NBA DFS: Top Daily Fantasy Expert Picks for DraftKings, FanDuel (1/12/26)

January 12, 2026

Free daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for today's slate on DraftKings and FanDuel. Use Zach's NBA DFS expert picks to building winning DFS lineups on January 12th, 2026.

The NBA continues a busy start to 2026 with a six-game schedule on Monday night. Both DraftKings and FanDuel feature the first four of those games on the main slate, and the two West Coast games as part of separate late-night contests. In this post, we'll focus on the four games on the main slate, which bring plenty of interesting fantasy plays and matchups to attack.

As always at this time of year, injuries will play a significant role in shaping this slate. The Nets, 76ers,  and Raptors are playing for the second day in a row, so be sure to check back before tip-off to pivot and adjust your lineup, since news will break throughout the day. Coming into this Monday, we already know that Anthony Davis and Bennedict Mathurin are out. Paul George, Joel Embiid, Brandon Ingram, and RJ Barrett each missed Sunday's Sixers-Raptors matchup and are uncertain to return for Monday's rematch. Jaylen Brown is doubtful for the Celtics, and P.J. Washington is doubtful for the Mavs, while Andrew Nembhard is questionable for the Pacers, and Jusuf Nurkic is probable for the Jazz.

This article will provide you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 1/12/26. Remember to monitor NBA injury news and our awesome NBA injuries report tool, as the slate can completely change before lineups lock at 7:00 p.m. EST on FanDuel and DraftKings. To keep up with all the latest developments and get access to updated projections, grab an NBA season pass and also gain access to our RotoBaller Premium Discord, where our experts are talking about the slate up until lineups lock!

NBA DFS Core Picks

Payton Pritchard, BOS - PG (also SG on FD), (DK $6.9K, FD $8.3K)

Pritchard is one of the best options to build your lineups around on Monday night since he'll be stepping into a much larger role with Brown expected to be out. Pritchard is extremely affordable on DraftKings and gets a great matchup against the Pacers, who have been one of the best matchups for fantasy this season, especially for point guards.

Pritchard will be trying to shake off a rough game from Saturday, when he finished a back-to-back with just four points, five rebounds, and four assists, in 29 minutes in a loss to the Spurs. Before that, though, he had been off to a strong start to the month, averaging 18.6 points, 5.8 assists, 4.6 rebounds, and 36.8 DraftKings points per game in his first five games of 2026. He had 27 points and 48.2 DraftKings points against the Raptors last Friday, even with Brown in the rotation

Payton Pritchard gets hit with a headbutt (no call) and then, while still bleeding from his head, finishes the layup after an impressive move to the basket.

Pritchard dropped a team high 27 points in the Celtics win. Jaylen Brown said PP was “balling” tonight. #Celtics pic.twitter.com/bqay5jH3xB

— Jack Aylmer (@Jack_Aylmer) January 10, 2026

In his two games without Brown this season, Pritchard had 42.5 DraftKings points against the Wizards and 59.8 DraftKings points against the Raptors. With his usage rate jumping 7.7 percentage points when Brown is off the floor this season, he should be busy and productive in this smash spot on Monday, so build around Pritchard with confidence this Monday.

Donovan Mitchell, CLE - SG (also PG on FD), ($9.4K DK, $9.6K FD)

Spida brings a hefty price tag to this matchup on Monday, but he'll be fired up to face his former team as the Cavaliers host the Jazz. Mitchell has only faced the Jazz four times in his career since he was traded from Utah to the Eastern Conference. He had 46 points in his first return to Utah two years ago, and he has averaged 26.8 points, 4.5 assists, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.0 steals in his four career games against the Jazz.

Mitchell comes into this matchup on a nice run, scoring at least 28 points in five straight games. He has over 47 DraftKings points in each of those five games as well after dropping 28 points and eight assists in the Cavs' big win last Saturday against the Timberwolves.

Well ok Donovan Mitchell pic.twitter.com/ILihldRJXp

— Steve Jones (@stevejones20) January 10, 2026

There's some obvious blowout risk with Mitchell, but he should be able to get his points against his former team on Monday night in The 'Land.

Noah Clowney, BKN - PF, ($5.2K DK, $5.7K FD)

In the frontcourt, Clowney is one of my favorite plays to build around on Monday due to his recent upside at his affordable salary. Clowney tied for the team lead in scoring on Sunday afternoon with 17 points against the Grizzlies and brought his usual strong non-scoring numbers as well to finish with 35 DraftKings points and 35.7 FanDuel points in 30 minutes. He has over 30 FanDuel points and over 27 DraftKings points in three of his last four games and has been a steady contributor in Brooklyn's starting five most of the season.

He has double-digit points in nine of his last 10 games while averaging 13.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.9 blocks in 29.6 minutes per game. While he can be inefficient, the 21-year-old brings a high ceiling at this salary.

With the Mavs thin in the frontcourt in the absence of Davis and likely Washington, Dallas should be a solid matchup for Clowley to continue his steady mid-range production, with the potential to carry more work as well if the injury report opens up more upside for him.

NBA DFS GPP Pivots

Scottie Barnes, TOR - PF (also SF on FD), ($8.2K DK, $8.6K FD)

With the Raptors missing Barrett and Ingram on Sunday, Barnes stepped up with an impressive 31 points, seven assists, and six rebounds while playing 43 minutes during the Raptors' 116-115 overtime win over the 76ers. He made the game-winning free throw with 0.8 seconds left in overtime before deliberately missing his second free throw to let time expire. After beating up on the 76ers all game long, he finished with 50.2 DraftKings points and 47.4 FanDuel points.

