The New Year is under way and there is no shortage of NBA action to get us started. We have a nice eight game slate to kickoff our week, with some interesting games out there. These size slates are my personal favorite, because there is a good mix of studs and value plays for you to fill out a roster. So sit back, read up, and let's win some contests!

In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 1/2/17. The DFS lineup picks will range from some of the elite players to mid-priced options and value plays on DraftKings. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to reach out to me on Twitter @DFS_Tom.

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DraftKings DFS Guards

Shelvin Mack - PG, @ BKN ($5,000)

With George Hill already ruled out of the game today vs the Nets, this leaves Mack as the starting point guard. Now, he is a back up for a reason, and isn't super consistent by any means, but he will you some good savings if you are rostering him in a GPP. When George Hill was out earlier in December, Mack did go through a stretch where he did score 20 or more DraftKings points in five of six games. So he could be used in cash or GPP, but don't expect much from him. The 20 point floor and exposure vs the Nets are the really the only things going for him tonight.

Klay Thompson - SG, vs DEN ($6,600)

Klay Thompson is a great cash game play, with some upside for GPP. We all know that he can go off and hit a bunch of threes, so he has a high ceiling. He also has a favorable match up tonight vs the Nuggets who are giving up 44 DraftKings points per game to shooting guards, which is third worst in the league. Thompson has scored 39 points or more in two straight games, so it seems he is on a bit of a streak and he isn't super expensive. The over under for this game is set around 227, so this should be super high scoring and it could be a good game stack if you are planning on playing a GPP tonight.

Russell Westbrook - PG, @ MIL ($12,300)

Westbrook is up against Giannis Antetokounmpo tonight in a match up of the triple double machines. Both of these players are playing at such a high level right now, it is really some amazing basketball to watch. But of late, it seems that Westbrook has been a bit more consistent. He has scored 60 or more DraftKings points in seven of his last eight games. Those are insane numbers, and as I mentioned a few weeks ago, he is on pace to average a triple double for the season and vying for the MVP. Only a GPP option, not a great cash option.

 

DraftKings DFS Forwards

Gordon Hayward - SF, @ BKN ($8,100)

Hayward is up against the Nets, and it is always a good idea to target players against them. You could even do a bit of a team stack, to try and soak up as many of the points for Utah as possible. Over is last six games, Hayward has scored 33 points or more in five of those games. That is super consistent and exactly what you look for in a cash game player. He does have a bit of upside for GPPs, but he doesn't seem to go off as much as we would like to see. The Nets are dead last in the league vs small forwards, giving up 44 points per game.

Otto Porter - SF, @ HOU ($6,100)

Porter has scored in double figures in four straight games and is really devolving into a nice wing player this year. The Wizards have a nice core group of young players and Porter is making a name for himself. With Bradley Beal missing their last game, and being listed as questionable for tonight's games, Porter could see an increase in looks on the offensive end due to Beal's absence. His season average is 29 DraftKings points, so you are looking at a lot of consistency, which is in part due to playing alongside John Wall.This game should also be high scoring, with a lot of up and down action, so there will be plenty of shots to go around.

Serge Ibaka - PF, @ NY ($6,700)

Ibaka has been on a really nice streak of the past few games. He has scored 39 points or more in four of his last five games. He has also scored in double figures in seven straight games. Those are some really impressive numbers for a player who isn't specifically known for his offensive ability. I think this is a time to buy in to Ibaka before his price comes up too high. He has a high floor right now and is in a decent spot to continue that trend. The Knicks are giving up 44 points per game to power forwards, so this is right inline with the production we expect from Ibaka.

 

DraftKings DFS Centers

Nikola Vucevic - C, @ NY ($6,200)

Vucevic is a nice mid range priced player for tonight. He will get you around 30 DraftKings points with small potential for upside, especially if he can get a double double. He has a super favorable match up the Knicks tonight who are second worst in the league vs centers, giving up a staggering 52 points per game. This is the kind of match up you want to key in on and exploit. Vucevic has about a 30 point floor and the upside comes from the match up vs a weak defense.

 

 

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