FanDuel NBA DFS Lineup Picks (1/20/21): Daily Fantasy Basketball Advice

Shane McNichol navigates a busy basketball schedule to find the top FanDuel NBA DFS lineup picks for 1/20/21, including a few enticing sleepers.

After a Tuesday slate with just two games on the schedule, the NBA ramps back up with a jam-packed Wednesday lineup. Twenty teams are scheduled to play in ten games across the national landscape.

Two marquee nationally televised tilts will be the highlights on Wednesday, with the Celtics and Sixers re-igniting their rivalry yet again and the Suns travelling to Houston to meet the new-look Rockets. Add in the third game of the James Harden era in Brooklyn and Wednesday becomes a must-watch night of basketball with tons of DFS options.

This post will be recommending daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for FanDuel on 1/20/20. You can also check out today's DraftKings lineup picks. Keep an eye on Rotoballer’s injury news to stay up to date before lineups are locked.

FanDuel DFS Guards

Anfernee Simons, PG - POR vs. MEM ($3,500)

After years of behind-the-scenes hype, it’s finally time for Anfernee Simons to step into the spotlight for Portland. CJ McCollum will miss a chunk of time with an injury, opening more minutes for the young Simons to shine. Certainly Damien Lillard and other Blazer starters will be expected to pick up the majority of McCollum’s scoring output, yet there will be room for Simons to step into an added role.

In the aftermath of McCollum’s exit, expect the 21-year-old Simons to answer the call.

Collin Sexton, PG - CLE vs. BKN ($7,100)

James Harden’s arrival in Brooklyn has made the Nets an attractive team for opposing DFS players. The Nets were already playing as one of the fastest teams in the league, with former high-tempo point guard Steve Nash at the helm. With Harden in tow, the Nets tempo has only sped up, playing two games with over 100 possessions since trading for the superstar guard.

A young team like Cleveland will look to run alongside the Nets, opening a high volume night for point guard Collin Sexton. He should be able to stuff the stat sheet as the Nets and Cavs both blow past the 100 point mark on Wednesday.

Malcolm Brogdon, PG - IND vs DAL ($8,800)

Early in the season, Malcolm Brogdon has been playing like an All-Star for the Pacers, notching 22.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.8 steals per night. He’s posted at least seven assists in all eight games since turning the calendar to January.

Throughout that stretch, while distributing the ball at an elite level, Brogdon has continued to score, thanks in large part to 47 percent from long range. He’s a consistent producer that can be relied on every night.

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FanDuel DFS Forwards

OG Anunoby, SF - MIA @ TOR ($6,000)

The Raptors appear to be rounding into form as they settle in to life in Tampa, winning three straight games to get back on track. OG Anunoby has been a large part of the Raptors turnaround, scoring in double-figures in each of his last five games. In those five contests, he also has averaged over 6 rebounds and nabbed 12 total steals.

Wednesday’s game versus a depleted Miami team should be a perfect chance for the former Indiana Hoosier to keep things rolling.

Xavier Tillman, PF  MEM vs. POR ($4,600)

With Jonas Valanciunas sidelined due to COVID-19 protocols, Xavier Tillman slid into the Grizzlies starting lineup on Monday night. He stepped up to the plate, posting 12 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals. That marked Tillman’s third straight game with at least 12 points and 4 rebounds, plus his fifth straight game over 20 fantasy points.

Valanciunas is questionable to return on Wednesday, but even if he does, Tillman has been a reliable stat-filler off the bench playing nearly 30 minutes most nights for Memphis. He’s a rookie to track moving forward.

Kawhi Leonard,  SF – LAC vs SAC ($9,100)

The Kings have been so bad defensively, you can make a compelling argument for almost any Clipper in tonight’s game, or any Kings’ opponent moving forward for that matter. The Minnesota Timberwolves have had the second least efficient defense in the NBA this year, allowing 114.9 points per 100 possessions, about 10 points worse than the NBA’s best defense, the Lakers. The Kings are allowing 121.8 points per 100 possessions, putting them in a bottom tier several miles behind the rest of the league.

So while any Clipper could be a smart play, you may as well maximize your value by opting for LA’s top offensive option in Leonard. If your lineup needs a lower priced option, consider other Clippers like Marcus Morris or Nicolas Batum.

FanDuel DFS Centers 

Joel Embiid, C PHI vs BOS ($9,800)

The Sixers big man returns to the lineup after missing one game last week and a second Sixers game being cancelled due to health and safety protocols. This means Embiid enters Wednesday’s game with six full days of rest. This is crucial for a player of Embiid’s size and injury history.

Per Basketball Reference, Embiid’s production sky-rockets when he has extra rest. Last season, he averaged more minutes, points, and rebounds per game with three plus days of rest. With even three days off, Embiid posted 28.2 points and 14.9 rebounds per night in nine such games. With even more time to re-charge, Embiid should be set for a big night.

NBA DFS News and Injury Alerts

More DFS Lineup Picks and Analysis