DraftKings NBA picks January 26: Can LeBron dump his slump?

OAKLAND, CA – JANUARY 23: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors reacts to a call during their game against the New York Knicks at ORACLE Arena on January 23, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

DraftKings NBA picks January 26: Can LeBron dump his slump?

We have a busy ten game Friday for our DraftKings tournaments. Many stars are in play tonight, along with bushels of value picks. Does that mean this is the night to build a balanced lineup? Let’s see what we can come up with.

Point Guards:

Best Bets:

Chris Paul ($9,300): Paul is one that I usually avoid when Harden is in the lineup for obvious reasons. Paul’s production was way down over the last two games. I do have reason for optimism here though. The Pelicans don’t defend guards well at all. Harden is the better bet, but Paul is cheaper and the Pelicans are actually worse against the point. There is potential here tonight.

Damian Lillard ($9,100): Lillard racked up 52.25 DraftKings points on Dallas in the first meeting. The Mavericks have had issues defending the point all season. That isn’t going to change tonight. If you don’t fully trust Paul, Lillard is a very suitable pivot. He may even have more upside than Paul does at this point with Harden back.

Honorable Mention:

Kemba Walker ($8,700): Walker put up 46.5 DraftKings points on Atlanta in the first meeting. We have seen Walker put up some big stat lines when the matchup is right. This is one of those situations. Walker’s price has gone up $1,000 over the last two games, so it makes it harder for him to reach value, but he should against Atlanta tonight. After that it gets tricky.

Jordan Clarkson ($7,300): Clarkson has been huge with Lonzo Ball out. Early word is that Ball will be out again tonight, so fire up Clarkson! Clarkson has 148 DraftKings points in just three games with Ball out. One of those games was against the best defense in the league in the Celtics. There is no reason to fear Clarkson, even at this price.

Kyle Lowry ($7,200): The Jazz are actually in the middle of the pack defending the point, which is surprising considering the rest of their defense. Lowry put up 38 DraftKings points on the Jazz the first time around, so the potential is there for greater than 5x value at lower ownership. I am guessing that most will be on Clarkson at this price, but Lowry is more proven, and should score in the same range.

Dark Horses:

Darren Collison ($6,000): Collison is back just in time to take a crack at Cleveland’s excuse for a defense. The Cavs have given up a ton of points lately, and while Collison isn’t much of a scorer, there is a chance for his assists to go through the roof in this one. Collison had 32.5 DraftKings points in the first meeting. I would expect at least that tonight.

Dejounte Murray ($5,400): Murray is still not all that consistent, but considering that he put up 26.5 DraftKings points against the toughest point guard D in the league on Wednesday, I still consider Murray underpriced. Murray has three straight games of at least 5x value since taking over as the starting point guard. That streak isn’t going to stop here.

Jarrett Jack ($5,000): Jack is a good value pick in the right situation. In case you haven’t paid much attention this year, against Phoenix is always the right situation for a point guard. If you need to go even cheaper, you can use either Suns point guard if you think you can figure out which one will produce. There is little question that Jack is the guy in New York, so I’ll find the money to wedge him in there.

My pick: Murray(PG), Jack(G); Lowry(PG), Murray(G)

DALLAS, TX – JANUARY 24: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets reacts after scoring against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on January 24, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

Shooting Guards:

Best Bets:

James Harden ($11,400): Well, that didn’t take long. Harden’s price is already back to where it was before the injury. We shouldn’t be surprised. Beard had 58.75 DraftKings points in only 33 minutes against Dallas. Now he gets a Pelicans team that he ravaged for 66.5 DraftKings points earlier this season. If you are going to spend up on anyone tonight, it should probably be Harden.

Victor Oladipo ($9,500): Oladipo has already faced Cleveland three times. He has come away with 121.25 DraftKings points in those three games. However, the Cavs are giving up a ton of, well, everything lately. Oladipo is not a bad play here as 5x value is certainly possible. However, the price is a little offputting.

Honorable Mention:

Devin Booker ($8,400): The Knicks are terrible defending the off guard. Just look at what Gary Harris did to them last night. Booker is capable of huge nights, and this matchup is certainly conducive to Booker putting up one of those nights. His price is high, but there is still some potential here.

Jrue Holiday ($6,900): Holiday lit up the Rockets with 60.5 DraftKings points in the first meeting. Holiday isn’t the most consistent option, but like Booker, he can put up some big numbers in a hurry. I would rather go Khris Middleton in this spot if Giannis is out again, but it looks as though Giannis will play. If he is indeed in the lineup, Holiday is a solid plan B with plenty of upside.

Tim Hardaway Jr. ($6,600): I’m glad the Knicks saved Hardaway for tonight and sat him last night. This matchup against the Suns is a much better one for Hardaway. Hardaway put up 31.75 DraftKings points in the first meeting between these teams. Don’t expect a huge game as I half expect the Knicks to hold him to 28-30 minutes, but Hardaway can still hit value in that time.

Dark Horses:

Zach LaVine ($5,900): LaVine racked up 36.25 DraftKings points on the Sixers despite only playing half the game. The Bulls will likely keep his minutes to 28 or lower against the Lakers as well, but as we saw on Wednesday, LaVine is talented enough to blow away value even in that little court time. Keep an eye on the minutes restriction here, but LaVine should be a solid play regardless.

Wesley Matthews ($5,300): Matthews lit up the Rockets for 50 DraftKings points on Wednesday. Tonight’s matchup against Portland is decent, but what really has me on this tonight is the fact that Matthews put up 34.75 DraftKings points on Portland in his first meeting with them this season. I wouldn’t expect 50 out of Matthews again, but he should at least be in the mid-30’s, which puts him close to 7x value.

Alec Burks ($3,700): Rodney Hood has already been ruled out for tonight, so it appears as though Burks will get extra run again. This is a bit tricky since Burks has not entered the starting lineup in place of Hood, so you get the volatility of a bench player. That said, Burks has averaged 17.8 DraftKings points per game in the four games with Hood out. That jumps to 19.1 over the last three games.

My pick: Harden(SG), Matthews(F); Mattews(SG), LaVine(UTIL)

PHILADELPHIA, PA -JANUARY 20: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers dunks the ball in the first half against the Milwaukee Bucks in the first half at Wells Fargo Center on January 20, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

Small Forwards:

Best Bets:

LeBron James ($11,100): The King has lit up the Pacers for 182.5 DraftKings points in the three prior meetings. That puts him over 5x value even at this price! Now, this is a little tough because the Cavs are reeling lately, and LeBron has only 113.75 DraftKings points in the previous three games. You have to think that Cleveland is going to snap out of this sooner or later. It could be tonight based on LeBron’s track record against the Pacers.

Ben Simmons ($8,500): Simmons dazzled the Philadelphia crowd on Australian Heritage night by almost posting a triple double. It was a welcome sight for us DFS players who have been scared off by a series of subpar performances from Simmons. I’m not quite sure that he’s “safe” yet, but Simmons put up 44.25 DraftKings points on the Kawhi-less Spurs earlier this season. There is potential here.

Honorable Mention:

Kyle Kuzma ($6,300): Kuzma was really good against the Bulls earlier this season, but we have to temper our expectations here. Kuzma isn’t going to play 39 minutes tonight like he did in the first meeting with Nance out. 5x value is likely here, but reaching 7 or 8x isn’t going to happen this time around.

Thaddeus Young ($5,800): The fact that Young was able to keep his minutes despite the return of Turner has me optimistic for his game against Cleveland. Young has 100 DraftKings points in the three games so far this year, which would put him at about 5.7x value. Young is a solid value at this price point with this favorable matchup.

Kyle Anderson ($5,600): Anderson has performed well with Kawhi Leonard sidelined again. He put up 29.25 DraftKings points in the first meeting with Philadelphia. That would put Anderson near 5.5x value with the potential for more.

Dark Horses:

Joe Ingles ($4,900): Ingles has seen a few more shot attempts move his direction with Rodney Hood out. He has turned that into a 27.3 DraftKings point average with Hood out. I like Ingles as a value play here considering he put up 30.25 DraftKings points in the first matchup with Toronto. Ingles is nothing flashy, but he is hitting between 6 and 7x value with Hood out.

Dillon Brooks ($4,200): Brooks isn’t going to put up big numbers, but he has been far more effective starting at the off guard than Andrew Harrison was. I will move to Josh Jackson instead if news comes out that T.J. Warren is sitting prior to lineup lock, but that likely wont happen. I will stick with the solid but unspectacular production of Brooks if I need to go cheap.

Jae Crowder ($3,900): You may be thinking, why Crowder? He is on the bench now! Well, Crowder played very well off the bench for Boston last season. And the fact remains that Crowder was only playing about 25 minutes a game anyway. This likely wont hurt his production at all, and could actually help. Crowder is cheap enough to take the chance that a move to the bench will help him revert to last year’s production.

My pick: Anderson(SF); Ingles(SF)

WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 6: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks celebrates in front of Kelly Oubre Jr. #12 of the Washington Wizards after hitting a three pointer late in the fourth quarter of the Bucks 110-103 win at Capital One Arena on January 6, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

Power Forwards:

Best Bets:

Giannis Antetokounmpo ($10,400): Since I am setting aside cash for Middleton just in case Giannis is out, it’s not that much of a push to get up to Giannis’s price. I like the matchup here so long as Antetokoumpo is able to play with no restrictions. However, it may be too risky to play either side of this situation since the whole lineup locks at once and this game tips an hour after lock. Did I mention how much I despise not having late swap? It cost me Bjelica last night because I definitely would have subbed him in!

Blake Griffin ($8,900): Griffin took it to Memphis with 92.25 DraftKings points in two games earlier this season. Memphis is missing JaMychal Green up front now, so that weakens this unit even more. Screw playing chicken with the Giannis situation and full lineup lock, I’m going the safe route with Blake in a great matchup!

Honorable Mention:

Kristaps Porzingis ($8,300): Porzingis dominated the Suns for 53.25 DraftKings points in the first meeting with Phoenix, but I don’t fully trust that knee, especially on the second night of a back to back. Don’t be surprised if Porzingis sits, and we have about a 3% chance of getting news of that before the full lineup lock. Buyer beware!

Julius Randle ($7,100): Randle is injecting a lot of energy into the Lakers lately. He still isn’t starting, but Randle has a staggering nine double-doubles this season in less than 30 minutes of court time. He will take a starting job at some point, but that may depend on if the Lakers can move Brook Lopez. At any rate, Randle is a terror right now. Fade him at your own risk against the Bulls.

Lauri Markkanen ($6,600): Markkanen continues to play most of the minutes at the four. As long as that continues, he is the guy to play in the Bulls frontcourt. This is a great matchup against the Lakers. Markkanen put up 34.5 DraftKings points in the first meeting. He will get plenty of minutes to reach that mark or higher again tonight.

Dark Horses:

John Collins ($4,900): Ilyasova was a non factor against the Raptors and Collins put up a huge game with over 40 DraftKings points. The Hawks likely wont make a change here, but Collins could start to see a few more minutes if he continues to play this well. If Collins sees most of his time at the four, this is a great matchup. If he’s banging with Howard all night, stay away from this one.

Jarell Martin ($4,600): I really hope that we get word soon enough of whether Martin will play or not and whether he will have a minutes cap. If he doesn’t, Martin could be in for a nice value night in the depleted Memphis frontcourt. If Martin sits, Deyonta Davis is well worth using. Of course, without late swap you are likely playing Russian Roulette with your entry fees. Thanks DraftKings!

Frank Kaminsky ($4,100): Frank the Tank ate the Hawks up in the first meeting for 35 DraftKings points. If you use him tonight, you are trying for lighting in a bottle twice. Kaminsky is capable of another game like that, but the score would likely need to get out of hand in order for Kaminsky to get enough minutes to make that happen again.

My pick: Markkanen(PF); Griffin(PF)

NEW ORLEANS, LA – DECEMBER 13: DeMarcus Cousins #0 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts after a three point shot against the Milwaukee Bucks at Smoothie King Center on December 13, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /

Center:

Best Bets:

DeMarcus Cousins ($10,900): The Rockets have the second best defense in the league against power forwards, so this time around, I prefer Boogie over Brow. Cousins put up 56 DraftKings points in the first meeting with Houston, but Davis missed that game. The Rockets aren’t terrible defending the center, so Cousins isn’t a sure thing tonight. However, he is one of maybe two of three players that can hit triple digits. It’s tempting to play Boogie every time!

Joel Embiid ($9,800): Embiid abused Pau for 50.75 DraftKings points in the first meeting with the Spurs. Playing anyone against the Spurs is a tough sell, but Embiid is so talented, the ancient Gasol has little chance of slowing him down. Embiid is a strong pivot off of Boogie tonight.

Honorable Mention:

Dwight Howard ($8,800): Howard has turned back the clock to 2008 recently. He has at least 5x value in six straight games and seven of eight. Did we mention that those games have come against some really good defensive centers in Gortat and Andre Drummond and against stars like Whiteside and Boogie. The only thing that will stop Howard tonight is a blowout.

Clint Capela ($7,200): Capela tore up the Pelicans in the first meeting with 47.5 DraftKings points in just 24 minutes! As I mentioned earlier, Davis missed that game. It could be tougher for Capela tonight with both of the towers in there for the Pelicans, but there is still decent potential here.

Enes Kanter ($6,900): Kanter took it to Tyson Chandler for 42.25 DraftKings points in the first game with the Knicks. He could have an even bigger game tonight if Porzingis is limited or fouls out again. I like Kanter’s potential at this price point if you can’t afford a stud center.

Dark Horses:

Greg Monroe ($5,700): The lack of late swap makes this an almost impossible play. Alex Len is probably on the doubtful side of questionable, but we can’t be sure. If Monroe plays, he is a great play at this price. However, if Len is in, Monroe wont just see reduced minutes. He likely wont play at all, which makes this an astronomical risk/reward situation.

John Henson ($4,900): If you are bargain hunting and are okay with 25-28 DraftKings points for this price, pick Henson. No fuss. No worry. He is about as consistent as they come most nights. He has added upside tonight considering Brooklyn has been dominated on the interior several times this month already.

Tristan Thompson ($3,600): Thompson will start tonight against Indiana, which makes him a pretty enticing cheap option. There is no guarantee that he will play 30 minutes, nor is there a guarantee that he will factor into the offense. However, there is decent potential here against an Indiana team that is weak defensively up front.

My pick: Kanter(C), Thompson(UTIL); Howard(C), Thompson(F)

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