DraftKings NBA Picks January 24: KAT is the late night hammer

LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 20: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets reacts to his three pointer late in the game leading to a 124-115 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on October 20, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

DraftKings NBA Picks January 24: KAT is the late night hammer

We go from a massive slate yesterday down to four games for our DraftKings NBA tournament tonight. It’s homecoming for Durant, and New Orleans goes back to Oklahoma City. There is rampant value and plenty of places to spend. This is going to be an interesting small slate tonight with a wild late night hammer out west.

DraftKings NBA Point Guards:

Best Bets:

Russell Westbrook ($10,700): This would seem to be a great spot for Westbrook, but so far against the Pellicans it hasn’t been. Westbrook only has 85.75 DraftKings points in two games against New Orleans, but has only played 63 minutes total in those games. A blowout is very possible with Davis still out. The Pelicans managed to hang around with Detroit last night, but that’s entirely different than hanging around with Oklahoma City. I see very little upside with Westbrook in this situation.

Stephen Curry ($9,100): Curry just abused the Wizards for 67 DraftKings points the first time around. It’s no secret that the Wizards defense is slightly better without Wall, but emphasis on slightly. Satoransky can’t guard Curry. Beal can’t really either. Curry has been kind of cold (for him) lately. This is going to snap him out of it. Curry should have no problem outscoring Westbrook tonight.

Honorable Mention:

Tomas Satoransky ($5,400): Satoransky is back to his normal production in the mid to high 20’s. He usually hits value, but doesn’t offer much else. That triple double was an anomaly, and it definitely wont happen against the Warriors. There is little upside for Satoransky here, but he’s a decent floor play, which makes him good for cash games.

Rajon Rondo ($5,200): I actually really love Rondo here if he doesn’t have a minutes restriction. Rondo has said that he doesn’t believe there will be one since it was a hand injury, but who knows. We should get some kind of clarification beforehand. If Rondo has no limits, he’s going to be in all of my lineups. This is too cheap if he’s playing full minutes.

Dark Horses:

Dennis Schroder ($4,800): This is a good spot for Schroder considering he put up 64 DraftKings points in the first two meetings. The defense of Ferguson has kept Schroder on the bench to start the games, but he is still getting enough run off the bench to make him interesting. It is also enough to make him a big risk.

Seth Curry ($3,200): The “cheap” Curry is really only in play if Lillard is out, so keep an eye on that injury report. If Curry winds up starting this game, he’s going to be as chalky as Rozier last night, but we’ll just have to deal with it.

My pick: Rondo(PG), Curry(the cheap one, G) *both are contingent on conditions above; Satoransky(PG)

LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 17: Bradley Beal of the Washington Wizards celebrates as Kevin Knox of The New York Knicks looks on after his team win the NBA London game 2019 between Washington Wizards and New York Knicks at The O2 Arena on January 17, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images) /

DraftKings NBA Shooting Guards:

Best Bets:

Bradley Beal ($8,900): Beal was actually given a breather due to a pretty big lead on Detroit on Monday, so that’s why his total wasn’t his normal eye popping stuff that has been there with Wall out. Beal is a risk at this price against the Warriors since they really are a threat to blow anyone off the court. However, if Washington does manage to stay in this one, it’s going to be all Beal that does it.

Jrue Holiday ($8,200): Holiday has 84.25 DraftKings points in two games against the Thunder so far. He could go even higher tonight with Davis out. Payton is still running the point, but Holiday still handles the ball enough and is being leaned on for extra scoring with Davis out. This is a solid price for Holiday and there is decent upside here.

Devin Booker ($7,500): Booker’s two poor showings against the Timberwolves have dropped his price nearly $1,000. Now he might be too cheap, especially considering he gets a Portland team that may not have Lillard. Let’s face it. If Lilliard is questionable now, the Blazers have zero reason to get him in there against Phoenix. I’m not sure they would be in danger of losing this game if they started their second unit. What that adds up to is Lillard likely sitting, and a great situation for Booker since the game may stay close. Booker only needs 37.5 DraftKings points to hit value. He should be able to swing that.

Honorable Mention:

Klay Thompson ($6,400): We all know to play Klay when he’s hot, and it doesn’t get much hotter than his 17-20 performance against the Lakers. In fact, Klay set a NBA record by making his first ten three pointers that he took. I normally don’t make room for Thompson, but I may make an exception tonight.