OH MY GOODNESS SCOTTIE BARNES!

WINDS UP AND THROWS DOWN THE ONE-HANDED POSTER 💥💥

Tap to watch the finish of 76ers/Raptors: https://t.co/ulgxsiRIDk pic.twitter.com/lNzf3EBJ7N

— NBA (@NBA) January 12, 2026

In Monday's rematch, he could be in for another huge game depending on who else from his team is available, and who the Sixers have on the second game of their back-to-back. Barnes missed Friday's game with a knee sprain but looked very healthy and able to carry the load on Sunday. Check the injury report, but if he plays and carries most of the work, he'll have a very high GPP ceiling again on Monday.

Evan Mobley, CLE - PF/C, ($7.9K DK, $8.1K FD)

While the blowout risk is very real (like with Mitchell), the matchup against the Jazz is a very cushy one for Mobley, who has been excellent lately. In his seven games since returning to the starting lineup, he is averaging  16.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 2.6 blocks, and 1.0 steals per game for  37.6 DraftKings points per game.

Mobley has 19+ points in each of his last three games and is settling in as one of the most reliable big men to build around whenever the Cavs are on the slate. Lauri Markkanenis another strong PF to consider on the other side of the matchup, but it's hard to argue with Mobley's consistency since returning from injury.

Naji Marshall, DAL - SF (also SG on DK and PF on FD), ($6.1K DK, $6K FD)

Marshall has started the last three games for the Mavs while P.J. Washington has been out, producing at least 14 points and 26 DraftKings points in each game. Marshall can be a streak producer, and he should be in a good spot at home against the Nets.

In his eight games without Washington this season, Marshall is averaging 17.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 34.0 minutes per game for 31.9 FanDuel points and 31.8 DraftKings points. He's only played three games this season without both Davis and Washington, averaginga team-leading 38 DraftKings points and 39 FanDuel points in that scenario.

NBA DFS Value Picks

Jamal Shead, TOR - PG (also SG on FD), (DK $4.4K, FD $4.3K)

The Raptors' injury report will be key to watch for Monday, with Ingram and Barrett possibly returning and even Barnes possibly sitting for the second night of the back-to-back. If there are minutes available for Shead, though, the second-year point guard has proven he can be a big fantasy asset.

Shead started Sunday for just the second time this season and delivered 22 points and six assists in 37 minutes. He was coming off a strong showing on Friday as well, when he had 13 points and eight assists in 24 minutes against the Celtics.

Jamal Shead has a season-high 22 points 🤩 pic.twitter.com/SxzvFvunPY

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) January 12, 2026

Shead has at least five assists in seven of his last eight games and is averaging 10.4 points and 5.9 assists per game over that stretch. If the minutes are available, he's a great bargain to include in your roster builds for Monday.

Collin Murray-Boyles, TOR - PF/C (DK $5.1K, FD $5.7K)

Another key contributor to the Raptors' win on Sunday was rookie Collin Murray-Boyles, who had 17 points and 15 rebounds on his way to 50+ DraftKings points. Like with Shead, it will be critical to watch for the injury report, but if he's set up for big minutes again, he should thrive, especially if Joel Embiid sits for a second straight game.

The rookie has shown an impressive and versatile skill set and a very high ceiling for his salary on both DK and FD this Monday night. His versatility to fit at forward or center also makes him easy to fit into most builds on Monday.

Neemias Queta, BOS - C (DK $5.2K, FD $5.6K)

Without Brown, Pritchard and Derrick White will likely run the show in the backcourt and get most of the usage, but Queta could get a little more work down low as well. He has shown a nice connection on lobs from both Pritchard and White throughout the season and had 38.8 DraftKings points and 22.0 DraftKings points in the two games that Brown missed in December.

Queta has at least eight points in 11 of his last 12 games and at least 13 rebounds in three of his last four. A double-double is definitely a strong possibility in a favorable matchup against the Pacers Monday night.

Sam Merrill, CLE - SG/SF, (DK $4.9K, FD $4.9K)

More bargain value could open later as injury reports come out, but coming into the day, Merrill looks like a strong and relatively safe play on the wing for the Cavs. After missing a month with a hand sprain, he has worked his way back into a contributing role off the bench with at least 19 points in three straight games. He has made at least four three-pointers in five straight games, and with the added boost on DraftKings for shots from long-range, he has over 25 DraftKings points in four straight contests.

Depending on how the game plays out and if it stays competitive, he could end up with a wide range of outcomes. However, he should find plenty of room to operate against the Jazz, who have allowed more fantasy points per game to shooting guards than any other team in the NBA.

Today's Top Game Stacks

Jazz (+13) at Cavaliers (250.5 O/U)

Pacers (+7) at Celtics (223.5 O/U)

My Favorite NBA DFS Picks for Today

Here is where I leave you with some of my favorites.

• My favorite OVERALL play on the slate: Payton Pritchard
• My favorite CASH play on the slate: Payton Pritchard
• My favorite GPP play on the slate: Donovan Mitchell
• My favorite VALUE play: Jamal Shead

NBA DFS News and Injury Alerts

More DFS Lineup Picks and Analysis