X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

DraftKings and FanDuel Daily Fantasy Basketball Picks (1/17/23): NBA DFS Lineups

It's a small slate today with only four games on the docket this Tuesday evening, but there are some compelling options at all price points and I'm going to do my best to highlight some picks in each price range.

The matchup between Portland and Denver carries the highest total today at 238.5 points and a showdown between superstars Damian Lillard and Nikola Jokic, too. The Nets have a favorable matchup against the Spurs, and the late game features Kawhi Leonard and the LA Clippers hosting Joel Embiid, James Harden, and the Philadelphia 76ers.

This article will provide you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for the respective main slates on DraftKings and FanDuel on 1/17/23. Remember to monitor the NBA injury report as the slate can completely change before lineups lock, which is at 7:00 pm ET on DraftKings and FanDuel.

Featured Promo: Get any DFS Premium Bundle for for 50% off using code SUMMER! Win more with expert advice from proven winners and exclusive DFS tools. Get instant access to RotoBaller's Lineup Optimizers, Research Stations, daily picks and VIP chat rooms across 10 sports! Go Premium, Win More!

 

DraftKings and FanDuel Guards - NBA DFS Lineup Picks  

Damian Lillard - PG, POR @ DEN ($9,500 DK, $9,900 FD)

Dame is pretty much my favorite play at any position on this slate, and I am probably going to be investing in his player props. He's in great form right now, averaging 38 points over his last five games and putting up some big numbers even in tougher matchups (Dallas twice, Cleveland, Toronto).

He's been spectacular against Denver this season, too. In three previous matchups with the Nuggets, Dame is averaging a lofty 35-6-9. Denver is a pretty decent team on defense, but they have struggled to slow down really good point guards at times and we know Dame thrives against better competition.

The Blazers are road dogs here, but Vegas is expecting a lot of points and for Portland to keep it withing 5-6 points. I look at Lillard as the cheapest stud on this slate with 60+ fantasy point potential and I am locking him in first in my lineups.

Tre Jones - PG, SAS vs. BKN ($6,500 DK, $6,800 FD)

Jones continues to be fairly priced on both sites, though some might even view him as a bit too expensive since we were used to getting him around 5.5k to 6k for such a long stretch.

But the price hike is warranted, as Jones is one of the most reliable options for the Spurs this season and has benefitted from the absence of Devin Vassell due to multiple injuries. Without Vassell in the lineup, Jones averages over 16 points per game which is a full three points more than his season average. He's actually cracked 20+ points in three of his last six games and the only thing really holding him back from massive numbers is minutes, as Popovich insists on playing a deep rotation and the Spurs have no interest in actually winning these games.

You know what you're getting here, though. You're getting at least 30 fantasy points with a ceiling of something like 45, which makes Jones a little better suited for cash lineups than GPPs.

Seth Curry - PG/SG, BKN @ SAS ($4,300 DK, $4,900 FD)

Kyrie Irving gets the biggest bump in usage with Kevin Durant out, but did you know that Seth Curry gets the second-biggest increase (around 5%) in usage, too?

Curry's game is pretty scoring-dependent, so he has some bust potential. But the Nets have a very favorable matchup with the Spurs here and Curry is projected to play 24-26 minutes off the bench and get up a lot of shots with the second unit. He's very affordable and if he can come anywhere close to what he did last time out against OKC (23 points, 3 threes), he's going to be one of the better values on this slate.

His PG/SG eligibility on both sites is also really nice, allowing us some flexibility to build the lineups we want.

ALSO CONSIDER: Royce O'Neale, Josh Richardson, Joe Harris

 

Want more NBA DFS tools and content? Our NBA Premium package includes our daily DFS Cheat Sheets, Research Station, Optimizer, and access to our Premium Slack Chatrooms where members can chat with our NBA analysts. Check out this big win from RotoBaller premium member Bsuperak on FanDuel using our Premium tools - join in on the winning!

 

DraftKings and FanDuel Forwards - NBA DFS Lineup Picks  

Aaron Gordon - PF, DEN vs. POR ($6,600 DK, $6,500 FD)  

The Nuggets are a hard team to target in DFS unless you just pay 12k for Jokic and call it a day. When one of their starters is out, we can take a harder look at the rest of the guys, but when they are all playing they tend to trade off big nights and it can be frustrating to play the guessing game with Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, and Michael Porter Jr.