C.J. McCollum ($6,300): I am just going to write this piece on the assumption that Lillard is held out, so if he plays, adjust accordingly. McCollum becomes the focal point of the offense with Lillard off the court, and could have a monster game against the Suns. I have no interest if Lillard ends up playing though. It’s too much of a crapshoot with Dame out there too.

Dark Horses:

Josh Okogie ($4,400): Guard value is hard to come by tonight. Okogie usually is ignored, and for good reason. He has only broken 20 DraftKings points three times in the last ten games despite playing mostly starter’s minutes. Then came Tuesday. Okogie unleashed hell on the Suns with 35.75 DraftKings points, and a career high 21 real points. A game against the Lakers seems a good place to build on that, but I don’t know that we can use Okogie if Teague is back.

Terrance Ferguson ($3,700): Ferguson continued his strong defense and assault from long range on Tuesday. He has settled into the role formerly held by Andre Roberson. The difference is that Ferguson is a better shooter. He’s never going to be an offensive priority, but Ferguson is a rabid defender and efficient offensive player. That makes him a great floor guy with a some upside.

My pick: N/A; Booker(SG), McCollum(SG, if Lillard out)

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – AUGUST 21: Kevin Durant and Paul George #13 of United States react after a play against Serbia during the Men’s Gold medal game on Day 16 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Carioca Arena 1 on August 21, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Best Bets:

Paul George ($9,600): George is probably the safest play on the slate. That’s not to say that he will be the highest scorer. I just think George has the clear path to 50+. George has 105.25 DraftKings points in two games against the Pelicans, and George played both of those. I’m a little scared of this one getting out of hand, but upon closer inspection, the Thunder aren’t really blowing teams out. That bodes really well for George’s value.

Kevin Durant ($9,000): Durant will be heading home to Washington for the 12th time in his career. In those previous 11 games in D.C., Durant is averaging 25.4 points and 6.6 rebounds per game. In DraftKings points that comes out to about a 42 point average. Nothing to write home (HA!) about. However, Durant put up 53.5 DraftKings points on the Wizards earlier this year. It could be tough with both Curry and Klay having really good matchups, but I wouldn’t bet against Durant having a good game either.

Honorable Mention:

Brandon Ingram ($6,200): We don’t know whether Booker will run the point when Rondo is off the court or not, but it really doesn’t matter. It’s not like Ingram goes nuts on assists when he runs the offense anyway. The thing that sticks out here is that Minnesota really hasn’t been able to guard Ingram. Ingram has 103 DraftKings points in three games against Minnesota so far. That would leave him right about at 5x value.

Kelly Oubre ($5,700): Oubre put up 72 DraftKings points on Portland earlier this year while with Washington. Forwards against Portland. It’s a thing. Oubre’s price looks very good here since the Suns are running him about 30 minutes per game. It’s time to ride the Oubre hot streak against one of the worst SF defenses in the league.

Andrew Wiggins ($5,600): Wiggins has sucked against most of the league, but he has brought it against the Lakers for whatever reason. Wiggins has 80.25 DraftKings points in two games against the Lakers so far. One of them was when Butler was still in Minnesota. It feels like a huge risk to play Wiggins, but this is one of the times where I might throw him out there.

Dark Horses:

Josh Jackson ($5,300): Do you guys remember what happened when Warren went down on Tuesday? Jackson happened. When the dust cleared, Jackson was standing there with season highs in points(27), rebounds(10), and blocks(3), not to mention DraftKings points(52). Jackson is a monster value tonight. Forget ownership. You need this kind of value in your life. It’s necessary chalk, just like Rozier was last night.

Andre Iguodala ($3,800): Iggy is always one of my favorite value plays because he is almost always good for 20-25 DraftKings points. That’s a good value for the price, and the Warriors play him solid minutes every game. There is very little upside here, but with a lot of good higher priced options, we need value somewhere. Iguodala is one of the lower risk value plays.

My pick: George(SF), Oubre(SG), Jackson(F); Jackson(SF)

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 02: Julius Randle #30 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts after a call against the Pelicans during the fourth quarter of the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on January 02, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

DraftKings NBA Power Forwards:

Best Bets:

Julius Randle ($7,800): Randle’s 36.25 DraftKings points last night was actually kind of a disappointment with Davis out of the lineup, but he still had to deal with Blake. The flipside of that happens tonight. Randle gets the easier matchup while Okafor has to grapple with Adams. Randle has 87.5 DraftKings points in 59 minutes against the Thunder this year. Don’t let last night scare you off.

Kyle Kuzma ($6,900): Kuzma was a non factor against the Warriors, which isn’t much of a surprise since the game wasn’t as close as the final score would have you believe. At any rate, Kuzma has done pretty well against the Thunder this year, putting up 60.5 DraftKings points in two games, mostly off the bench. This price looks really low with LeBron out, so I would be willing to toss Kuzma out there even against a good defender like Taj Gibson.

Honorable Mention:

Otto Porter ($6,100): This isn’t a good matchup, but Porter has been an offensive force with Wall out. You can’t put too much stock into Porter’s stats with Wall in there. He is completely different now. Porter isn’t going to explode on the Warriors, but he could still get 6x value at this price. The potential is certainly there.

Draymond Green ($6,000): There isn’t much for upside on Green, but this is a very reasonable price for one of the best defenders in the league. Green put up 29.25 DraftKings points in the first meeting, so I would expect to see him in the same area again tonight. Green is more of a cash play since he doesn’t really have upside though.

Dark Horses:

Jerami Grant ($5,000): Grant has carved out a nice little role for the Thunder, but this matchup really doesn’t suit him. Grant is going to have his hands full with Randle. Still, with the price this low, Grant should be able to pick up between 25 and 30 points. That’s solid return for your investment.

Kevon Looney ($4,200): Looney is still guaranteed to play about half the game while Boogie plays the other half. You may even see both of them on the court together. Looney’s value is going to evaporate at some point, but he is still worth using for the price right now. Looney is playing well and getting decent minutes.

My pick: N/A; N/A

LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 17: Jusuf Nurkic #27 of the Portland Trail Blazers look son during the second half of a game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on December 17, 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 Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

Best Bets:

Karl-Anthony Towns ($10,200): Say a prayer for the Lakers. They’re going to need it. Towns has 126.5 DraftKings points over the last two games and has averaged 54.4 DraftKings points in three games against the Lakers. Two were with Butler in the fold. Towns is going to crush the Lakers up front. Pay up!

Jusuf Nurkic ($8,000): Remember that total I gave you for Towns over the last two games? That was against the Suns. Care to take a guess at who Nurkic is playing tonight? That’s right. The Suns. Without Ayton. The prospective blowout make me marginally less interested, but Nurkic is going to put up strong numbers while he’s in there. He racked up 32.5 DraftKings points in just 23 minutes in the first meeting. If the Suns keep it relatively close, Nurkic is hitting 50.

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Honorable Mention:

Steven Adams ($6,600): Adams put up 66.5 DraftKings points in the first two games against the Pelicans. That’s a really solid total against Davis. Now he doesn’t have to deal with Davis. Adams was right at 5x value with him in there. Projecting Adams at 6x value against a backup doens’t seem like much of a stretch.

DeMarcus Cousins ($5,800): Cousins will likely see a slight increase in minutes tonight. I would guess he will be around 24 minutes in his third game back. So far, Cousins has 57.25 DraftKings points in 36 minutes. If he plays 24 minutes, this average would net him 38. He’s WAY too cheap against Washington. He’s going to destroy Bryant while he’s in there.

Dark Horses:

Jahlil Okafor ($4,900): I don’t care if Okafor is tangling with Adams. He is still way too cheap. Okafor has racked up 80.5 DraftKings points in two starts with Davis out. Even if Adams locks him down, Okafor is getting at least 25 DraftKings points here. 5x value is his floor.

Dragan Bender ($4,600): The Suns have Ayton listed as questionable, but they are just being pranksters. There’s no way they are going to run Ayton out there since he missed practice yesterday. They have no reason to risk him. This is not a smash spot for Bender, but considering that he has 60.5 DraftKings points in the two games with Ayton out, he’s worth this price and then some.

My pick: Towns(C), Cousins(PF), Okafor(UTIL); Towns(C), Cousins(PF), Bender(F), Okafor(C)

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