DraftKings NBA Early Picks January 6: Towns or Vucevic?

DENVER, COLORADO – DECEMBER 18: Jalen Brunson #13 of the Dallas Mavericks plays the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center on December 18, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) DraftKings NBA /

DraftKings NBA Early Picks January 6: Towns or Vucevic?

There are seven NBA games, which is quite a few for a Sunday. The early DraftKings NBA slate has three of those games, so it’s a pretty even split. There are some value plays today with the Lakers and Timberwolves still beat up, and most of the stars are at center. Can we put anyone we want in this lineup? Let’s take a look!

DraftKings NBA Point Guards:

Best Bets:

Kris Dunn ($6,900): Dunn racked up 41 DraftKings points against Brooklyn earlier this year, and if anything the Nets may be worse defending the point than they were then. Dunn went off on the Pacers on Friday, and has a great chance to do the same here. There are other places to spend more at position, but Dunn has higher upside than all of them but Lonzo, and that’s a dart throw with his low floor.

Lou Williams ($6,500): LouWill put up 39.75 DraftKings points in just 20 minutes against the Magic earlier this season. The Clippers aren’t going to move Williams into the starting lineup because Bradley is a far better defender, but he is still going to play big minutes off the bench. If LouWill did that much damage in 20, what can he do in 30?

Honorable Mention:

Jeff Teague ($6,400): I get it. Ball is a pretty good defender. However, Derrick Rose is probably still out. Teague lit up a Magic team that actually ranks better defending the point than the Lakers do for 44.5 DraftKings points in just 28 minutes in his first game in nearly three weeks. Teague taking the couple of extra games allowed him to hit the ground running. He looks like a strong mid range play once again. That is, unless Rose winds up in the lineup. Then I may just pass on both of them.

Josh Hart ($6,000): Hart was actually a bit of a disappointment against the Knicks, only totaling 25.25 DraftKings points. That was a bit of a hiccup, but it could become a concern if Rose is back for this game. Hart’s value is tentative. Even though he has played pretty well with LeBron out, he would still be the first offensive source to dry up if the Lakers find themselves in trouble. Hart’s play coupled with the strong play of KCP and Stephenson also makes me nervous.

Dark Horses:

D.J. Augustin ($4,800): The Clippers have allowed the most DraftKings points to opposing point guards. While Augustin isn’t much of an offensive threat at this stage of his career, he still put up 46 DraftKings points on the Pistons a week ago. That is likely an anomaly, but there is no reason that Augustin can’t hit 6x value here against the Clippers. The minutes are there for him.

Shabazz Napier ($3,600): Napier exploded for 51 DraftKings points on December 29th when Russell got the day off, and things haven’t been the same since. The struggling Spencer Dinwiddie has a shorter leash with Napier still playing well off the bench. He has 38.75 DraftKings points in 47 minutes over the last two games. So long as the minutes are there, Napier could be a really nice value play. I trust him more than Dinwiddie right now.

My pick: Dunn(PG), Napier(G); Augustin(PG), Napier(G)

OAKLAND, CA – DECEMBER 25: Brandon Ingram #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots a three-point shot against the Golden State Warriors during the first half of their NBA Basketball game at ORACLE Arena on December 25, 2018 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

DraftKings NBA Shooting Guards:

Best Bets:

D’Angelo Russell ($7,900): Russell turned in his second straight game of more than 45 DraftKings points on Friday. We have seen this from Russell before, and he is definitely worth using when he’s running hot. Russell is the focal point of the offense with LeVert and RHJ sidelined. He only had 30 DraftKings points in the first meeting with the Bulls, but he only took 14 shots in that game. He’ll shoot twice that many tonight.

Brandon Ingram ($7,300): The prices on the Lakers are beginning to go up, but there is zero reason for Lonzo Ball to be priced higher than Ingram. Ingram has at least 36 DraftKings points in three straight and four of the last five. Ball hasn’t hit that mark since December 27th. Ride the hot hand, and it’s not Ball.

Honorable Mention:

Zach LaVine ($6,700): LaVine missed the first game against Brooklyn, but this is a pretty good situation for him none the less. As they showed on Friday, LaVine and Dunn can both have a big game at the same time, which is something that guard tandems often have a problem with. I have more confidence in Dunn, but LaVine’s upside is as good as anyone on the slate.

Evan Fournier ($5,500): Fournier is one of those guys that usually goes unnoticed in DFS circles until he winds up in someone’s winning lineup because he goes off without warning. Fournier has 55.75 DraftKings points over the last two games. He isn’t an elite scorer nor does he stuff the stat sheet. Fournier is just solid. I prefer him more in cash games, but he’s worth a look on a short slate against the questionable guard defense of the Clippers.

Dark Horses:

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope ($5,300): KCP had another very strong showing on Friday, and he would seem to be the answer to Josh Hart’s decreased production. KCP has three straight games of more than 30 DraftKings points. If Minnesota gets healthy, that may serve to slow him down a little, but considering that KCP only needs 26.5 DraftKings points for 5x value, he should hit that at the very least. Especially when we know he wont have to deal with the defense of Covington.

Lance Stephenson ($3,800): Stephenson’s minutes have picked up a lot lately with both LeBron and Kuzma out. Honestly, it’s probably more for the veteran presence than anything else. Still, Stephenson rode that to 26.5 DraftKings points on Friday. If he gets similar run, Stephenson is a really good value play. If Kuzma is out again, it may be worth it to throw this dart in GPP formats.

My pick: KCP(SG); Stephenson(SG)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 21: Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers calls for a shooting foul during a 112-104 Laker win over the New Orleans Pelicans at Staples Center on December 21, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

DraftKings NBA Small Forwards:

Best Bets:

Kyle Kuzma ($7,400): Kuzma is only dealing with a back bruise, so it wouldn’t surprise me if he plays. Kuzma put up 60 DraftKings points in 64 minutes against Minnesota earlier this year. However, Kuzma was putting up a ton of DraftKings points with LeBron out. If Kuzma is in, that probably drops Stephenson and either Hart or KCP off the radar. No small part of me hopes that Kuzma misses this so it doesn’t destroy all of my value plays.

Danilo Gallinari ($7,200): A slow start from Gallo on Friday probably tilted some people, but he still ended up with his four straight game of more than 35 DraftKings points and his seventh of the last ten. All but one of those were over 30. Gallinari only played 23 minutes against Orlando in the first meeting and put up 22 DraftKings points. That’s good enough for me to give him the keys here in a game that Vegas feels will be much closer than the first time around.

Honorable Mention:

Andrew Wiggins ($6,100): With the news dropping that Robert Covington is going to miss an extended period of time, it opens things up for Wiggins here. If Rose returns, that will cut into his scoring a bit, but Wiggins put up 40.5 DraftKings points against the Lakers the first time around. That was before Covington got here, so there is a chance that Wiggins could be the secret weapon for Minnesota today.

Dark Horses:

Josh Okogie ($4,500): Don’t worry…….I hate myself for even writing this. Okogie has been mostly a disaster from a DFS standpoint, but he has actually hit value the last couple of games with Rose out. The elevated price makes it a little less likely, but Okogie is guaranteed minutes if Rose sits. We can’t say that for Stephenson or Kurucs. Okogie is a viable punt option, just don’t go expecting 6x value or anything.

Wayne Selden ($3,200): Selden did have a decent role in Memphis for a while, but we don’t really know what it’s going to look like in Chicago. However, judging by what the Bulls have at the three, if Selden gets a look there, he could wind up being a huge value play. However, there is no in between here. Selden is either going to ruin your lineup or give you a big leg up. The fact that he is available means that Selden will get some run. The only question is how much?

My pick: N/A; Gallinari(SF)

LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 17: Lauri Markkanen #24 of the Chicago Bulls competes in the 2018 Taco Bell Skills Challenge at Staples Center on February 17, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /

DraftKings NBA Power Forwards:

Best Bets:

Tobias Harris ($7,100): Harris put up 33.25 DraftKings points on Orlando in the first meeting despite playing only 26 minutes. If the Lakers’ lineups go crazy, then the Clippers front seems to be the way to go. The only thing we know for sure is that LeBron is out. Everything else could drastically alter this slate. At any rate, Harris is a strong pick, and I would take him over Kuzma because sore backs can be tricky.

Lauri Markkanen ($6,800): Markkanen is playing a ton of minutes with Portis out and Jabari Parker on the outs already. That has resulted in some pretty strong DraftKings totals. Markkanen has topped 34 DraftKings points in seven of the last ten games. The Nets sure aren’t going to hold him under that. That is, unless Portis is ready to play big minutes. The Bulls should announce any limits on Portis before tipoff.

Honorable Mention:

DeMarre Carroll ($5,600): Carroll has done great filling in for Rondae Hollis-Jefferson. With RHJ still out, Carroll is going to get free run here. Carroll has four straight games of more than 30 DraftKings points. Chicago was tough on him the first time around, and they may even hold him under 30. If they do, it wont be by much. Carroll isn’t really value priced anymore, but he is a strong mid range play.

Bobby Portis ($5,000): This looks like a good value for Portis so long as he is guaranteed at least 22-25 minutes. We have seen Portis do a lot with few minutes many times in his career. This shouldn’t be much of a detriment. However, considering Portis hasn’t played since December 19, the Bulls may elect to use him sparingly.

Dark Horse:

Jonathan Isaac ($3,700): Isaac has topped 5x value in three straight games now. He is playing strong minutes off the bench, and the Clippers really aren’t all that strong up front. I don’t see any reason that Orlando will let up on Isaac’s minutes. If anything, they are going up. That makes Isaac a solid value play.

My pick: Harris(SF), Carroll(PF); Harris(PF), Isaac(F)

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – NOVEMBER 21: Wendell Carter Jr. #34 of the Chicago Bulls drives against Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns at the United Center on November 21, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Suns 124-116. NOTE TO USER: User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

DraftKings NBA Centers

Best Bets:

Karl-Anthony Towns ($10,300): Towns is tearing up everyone right now. He has at least 50 DraftKings points in six straight games. If Rose returns, it will cut into his action a little bit, but probably not much. Covington being out is a bigger deal because that means Towns is the only scorer up front. He is going to maul the Lakers. Towns has 95.75 DraftKings points against them in 71 minutes this year.

Nikola Vucevic ($9,500): Vucevic put up 47.75 DraftKings points in the first meeting against the Clippers in just 32 minutes! I wouldn’t count on Vucevic seeing many more minutes than that since the Magic are giving rookie Mo Bamba goood run recently, but it has also served to keep Vucevic fresh and able to do more when he is on the court. There shouldn’t be any reason to worry here.

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Honorable Mention:

Montrezl Harrell ($6,600): Harrell’s price seems to fluctuate quite a bit, and it’s mostly because he doesn’t hit value when his price goes up above 7 grand. It’s back at a better level today, and Harrell put up 34 DraftKings points in 25 minutes against Orlando earlier this year. Harrell is a strong play if you want to work him in at F. Center is loaded!

Jarrett Allen ($5,800): The Nets are notoriously weak in the middle, but the Bulls aren’t a lot better. Allen put up 37 DraftKings points in the first meeting against the Bulls. There is very good value here with Allen if you don’t want to pay up at center.

Dark Horses:

JaVale McGee ($5,700): McGee has four straight games of more than 30 DraftKings points. Towns’ defense has been much better this year, but McGee’s value isn’t really tied to scoring. I like him less at this price, but I could still get on board with using him here. Though it is a tougher sell since Carter is even cheaper.

Wendell Carter ($5,200): HE’S PLAYING THE NETS! Carter is also playing huge minutes if he can stay out of foul trouble and has topped 30 DraftKings points in three of the last four games. This is going to be the fourth of five.

My pick: Towns(C), Carter(F), Allen(UTIL); Towns(C), Vucevic(UTIL)

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