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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

Michael Wilson

Cardinals Interested in Inking Michael Wilson to a Long-Term Extension
Kyle Williams

Bulks Up, Ready to Make Year 2 Leap
Deshaun Watson

the First QB Up During OTA Drills on Wednesday
Quinshon Judkins

Taking Part in 11-on-11 Drills
Xavier Legette

Fighting for His Future in Carolina?
Brian Thomas Jr.

Jaguars Not Expected to Trade Brian Thomas Jr.
Rashod Bateman

Future in Baltimore is Bleak
Mark Andrews

Poised to Bounce Back in 2026?
Tyrone Tracy Jr.

Is Tyrone Tracy Jr. a Sneaky Dynasty Buy?
Chimere Dike

Dynasty Managers Compelled to Hold Chimere Dike?
Michael Thorbjornsen

Brings High Upside to CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Luke List

Carrying Poor Form Into CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Tom Kim

Hoping to Build on Strong Myrtle Beach Finish
PGA

Sungjae Im Brings Upside to TPC Craig Ranch
Billy Horschel

Looking for Turnaround at CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Jameson Williams

a High-Ceiling Buy for Risk-Tolerant Dynasty Managers
Adam Hadwin

Difficult to Trust at TPC Craig Ranch
Chase Brown

a Short-term Dynasty Buy Whose Value Could Extend Beyond 2026
Tony Finau

Looking for Consistency at TPC Craig Ranch
J.K. Dobbins

Becoming an Underpriced Starting Running Back
Luke Clanton

Searching for Form at CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Rome Odunze

Has Ambiguity Among Bears WRs Created Buying Opportunity for Rome Odunze?
Aaron Rai

Withdraws From CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Wyndham Clark

Can Wyndham Clark Find Form at CJ Cup?
Marvin Mims Jr.

Dynasty Value Hurt by Lack of a Defined Role
Si Woo Kim

Looks To Stay Hot at CJ Cup
James Harden

Struggles in Eastern Conference Finals Opener
Evan Mobley

Bags Second Consecutive Double-Double
Donovan Mitchell

Produces Top Two-Way Performance in Game 1 Loss
OG Anunoby

Plays Key Role in Comeback Win
Mikal Bridges

Remains Efficient in Game 1 Against Cavaliers
Karl-Anthony Towns

Extends Double-Double Streak to Four Games
Jalen Brunson

Leads Knicks to Historic Comeback Win
Scottie Scheffler

to Defend CJ Cup Byron Nelson Title This Week
Jordan Spieth

Looking For Victory at TPC Craig Ranch
PGA

Matti Schmid Looks to Keep Recent Momentum Going at TPC Craig Ranch
Brooks Koepka

a High-Upside Play at CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Philadelphia Eagles

Eagles Offense to Borrow From Kyle Shanahan, Sean McVay in 2026?
Taysom Hill

Saints Haven't Offered a Contract to Taysom Hill
Kayshon Boutte

Working Out Away From the Team
Lamar Jackson

Expected to Return to OTAs Soon
Dalton Kincaid

Taking Part in OTAs This Week
Josh Allen

"Good to Go" for Offseason Workouts
Yandy Díaz

Yandy Diaz Exits Early on Tuesday After Being Hit By Pitch
Dean Wade

Returns to Starting Unit Tuesday
OG Anunoby

Starting on Tuesday
Tobias Harris

May Remain in Motown
Jalen Duren

Pistons Eager to Keep Jalen Duren
Chris Kirk

Continues Search For Putting Form at TPC Craig Ranch
Dallas Mavericks

Jason Kidd Fired as Mavericks Head Coach
De'Aaron Fox

Officially Listed as Questionable for Game 2 Against Thunder
Rasmus Hojgaard

Looking to Shake Off Poor Major Showing at TPC Craig Ranch
Joel Dahmen

is of No DFS Consideration This Week in Dallas
Pierceson Coody

is Not The Fun DFS Play He Used to Be
Gerrit Cole

to Make Season Debut on Friday Against Rays
Drake Baldwin

Braves Place Drake Baldwin on Injured List With Oblique Strain
CFB

Ezavier Crowell has Immediate Opportunity at Alabama
CFB

Mark Bowman a Day 1 Impact Player for USC?
CFB

Bill Belichick Says Relationship with First North Carolina Team "Wasn't Great"
Alex Caruso

Erupts for 31 Points in Game 1 Loss to Spurs
CFB

Kemario Taylor a Breakout Candidate at Quarterback
Jalen Williams

Productive in Comeback Game
CFB

Trinidad Chambliss the Undisputed Top SEC Quarterback Entering 2026?
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Records First Double-Double of Postseason
CFB

Rocco Becht The "Unifier" of Penn State's Roster
Stephon Castle

Opens Conference Finals With Double-Double
Dylan Harper

Makes Outstanding Two-Way Impact in Game 1 Win
Victor Wembanyama

Dominates Game 1 Against Thunder
Mattias Samuelsson

Picks Up an Assist in Season-Ending Loss
Rasmus Dahlin

Nets Fourth Postseason Goal
Jakub Dobes

Records 37 Saves in Game 7 Win
Lane Hutson

Contributes Power-Play Assist in Game 7 Victory
Nick Suzuki

Extends Road Point Streak
Alex Newhook

Scores Series-Clincher in Overtime
Jackson Holliday

Orioles Reinstate Jackson Holliday From Injured List on Monday
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Braves Reinstate Ronald Acuna Jr. From Injured List on Monday
Jose Altuve

Astros Put Jose Altuve on Injured List With Oblique Strain
Larry Nance Jr.

is Questionable for Game 1 on Tuesday
OG Anunoby

is Probable for Tuesday's Game 1
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Set to Start Game 7
Corey Seager

Going on Injured List With Back Injury
Tage Thompson

Can Match Franchise Record With Another Multi-Point Game
Nick Suzuki

Seeks More Road Success Monday
Lane Hutson

Riding a Five-Game Assist Streak Into Game 7
Filip Gustavsson

Needs Offseason Surgery
Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Pena Reinstated and Starting on Monday Against Twins
Melquizael Costa

Drops Decision At UFC Vegas 117
Arnold Allen

Bounces Back
Daniel Santos

Suffers Second-Round TKO Loss
MMA

Dohoo Choi Wins His Third Consecutive Fight
Malcolm Wellmaker

Suffers His Second Loss In A Row
Juan Diaz

Scores Second-Round Submission
Christian Edwards

Defeated At UFC Vegas 117
CFB

Transfer Running Back Arnold Barnes Visiting Iowa State on Monday
Modestas Bukauskas

Gets Split-Decision Win
Jhostynxon Garcia

Expected to Join the Pirates on Tuesday
Quinn Hughes

Open to Signing Extension This Offseason
Joel Eriksson Ek

Misses Second Round Due to Heel Injury
Jonas Brodin

Sits Out Round 2 Due to Toe Injury
Sam Malinski

Practices Fully Sunday
Josh Manson

Rejoins Practice
Colt Emerson

Mariners Promoting Top Prospect Colt Emerson to Major Leagues
Munetaka Murakami

Fantastic First Season Continues With Two More Homers
Cristopher Sánchez

Cristopher Sanchez Dazzles With 13-Strikeout Complete Game on Saturday
Blake Snell

to Undergo Elbow Surgery on Tuesday
Clay Holmes

Could Miss Around Three Months
Jose Altuve

Exits After Swing
Corey Seager

Absent With Back Spasms on Saturday
Jeremy Lauzon

Misses Saturday's Practice
Mark Stone

Doesn't Practice Saturday
Josh Manson

Misses Practice, Considered Day-to-Day
Brent Burns

Day-to-Day Ahead of Conference Finals
Cale Makar

Considered Day-to-Day
Trevor Story

Hits the Injured List With Groin Injury
Blake Snell

Likely to Need Elbow Surgery
Kyle Schwarber

on a Heater, Hits Two More Homers to Take Major-League Lead
Clay Holmes

Suffers Fractured Fibula on Friday Night
Blake Snell

Heads to 15-Day Injured List
CFB

Julian Sayin Looking To Build Off Of Strong Debut Season
CFB

College GameDay Set for First Three Weeks
CFB

Jeremiah Smith Aiming For Ohio State Receiving Records
CFB

Keshaun Singleton Projects as Auburn's WR1
CFB

Jeremiah Cobb Impresses New Auburn Staff
CFB

Alberto Mendoza Very Likely to Start for Georgia Tech
CFB

Charles Woodson Jr. Commits to Michigan
Melquizael Costa

Set For UFC Vegas 117 Main Event
Arnold Allen

A Favorite At UFC Vegas 117
Daniel Santos

Set For UFC Vegas 117 Co-Main Event
MMA

Dohoo Choi Returns At UFC Vegas 117
Juan Diaz

Set To Make His UFC Debut
Malcolm Wellmaker

Looks To Bounce Back
Christian Edwards

Set For His UFC Debut
Modestas Bukauskas

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF