January 17, 2016

Demetri highlights the top daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for 1/17/16. These are the top value and sleeper plays for your DraftKings NBA DFS lineups.

There are only five games on Sunday's slate, requiring a heavy look at matchups more so than recent performances. On a shorter card, it's important to select cheaper players to make room for the Westbrook's and the Curry's, who will likely all be heavily owned despite their prices. The mid-range and lower level guys come in handy the most here, especially those who may not be owned by a lot of DFS players.

Tonight's lineup features three Rockets ready to take off against the Lakers, several players from the Miami/Oklahoma City game, and a couple other value plays.

Check out my daily NBA picks for DraftKings, 1/17/16

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DraftKings DFS Point Guards

Ty Lawson (vs LAL, $3,800)

Lawson is handcuffed to the status of Patrick Beverly, who missed action earlier in the week. Lawson and Jason Terry inherited minutes, and would again if Beverly sits. Terry simply doesn't have much left, while Lawson, who although has had his fair share of ups and downs this season, can do more for a daily fantasy lineup. Once a promising young talent on the Denver Nuggets, suddenly seems like he's dancing around in La-La Land in Houston. However, since he's already proven himself in the past, the matchup against Los Angeles is even more appealing. The Lakers have surrendered the second most points to point guards in the NBA this season.

Deron Williams (at SA, $5,800)

Since resting what seemed like their entire team Wednesday, the Dallas Mavericks as a whole should be well-rested four days later and ready to face the San Antonio Spurs. Williams is affordable while the Mavs could find themselves playing catchup against one of the league's best teams, ensuring plenty of minutes for Williams. Especially playing in San Antonio. Although it was a close game throughout the last time these two teams played, where Williams saw the court for 36 minutes, while nearly posting a double-double.

DraftKings DFS Shooting Guards

Dwayne Wade (at OKC, $6,800)

With Goran Dragic set to miss another game, Wade is one of the top daily fantasy picks for Sunday. Wade has been nursing an ailing shoulder himself but his performance doesn't appear to be affected by it. Wade will likely be heavily involved in the offensive, and defensive, mix for Miami, especially facing the Thunder. Expect to watch a high scoring game, one featuring some of the NBA's best talent, specifically a matchup between Wade and Russell Westbrook.

DraftKings DFS Small Forwards

Kevin Durant (vs MIA, $9,700)

Do we ever need a reason for picking Kevin Durant in daily fantasy? Take a few seconds to shake your head, mouth the word 'no' and get ready. Because I'm going to give you a couple reasons anyway. The Heat have relinquished the most points to small forwards in the league this season. This makes plenty of sense because the four-spot is undoubtedly the weakest position on Miami, skill-wise and depth-wise. Granted defensive pairings are shaken up and matched up outside of positions, but we can expect Durant to get plenty of looks from the field and from downtown, as he usually does.

Trevor Ariza (at LAL, $5,200)

The Lakers and the Rockets both give up around 105 points per game, both of whom are in the bottom five in that category. But the Rockets have played a lot better of late and will look to expose one of the many weaknesses that plague the Lakers. Los Angeles has given up the sixth most fantasy points to small forwards this season. Ariza hasn't wowed anybody this season, averaging a little over 11 points per game, but he has proven he can break out and tally plenty of stats into other categories. In two games against the Lakers this season, Ariza has averaged five rebounds, five assists, and three steals.

DraftKings DFS Power Forwards

Chris Bosh (at OKC, $7,800)

Bosh is the second of The Big Three to make an appearance on this lineup. Unfortunately Lebron isn't playing tonight. We could have had a nice digital reunion. Anyway, Bosh has also benefitted from injuries on the Heat. Miami doesn't appear to be taking any chances with their prized young center, Hassan Whiteside. If Whiteside's minutes continue to be monitored and if he continues come off the bench, Bosh will inherit plenty more rebound and block opportunities. Even with a healthy ball club in Miami, Bosh is always a solid play for tournaments and head-to-head. This will be a fun game to watch, as Bosh is set to clash with KD and Serge Ibaka.

DraftKings DFS Centers

Dwight Howard (at LAL, $7,700)

The poor Lakers. Los Angeles has also allowed the second most fantasy points to Centers this season. Insert Dwight Howard into the DFS lineup equation, and success will likely emerge after the equal sign. Despite his continuous Shaq-impersonation from the charity stripe, Howard is showing shades of his former dominance, inside the paint, on the boards. He's back to being a double-double machine, and should feast on the Lakers weak front court.

Lavoy Allen (at DEN, $3,400)

For his price, Allen has a good chance of reaching value and impacting a fantasy lineup with 15-20 fantasy points. Allen is the type of guy that can free up plenty of cap space to go after guys like Westbrook, Durant, Harden, George, etc., all of whom hold tremendous value on a card with only five games. Allen won't blow anyone away with his performances but he is capable of scoring in double-digits, while grabbing a bunch of boards. The Nuggets have been playing better of late, recently beating the Golden State Warriors, so there should be no reason why Allen doesn't get his minutes.

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