NBA DFS: Studs, scrubs, and duds for DraftKings and FanDuel January 9

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Russell Westbrook #0 of the Houston Rockets goes in for a layup against the Golden State Warriors (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Top star players, best value picks, and guys you should stay away from on January 8 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:

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

Russell Westbrook (at OKC – $8,400 on DK; $8,700 on FD): This is a triple double money back guarantee. Westbrook returns to OKC and the ovation will be loud. He’ll look for that triple double since it’s the only team he doesn’t have one against. And he’ll look to put on a show. This could backfire horribly but I’d like to think I know how Westbrook works after all these years. Famous last words. Expect him to have a throwback game in this one.

Chris Paul (vs HOU – $7,400 on DK; $7,200 on FD): Not to be outdone, expect Chris Paul to use some of that trade fuel to go at the Rockets. He wasn’t happy with how things played out in the offseason and now he can show why he’s the leader in OKC. Paul has a tendency to sit back through three quarters. Expect him to be more aggressive early in this one.

Tobias Harris (vs BOS – $7,300 on DK; $6,700 on FD): No Embiid means other guys will have to pick up the slack. I’m not a fan of Simmons for reasons I’ll explain later. And Horford in on a big downswing right now. But Harris can score and rebound in Embiid’s place so look for those extra opportunities to pay off.

Jayson Tatum (at PHI – $6,700 on DK; $6,900 on FD): Tatum typically plays his best basketball against the Sixers. And with Embiid out of the lineup, that gives him even more opportunities to get to the rim against a weakened Philly defense. He’s played well for the majority of the season, is at a great salary, and this is simply his matchup.