RADIO
The top daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on January 24, 2019. Leonard Francis II provides NBA DFS analysis and sleeper picks for building optimal DFS rosters.
The NBA schedule-makers spoiled us with 25 games over the past three days. It was a rather glorious three days, too. However, the day is now Thursday, which means it's back to reality. Back to the grind. Back to the tough, "Am I really considering Josh Okogie?!" decisions provided to us at the hands of yet another four-game slate.
... I've attempted to make some of the tough decisions for you. Feel free to send thanks (or a few expletives) my way later.
There aren't many steals on the board tonight, but we do have quite a few mildly priced options at our disposal who should outperform their salary while providing enough savings to enable the flexibility of a superstar or two in your lineup. Below you'll find a few of my favorite options of this middle-tier, but keep an eye on the injury report as the status of Damian Lillard, Deandre Ayton, Jeff Teague, Rajon Rondo, and to a lesser degree, Richaun Holmes, could all alter the landscape tonight.
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DraftKings DFS Guards
C.J. McCollum - SG, at PHO ($6,300)
"... In this world, nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes." - Benjamin Franklin
Big Ben wasn't alive to witness the Phoenix Suns, but if he were, the quote would read "... death, taxes, and the Suns giving up a gaggle of points." 28th in defensive rating, 29th in opponent's field goal percentage, 25th in points allowed. I would continue, but I think we're all on the same page here.
Tomas Satoransky - PG/SG, vs GS ($5,400)
Satoransky is averaging 5.3 rebounds per game since entering the Wizards starting lineup on December, 28th - tied for the 13th-most among guards over that stretch. The 5.5 assists per game have him 23rd at the position over that same timeframe with his two double-doubles being tied for 10th. None of these numbers are likely to jump off the screen, but when you consider they put him in the same company as Stephen Curry and teammate Bradley Beal, these less than impressive numbers take on a new, more impressive, light.
Now obviously, Satoransky doesn't get buckets at a level anywhere near those two, but he's shooting 43-percent from three and has scored in double-figures in six of the 11 games without John Wall. Individual numbers aside, the Wizards are quietly a Top-10 offense with regard to points per game while the Warriors -- also surprisingly -- find themselves in the Top-10 in terms of points allowed. Sato may not be a candidate to put 30 points on the board, but DraftKings fantasy points are the only concern here and he should easily finish the night flirting with 30.
DraftKings DFS Forwards
Josh Jackson - SF/PF, vs POR ($5,300)
T.J. Warren will miss this contest as he deals with an ankle injury, suggesting Jackson will see an increase in both minutes and usage. Just as he did in second half of Tuesday night's contest -- following the injury -- where he finished with season-highs in points, rebounds and blocks with 27, 10, and three, respectively.
Does any of this guarantee a repeat tonight? No. But, with DeAndre Ayton unlikely to suit up, Phoenix will be without two of their top three scorers, and a heavy dose of Jackson seems pretty likely. I guess there's always the chance that Devin Booker goes all Harden on us, but even if he does, the additional run should grant Jackson plenty of opportunities to put up numbers in the rebound and assist categories.
Jerami Grant - PF, vs NO ($5,000)
Playing alongside Russell Westbrook and Paul George has to be bittersweet. On one hand, the duo draws all of the defensive attention leading to easy buckets and production you may not see otherwise. On the other, you can put up seven-straight double-digit scoring performances for an average of 16 points with six rebounds per game, and no one will notice. Well, I've noticed, Jerami. And, the 30 DraftKings fantasy points per game you've put up over your last seven games are greatly appreciated.
Now keep it going.
Thank you.
PS - The Pelicans played last night, this will be their third game in four nights, and Julius Randle isn't very good at defense.
DraftKings DFS Centers
Steven Adams - C, vs NO ($6,600)
Adams is having a career year -- averaging a double-double with 15 points and 10 boards -- but with George and Westbrook in the mix, nobody is even batting an eye. Instead of wasting time by typing everything I just typed, take everything you just read about Jerami Grant and apply it to Steven Adams, but read Jahlil Okafor instead of Julius Randle.
Yes, Okafor is playing very well in place of Anthony Davis, but I refuse to allow the memories of the past two-and-a-half years to be erased by two solid games. Not to mention, Zaza Pachulia had eight points and 10 boards against the Pels last night. Zaza. Pachulia. Limited minutes as a result of a blowout, seems like the only thing that has a realistic chance at keeping Adams from his 20th double-double of the season tonight.
