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Thursday night NBA action will feature a five-game NBA DFS slate! Out of the ten teams in action, the Nuggets, Celtics, and Magic will be on a back-to-back. The slate will begin at 7:30 EST with the Suns at the Knicks being the only game that will tip-off in the early window.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 1/16/20. 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.
Jason Tatum sat out last night in a loss to the Detroit Pistons. Reports are that the Celtics were being cautious and that Tatum should not miss extensive time. In the event that Tatum misses another game, the other key members of the Celtics will need to step up in his absence. Other key injury news is the Denver Nuggets not having two starters in Paul Millsap and Jamal Murry, and the Phoenix Suns not having starting forward, Kelly Oubre.
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DraftKings DFS Guards
Donovan Mitchell - PG, @ NO($7,400)
The last time we saw Mitchell priced this low was 12/11. While his recent play has initiated this drop in price, I really like this spot for a breakout game. However, the lack of fantasy production can be a bit deceiving as Mitchell has been seeing fewer minutes as the Jazz have been blowing out opponents. The Pelicans will continue to be without their best on-ball defender in Jrue Holiday, who would likely be guarding him in this matchup. Look for a breakout game from Mitchell on Thursday night on a slate where the Jazz have the highest project team total for actual points.
Monte Morris - PG, @ GSW($4,400)
Last night, starting PG Jamal Murray injured his ankle in a matchup against the Charlotte Hornets. The injury paves the way for more minutes for Monte Morris, who will be starting in his place. Even as a bench player, Morris has been a respectable fantasy producer averaging 16.2 DK points per game while averaging 18 minutes a game this season. Look for him to continue to produce at nearly a DK point per minute and play 26-30 minutes in a nice matchup against the Warriors. Feel free to target other Denver players with confidence in this one. Michael Porter Jr should be on the best, but highest owned, value plays on the slate.
DraftKings DFS Forwards
Brandon Ingram - SF/PF, vs UTA($8,400)
After missing the last game, Brandon Ingram is probable Thursday night for a home matchup against the Utah Jazz. With so much value opening up on the small slate, we are going to have the salary to spend up at some positions. Ingram has had a breakout season filling up the stat sheet on a regular basis, and the Pelicans will need this to continue if they want to snap the ten-game win streak of the Jazz. As long as Jrue Holiday and Zion Williamson remain out of the lineup, expect Ingram and Lonzo Ball to carry the offense.
Mikal Bridges - SG/SF, @ NYK($4,500)
The absence of key starter and wing Kelly Oubre will leave the Suns without his 34 minutes and a 21.6% usage rate. One player that should benefit from this is the second-yard wing out of Villanova. While Bridges has experienced his fair share of shooting woes early in his career, it is encouraging to see that his rebounding is up to 6.1 per 36 minutes versus 3.9 last season. Looking at the per-game stats can be a bit deceiving simply because this Suns roster is deeper than years past, which has left Bridges averaging 6 minutes less per game this season. With Oubre scheduled to miss the game, look for Bridges to push 30 minutes and exceed value for his $4,500 price-tag. Also, consider SF/PF Cameron Johnson for the Suns at a $3,100 price-tag.
DraftKings DFS Centers
Julius Randle- PF/C, vs PHO($8,000)
The Suns are only favored by three points tonight in a game that is tied for the highest point total on the slate. Although the Knicks have been a train wreck, Julius Randle has been as steady as they come in terms of fantasy production. Randle has only failed to reach or exceed 35 DK points once in the last ten games, and he has exceeded 45 DK points in six of those games. Due to the three-point spread and high total, I have no reason to believe that Randle will not continue this consistent streak of production. We will definitely need him to push for 45+ DK points at this slightly elevated price.
