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The top daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on January 8, 2020. Dale Johnson provides NBA DFS analysis and sleeper picks for building optimal DFS rosters.
Wednesday features a nine-game slate with an abundance of injuries. We already have several stars ruled out (Jrue Holiday, Will Barton, Russell Westbrook, Kristaps Porzingis, etc.) and few who are unclear to play (Jimmy Butler, Bradley Beal, Kemba Walker, Domantas Sabonis, etc.)
There will be plenty of value going around with so many players out or banged up. Let's look at some who will benefit in Wednesday's action.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 1/8/20. 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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DraftKings DFS Guards
James Harden - PG/SG, HOU @ ATL ($12,800)
Obviously Harden's price tag is astronomical in this slate, but for good reason. Russell Westbrook (rest) is being held out for rest purposes and the Rockets face the Atlanta Hawks. The Hawks allow the second-most points to opposing guards and opposing teams overall this season. This game is also projected a whopping 235.5 total points due to the high-powered offenses and lackluster defenses. Harden's price tag might scare away most, but the fact of the matter is he is almost a lock for at least 50.0 DraftKings fantasy points.
Kevin Huerter - PG/SG, ATL v. HOU ($6,200)
Huerter has been heating up over the last week with four straight games of at least 38.0 DraftKings fantasy points per game. Over that span, Huerter averaged 21.0 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 3.8 three-pointers per game. Huerter has finally settled into his role after recovering from a shoulder injury earlier in the season. As mentioned above, this is projected to be the highest scoring game of the night against the Houston Rockets. The Rockets allow the second-most DraftKings fantasy points to opposing shooting guards this season and Huerter should have even more room to run with Russell Westbrook (rest) sitting.
DraftKings DFS Forwards
Derrick Favors - PF/C, NO v. CHI ($7,300)
Favors has notched four straight double-doubles and has nine straight games of double digit rebounding. Favors and the Pelicans host the visiting Chicago Bulls at home who have really struggled against big men this year. To make matters worse for the Bulls, they will be without breakout center Wendell Carter Jr. (ankle) for the foreseeable future. Before Carter went down, the Bulls have given up the second-most fantasy points to opposing centers on the season. Favors will have a very favorable matchup on Wednesday and could easily outplay his current price tag.
Michael Porter Jr. - SF/PF, DEN @ DAL ($3,800)
Porter Jr. has recently come onto the scene, including posting a career-high 25 points just two games ago. The Nuggets will be without Will Barton (personal) on Wednesday and this could be exactly what pushes Porter into the starting lineup this game. Porter's per-36 minutes stats this year are quite impressive with 20.2 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.0 three-pointers and 1.4 blocks. Porter will likely not surpass 30 minutes in this one, but it is worth noting he posted 19 points and six rebounds in 26 minutes in his lone start to the season. Look at Porter if you are in need of a punt play to partner with some high-priced options.
DraftKings DFS Centers
Daniel Gafford - C, CHI @ NO ($4,800)
With Wendell Carter Jr. (ankle) already ruled out and possibly missing more games, the Bulls will likely turn to Gafford as the replacement center. A popular pickup in fantasy, Gafford played in a season-high 25 minutes on Monday and posted 13 points on six-for-six shooting, eight rebounds and two blocks. Gafford has not played much due to the growth of Carter Jr., but Gafford boasts per-36 minutes stats of 13.9 points on 68.8 percent shooting, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.0 blocks this season. Gafford makes for a good punt play in this busy slate.
