RADIO
Seven games total tonight, but only six on the main slate. With so few games, you have to throw common strategy out the window and take every factor into account. With fewer available options, you are going to see the same players picked throughout the night and failing to roster the guys that go off is going to cost you. Despite following the numbers being a viable strategy on most nights, you don't want to get caught playing anyone that doesn't produce and has 50% ownership tonight. Think outside the box.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 1/11/20. You can also check out today's FanDuel lineup picks. Remember to monitor injury news as the slate can completely change before line-up lock.
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Jamal Murray - PG/SG, vs. CLE ($6,900)
Add the Cavaliers to the list of teams you should feel no obligations to stacking your lineup against. Unfortunately, this means that not only does Jamal Murray have a ton of upside tonight, but so does Gary Harris, Will Barton (if he plays), and really anyone in the Denver backcourt. There is minimal defense on the Cavaliers end, so while it's not really bold taking Murray here with such a good price, this game just has a ton of variance and could be a better game for value plays. Either way, it's hard not to have confidence in rostering multiple Nuggets tonight.
Marcus Smart- PG/SG, vs NOP ($4,800)
After returning seven games ago, Marcus Smart scored 24 points on 14 shots in 30 minutes. This is the type of stat line we love to see from Smart, but everyone who knows anything about him knows how uncommon it is.. This season has been a complete turnaround for Smart, who has been dealing a career-high number of assists and already on track to have his best shooting season of his career, and in terms of fantasy he has been one of the most consistent value plays this year. There was some concern that he was going to take a few games to get back to the type of production he was posting earlier in the year, but after last game that time period is over. Roster Smart as you wish.
DraftKings DFS Forwards
Michael Porter Jr. - SF/PF, vs. CLE ($3,600)
Remember how I said the upside was high in this game? Well that absolutely includes star-rookie Michael Porter Jr. Since the Cavaliers were lacking defensive intensity and athleticism as it was, then having Kevin Porter go down and while it wasn't the sole reason, it added the already hectic situation. Not to bully Cleveland here, but bad defenses need to be exposed in DFS, so no mercy. As far as Porter Jr. is concerned, he's shown that he just needs to the minutes to produce, so this should be a big game for him to really show out and get some quality attempts as his momentum continues to pick up as we get deeper into the season. His versatility is extremely difficult to guard without a proper defensive scheme.
James Ennis III- SF/PF, @ DAL ($3,400)
This game is going to end up being a shootout between Dorian Finney-Smith and James Ennis III. Ok, that's just a joke about the variance of basketball, but the more I think about both these players playing, the more I think they are about to sit on the wing and be taking way too many shots. There are not too many really safe value options tonight, with even less at power forward. If you don't spend up tonight and want a super-risk, super-reward, low-owned pick, I don't think anyone will be rolling with Ennis tonight.
DraftKings DFS Centers
Daniel Gafford - C, @ DET ($4,400)
Contrary to the last pick, there are plenty of cheap options at center tonight. Even though the Bulls travel to Detroit to play Andre Drummond and the Pistons, that doesn't bother me with Daniel Gafford. Yes, there is a clear strength and size advantage for Drummond here, but Gafford creates his own production. He is going to struggle to score like he has been, and truth be told, the more minutes he gets the more he looks entrenched in a paint-roaming role. He tends to sacrifice his production for the sake of the team, but what makes this pick perfect is that exact aspect. If the team is thriving, Gafford sees a ton of return for his defensive efforts.
He is going to have to go above and beyond to effectively rebound tonight, but it's not out of the question and if any other Bulls can pick up any slack, it's going to open up door for not only the Bulls scorers, but Gafford as he looks to score easy fast break buckets and chances close to the rim.
