DraftKings NBA Picks for February 1
By Mike Marteny
DraftKings NBA Picks for February 1
We are up to 12 games tonight, which means plenty of back to backs are going on. Who should we anchor our DraftKings lineups with? There have been a flurry of sittings right before tipoff in the last week or so, so make sure to check out our feed for updates and substitutions!
Don’t forget to follow @fantasycpr on Twitter for lineup updates as we get them leading to the tipoffs of the games! I am not always able to get back in here and fix my picks when someone sits for the night, but we will update it on Twitter.
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Most of my picks end up being a little on the conservative side, so these lineups may be better suited for cash games, though I usually play both types.
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Point Guards
Best Bets:
Russell Westbrook ($12,000): The Spurs held Westbrook in check last night (well, for a half anyway), and the matchup against the Bulls looks ominous. Westbrook “only” managed 55.25 DraftKings points in the first meeting with Chicago. He didn’t even have a triple double! However, the current Chicago team is a shell of the one that Westbrook went for 55 against. Rajon Rondo doesn’t start anymore, and the team doesn’t really have an identity. That could mean Westbrook has a big game.
Isaiah Thomas ($9,500): If you want to know how the Raptors do against point guards, just look at Jrue Holiday‘s line from last night. That is why I recommended him, and that is why I am doing the same for Thomas. The return of Avery Bradley could take a little chunk out of Thomas’s production, however, I would not expect Bradley to be back at 100% just yet. Thomas picked up 39.75 DraftKings points in the first matchup between these teams with Bradley in there, but he was also cold from the floor. He has not been lately.
Kyle Lowry ($8,600): Lowry has averaged 52.4 DraftKings points over his last four games. He has also posted 101.75 DraftKings points in two games against Boston this year. One of those games the Celtics were missing Thomas, but his production didn’t dip with Thomas in there. Demar DeRozan is expected to miss tonight’s game as well, which is good news for Lowry. He has been a force with DeRozan out.
Honorable Mention:
Kemba Walker ($8,000): I am going with Kemba over Stephen Curry because Curry is coming off of the flu and a sore ankle. On top of that, when these two teams met on January 25th, Walker one more point than Curry and is $500 less. There is more upside to Walker than Curry.
Ricky Rubio ($7,200): Rubio has topped 5x value in three of his four games back. Cleveland presents a good matchup for him. He may not go over 50 like he did against Orlando. Let’s face it: he wont score 22 points again anytime soon, but he is a strong bet for mid 30’s.
Reggie Jackson ($6,500): Kyle Lowry went nuts on the Pelicans last night, so there is a good chance Jackson does as well. Jackson has rounded mostly back into form lately, but a cold shooting night limited his effectiveness against Boston. He should have an easier go of it tonight against a team that just allowed 56 DraftKings points to Lowry last night.
Dark Horses:
Austin Rivers ($6,100): The Warriors pestered Rivers into a poor shooing night over the weekend, but Chris Paul is still out. That means Rivers will not only get a lot of shots against a porous Phoenix perimeter, but he will rack up the assists as well.
Brandon Jennings ($5,200): Considering Derrick Rose showed up to shootaround yesterday in a walking boot, it seems very unlikely that he will play again tonight. That vaults Jennings up to the top of the bargain list. He has 80.5 DraftKings points over the last two games, and the Nets are statistically the worst team in the league defending the point.
Yogi Ferrell ($4,000): Deron Williams is officially listed as questionable, but the writing may be on the wall for DWill. The Dallas offense has run smoothly with Ferrell on the court, so he may continue to start even if Williams is healthy enough to play. Ferrell has 64.75 DraftKings points in two games starting for Dallas. If he starts, play him. Period.
My pick: Jackson(PG), Jennings(G); Lowry(PG), Ferrell(G)
Shooting Guards
Best Bets:
Nicolas Batum ($7,400): Batum has four straight games of 35 or more DraftKings points. That makes him a solid play tonight. When you add in the fact that the Warriors have allowed more points to shooting guards than any other team in the league, that makes Batum one of the better plays of the night.
Dwyane Wade ($7,000): Wade’s minutes and production have slipped a bit since the Instagram bomb detonated by Rajon Rondo, but he still achieved 5x value against the Sixers on Sunday. Wade put up 38.5 DraftKings points against the Thunder in the first meeting, so on a night when there aren’t any elite SG options, Wade ranks very near the top.
Dion Waiters ($6,800): The return of Tyler Johnson didn’t hurt Waiters at all. In fact, he had his best game in a week against the Nets. The Hawks will provide a little more resistance, but this offense is running through Waiters right now. So long as that continues, he has a lot of upside. He has posted more than 6x value in four of the last six games.
Honorable Mention:
Norman Powell ($5,500): Powell racked up his fourth game of more than 5x value with DeMar DeRozan out last night. DeRozan is sitting again tonight, so another 30+ DraftKings point game from Powell seems imminent.
Victor Oladipo ($5,500): Oladipo picked up his sixth straight game of over 30 DraftKings points last night against the Spurs, despite the offense being held under 100 points. He only had 22.5 DraftKings points against the Bulls in the first meeting, but he also played just 24 minutes. Oladipo’s minutes have been in the mid to high 30’s for most of January. He should extend his streak tonight.
Seth Curry ($5,400): Curry’s value will take a hit if Williams returns, but he seems to be ahead of Devin Harris and Matthews in the pecking order right now. Dallas was at it’s best with Ferrell running the point and Curry at the off guard against Cleveland. Expect them to use that lineup against the Sixers as well.
Dark Horses:
Gary Harris ($4,800): Harris has been over 35 DraftKings point in each of the last two games with Will Barton out. It should be another good run for Harris tonight, though Memphis could provide some problems for him defensively.
Tim Hardaway Jr. ($4,200): Thabo Sefalosha is still listed as questionable. If he is unable to go, Hardaway should get another start. He played a staggering 58 minutes against the Knicks on Sunday. Kent Bazemore has been hotter than Hardaway, but Hardaway has a higher floor if Bazemore goes cold due to his passing and a higher minutes load.
Rodney McGruder ($3,100): McGruder is still starting over Tyler Johnson and Wayne Ellington. So long as he does, he is a great source of 5x value. He has hit that mark in each of the last four games. It looks as though the Heat like Johnson and Ellington off the bench, so his starting gig appears safe. So is his 5x value.
My pick: Powell(SG); Waiters(SG), Powell(F)
Small Forwards
Best Bets:
Kevin Durant ($10,000): I trust Durant against the third worst SF defense in Charlotte than I do LeBron James against the third best SF defense in Minnesota. Both have great supporting casts, which means that neither team will have to force these stars as an option. If Curry sits again, you have to make room for Durant in your lineup. Even if Curry plays, I expect KD at 5x value.
Paul George ($8,100): George put up just 64.25 DraftKings points in two games against Orlando earlier this season. However, George has been hot lately, which is driving the Pacers up the standings in the East. He has averaged 48.3 DraftKings points over the last four games. I will take those odds!
Carmelo Anthony ($7,500): Melo has averaged 44.6 DraftKings points over the last seven games, and has picked it up even more with Derrick Rose off the floor. He was mostly silent last night, but still picked up his seventh straight game of more than 32 DraftKings points. He put up 40 with Rose on the court against Brooklyn in the first meeting. He could do even better tonight.
Honorable Mention:
Gordon Hayward ($6,600): This is an under the radar pick simply because Hayward has been under 5x value in each of the last five games. The Bucks are the worst in the league against small forwards, so the stats are on Hayward’s side. Can he come through this time? He has had a couple of good matchups over the last five games.
Robert Covington ($6,300): Covington has been a monster lately, putting up 104.5 DraftKings points in the last two games. Joel Embiid is still out, but is has been mostly Covington that is picking up the slack this time around. He has been an absolute steal lately, and could be again tonight.
Jae Crowder ($6,200): Crowder has averaged 37.8 DraftKings points over the last five games, so he is playing very well right now. The issue here is that Avery Bradley is expected back, which will take a chunk out of Crowder’s production. If Bradley doesn’t start or is on a minutes limit, Crowder is still a safe bet for 5x value.
Dark Horses:
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist ($5,200): MKG put up 32.25 DraftKings points last week against the Warriors. With Cody Zeller likely sitting again, Kidd-Gilchrist should see enough of a run to do it again. His rebounding ability usually keeps him from being a bust.
Wesley Matthews ($4,700): Matthews has 64.75 DraftKings points in his two games back since missing a week with a hip injury. There should be plenty of minutes available for Matthews again with Dallas still a little beat up in the backcourt. His shooting woes from early in the season seem to have disappeared, so he is safe to use right now.
Paul Zipser ($3,200): Zipser has put up 40.5 DraftKings points in 56 minutes over the last two games. He seems to be firmly entrenched in the Bulls’ rotation right now, and has been a solid source of 6x value. He carries a bit of a risk since the Bulls are tinkering with the entire team right now, but Zipser looks safe to stick in the rotation.
My Pick: Covington(SF); Durant(SF)
Power Forwards
Best Bets:
Paul Millsap ($7,800): This looks like a back matchup for Millsap considering Miami is tough up front. That said, Millsap put up 79.75 DraftKings points in two games against Miami earlier this season. That would put him right around 5x value. Miami’s defensive prowess could keep Millsap’s ownership down, but maybe it shouldn’t.
Blake Griffin ($7,500): Griffin has been good since his return, but the Clippers are still keeping his minutes down. He was the only Clipper that had any success when they were blown out by the Warriors over the weekend. He put up 43.5 DraftKings points in the first meeting with Phoenix. Blake will be a bargain if the Clippers turn him loose to his usual 35 minutes.
Nerlens Noel ($6,200): There is no word whether Noel or Okafor will start, but it doesn’t matter. Both will see about an equal share of Embiid’s minutes. Neither one of them had much success against DeMarcus Cousins, but few have. His price is up to the point where he will have a hard time blowing you away with production, but he should still be able to flirt with 6x value.
Honorable Mention:
Serge Ibaka ($6,100): Ibaka came up a little shy of 5x value in his two games against Indiana this year. Ibaka posted 56.25 DraftKings points in those games. The thing with Ibaka is that he has has some absolutely dreadful games. He carries a big risk, but he could reward you tonight.
James Johnson ($5,800): Johnson has averaged 37.9 DraftKings points over the last three games. Even the return of Whiteside hasn’t stymied Johnson’s production. He has become a big offensive piece on a team that sorely needs someone to take some of the heat off of Whiteside.
Kenneth Faried ($5,700): Faried has been an absolute terror with Nikola Jokic out. Faried has 91.5 DraftKings points in the two games that Jokic has missed. Denver still hasn’t ruled on the availability of Jokic for tonight, so keep an eye on the Twitter feed. If Jokic plays, Faried’s value takes a huge hit. To the point where he isn’t worth playing. However, don’t pivot to Ersan Ilyasova. With Okafor playing, Ilyasova was no longer a go-to presence with Embiid out like he was before.
Dark Horses:
Gorgui Dieng ($5,500): Dieng has topped 5x value in seven of the last eight games. He also wont have to tangle with Kevin Love tonight, which makes this option look even more enticing. When you add in how tough Thompson is against opposing centers, Dieng looks like he could be one of the better value plays around.
Spencer Hawes ($4,600): Keep an eye on the status of Cody Zeller. If Zeller is out again, Hawes could be in line for a big game. He put up 36.75 DraftKings points on January 25th against this same Warriors team. There is risk involved, but there could also be a big reward.
Channing Frye ($4,000): Frye put up 26.25 DraftKings points against a tough Dallas frontcourt on Monday with Kevin Love out of action. He should see another start with Love out, which makes him well worth this modest price tag.
My pick: Johnson(PF), Dieng(F); Frye(PF)
Center
Best Bets:
Andre Drummond ($7,900): Drummond has racked up 123.5 DraftKings points over the last two games. Both of those were against teams in the bottom ten defensively against centers. Drummond draws another in New Orleans. I definitely trust Drummond’s chances of hitting 5x value much more than Karl-Anthony Towns against Cleveland’s best center defense or Anthony Davis against Detroit’s fifth best.
DeAndre Jordan ($7,300): On paper, Jordan has a terrible matchup too. On top of that, he is usually less effective with Blake Griffin next to him. That out of the way, Chris Paul is out, and Jordan has racked up 84.25 DraftKings points in two games against the Suns this year. Jordan likely wont be widely owned, and he has a good shot at nearly 6x value.
Dwight Howard ($7,200): Howard has finally provided a solid base lately. He has averaged 37.8 DraftKings points over the last five games, and he has been a beat against Miami this year. In two games against the Heat, Howard has 88.5 DraftKings points. He is the safer alternative to the higher priced centers tonight.
Honorable Mention:
Marc Gasol ($7,800): Gasol only managed 32 DraftKings points against Denver in the first meeting, but that was with Jokic patrolling the paint. Of course, Gasol wont get much of a reprieve with Faried, but it is still a better matchup for Gasol and his game. He has averaged 44.1 DraftKings points over the last ten games. You usually know what you are getting with Gasol.
Hassan Whiteside ($7,300): Whiteside’s price has plummeted while he has battled an ankle injury. There is hope for tonight since Whiteside has 81.75 DraftKings points in two games agianst Atlanta this year. He has the potential to be a bargain tonight, but he has not topped 40 DraftKings points since January 10th. There is risk involved.
Dark Horses:
Jonas Valanciunas ($5,400): Valanciunas has been mostly consistent lately. He has averaged 29.7 DraftKings points per game over the last ten, making him a constant 5x value. Valanciunas has racked up 68.25 DraftKings points in two games against Boston this year. He should have no problems hitting 5x value tonight.
Steven Adams ($5,400): Adams struggled against Cleveland and Dallas, but many do. Tonight we will finally get to see what Adams can do with Enes Kanter out against a Bulls defense that is mostly average in the middle. He picked up 32.75 DraftKings points in the first game against Chicago. He could be in line for more than that tonight.
Jahlil Okafor ($4,600): Okafor succeeded in ruining the value of Nerlens Noel and Ersan Ilyasova, while carving out little for himself. He picked up 22.5 DraftKings points against the Kings, and he will have a similarly difficult time against Dallas. Players are going to be all over Okafor if he starts again, but it will be difficult for him to reach value if he only plays 22 minutes again.
Willy Hernangomez ($3,900): Kristaps Porzingis was a scratch about ten minutes before lock last night, but those of us that got Hernangomez in were rewarded with 39.5 DraftKings points. If Porzingis is out again. Hernangomez will be highly owned, but also highly worth it.
My pick: Drummond(C), Howard(UTIL); Howard(C), Hernangomez(UTIL)
Stay tuned for our FanDuel picks, and our picks for NHL and the PGA tour! We even have some EPL picks coming your way! Once again, make sure to follow our Twitter feed leading up to tipoff! If Porzingis and Williams play, the whole second lineup will implode!