NBA DFS: Studs, scrubs, and duds for January 7, 2020

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PHOENIX, AZ – DECEMBER 21: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns looks on against the Houston Rockets on December 21, 2018 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Top star players, best value picks, and guys you should stay away from on January 7 in NBA DFS on DraftKings and FanDuel.

Welcome to Studs, Scrubs, and Duds; FanSided’s NBA DFS lineup helper.

Here’s what’s on the slate for tonight:

7 p.m. ET: Detroit at Cleveland, Portland at Toronto
7:30 p.m. ET: Oklahoma City at Brooklyn
8 p.m. ET: Minnesota at Memphis
9 p.m. ET: Sacramento at Phoenix
10:30 p.m. ET: New York at LA Lakers

How this works:

Studs: Top high salary picks that you can build your lineup around.
Scrubs: Value players looking for a big night or consistent options to help fill out your lineup.
Duds: Players to avoid given their high salary and/or poor matchup.

Five players are picked on each slide, positions are not applicable, and both DraftKings and FanDuel salaries are listed.

Studs

LeBron James (vs NY – $11,200 on DK; $10,900 on FD): You know what you’re getting out of LeBron on most nights at this point. He’s a guaranteed 50+ fantasy points and a triple double threat with any game. And now he gets the Knicks at home, which is a great matchup. It’s a high price but there’s enough value on a solid night of action where you can build around him.

Devin Booker (vs SAC – $8,800 on DK; $8,800 on FD): Booker remains hot and until he cools off there is no reason to go away from him, especially with this matchup against the Kings. The Suns are into that mode we’re they’re just going to let Booker do his thing on offense, not play defense, and hope for the best. He’ll continue to put up big numbers for a squad that no longer seems competitive.

Jonas Valanciunas (vs MIN – $7,200 on DK; $6,700 on FD): Valanciunas is a consistent option and the ceiling is high with him. And not he gets a great matchup against the Timberwolves who continue to reel and just haven’t played good basketball without Towns. He’s a double double threat and gets plenty of touches from all over the floor.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (at BKN – $6,800 on DK; $6,500 on FD): Once again there’s plenty to like with the OKC three guard lineup. It’s a back to back for both squads and Brooklyn actually had the longer travel. The Nets are terrible against the position and the three guard OKC lineup has given teams fits all season. This one feels like a SGA game but you can’t go wrong with any of them given the salary and matchup.

Derrick Rose (at CLE – $6,400 on DK; $6,100 on FD): The Cavaliers are an absolute mess on multiple levels but their defense looks especially homeless. Rose may have disappointed against them last time out against the Cavs but he’s a high ceiling guy who isn’t going to hurt you at this price. Grab at least one Piston in this matchup because the Cavaliers bleed points.