at WAS
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $5,200
Illnesses continue to sideline players across the league, including Celtics’ star point guard Kemba Walker, who will miss his third straight contest. This is a great matchup against a Wizards team that has allowed the most points per game, so a shortened Celtics’ rotation makes them even more appealing. Among the cheaper players to target is Smart, who has shown he can contribute in multiple areas by averaging 11.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.9 three-pointers a game.
SMALL FORWARDS
Jaylen Brown, BOS at WAS
FanDuel = $6,900
DraftKings = $7,400
As far as the players on the Celtics with the highest upside, Brown ranks towards the top of the list. He’s thrived in an expanded role this season, averaging 20.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.1 steals per contest. The last time we saw him take the floor against the Wizards, he scored 22 of the Celtics’ 140 points. With even more scoring responsibilities likely coming his way because of Walker’s absence, the sky is the limit here.
Joe Ingles, UTA at NO
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $5,700
This is a favorable matchup for Ingles considering the Pelicans have played at the seventh-fastest pace in the league. To top things off, they might be without one of their top defenders in Jrue Holiday (elbow), who is listed as questionable. This already has the potential to be a high-scoring game for the Jazz, but if Holiday is indeed out, Ingles and company could produce some juicy stat lines.
POWER FORWARDS
Richaun Holmes, SAC vs. GS
FanDuel = $6,700
DraftKings = $6,600
It’s been a lost season up to this point for Marvin Bagley III (foot), who will once again be out Monday. On the bright side, his absence has helped Holmes become one of the most important members of the Kings. His overall numbers for the season are excellent, but he’s been even better lately by averaging 17.2 points, 10 rebounds and 1.4 blocks over his last nine games. With Green out, he might not be met with much resistance in this contest.
Thaddeus Young, CHI at DAL
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $3,700
The player who should step into the starting lineup in place of Markkanen is Young, who was one of the key veterans that the Bulls added to fortify their bench over the summer. He hasn’t received many opportunities to be productive with Markkanen playing in every game so far, but the Bulls are going to need him to step up both offensively and on the boards in this matchup. At this cheap price, the added playing time makes Young extremely appealing.
CENTERS
Nikola Vucevic, ORL vs. BKN
FanDuel = $8,500
DraftKings = $8,300
Rolling out centers against the Nets is usually a sound strategy. They have allowed the eighth-most FanDuel points per game and the ninth-most DraftKings points per game to the position. While Vucevic has yet to face them this season, he averaged 20.3 points, 14.3 rebounds and five assists across three contests against them last season. He should be included in a lot of entries based on this matchup, and rightfully so.
Wendell Carter Jr., CHI at DAL
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $6,000
This is an interesting opportunity for Carter. With LaVine and Markkanen leading the Bulls’ offense, Carter doesn’t receive a lot of scoring opportunities. With that being said, he’s still averaging 11.9 points and 10 rebounds a game. Not only should be a threat for another double-double here, but he could be in line for one of his better offensive showings of the season With Markkanen out.
Author Bio:
Mike has been covering fantasy sports since 2007, joining Lineup Lab in 2017. An avid player of both season-long fantasy leagues and DFS, Mike’s work has appeared on numerous sites, including RotoWire, SportsLine and Sports Illustrated. He’s also been featured on DraftKings’ nightly show, The Sweat, and was a finalist for the 2018 FSWA Basketball Writer of the Year award. Follow Mike on Twitter @rotomikebarner.