DraftKings NBA picks January 10: Cousins could be huge

DALLAS, TX – OCTOBER 20: Kosta Koufos #41 of the Sacramento Kings shoots the ball against Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks in the second half at American Airlines Center on October 20, 2017 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

DraftKings NBA picks January 10: Cousins could be huge

We are up to ten games tonight, and there are stars galore. How many should we try to put in our lineups?

Point Guards:

Best Bets:

Russell Westbrook ($11,400): Once again, Russ in is a position where it is hard to fade him. The Timberwolves are still one of the worst team in the league defending the point, and Westbrook has amassed 157.5 DraftKings points in the first three games against Minnesota this year. The pricetag is a lofty one, especially with so many options available, but Westbrook should be a popular lineup anchor again tonight.

Stephen Curry ($10,800): It’s easy to spend at point guard with these two up here. Curry racked up 121.25 DraftKings points in two games against the Clippers earlier this season. We may have to deal with a little bit of a drop in production from Curry tonight with Durant listed as probable, but the Clippers don’t have anyone that can guard him at full strength, let alone with the Clippers’ beat up backcourt.

Chris Paul ($9,700): This depends entirely on the status of Damian Lillard. Lillard is still questionable, but if he plays, I’m not that crazy about Paul. The Blazers have allowed the fourth fewest fantasy points to point guards this season. Paul has been very good with Harden out. He may continue that even with Lillard in there, but I can’t honestly say that I expect him to be better than the two in front of him. If Lillard sits though, look out!

Honorable Mention:

Tyreke Evans ($8,300): John Wall has been playing well lately, but Utah is very good defensively, especially on the perimeter. The Pelicans have struggled against guards all season long. They locked up Tyreke early on as a small forward, but that isn’t going to happen with Rondo on him. Evans has at least 5x value in 10 of the last 12 games. This wont be one where he misses.

Kemba Walker ($7,900): Walker has put together four straight games of 5x value or more. This is a good situation for him against Dallas tonight. Walker is more of a constant that someone who is going to drop 60. I don’t view him as a high upside play, but Walker has a good floor, and when the matchup is right, he wont ruin your lineup. That appears to be the case tonight.

Kris Dunn ($7,500): Here is the upside play. Dunn has 80 DraftKings points in two meetings with the Knicks this season. He has also hit 50 twice since Christmas. Dunn is capable of putting up big numbers on any given night, and so far, has not had many nights where he is a complete miss. High upside with a decent floor for a solid price is something to look for on a crowded slate.

Dark Horses:

Ish Smith ($5,700): There are a few guards that seem to be cutting into Smith’s time, but he is in there when it really matters. He single handedly kept the game close on Monday night. Smith should continue providing his normal 5.5x value, though his upside may be clipped by Buycks.

Jawun Evans ($4,700): Evans has been outstanding filling in for Teodosic during the latest foot injury. Teodosic is currently listed as questionable. If he is out, I’m all over Evans again. Evans has 58.5 DraftKings points in the last two games, or a little over 6x value.

Frank Ntilikina ($4,000): Ntilikina still plays less than Jack, but he has far more upside. He has outscored Jack against the Bulls in two games this year despite playing nearly the same amount of minutes. They are both nice value plays. I would go Jack in cash games and Ntilikina in GPP formats.

My pick: Dunn(PG), Evans(G); Westbrook(PG), Ntilikina(G)

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – JANUARY 06: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers watches the action against the Chicago Bulls at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on January 6, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Shooting Guards:

Best Bets:

Victor Oladipo ($8,800): Oladipo has 85.5 DraftKings points in two games against the Heat this year. That is a solid total, but his price has risen to the point that even another game like that for him wouldn’t give you value. However, Dion Waiters is still out. That makes the Heat a little less strong defensively, and that could be the little bit that Oladipo needs to put him up to 44 points.

Jimmy Butler ($8,700): Butler has averaged 39.3 DraftKings points in three games against the Thunder this year, and two of those were played before he had his current large role in the offense. With Roberson still out, the Thunder aren’t as great defensively at the position. Butler has at least 40 DraftKings points in all but three games since December 1^st. Don’t hesitate to use him tonight. This is a great matchup if Roberson remains out.

Honorable Mention:

C.J. McCollum ($7,800): McCollum put up another big game last night with Lillard sidelined. If Lillard is out again, I want McCollum in there. He has two 40 DraftKings point games and three more over 50 with Lillard sidelined. Oh, and he put up 37 against Houston in the first meeting. There is a lot of upside here if Lillard is out. If not, I would still be willing to use C.J., but he is no longer a must play.

Eric Gordon ($7,200): I love Donovan Mitchell, but Beal held him in check in the first meeting. Gordon has a tougher matchup as well, but with the way he has been scoring with Harden out, I am willing to overlook that. Gordon has 69 points and 129.5 DraftKings points over the last three games. Bring on Portland! I still like Gordon’s odds with the kind of usage he is getting.

Eric Bledsoe ($7,000): I actually like this matchup for both Bledsoe and Middleton. Even Brogdon has potential upside if he winds up running point with Bledsoe off the ball. Keep an eye on the starting lineup, because priority number one here is to take the one that occupies the point. Orlando is the second worst team in the league against point guards.

Dark Horses:

Gary Harris ($5,900): Harris put up 31.25 DraftKings points in the first meeting with Denver. Harris is still playing plenty of minutes and is firmly established in the Denver rotation. It’s no small feat. Just ask Kenneth Faried. At any rate, Harris is a lock for 5x value, and has been known to pull a 50 from out of nowhere. That is the kind of upside you want in a GPP play.

Gerald Green ($5,300): Green has been outstanding with Harden out. He has turned solid bench minutes into good value for those of us willing to take a chance on him in DFS. I don’t think Green is going to put up big numbers like he did against the Warriors and Magic, but 6x value is certainly possible.

Mario Hezonja ($5,100): It finally seems as though the Magic realize they have something with Hezonja. I don’t foresee the Magic making a habit out of starting Hezonja over Gordon, but so long as they are willing to do so, Hezonja makes a great GPP punt play.

My pick: Matthews(SG); Harris(SG)

DALLAS, TX – JANUARY 03: (L-R) Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors and Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors at American Airlines Center on January 3, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

Small Forwards:

Best Bets:

Kevin Durant ($9,500): KD is carrying a probable tag for the first time in four games. This looks like a nice matchup for Durant, but the Clippers held him to 34.25 DraftKings points in the first meeting. There is also a chance that Durant could be on some sort of restriction. However, it looks like Iguodala could be out. I tend to think that Durant is hungry to get back out there. He has a better matchup than Giannis, and Giannis has only hit value twice in the last nine games.

Paul George ($7,600): George has torched the Timberwolves in three tries this year. George has averaged 48.3 DraftKings points per game in those games. The Blazers did pretty well against George last night, but we have no reason to believe that Minnesota can do the same. They haven’t shown that they can so far.

Honorable Mention:

Tobias Harris ($6,900): Harris is one of the most aggravating DFS plays in the history of DFS. On paper, this looks like a really good matchup. Harris also has posted back to back 40+ DraftKings points games. One of those happened with Drummond back. With Harris there is always risk involved, but there is some intrigue to this matchup.

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson ($6,600): Hollis-Jefferson’s career year is no accident. He is not longer just a defensive stalwart with limited offensive skills. RHJ can contribute on offense, and will against a Detroit team that has struggled against power forwards all year. The absence of Carroll will also help Hollis-Jefferson’s output.

Caris LeVert ($5,400): It looks like Crabbe is out as well as Carroll, so that leaves the door wide open for a big night from LeVert. LeVert failed us on Monday, but this is a much better matchup for him. And hopefully for us. I am hoping that LeVert’s dud on Monday will keep ownership down because this looks like a great place to jump back on the bandwagon.

Dark Horses:

Courtney Lee/Wesley Matthews ($5,100): These two are very close for me. Lee can go off at any given time, and he has averaged 5.5x value against the Bulls this year. Matthews has at least 5x value in six straight games. Charlotte is rather awful defensively, and the Bulls aren’t much better. Everything about this says wash, but I think Lee has slightly more upside.

Joe Harris ($4,400): Harris should get the start once again with the Nets beat up in the backcourt. Harris is nothing special, but he is a strong value play if you don’t care about upside. We will need salary relief somewhere on this slate. Harris provides a good option for that.

Alex Abrines ($3,000): This involves taking a huge risk. Abrines hit 6x value last night in just 12 minutes of court time. Rookie Terrance Ferguson started again, but tallied just two rebounds in 30 minutes. That’s it. Abrines may or may not get more minutes tonight, but after last night I would hope he does. How big of a risk taker are you?

My pick: LeVert(SF), Joe Harris(UTIL); LeVert(SF), Lee(F)

OAKLAND, CA – DECEMBER 25: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors complains to referee Derrick Stafford #9 of a no foul call during an NBA basketball game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at ORACLE Arena on December 25, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Power Forwards

Best Bets:

Draymond Green ($8,400): Green has put up 77.75 DraftKings points in his two games against the Clippers this year. There is some risk involved here since it seems that the Warriors starting five is finally all going to be on the court at the same time. That could decrease Green’s output, but Blake Griffin is expected to be out. Green’s outlook is a lot brighter now.

Kristaps Porzingis ($8,300): Porzingis always feels like a risk, doesn’t he? Even when he has a great matchup, like tonight, I’m still very nervous. Very. The fact that Porzingis has not reached value in either game against the Bulls is ominous as well. He can’t possibly fail again in a great matchup, can he?

Honorable Mention:

Harrison Barnes ($6,700): Barnes continues to be the most consistent Dallas offensive player right now. Sure, on any given night you can get a better night from Dennis Smith or even Wes Matthews, but Barnes is the guy that gives you consistency. I would say that Barnes is more valuable in cash games, but he is a solid GPP play as well.

Domantas Sabonis ($6,400): This looks like a really bad matchup for Sabonis, but I don’t trust that it is. Sabonis has 66 DraftKings points in just 48 minutes against the Heat this season. Sabonis still isn’t seeing many more minutes that that, but if he can do that kind of damage in half a game, what can he do in his 28-30 minute allotment? I like Sabonis, despite the poor matchup on paper.

Trey Lyles ($6,100): Lyles continues to put up huge numbers for the price with Millsap out. That is nine straight games with at least 25 DraftKings points, and six straight with at least 5x value even at his current price. The Hawks are solid at the four slot, but I still like Lyles to keep in the 30’s again.

Dark Horses:

Ersan Ilyasova ($5,700): Ilyasova has at least 5x value in eight of the last ten games. He has been playing so well that he has even been taking more minutes from John Collins. That makes Collins a big risk, even for the low price. And it makes Ilyasova the one to play in DFS circles.

Dirk Nowitzki ($4,800): There could be a lot of value in the Chicago frontcourt if Mirotic sits again, but the Knicks are the fourth best team in the league defending the four. I love value plays as much as the next person, but there is a lot of risk involved with the Bulls. There is very little risk involved with the ageless wonder here. Dirk has at least 5x value in eight of the last 11 games. The Hornets have had trouble against power forwards all season. It likely continues tonight.

Frank Kaminsky ($4,400): Kaminsky is about as inconsistent as they come, but this is a really good matchup against Dallas. We saw Speights and Aaron Gordon chew up Dallas on the interior last night. There is no reason why Kaminsky and Marvin Williams can’t do the same.

My pick: Lyles(PF), Ilyasova(F); Nowitzki(PF)

LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 06: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves scores over Danilo Gallinari #8 of the LA Clippers during the first half at Staples Center on December 6, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Center:

Best Bets:

DeMarcus Cousins ($11,000): This could be a huge night for Cousins if Anthony Davis is forced to sit out. The early reports are that Brow is out and Boogie is in – in for a huge night against a Memphis team that can’t handle him. I love this matchup for Davis too if he somehow manages to play. If not, I’ll still take the 60+ from Boogie tonight.

Karl-Anthony Towns ($8,900): Towns has 152 DraftKings points in the three games against Oklahoma City this year. This looks like a tougher matchup on paper, but it hasn’t been for Towns this year. Towns is a double-double machine. If you are looking to fade Boogie, Towns is a great plan B.

Nikola Jokic ($8,600): Jokic put up 46.75 DraftKings points in the first meeting with Atlanta. Having Dedmon back could help the Hawks, but not enough to move me off of Jokic. If I spend somewhere else, Jokic is a suitable way to save a little at center.

Honorable Mention:

Dwight Howard ($7,700): Howard isn’t as proficient on offense as he used to be, but he is still an outstanding rebounder. Howard will own the size advantage over anything Dallas throws out there. This appears to be a really good matchup for Howard if you find yourself needing to go cheaper at center.

Hassan Whiteside ($6,800): Whiteside is way too cheap for what he is capable of. He came up big against Utah, and again last night against Toronto. Whiteside put up 29.25 DraftKings points in just 22 minutes in his game against Indiana this year. If he plays 30 minutes again, Whiteside is going to destroy value tonight. However, there is a chance that the Heat take it easy on him in the second night of a back to back.

Clint Capela ($6,800): Capela has been dominant on the boards lately. He should be able to do the same against Portland. Capela has a solid floor right now, putting up more than 30 DraftKings points in all but one game over the last dozen. There are a lot of great options at center tonight, which leaves Capela as a low owned option that could still go well above 5x value.

Dark Horses:

Steven Adams ($6,500): We know that Towns has taken it to the Thunder, but it has gone the other way as well. Adams has 115 DraftKings points in the three games against Minnesota this year. If you need a cheaper center option, or just a nice utility player to go with Boogie, Adams is a great option.

Bismack Biyombo ($5,800): Biyombo’s lack of a polished offensive game makes him a risk, but his defensive chops are legit. If you are looking for a cheaper option that is also eligible at forward, Biyombo has a great chance to dominate the Milwaukee frontcourt. Maybe not offensively, which does limit his upside.

Bam Adebayo ($3,800): BAM! Last night was a coming out party for the rookie. Adebayo went nuts on a Toronto frontcourt that had been solid lately. James Johnson was ineffective, which led to a monster game for Adebayo. There is no guarantee that this will happen again. How many of you are willing to chase this? I haven’t been able to convince myself to do the same yet.

My pick: Cousins(C); Whiteside(C), Adams(UTIL)

Next: NBA DFS Picks and Pivots

Stay tuned for our FanDuel/FantasyDraft picks! We even have some EPL and PGS picks coming your way! And don’t forget about NHL DFS and the Euro League! We have all of your daily fantasy needs covered.