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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!

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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

Chase Elliott

has Plenty of Upside for Nashville DFS Lineups
William Byron

Is William Byron A Playable DFS Option for Nashville Lineups?
Wan'Dale Robinson

Dynasty Value May Have Peaked in 2025
Carson Hocevar

Is Likely to have Another Solid Result at Nashville
Tyler Shough

Should Dynasty Managers Consider Selling High on Tyler Shough?
NASCAR

Should Fantasy Players Roster Bubba Wallace at Nashville?
Garrett Wilson

Dynasty Upside Remains High Despite Questionable Offensive Environment in New York
Chris Buescher

Is A Decent All-Around DFS Option for Nashville Lineups
Daniel Suarez

is Likely to Drop Positions during the Cracker Barrel 400
Kenneth Gainwell

Carries Dynasty Sell-High Appeal After Breakout 2025 Campaign
Emeka Egbuka

Undervalued in Dynasty Formats After Underwhelming Close to 2025?
Trey Benson

a Dynasty Hold Despite Unfavorable Situation
Omar Cooper Jr.

a Long-Term Investment in the First Round of Rookie Drafts
Colston Loveland

Just How High is Colston Loveland's Dynasty Ceiling?
Garrett Crochet

Suffers Setback, Likely to Undergo MRI for Lat Tightness
Zay Flowers

A New-Look Offense in Baltimore Could Impact Zay Flowers' Dynasty Value
LeQuint Allen Jr.

a Dynasty Dart Throw with a Potential Path to Upside
Denny Hamlin

Could Denny Hamlin Dominate at Nashville?
Ryan Blaney

Is a DFS Tournament Option at Nashville
Ty Gibbs

Don't Overlook Ty Gibbs at Nashville
Joey Logano

Could Show Life at Nashville
Ross Chastain

Needs a Good Run at Nashville
Shedeur Sanders

Falling Behind in Quarterback Competition?
Isaiah Davis

Is Isaiah Davis the More Valuable Jets Handcuff?
Trey McBride

a Coveted Dynasty Cornerstone
Chet Holmgren

Fails to Step Up in the Season Finale
Brock Purdy

Still Not Valued as a Dynasty QB1
Cason Wallace

Ends Postseason with Strong Showing
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Caps MVP Season with Game 7 Exit
Justin Jefferson

an Obvious Bounce-Back Candidate
Stephon Castle

Continues Postseason Run with 16 Points
Julian Champagnie

Shines in Series-Clinching Win
De'Aaron Fox

Provides Secondary Punch in Game 7 Triumph
Victor Wembanyama

Earns Conference Finals MVP in Spurs' Game 7 Win
J.J. McCarthy

Holding J.J. McCarthy in Dynasty Leagues Will Require Patience
Harold Fannin Jr.

Does Harold Fannin Jr. Have Top-Three Upside in Dynasty Leagues?
Jaylen Waddle

the Top Receiver to Roster in Denver?
Josh Downs

Climbing Up the Dynasty Rankings with Bigger Role Ahead?
Jalen McMillan

Has Been 'Slightly Better' Than Teammate During OTAs
Mike Evans

a Risky Upside Buy for Contending Dynasty Managers
NBA

Warriors Prioritize Depth Around Returning Steve Kerr
Donovan Mitchell

Remains Cleveland's Top Priority
Adou Thiero

Remains a Lakers Development Project
NBA

76ers Hire Mike Gansey as President of Basketball Operations
NBA

Chicago Bulls Explore Kevin Young as Coaching Candidate
Kyrie Irving

Reports He's Nearing Full Strength in ACL Recovery
Lane Hutson

Posts a Power-Play Assist in Game 5 Loss
Cole Caufield

Nets a Power-Play Goal in Season-Ending Loss
Seth Jarvis

Closes Out East Finals With Multi-Point Game
Logan Stankoven

Notches Three Points in Big Game 5 Win
Taylor Hall

Racks Up Three Points in Series-Clinching Win
Frederik Andersen

Remains Stellar as Hurricanes Clinch Finals Berth
Jacob Gonzalez

is Heading to the Big Leagues
Munetaka Murakami

Exits with Hamstring Tightness
Mitchell Robinson

Plans to Play in Game 1 After Finger Surgery
Ajay Mitchell

Ruled Out for Game 7
Jalen Williams

Unavailable in Decisive Game 7
NBA

Magic Finalizing Hire of Sean Sweeney as Head Coach
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Eury Perez is Placed on 15-Day Injured List
Deiveson Figueiredo

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Yadong Song Returns At UFC Macau
Alonzo Menifield

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Zhang Mingyang

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Tallison Teixeira

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
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A Favorite At UFC Macau
Cameron Smotherman

Looks To Bounce Back
Kai Asakura

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
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Faizon Brandon In Position to Start Week 1
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Dane Weber Commits to Cal
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Joey McGuire Attempts to Add Texas to Schedule
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Mike Leach on 2027 College Football Hall of Fame Ballot
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Maryland, Baylor Schedule Home-and-Home
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Taron Dickens Decommits From North Carolina
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
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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
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
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
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
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
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF