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Free daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for today's slate on DraftKings and FanDuel. Use Koby's NBA DFS expert picks to building winning DFS lineups on January 16, 2025.
Welcome back, RotoBallers! This lovely Thursday night, we have a small five-game slate ahead of us. We have a big rematch between the top two teams in the NBA. Luckily, we shouldn't see any postponements as the Los Angeles Clippers travel to Portland, so that game will be safe.
We have a few injuries to monitor for this five-game slate. When putting these players in your lineup, you want to keep a close eye on them: Tyrese Haliburton, Malik Monk, Isaiah Hartenstein, Deni Avdija, Bradley Beal, Malcolm Brogdon, Tari Eason, Robert Williams III. The key to succeeding in NBA DFS is making adjustments during the day as injury information becomes available. But it's always essential to have a game plan and zero in on the best players and spots before making those adjustments. To keep up with all the latest developments and get access to updated projections, grab an NBA season pass and access our RotoBaller Premium Discord, where @chiefjustice6 is talking about the slate up until lineups lock!
This article will provide my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 1/16/25. Remember to monitor NBA injury news and our excellent NBA injuries report tool, as the slate can completely change before lineups lock at 7:00 p.m. EST on DraftKings and FanDuel. Good luck, RotoBallers!
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Today's NBA DFS Core Picks
Here is a look at some of the higher-priced players we can use as building blocks for cash and GPP contests.
James Harden is a known Blazer killer. Portland is giving up the third-most fantasy points to opposing PGs this season, although he only had 33 FP in their previous matchup. I expect with Kawhi Leonard back, that should take some of the heat off Harden and give him more open shots and another shooter to get some assists off. Harden has had 50+ FP in two of the three games Kawhi has been back for.
Devin Booker gets the best matchup on the slate, and Washington is giving up the most fantasy points to opposing SGs. Booker has been a monster since coming back from injury, scoring 40+ FP in six of his last eight games. There is no reason to hop off the Booker train as he is only getting started and I want to stay on it as long as he continues to run hot!
We just saw Jarrett Allen in this matchup last week, and now he won't have Isaiah Hartenstein to worry about. He had 60 FP in their previous matchup and has an even better matchup now that Hartenstein is out. This is a big game once again and I expect Allen to continue to play like the boss that he has been. He is one of the best centers on the slate!
- James Harden, LAC at POR ($9,100 DK; $8,800 FD)
- Devin Booker, PHX at WAS ($9,100 DK; $9,600 FD)
- Jarrett Allen, CLE at OKC ($6,500 DK; $7,400 FD)
Today's NBA DFS Value Picks
This is where we talk about saving salary. Whether it's a severely underpriced backup or even as simple as a guy playing like someone who should be priced higher, this is where you'll find guys who make lineups work.
Andrew Nembhard could be in a prime position with the Pacers in this contest. Bennedict Mathurin just got suspended for this game and Tyrese Haliburton could be out with the same groin injury he was out with on Tuesday. Nembhard finished with 35 FP in 32 minutes in the game against Cleveland on Tuesday. His usage should skyrocket if both of those guys are out for this one.
Cam Whitmore has been a bit up and down but hasn't seen consistent minutes, either. It is looking like Tari Eason will be out for this one again, which should lead to Whitmore seeing 20+ minutes in this game. He is coming off his second-best performance of the season with 33 FP in last night's game against the Nuggets. At only 4.2K on FD, this could be potential for big value on the slate.
Deni Avdija is likely out for this contest again. This puts Scoot Henderson back in the starting lineup and did he go off in his last game or what? He finished with 55 FP in Tuesday's game against the Nets. In his last three games where he played 30+ minutes, he has finished with 33 FP or more. With his price only being $5.1K, this is a great value play. Henderson has shown when given more of a chance, he can produce.
Top Value Plays:
- Andrew Nembhard, IND at DET ($5,500 DK; $5,800 FD)
- Cam Whitmore, HOU at SAC ($3,700 DK; $4,200 FD)
- Scoot Henderson, POR vs. LAC ($5,800 DK; $5,100 FD)
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Today's NBA DFS Picks: Point Guard
Harden and Scoot were already mentioned above but a couple of other guys I will have some stock in are Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, De'Aaron Fox, and T.J. McConnell (if Tyrese Haliburton doesn't play).
Jordan Poole has been an interesting player this year. When he is healthy and playing 28+ minutes, he has been huge for this Wizards team. In games he played 28+ minutes, Poole finished with 30+ FP in nine straight games. With Brogdon out, Poole will likely see the bulk of ball-handling duties and be a big part of keeping them in this game against a tough Suns team.
Way too many people have shut the door on a player with JUST 93 career games
Scoot Henderson is still bursting with potential, and today’s 39-point explosion is a reminder of that
Young guys, especially who play PG need time
But, it’ll be worth the wait pic.twitter.com/BTET1RdEn0
— Point Made Basketball (@pointmadebball) January 15, 2025
Top PG Options:
- James Harden, LAC at POR ($9,100 DK; $8,800 FD)
- Jordan Poole, WAS vs. PHX ($7,500 DK; $7,400 FD)
- Scoot Henderson, POR vs. LAC ($5,800 DK; $5,100 FD)
Today's NBA DFS Picks: Shooting Guard
Booker and Nembhard were already mentioned above but a couple of other guys I have an interest in include Amen Thompson, Jalen Green, and Malik Beasley.
Malik Monk has played extremely well since entering the starting lineup for the Kings. He has 43+ FP in five straight games and even had 40 FP in their previous matchup back in early December. His pricing is beginning to creep up there, though, so the risk is there. But I think as long as he is cleared, he should be in for full minutes.
Andrew Nembhard is NICE 😮💨🪄 pic.twitter.com/4Qgi07EuPI
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 15, 2025
Top SG Options:
- Devin Booker, PHX at WAS ($9,100 DK; $9,600 FD)
- Malik Monk, SAC vs. HOU ($7,400 DK; $7,900 FD)
- Andrew Nembhard, IND at DET ($5,500 DK; $5,800 FD)
Today's NBA DFS Picks: Small Forward
Norman Powell is a solid GPP play on this slate. He gets a great matchup going against his former team and the Blazers give up the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing SFs. He's shot incredibly well, scoring 30 points in both previous matchups against them this season. As long as he can get a few assists and rebounds, he should be good for a respectable 35+ FP night, which would be good for five times his price.
Toumani Camara is coming off a career-high shooting night, finishing with 23 points. With Deni Avdija likely sitting out of this one, Camara can continue to be a shooter along with being a defensive menace. He has double-digit scoring in seven of his last eight games and is averaging 5.5 rebounds along with 2.4 STOCKS in that time. SF is the position to spend down on if you are looking for solid value.
Followed by a Cam Whitmore REVERSE WINDMILL. 👀 https://t.co/qdekmujyLD pic.twitter.com/0dIBQnlFwY
— NBA (@NBA) January 16, 2025
Top SF Options:
- Norman Powell, LAC at POR ($7,300 DK; $7,900 FD)
- Toumani Camara, POR vs. LAC ($4,800 DK; $5,400 FD)
- Cam Whitmore, HOU at SAC ($3,700 DK; $4,200 FD)
Today's NBA DFS Picks: Power Forward
Jalen Williams has been massive for this OKC team this season and was a big player in its previous game against Cleveland last week. He finished with one of his highest-scoring performances on the season with 53 FP. The Cavs are giving up the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing PFs this season, too. I expect this one to be close again, and I wouldn't be surprised to see Williams up there again with a big performance.
Pascal Siakam is starting to get up there in prices but I will say he is very consistent and has a solid floor. With Tyrese Haliburton questionable, that could only increase his usage in the case he is out. Siakam has finished with a minimum of 29 FP in every game since December 6. With the last two games, Haliburton either left the game early or missed it entirely, and Siakam finished with 39 FP in both of those games. Siakam makes for a solid core play if Haliburton remains out.
Alexandre Sarr lines himself up with a nice little matchup. The Suns are giving up the 10th-most fantasy points to opposing centers this season and Sarr has been solid when he sees 27+ minutes. Sarr makes for a solid GPP option that will likely fly under the radar with them going against Phoenix. Sarr is a 1.1 FPPM player, and so the more time he plays, the higher his ceiling becomes.
Alex Sarr is your Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month🔥
🗞️ Read More: https://t.co/ZP0J2IkzCV pic.twitter.com/kHe4l6xpf5
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) January 2, 2025
Top PF Options:
- Jalen Williams, OKC vs. CLE ($8,000 DK; $8,500 FD)
- Pascal Siakam, IND at DET ($7,200 DK; $7,900 FD)
- Alex Sarr, WAS vs. PHX ($5,600 DK; $6,400 FD)
Today's NBA DFS Picks: Center
I mentioned Jarrett Allen already, but I would get some shares of Evan Mobley as well, as those two could trade big nights. It's good to have a bit of each guy in case one or the other has a massive night!
I can't ignore one of the top-scoring guys on the slate. He averages 47 FP a game this season. Domantas Sabonis has had at least a double-double in 17 straight games, and I wouldn't expect that to stop here. If there is anyone to spend up on at the center position, Sabonis would be the way to go.
I don't like how Deandre Ayton plays right now, but with Robert Williams III and Donovan Clingan out of this game, Ayton is bound to get 32+ minutes of play. Ayton is relatively cheap and the minutes are there if he feels like putting in a decent effort because the Blazers need him to get back on track, even if the season is doomed for them.
Top C Options:
- Jarrett Allen, CLE at OKC ($6,500 DK; $7,400 FD)
- Domantas Sabonis, SAC vs. HOU ($9,800 DK; $10,200 FD)
- Deandre Ayton, POR vs. LAC ($6,100 DK; $6,000 FD)
Today's Top NBA DFS Game Stacks
- Cavaliers at Thunder (o/u 233)
- Suns at Wizards (o/u 233)
- Clippers at Trail Blazers (o/u 220.5)
Today's Top NBA DFS Avoids
It's a small slate, so I won't be avoiding too much. I will have less of Detroit and Washington as I don't see much potential outside of a few guys and would rather be in other spots.
My Favorite NBA DFS Picks for Today
Here is where I leave you with some of my favorites.
- My favorite overall play on the slate: Jarrett Allen
- My favorite CASH play on the slate: Devin Booker
- My favorite GPP play on the slate: Alex Sarr
- My favorite value play: Andrew Nembhard
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