Fantasy Basketball: NBA Draftkings Top Salary Value Plays – 1/22

Welcome back to another edition of “Top Salary Value Plays” on this beautiful Tuesday. After having a split slate yesterday on Draftkings, we now get a 4 game slate. We once again get Russell Westbrook but also Luka Doncic off of his triple double from yesterday. Yesterday, James Harden finally decided to not return value as the Rockets were outplayed by the Philadelphia 76ers. While we don’t have a for sure “Do Not Fade” play, lets see how close we can get though. Lets dive in and find our Top Salary Value Plays! Good luck and cash out!

NBA Draftkings – The Breakdown

So as usually, with any NBA Draftkings slate, we’re going to look at a players stats, usage rate, previous game stats, the opposing teams defensive stats versus the players position, and their salary. A big part of daily fantasy sports is a players salary. We build our lineups around key players and if they are players like Lebron James, James Harden, Russell Westbrook, or Giannis Antetokounmpo, then they come along with a hefty price tag. We need a player to hit at least five times their value with their salary to make it “worth it” in a sense but what we really want and need is for it to be around six or possibly even seven times their value.

For example, the other night Russell Westbrook was priced at $10,900 versus the New Orleans Pelicans so we needed him to hit 54.50 fantasy points to return five times his value. Sadly, he did not. This is why we’re switching up the article format and trying to dig even deeper with our NBA Slates.

Now we might not always have multiple players (minimum two) discussed at every position on every article because the NBA has the weirdest schedule this season.

Lets not waste any more time and kick off the research for this 4 game NBA Draftkings Slate. As always though, I will be sticking with Draftkings as I rarely play on Fanduel anymore. Good luck and lets cash out!

NBA Draftkings – Top Tier

Russell Westbrook vs. Portland Trailblazers

Salary: $11,000 – Needs to score 55 fantasy points or more to exceed value (71.5 for 6.5x)

We get to have back to back games of James Harden and Russell Westbrook once again. The NBA plans this out nicely. Westbrook hasn’t hit value in his past two games but had two games before those, scoring 63.3 and 65.5 fantasy points. He has had a roller-coaster type of month when it comes to his value but it’s hard to fade him. He’s averaging 56.6 fantasy points per game and 1.6 fantasy points per minute. On the season, Westbrook has a usage rate of 31% while averaging 21 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assist in 35 minutes per game.

On the defensive end of things, the Portland Trailblazers are allowing opposing point guards to average 21 points, 7 assist and 5 rebounds per game. Westbrook blew that average up in their previous meeting where he scored 31 points, 9 points, and 7 rebounds, scoring 53.3 fantasy points. Off fresh legs, Russell Westbrook should be able to do that easily tonight once again.

Other Top Tier Options

Kyle Lowry vs. Sacramento Kings

Salary: $7,600 – Needs to score 38 fantasy points or more to exceed value

Kyle Lowry hasn’t been the same since his best friend, DeMar DeRozan, was traded during the off-season for Kawhi Leonard. He is averaging 14 points, 9 assist, and 4 rebounds in 34 minutes per game with a usage rate of just 19%. But he does get to face the Sacramento Kings who are playing at a high pace this season. The Kings are also allowing point guards to average 24 points, 9 assist, and 6 rebounds per game. In his previous five games, Lowry has only returned value in 1 of those games. Lowry should be able to follow-up his November 7th stat-line versus the Kings where he scored 16 points with 8 assist, 2 rebounds and 3 steals.

Low Tier Option

Derrick Rose vs. Phoenix Suns

Salary: $6,300 – Needs to score 31.5 fantasy points or more to exceed value

Derrick Rose deserves all the praise plus more this season at the rate that he is playing. Averaging 30 minutes per game with 19 points, 5 assist, and 3 rebounds, Rose is proving he is basically back to his former, healthy self. He also has a usage rate of 26% plus he gets to face the G-League, Phoenix Suns. The two just faced off two nights ago where Rose recorded 31 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assist, scoring 40 fantasy points. The odd thing is that Derrick Rose gets a salary decrease tonight by $100 and has a lower ceiling which makes this an even better play.

NBA Draftkings – Top Tier

Devin Booker vs. Minnesota Timberwolves

Salary: $8,300 – Needs to score 41.5 fantasy points or more to exceed value

We don’t have the best shooting guard depth tonight with mainly a focus on one repeat game and once again, it’s hard to gauge Devin Booker. He’s coming off a decent performance versus the Minnesota Timberwolves already where he recorded 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assist, scoring 32.5 fantasy points. He missed his value by 9. On he season, he’s averaging 24 points, 7 assist, and 4 rebounds per game while being on the floor around 35 minutes. He also has a usage rate of 32%. He has hit value in two of his previous five games, scoring 53.5 and 43.5 fantasy points in those two.

The Minnesota TImberwolves are allowing opposing shooting guards to average 24 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assist per game. While the two teams are coming off of a match-up versus each other, this is still the Phoenix Suns and we don’t know what to expect from them every single night so be cautious.

Other Top Tier Options

CJ McCollum vs, Oklahoma City Thunder

Salary: $6,000 – Needs to score 30 fantasy points or more to exceed value

This is how bad the depth is tonight if CJ McCollum is making an appearance. McCollum was once a good player to target on slates but now, we have to be overly careful when using him. But tonight, he does get to face the Oklahoma City Thunders who are allowing opposing shooting guards to average 24 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assist per game. McCollum does have a usage rate of 25% and is averaging 31.8 fantasy points per game and .93 fantasy points per minute. He also didn’t have the best stat-line in their first match-up on January 4th where he scored just 10 points, 5 assist and 2 rebounds. If he can improve that stat-line with a few more rebounds or even a couple of assist, he’ll be able to return value tonight.

Low Tier Option

Kelly Oubre Jr. vs. Minnesota Timberwolves

Salary: $5,600 – Needs to score 28 fantasy points or more to exceed value

Kelly Oubre Jr. has had a great string of games lately, exceeding value in his past 7 games! Draftkings still hasn’t increased his salary by a major amount but we’re not complaining. On the season, Oubre Jr. is averaging 13 points and 4 rebounds but in his past 7 games, he is averaging 20 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assist, and 2 steals. A huge increase. He’s also coming off a game versus the Timberwolves where he dropped 18 points and 8 rebounds in 29 minutes, scoring 33 fantasy points. If you go cheap at the shooting guard position, make Kelly Oubre Jr. your play.

NBA Draftkings – Top Tier

Luka Doncic vs. Los Angeles Clippers

Salary: $8,400 – Needs to score 42 fantasy points or more to exceed value

The young rookie, Luka Doncic, is coming off of his first career triple double, scoring 18 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assist, scoring 54.8 fantasy points. Doncic rarely misses value but when he’s on fire, he’s on fire. He has returned value in his past 9 games except one, 3 days ago. On the season he is averaging 20 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assist with a usage rate of 28%. Doncic is averaging 39 fantasy points per game and 1.22 fantasy points per minute.

The Los Angeles Clippers are currently allowing opposing small forwards to average 20 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assist per game. But the rookie dominated in their first match-up this season with his shot falling 50% on the night, recording 32 points, 5 assist and 4 rebounds. Coming off of a huge night, I would not fade Luka Doncic tonight either with the match-up that he has against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Other Top Tier Options

Tobias Harris vs. Dallas Mavericks

Salary: $8,000 – Needs to score 40 fantasy points or more to exceed value

Once again one of my favorite plays of all of DFS players, Tobias Harris has a great match-up versus the Dallas Mavericks. Harris is averaging 34 minutes with 21 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assist per game, plus a usage rate of 23%. He’s averaging 37.5 fantasy points per game and 1 fantasy points per minute. In his past five games, Tobias Harris has returned value three times, scoring 60.8, 41.8, and 37 fantasy points. He’s coming off of a huge game of 27 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assist against the San Antonio Spurs, scoring 60.8 fantasy points. Harris gets a Dallas Mavericks team that is allowing small forwards to average 20 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assist. I would play Doncic over any small forward tonight but if you don’t, Tobias Harris is up next.

Low Tier Options

Al-Farouq Aminu vs. Oklahoma City Thunder

Salary: $5,100 – Needs to score 25.5 fantasy points or more to exceed value

Another fan favorite, Al-Farouq Aminu gets a nice match-up versus the Oklahoma City Thunder tonight. Aminu is currently averaging 10 points and 8 rebounds with a usage rate of just 13%. He’s also currently average 30 minutes per game with around .82 fantasy points per minute. He has returned value in three games out of the past five games, scoring 33.5, 36.8, and 29 fantasy points in those games. This Oklahoma City Thunder defense is also allowing opposing small forwards to average 20 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assist. But with a low salary price tag and low ceiling, Al-Farouq Aminu is a great play tonight, especially since in their last match-up on the 4th, he scored 40.3 fantasy points.

NBA Draftkings – Top Tier

Paul George vs. Portland Trailblazers

Salary: $9,700 – Needs to score 48.5 fantasy points or more to exceed value (63 for 6.5x)

With the same exact price tag as his first time facing the Portland Trailblazers, we can expect a similar result with this one being a home game. In their first match-up, Paul George recorded 37 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assist, scoring 53 fantasy points. On the season, George is averaging 27 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assist while averaging 36 minutes per game, plus a usage rate of 29%. He’s also averaging 49 fantasy points per game and 1.4 fantasy points per minute. George has also returned value in four of his past five games, scoring 46, 53.5, 54.8, and 49.5.

This Portland Trailblazers team is allowing power forwards to average 22 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 assist per game. Paul George is almost keeping up with his teammate Russell Westbrook this season, making it easy to return value and play him on almost any slate.

Other Top Tier Options

Kawhi Leonard vs. Sacramento Kings

Salary: $9,300 – Needs to score 46.5 fantasy points or more to exceed value (60.45 for 6.5x)

With a questionable tag heading into the morning, Kawhi Leonard is in play versus this Sacramento Kings team. One major upside that is on the Toronto Raptors side is that the Kings aren’t that great statistically on back to back games. In their first match-up on November 7th, Leonard recorded a double double with 25 points and 11 rebounds, plus a lonely 2 assist. This Kings team is allowing power forwards to average 22 points, 11 rebounds and 3 assist per game. This should be an easy one for Leonard, plus he has returned value in four of his last five games, scoring 49.5, 73.8, 60, and 57.8 fantasy points. He’s also averaging 47.5 fantasy points per game and 1.35 fantasy points per game. This play is up in the air against Paul George as both can go off tonight with their match-ups.

Low Tier Option

Harrison Barnes vs. Los Angeles Clippers

Salary: $5,500 – Needs to score 27.5 fantasy points or more to exceed value

Harrison Barnes is someone else that used to be heavily in play but this season, it’s the complete opposite. Barnes is currently averaging 18 points and 4 rebounds per game with a usage rate of 23%. It has been hard for Harrison Barnes to even return value as he has only done it twice in his past six games, scoring 27.8 and 30.5 fantasy points. But he does get to face the Los Angeles Clippers who are allowing power forwards to average 22 points, 10 rebounds and 3 assist per game. Do be cautious with this play as Harrison Barnes only recorded 16 points with 1 rebound and assist in their first match-up on December 20th.

NBA Draftkings – Top Tier

Karl Anthony-Towns vs. Phoenix Suns

Salary: $10,600 – Needs to score 53 fantasy points or more to exceed value (68.9 for 6.5x)

This may end up being a chalky play just due to the fact of what Karl Anthony-Towns did to the G-League Suns on Saturday. KAT recorded 30 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 assist, scoring 61 fantasy points. KAT is currently averaging 22 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 assist per game with a usage rate of 27%. He missed value twice in his past five games but played 28 and 21 minutes in those two game. In the ones where he exceeded value, KAT scored 61, 78.8, and 56.8 fantasy points. He’s averaging 48 fantasy points per game and 1.45 fantasy points per minute.

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With this terrible defense inside the paint, the Phoenix Suns are allowing opposing centers to average 26 points, 16 rebounds, and 4 assist per game. This is by far the top center play of the night but we do have that is very similar and at a huge discount.

Other Top Tier Options

DeAndre Jordan vs. Los Angeles Clippers

Salary: $6,400 – Needs to score 32 fantasy points or more to exceed value

With another top match-up at the center position, DeAndre Jordan gets to face the Los Angeles Clippers. Jordan is currently averaging 11 points, 14 rebounds, and 2 assist with a usage rate of 14%. In his past five games, he has returned value in three of those where he scored 39.3, 36, and 36.5 fantasy points. This Clippers defense is pretty bad versus opposing centers, allowing them to average 26 points, 17 rebounds, and 4 assist. We can even go the revenge narrative once again against his former team but he has already dominated once this season. In their first match-up on December 20th, DeAndre Jordan recorded 11 points and a monstrous 22 rebounds. Hard to fade this cheap play the second time around.

Low Tier Option

Willie Cauley-Stein vs. Toronto Raptors

Salary: $6,100 – Needs to score 30.5 fantasy points or more to exceed value

Be very cautious with this play even though Willie Cauley-Stein had a nice stat-line versus the Toronto Raptors the first time around this season. The Sacramento Kings are bad in back to back games like mentioned before. Cauley-Stein is averaging 13 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assist per game on the season. He’s also averaging 32 fantasy points per game and 1.12 fantasy points per game. The Toronto Raptors are allowing centers to average 21 points, 16 rebounds and 4 assist per game. But if Willie Cauley-Stein and the Kings can perform better in this back to back game, expect him to be a nice, salary relief center to play on tonight’s slate.

Stay tuned to Fantasy CPR for all the latest NBA DFS news and analysis each and every day!