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Friday brings a 14-game schedule in the NBA. With so many games set to be played, both DraftKings and FanDuel have taken different approaches with their main slates. DraftKings will include 11 games in their main slate, while FanDuel will include eight in theirs.
Injuries will play a big role in such a busy slate. Players who have already been ruled out include Darius Garland (jaw), Evan Mobley (knee), and De'Andre Hunter (knee). Some noteworthy players who are listed as questionable are Zach LaVine (foot) and Nikola Vucevic (groin).
This article will provide you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 1/5/24. Remember to monitor NBA injury news and our awesome new NBA injuries report tool as the slate can completely change before lineups lock at 7:00 pm EST. Good luck, RotoBallers!
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DraftKings and FanDuel Guards - NBA DFS Lineup Picks
Tyrese Haliburton, IND vs. ATL – PG ($10,200 DK; $11,400 FD)
This matchup between the Hawks and Pacers figures to be the most popular to attack for DFS. Both teams rank inside the top-five in the league in pace of play and the bottom-five in defensive rating. The last time he played them, Haliburton exploded for 37 points, five rebounds, 16 assists, and three steals across 39 minutes.
Dejounte Murray, ATL at IND – PG/SG ($7,700 DK; $8,300 FD)
Murray also played well the last time these teams met, recording 28 points, three rebounds, five assists, and two steals over 34 minutes. He has a high floor, averaging 20.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 1.5 steals per game for the season. Currently, he is on pace to average at least 20 points and shoot at least 46.0 percent from the field for the third straight season.
T.J. McConnell, IND vs. ATL – PG ($4,200 DK; $5,600 FD)
He might not be a big name, but Andrew Nembhard (back) being listed as questionable for the Pacers is noteworthy. When he has missed time previously this season, McConnell has stepped into a larger role. Nembhard was injured early in Monday’s game against the Bucks, which helped McConnell produce 16 points, four rebounds, and nine assists over 22 minutes off the bench. With Nembhard out Wednesday against the Bucks, McConnell chipped in six points, six rebounds, and three assists over 19 minutes. His salary is cheap enough to be worth considering in tournament play if Nembhard is out again.
ALSO CONSIDER: Donovan Mitchell, CLE vs. WAS – PG/SG ($9,500 DK; $10,600 FD), Max Strus, CLE vs. WAS – SG/SF ($6,600 DK; $6,800 FD)
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DraftKings and FanDuel Forwards - NBA DFS Lineup Picks
Jalen Johnson, ATL at IND – SF/PF ($7,200 DK; $7,200 FD)
Johnson is an exciting young player who is making his mark for the Hawks. After averaging just 15 minutes per game last season, he has logged 30 minutes per game this season. That has resulted in him producing averages of 15.3 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.2 steals. His strength has been his efficiency with him shooting 59.6 percent from the field and 41.5 percent from behind the arc.
Caris LeVert, CLE vs. WAS – SF/SG ($6,400 DK; $7,500 FD)
Garland and Mobley being out means that the Cavaliers need more scoring from LeVert. In a more prominent role, he has averaged 19.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 1.1 steals over the last nine games. He was only needed to play 23 minutes in Wednesday’s blowout win over the Wizards, but he still recorded 21 points, five rebounds, and five assists. The Wizards have played at the fastest pace and have the worst defensive rating in the league, setting up LeVert for more success in their rematch.
Donte DiVincenzo, NY at PHI – SF/SG ($5,300 DK; $5,700 FD)
The Knicks bringing in OG Anunoby and Precious Achiuwa provided a boost for their frontcourt, while also dealing a blow to their backcourt because of them dealing away Immanuel Quickley. DiVincenzo is averaging 21 minutes per game for the season, but he has logged at least 25 minutes in all three games since the deal went down. Over those three games, he has averaged 21.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.0 steals. While that scoring number is a bit skewed because of a 38-point performance against the Pacers, his ability to contribute in multiple areas leaves him with the potential to provide value.
ALSO CONSIDER: Kawhi Leonard, LAC at NO – SF/PF ($8,600 DK; $9,300 FD), Bogdan Bogdanovic, ATL at IND – SF/SG ($6,100 DK; $6,400 FD)
DraftKings and FanDuel Centers - NBA DFS Lineup Picks
Joel Embiid, PHI vs. NY– C ($11,500 DK; $12,600 FD)
After missing four games with an ankle injury, Embiid returned to play 31 minutes against the Bulls on Tuesday. He certainly wasn’t rusty, finishing with 31 points, 15 rebounds, 10 assists, and two blocks. The Knicks are trotting out Isaiah Hartenstein and Achiuwa at center right now, so this has the potential to be a significant mismatch that favors Embiid.
Jarrett Allen, CLE vs. WAS– C ($8,300 DK; $9,200 FD)
The Wizards have given up the most rebounds per game in the league, making this an even more appealing matchup for Allen. He was one of the main reasons why the Cavaliers blew them out Wednesday, finishing with 17 points, 19 rebounds, seven assists, and two blocks. While his salary isn’t cheap, it is significantly lower than Embiid’s, making him a bit easier to fit into budgets.
Nick Richards, CHA at CHI – C ($5,700 DK; $6,000 FD)
Mark Williams (back) isn’t going to play again for the Hornets, leaving Richards in a starting role. Since Williams went down, Richards has averaged 9.5 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks over 12 games. It might actually be good news for him if Vucevic returns for the Bulls. While he is a good player, he is not the rebounder that Andre Drummond is. Even if Vucevic doesn’t play and Richards has to battle with Drummond, Richards has salaries that are cheap enough to make him a viable tournament option.
ALSO CONSIDER: Kristaps Porzingis, BOS vs. UTA – C/PF ($8,100 DK; $9,100 FD), Myles Turner, IND vs. ATL - C ($6,800 DK; $7,500 FD)
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