MPJ is underpriced tonight, too, but I love this spot for AG. He's flashed a ceiling more often than MPJ this year and is playing some incredibly effective and efficient basketball. Nurkic will have his hands full with Jokic, leaving Jerami Grant to deal with Gordon and AG is going to be a matchup problem for Grant inside. He's taking fewer perimeter shots this year and has really focused on getting to the rim, which has paid off as he has fewer bad shooting nights.

With no true point guard on the roster, AG has some nice assist upside, too, as he and Jokic end up initiating the offense more often than Jamal Murray. He's a bit of a game theory play here as I think the most popular way to stack the Portland-Denver game will be to click Lillard and Jokic (but that will really force you into punting multiple roster spots, too).

Ben Simmons - PG/PF/C, BKN @ SAS ($5,900 DK, $6,900 FD)     

Simmons sat out Brooklyn's last game but posted 35 DK points in only 26 minutes against Boston before that - WITHOUT SCORING AN ACTUAL POINT. Yeah, that's right he had 9 boards and 13 assists in that game to go with 2 steals and a block.

His DK price didn't budge at all, making him underpriced again tonight and he's one of multiple Brooklyn pieces that I plan on using in lineups tonight against a Spurs team that plays absolutely no defense whatsoever. You can play him at PG or PF on FanDuel, or PF/C on DraftKings.

Norman Powell - SG/SF, LAC vs. PHI ($6,000 DK, $6,000 FD) 

Paul George is officially questionable tonight and if he returns, it could throw a bit of a wrench in my plans to play him. He's had to step up as the secondary scorer to Kawhi while PG13 has been on the shelf and has been playing closer to 30 minutes a night in George's absence.

Powell is an effective scorer off the bench and has been a pretty reliable DFS play the last few weeks. The uncertainty around George's return and this game is the last game on the slate might keep people off him and I understand why. I will have some lineups with an open roster spot or two left going into the last game just in case we get another absence from PG13, that way I can deploy some shares of Powell, Leonard, and maybe even a guy like Robert Covington, too.

ALSO CONSIDER: Kawhi Leonard, Pat Connaughton, Jeremy Sochan, Robert Covington

 

DraftKings and FanDuel Centers - NBA DFS Lineup Picks  

Nicolas Claxton -  C, BKN @ SAS ($7,200 DK, $7,200 FD)     

Claxton has emerged this year as Brooklyn's third-best player behind KD and Kyrie and his interior presence has really been a huge boon to their success on both offense and defense.

Claxton is blocking 2.7 shots per game while averaging a solid 12-8. This matchup against the Spurs is really appealing for big men, as they've really struggled all season to stop opposing centers and power forwards. Claxton is much too physical for the Spurs front court and he should continue to soak up some shots and boards that have been vacated by Durant.

This price is hard to stomach at first, but it's appropriate given his upside in this spot. While the Joker and Embiid are both deserving studs to pay up for on this slate, I like saving some cash and rolling with Claxton. Let's hope we get a block party and another 40+ fantasy point outing.

ALSO CONSIDER: Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid, 



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy basketball mobile app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, lineup notifications & DFS articles. All free!

NBA DFS News and Injury Alerts

More DFS Lineup Picks and Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

PGA

J.T. Poston Returns to John Deere Classic Looking for Another High Finish
Josh Naylor

Back in Action on Tuesday
Yordan Alvarez

Suffers Setback
Thriston Lawrence

a Decent Fit For John Deere Classic
Tom Kim

Not Finding Much to be Happy About Ahead of John Deere Classic
Nolan Arenado

Dealing with Finger Sprain
ANA

Mikael Granlund Moves to Anaheim on Three-Year Deal
Jacob Wilson

Scratched With Hamstring Soreness
NJ

Jake Allen Signs Five-Year Extension With Devils
VAN

Brock Boeser Remains in Vancouver on Seven-Year Deal
Conor Garland

Signs New Six-Year Deal with Canucks
Thatcher Demko

Signs Three-Year Extension with Canucks
Brandon Woodruff

Ready for Season Debut
Martin Fehérváry

Martin Fehervary Agrees to Seven-Year Extension with Capitals
Garrett Mitchell

Out for the Rest of the Season
MLB

Brewers-Mets Postponed on Tuesday
MLB

Tigers-Nationals Postponed on Tuesday
Zach Neto

Returns to Tuesday's Lineup
Milwaukee Bucks

Gary Harris Inks Deal With Bucks
MLB

Padres-Phillies Postponed on Tuesday
Charlotte Hornets

Mason Plumlee Heading Back to Charlotte
Si Woo Kim

is a Prohibitive Fade at John Deere Classic
Hunter Goodman

Back Behind the Dish on Tuesday
Jakob Poeltl

Agrees to a Contract Extension With Raptors
Ben Griffin

is the Appropriate Favorite at TPC Deere Run
Jason Day

is a Fine Play With Limited Upside at John Deere Classic
Vasilije Micić

Vasilije Micic Dealt to Bucks on Tuesday
Daniel Suarez

and Trackhouse Racing Parting Ways After 2025 Season
Luke Clanton

Looks to Have Another Strong Week at TPC Deere Run
Pat Connaughton

Traded to Hornets
Atlanta Hawks

Luke Kennard Lands in Atlanta
Breece Hall

Aiming to Prove He is "Still One of the Best in the League"
T.J. Watt

Steelers Not Planning to Trade T.J. Watt
Sacramento Kings

Dennis Schroder Set to Join Sacramento
Bo Bichette

Out Again on Tuesday
Trent Grisham

Likely Heading to Injured List
Boston Celtics

Luke Kornet Agrees to Contract With San Antonio
Jonas Valančiūnas

Nuggets Trade for Center Jonas Valanciunas
Royce Lewis

Twins Activate Royce Lewis
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Signs Massive Extension With Oklahoma City
Corbin Carroll

Eyeing Return Before All-Star Break
New York Knicks

Knicks Pick Up Guerschon Yabusele
Yordan Alvarez

Could Return Early Next Week
NFL

Negotiations on 18-Game Season Not Expected Until Next Year
Indiana Pacers

Myles Turner Leaves Indiana, Signs With Milwaukee
Kerry Carpenter

Shelved with Hamstring Issue
Tyler Boyd

Steelers Have Talked With Tyler Boyd
Milwaukee Bucks

Damian Lillard Waived By Milwaukee
Darren Waller

Coming Out of Retirement to Play for Dolphins
Alexander Romanov

Islanders Retain Alexander Romanov on $50 Million Contract
Andrei Kuzmenko

Signs Up for One More Year with Kings
Morgan Geekie

Signs Long-Term Extension with Bruins
Ivan Provorov

Stays in Columbus on Seven-Year Deal
Alex Pietrangelo

Stepping Away From Golden Knights for Health Reasons
Matias Maccelli

Maple Leafs Bring in Matias Maccelli
Evan Bouchard

Inks $42 Million Contract with Oilers
Vladimir Tarasenko

Wild Acquire Vladimir Tarasenko From Detroit
Patrick Kane

Signs New One-Year Deal with Red Wings
Brad Marchand

Lands Six-Year Extension
Aaron Ekblad

Remains a Panther on Eight-Year Deal
Mitchell Marner

Heads to Vegas
Randy Arozarena

Homers Twice, Plates Four Monday
Shea Langeliers

Hits Three-Run Homer In Return From Injured List Monday
Wilyer Abreu

Belts Grand Slam and Hits Inside-the-Park Home Run
Philadelphia 76ers

Trendon Watford Lands in Philadelphia
New York Knicks

Jordan Clarkson Expected to Sign With Knicks
Zack Wheeler

Tosses Eight Shutout Innings, Punches Out 10
Santi Aldama

Remains with Grizzlies
Atlanta Hawks

Nickeil Alexander-Walker Lands in Atlanta
Jalen Ramsey

Could Move Around in Pittsburgh
Los Angeles Clippers

Brook Lopez Strikes Deal With Clippers
Jonnu Smith

to be Used in Hybrid Role
Terry McLaurin

Commanders, Terry McLaurin Not Close on Contract Extension
Chicago Bulls

Tre Jones Remaining in Chicago
Michael Mayer

Raiders Not Interested in Trading Michael Mayer
Houston Rockets

Dorian Finney-Smith Signing With Rockets
Atlanta Hawks

Caris LeVert Joining Pistons
Aldrich Potgieter

Wins Rocket Mortgage Classic
Thorbjorn Olesen

Finishes Tied for 41st at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Denny McCarthy

Finishes Tied For 12th at Travelers Championship
Chris Kirk

Finishes Tied For Second at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Michael Kim

Finishes Tied for 26th at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Max Homa

Misses Cut at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Lucas Glover

Finishes Tied For Ninth at Travelers Championship
PGA

Nico Echavarria Finishes Tied For Sixth at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Pittsburgh Steelers

Rumors Still Swirling Around Potential T.J. Watt Trade
Ilia Topuria

Becomes The New Lightweight Champion
Charles Oliveira

Knocked Out At UFC 317
Kai Kara-France

Alexandre Pantoja Submits Kai Kara-France
Kai Kara-France

Submitted At UFC 317
Joshua Van

Extends His Win Streak
Tyler Boyd

Interested in Playing for Steelers
Miami Dolphins

Dolphins Now Looking to Acquire a Tight End
Brandon Royval

Drops Decision
L'Jarius Sneed

Says he's Healthy
Renato Moicano

Loses Back-To-Back Fights
Beneil Dariush

Gets Back In The Win Column
Felipe Lima

Suffers His First UFC Loss
Payton Talbott

Bounces Back
Minkah Fitzpatrick

Heading Back to Miami
Jonnu Smith

Shipped to Pittsburgh
Alex Bowman

Competitive Run Ends With Third-Place Finish at Atlanta
Erik Jones

Secures A Top-Five Finish After Adversity In Atlanta
Tyler Reddick

Collects A New Career-Best Finish At Atlanta
Jalen Ramsey

Steelers Acquiring Jalen Ramsey
Jonas Brodin

Expected to Miss Start of Next Season
TB

Conor Sheary Placed on Waivers for Contract Termination
Dante Fabbro

Stays with Blue Jackets on Four-Year Deal
Chase Elliott

Ends Winless Skid With Atlanta Victory
Brad Keselowski

Falls Short of Atlanta Victory
NFL

NFL Won't Hold Supplemental Draft This Year
Damon Arnette

Getting Second Chance With Texans
Deommodore Lenoir

Arrested for Obstruction of Justice
Carson Hocevar

Recovers From Big One to Finish 10th at Atlanta
William Byron

Caught up in Atlanta Big One but Retains Points Lead
Denny Hamlin

Top In-Season Challenge Seed Denny Hamlin Eliminated in Lap 70 Crash
Ty Dillon

Bottom Seed Ty Dillon Upsets Denny Hamlin to Advance in In-Season Challenge
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Expected to Make Second-Year Jump
Jalin Hyatt

Looking to Flip the Script in 2025
Kyle Larson

Don't Expect Kyle Larson to Win First Drafting Track Race on Saturday
Christopher Bell

Unlikely to Complete Atlanta Sweep
Brad Keselowski

Seeks Another Clutch Win for Hail-Mary Playoff Bid
Chris Buescher

Unlikely to Lead Enough to Have Much DFS Value
Alex Bowman

Qualifies Best Among Non-Fords but Unlikely to Contend at Atlanta
Ryan Preece

Will Probably Run Better Than Usual at Atlanta
Austin Dillon

Consistently Mediocre at Atlanta
Ty Gibbs

Slightly Faster Lately but Unlikely to be a Factor at Atlanta
Erik Jones

a Low-Key Strong DFS Option
Noah Gragson

Could Have DFS Value as One of the Lowest-Qualifying Fords
Riley Herbst

Unlikely to Replicate February Atlanta Finish
Charles Oliveira

Can Become A Two-Time Lightweight Champion
Ilia Topuria

A Favorite At UFC 317
Kai Kara-France

Can Become The New Flyweight Champion
Alexandre Pantoja

Set For Fourth Title Defense At UFC 317
Joshua Van

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Brandon Royval

Looks For His Third Win In A Row
Renato Moicano

Returns At UFC 317
Beneil Dariush

An Underdog At UFC 317
Payton Talbott

Looks To Bounce Back
Felipe Lima

Set To Open Up UFC 317 Main Card
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF