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The top daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on January 11, 2019. Daniel Benjamin provides NBA DFS analysis and sleeper picks for building optimal DFS rosters.
Welcome to the 13th Friday of the NBA season. While there are no marquee matchups among the nine games on the docket, although there are plenty of storylines. The main storyline is how will Giannis Antetokounmpo and James Harden follow their tremendous duel on Wednesday where the Bucks earned a come-from-behind victory over the Rockets behind Antetokounmpo's first 20-point and 20-rebound game of the season. Harden, who put up 42 points and 11 rebounds in the game, will look to top the 30-point mark will look to top the 30-point mark for the 15th straight game in a fantastic matchup against the Cavaliers. Meanwhile, Antetokounmpo is probable for Milwaukee's game against Washington due to right quadriceps soreness and a left hip bruise.
Kawhi Leonard, who along with Antetokounmpo and Harden are the front-runners for MVP, will look to help the Raptors keep pace with the Bucks atop of the Eastern Conference as Toronto hosts Brooklyn. Leonard has been red-hot in January as he is averaging 31.8 points a game on 62.3 percent shooting from the floor. This Raptors-Nets matchup is one of the four intriguing contests today as the Nets are in seventh place in the conference as they have won 13 of their last 18 games. Brooklyn won the first matchup between the teams in dramatic fashion. In other news, the Lakers will be without LeBron James (groin) until at least Wednesday (Jan. 16). The Lakers will look to improve to 4-5 without James against the Jazz in the "most intriguing game of the night". Los Angeles is currently in eighth place in the Western Conference while Utah is ninth, just two games behind the Lakers.
I will be providing you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 01/11/19. These DFS lineup picks can vary from higher-priced players and elite options to lower-priced players and value picks on DraftKings. You can also check out today's FanDuel lineup picks. As always, don't set your lineups to early and check player statuses before the opening tip.
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DraftKings DFS Guards
Eric Bledsoe: PG/SG @WAS ($6,100)
DFS players looking for a medium cost point guard with a very advantageous matchup can't go wrong with either Bledsoe or Malcolm Brogdon. But I am going with Bledsoe due to the fact that he will likely be monitored by Tomas Satoransky, who is one of the worst defensive guards in the league. The Wizards are giving up the most points, second-most assists and ninth most rebounds.
This matchup against Washington should cure what has ailed Bledsoe recently. The 29-year-old has struggled shooting from beyond the arc, missing 15 of 17 of his tries. He is averaging 10.0 points on 38.9 percent shooting (12 of 31) over his last three games while also committing 13 turnovers during this stretch. The good news is that he has still been still recording a decent number of fantasy points due to his ability to compile assists, rebounds, and steals.
Bledsoe is producing 29,4 DK fantasy points over his last five games and has topped the 30-point mark in four of his last nine appearances. I also like Brandon Ingram as a mid-priced option. If you want to spend on a top-notch lead guard Harden, Stephen Curry, Ben Simmons as well as Victor Oladipo all have favorable matchups.
Joe Ingles: SG/SF vs. LAL ($5,700)
Ingles is a value play here. The 31-year-old has been very inconsistent this year after having a breakout year last season. While his numbers are similar to those he posted last year, the Australian has not been as efficient as he is shooting 43.7 percent from the field and 37.1 percent from beyond the arc.However, Ingles is shooting just 38.3 percent from the floor and 29.2 percent on his three-point attempts in January.
The 6-foot-8 wing is coming off a solid 16-point and seven-assist effort despite making only six of 15 shots from the field in Wednesday's victory over the Magic. He also grabbed two rebounds, blocked one shot, recorded a steal as well and drained four three-pointers. It marked the third straight game that he posted numbers in rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. He had accomplished the feat just four times prior to this three-game stretch.
Ingles, who has scored in double-figures in three of the last five games, is averaging 9.6 points along with five rebounds, 1.4 triples and five assists over the past five games. He is averaging 26.9 DK fantasy points over his last five games, although he has topped the 30-point mark in five of his last 10 games. Ingles was pretty good in the first meeting against the Lakers this year (Nov. 23), posting 16 points, eight rebounds and five assists over 37 minutes. Gerald Green is another value play with Eric Gordon (knee) out once again. Furkan Korkmaz could also be in the conversation as a value play if J.J. Redick is forced to sit out another game.
Jimmy Butler, Klay Thompson and Andrew Wiggins are three higher priced players that I like at the shooting guard position. Tim Hardaway should also be given consideration as he has been pretty good against the Pacers this season.
DraftKings DFS Forwards
Thaddeus Young: SF/PF @NY ($5,600)
Young has improved his production, at least in one area, in each month this season. More importantly, he has been very consistent since the start of December, scoring in double-figures in 17 of his last 19 games. The 30-year-old is averaging 16.5 points, seven rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.8 steals while shooting 69.8 percent from the field and 60 percent from beyond the arc in four January games.
Young is producing 31.4 DK fantasy points over this four-game stretch. He has topped the 30-fantasy point mark in five of his past nine games with a ceiling of 42.25 against Cleveland on Jan. 8. Young has compiled 11.5 points, eight rebounds, 1.5 assists, two blocks, and three steals in two previous contests versus the Knicks. In addition, the 30-year-old has played better on the road than at home this year.
Antetetokounmpo, Leonard, Jimmy Butler, and Khris Middleton are the top-high price options. Otto Porter, Jeremy Lamb, DeMarre Carroll, Al-Farouq Aminu, P.J. Tucker, and Jae Crowder are other cheaper options that I like.
Draymond Green: PF/C vs. CHI ($7,000)
Green is currently playing his best basketball since returning from injury. His scoring production has been all over the map, but he has been a very consistent rebounder, distributor and rim protector. The 30-year-old has hauled in five or more rebounds in 12 of his last 14 games and doled out five or more assists in 13 of those 14 contests. He has scored in double-figures in four of his previous eight games, picking up three double-doubles in the process. In addition, Green has registered a blocked shot in six straight games, swatting nine shots away during this stretch.
While Green is a little pricey, he does have an excellent matchup. The seventh-year pro compiled three points, 12 assists and seven boards along with two blocks in an earlier outing versus the Bulls.
Domantas Sabonis is another quality play, but his value could slightly decrease if Myles Turner is able to go tonight. If Turner does return that shouldn't totally eliminate Sabonis from consideration. I also like John Collins, Pascal Siakam and Serge Ibaka here. Wendell Carter Jr. and Taj Gibson are value plays.
DraftKings DFS Centers
Clint Capela: C vs. CLE ($7,600)
Capela is Razzball's top play at center tonight and for good reason as he has been terrific all season. The 24-year-old has been a monster on the boards, particularly on the offensive end, and has been his usual shot-blocking phen. He ranks second in the league in offensive rebounds, fifth in total rebounds and eighth in blocked shots.
Capela has posted 12 double-doubles in his last 14 games. He has scored 13 or more points in each of his last five outings. The Switzerland native tallied 12 points, collected 10 rebounds, blocked four shots and dished out three assists.
