X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


DraftKings Daily Fantasy Basketball Picks (1/16/18): NBA DFS Lineups

That was a crazy weekend of football followed by a massive day of basketball which ended in one team trying to break into the locker room of another. This smaller four-game slate should alllow you time to catch your breath. There are some high totals to work with, however, so you may want to have some fun on Tuesday.

Below you will find my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 1/16/18. I'll provide my value plays based on price for each position. I'll aslo highlight a few high-upside tournament plays for each position.

You can also read more DFS advice and lineup picks for sites like FanDuel, and other sports too. If you have any questions or just want to banter about NBA DFS, hit me up on Twitter @BellRoto. Let's get to it!

Featured Promo! Save 50% on any PGA Premium Pass using discount code MASTERS, this week only! Win more with our DFS and Betting Packages, get expert tools and advice from proven winners including the Lineup Optimizer, Research Station, betting/props cheat sheet and more. GAIN FULL ACCESS HERE

 

DraftKings DFS Guards

Jeff Teague - PG, @ ORL ($6,400)

It hasn't taken long for Jeff Teague to become comfortable in his role in the Minnesota offense again after sitting for a few weeks with an injury. His last two games he has put up 26 shots, 12 free throws, and 16 assists. It's also nice to see him excel defensively, collecting eight steals in his three games since returning. This is a prime matchup against a fast-paced Orlando team who is one of the worst defensively against point guards. At this price point Teague needs just over 30 DK points to satisfy you in cash games, and anything near 40 puts you in good GPP standing. I like him in all formats considering he should be back over 30 minutes if the Magic can keep this one close enough.

Dennis Smith Jr. - PG/SG, vs. DEN ($6,300)

This rookie point guard's usage hasn't dipped below 25% since Christmas. It's safe to say Dallas is handing Dennis Smith Jr. the reins to the offense. There isn't a shot on the court that DSJ won't take, and that's evidenced by his 19 shot attempts in two of the last three games. The Nuggets are tpically a good matchup for point guards as long as Gary Harris doesn't slide over to cover them, and I don't think he does that all that often. Like Teague, DSJ just needs to crack 30 DK points to be considered "safe", and we know he has all the upside in the world.

Other Guards to Consider: Damian Lillard, Devin Booker, Elfrid Payton

 

DraftKings DFS Forwards

DeMarcus Cousins - PF/C, @ BOS ($10,500)

DeMarcus Cousins is my favorite stud on Tuesday's slate despite another big man closing in on him solely due to price comparison. Even on his bad games, Boogie seems to somehow get his way to 50 DK points. On his good games? Watch out. Last game was teammate Anthony Davis' blow-up game, so I'm hoping Cousins explodes in this one. He can contribute in literally every category, and Aron Baynes doesn't have what it takes to stop him.

Al-Farouq Aminu - SF/PF, vs. PHO ($4,700)

This is the perfect game environment for Al-Farouq Aminu. Prior to last game against Minnesota in which Portland needed to play big, Aminu was consistently getting 30+ minutes. I wish I could say that made him a lock for 25 DK points, but unfortunately his lower usage and shooting consistency leaves him a little risky. Even still, I think he comes up with a bunch of rebounds, a few steals/blocks, and a good amount of open three-pointers in transition. The floor and upside seem great for this salary saver on Tuesday.

Other Forward to Consider: Anthony Davis, T.J. Warren,

 

DraftKings DFS Centers

Nikola Jokic - C, @ DAL ($8,700)

Cousins is the only reason why Nikola Jokic fails to receive the "favorite play on the slate" title. This price is still making me consider a change of heart, though. A safe point of 43 DK points or so seems like a lock for Jokic against a team that struggles to rebound and defend the rim. He can shoot from the outside if defenders choose to play the drive, and he has the post scoring and passing skills to kill teams in the paint too. Jokic is a great play for his cash game safety as well as his massive triple-double upside.

Aron Baynes - C, vs. NO ($3,800)

Baynes gets another mention just because Boston will need his size more than ever againt the Pelicans. Like we saw against Minnesota, Baynes is a great play at this price when we can project him for more than 20 minutes. He's not afraid to shoot, and he'll fall into a handful of rebounds just by guarding Boogie and Davis all night. If he can stay out of foul trouble, Baynes could get to 30 DK points pretty easily. I will say I feel better about him in tournaments than cash games, but you can certainly make an argument for both.

Other Centers to Consider: Bismack Biyombo, Alex Len

 

NBA DFS News and Injury Alerts





REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Chig Okonkwo

Can Chig Okonkwo Become a TE1 in Dynasty Leagues?
Aaron Jones Sr.

Trending Down in Dynasty Leagues
Romeo Doubs

Offers Dynasty Upside Even as the No. 2 Receiver
Pat Bryant

Dynasty Managers Have to be Patient with Pat Bryant
Isiah Pacheco

Will a Change of Scenery Re-Ignite Isiah Pacheco's Dynasty Value?
Rashid Shaheed

an Underpriced Dynasty Buy Heading into First Full Season with Seattle
Najee Harris

Is Najee Harris the Top Free Agent Back Left on the Market?
Jimmy Horn Jr.

A Dynasty Non-Factor After Quiet Rookie Season
Nick Chubb

Former Pro Bowler Nick Chubb No Longer a Player Worth Holding in Dynasty Leagues
Greg Dulcich

Is Greg Dulcich the No. 1 Target in Miami?
Jalen Williams

Limited in Game 6 Return
Jared McCain

Provides Bench Spark in Game 6 Loss
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Posts Lowest-Scoring Night of His MVP Season
De'Aaron Fox

Struggles From the Field Thursday
Stephon Castle

Controls the Spurs Offense in Game 6 Win
Dylan Harper

Finds His Rhythm Thursday
Victor Wembanyama

Drops 28 to Force a Winner-Take-All Game 7
Jalen Williams

is Active for Game 6
Thomas Sorber

is Optimistic About Playing in Summer League
NBA

Terry Rozier Gets Hit with New Charges
NBA

NBA Approves New Anti-Tanking Rules
Mitchell Robinson

Suffers Broken Pinky, Remains Without a Timetable
Isaac Guerendo

Suffers Torn Pec, Could be Ready by End of Training Camp
Noah Fant

Profiles as a Dynasty Drop Candidate Entering 2026
Rashee Rice

Andy Reid Expects Rashee Rice to be Ready for Training Camp
Jordyn Tyson

Remains Limited in OTAs on Thursday
Tank Dell

Not Participating in Texans OTAs
Jacoby Brissett

Mike LaFleur Not Concerned by Jacoby Brissett's Absence From OTAs
Darnell Washington

Participating in OTAs
Jaylen Warren

Slims Down Over the Offseason
Jaxson Dart

Addresses Teammates to Discuss his Involvement With President Trump
Garrett Wilson

Back at OTAs With Jets
Brock Bowers

Taking Part in OTA Workouts
MLB

MLB Proposes Hard Salary Cap as Part of Next CBA
Kenley Jansen

Tigers Place Kenley Jansen on Injured List With Pelvic Inflammation
Teoscar Hernández

Teoscar Hernandez Heading to Injured List With Hamstring Strain
Cedric Coward

Aims to Improve Ball-Handling Ability
Jonas Valančiūnas

Jonas Valanciunas Attracting Interest From Europe
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Celtics Reportedly Not Interested in Giannis Antetokounmpo
LeBron James

Reportedly Waiting for Lakers Approach
MON

Lane Hutson Struggles in Game 4 Loss
CAR

Logan Stankoven Nets Eighth Postseason Goal
CAR

Sebastian Aho Pots Game-Winner on Power Play
CAR

Nikolaj Ehlers Tallies Two Helpers in Impressive Road Win
CAR

Shayne Gostisbehere Records Two Assists in Game 4 Win
CAR

Frederik Andersen Establishes Hurricanes New Postseason Shutout Record
Yordan Alvarez

Continues Homer Barrage With Two More Long Balls on Wednesday
Cristopher Sánchez

Cristopher Sanchez Makes History With Seven More Shutout Innings Against Padres
Teoscar Hernández

Teoscar Hernandez Lifted From Wednesday's Game Early With Hamstring Strain
Kenley Jansen

Exits Relief Appearance on Wednesday With Groin Injury
Mason Plumlee

NBA Upgrades Mason Plumlee's Foul to a Flagrant 1
Victor Wembanyama

Receives Warning From NBA
Atlanta Hawks

Hawks Promote Onsi Saleh to President of Basketball Operations
Jalen Williams

Listed as Questionable for Game 6
Ajay Mitchell

Ruled Out for Game 6
Eury Pérez

Eury Perez Pulled Early on Wednesday With Hamstring Issue
CFB

Drew Mestemaker a Top Big 12 Quarterback Right Away?
PGA

Sungjae Im Remains Boom-or-Bust at Colonial
PGA

Michael Thorbjornsen Trending in Wrong Direction Entering Colonial
Russell Henley

a Top Option at Colonial
Harry Hall

Hoping Putter Carries Him at Colonial
Rickie Fowler

Looks to Regain Momentum at Colonial
Pierceson Coody

Looking to Stay Hot at Colonial
Martin Necas

Collects an Assist in Game 4 Loss to Golden Knights
Gabriel Landeskog

Scores Only Avalanche Goal in Season-Ending Loss
Carter Hart

Finishes Series-Clincher With 20 Saves
Dylan Coghlan

Continues Unlikely Success Story
Cole Smith

Scores Series-Clincher Tuesday Night
Mark Stone

Nets Another Goal as Golden Knights Finish Off Avalanche
Ludvig Aberg

Looking to Exchange Momentum for a Victory in Fort Worth
Stephan Jaeger

Trending Upward as PGA Heads to Fort Worth
Max Homa

Comes Off Awful Putting Performance at PGA Championship
Tony Finau

Faces Different Test at the Colonial
Robert MacIntyre

Seeks Better Beginning in Fort Worth
Tom Hoge

Ups and Downs Could Continue at Colonial
Brian Harman

Not Having the Best Golf Season in 2026
Austin Eckroat

Struggling Too Often Heading to Charles Schwab Challenge
Zach Bauchou

Tries to Keep Momentum Rolling at Colonial
Keegan Bradley

Looking to Rebound at Colonial
Claude Giroux

Planning to Return for 20th NHL Campaign
Carter Hart

Aiming for Sixth Consecutive Win Tuesday
Evgeni Malkin

Inks New One-Year Deal With Penguins
Mackenzie Blackwood

in Net for Game 4 Against Golden Knights
Valeri Nichushkin

a Game-Time Call Tuesday
Nathan MacKinnon

Will Suit Up Tuesday
Ben Griffin

Looking to Repeat This Week at Colonial
Rasmus Hojgaard

a Player to Avoid at Charles Schwab Challenge
Hideki Matsuyama

Needs Solid Driving Week at Charles Schwab Challenge
Justin Thomas

Trending Well Ahead of Charles Schwab Challenge
Akshay Bhatia

Lacking Driving Prowess Needed at Colonial Country Club
CFB

DJ Lagway Looking to Rebound at Baylor
CFB

Josh Hoover Tasked With Leading Indiana Back to the Playoffs
CFB

Braylon Staley the Next 1,000-Yard Tennessee Receiver?
CFB

Ahmad Hardy's Return Timeline Remains Unclear
Ivan Demidov

Contributes an Assist in Losing Effort
Lane Hutson

Records Power-Play Goal in Game 3 Loss
Frederik Andersen

Enjoys Another Easy Night at the Office in Game 3
Gage Jump

Athletics to Promote Top Pitching Prospect Gage Jump to Major Leagues
Tatsuya Imai

Two Relievers Combine to No-Hit the Rangers on Monday
Dylan Cease

Heading to Injured List With Hamstring Injury
Daniel Suarez

Wins at Charlotte in Rain-Shortened Coca-Cola 600
Christopher Bell

Finishes as the Runner-Up in the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte
Denny Hamlin

Falls Short of Winning and Places Third at Charlotte
Tyler Reddick

Places Fourth After Leading Laps at Charlotte
Kyle Larson

Strong and Consistent Day Ends in Fifth at Charlotte
Dylan Cease

Removed From Sunday's Start With Hamstring Discomfort
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Exits Sunday's Game Early with Elbow Contusion
MLB

Reds-Cardinals Game Postponed on Sunday
Edward Cabrera

Cubs Place Edward Cabrera on the 15-Day Injured List
Denny Hamlin

the Favorite to Win at Charlotte
Tyler Reddick

on Pole for Coca-Cola 600
Christopher Bell

Could Break Out of Slump
Kyle Larson

May have A Solid Day at Charlotte
Ryan Blaney

Is A DFS Risk for Charlotte Lineups
William Byron

Could have A Great DFS Performance at Charlotte
Chase Briscoe

Is A Solid Tournament Option for Charlotte DFS Lineups
Ty Gibbs

May not be Worth his Salary for Charlotte DFS Lineups
Chris Buescher

May be a Sneaky Tournament Option for Charlotte Lineups
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Has Favorable Upside for Charlotte DFS Lineups
Ross Chastain

Is A Strong Addition for DFS Lineups at Charlotte
Austin Dillon

Should Fantasy Managers Roster Austin Dillon for Charlotte DFS Lineups?
Chase Elliott

Should Be Strong at Charlotte
Carson Hocevar

Confident for Coca-Cola 600
Corey Heim

a Chalk DFS Pick at Charlotte
Michael McDowell

Is Michael McDowell A Tournament Option for Charlotte Lineups?
MLB

Orioles-Tigers Game Postponed on Saturday
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF