Fansided

NBA DFS: Studs, scrubs, and duds on DraftKings and FanDuel January 16

By Jeremy Lambert

Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets prepares to play defense against the Portland Trail Blazers (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets prepares to play defense against the Portland Trail Blazers (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images) /
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Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns during the NBA game against the Sacramento Kings (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Top star players, best value picks, and guys you should stay away from on January 16 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:

7:30 p.m. ET: Phoenix at New York
8 p.m. ET: Boston at Milwaukee, Utah at New Orleans
10:30 p.m. ET: Denver at Golden State, Orlando at LA Clippers

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

Giannis Antetokounmpo (vs BOS – $11,700 on DK; $11,500 on FD): There’s no point in doubting Giannis. Sometimes I think a blowout will hold him back and then he still drops 50 fantasy points in 25 minutes. This game should be competitive and that’s even better for Giannis’ overall numbers. He’s guaranteed value and his ceiling is one of the highest if there’s a matchup that challenges him.

Devin Booker (at NY – $9,000 on DK; $8,800 on FD): It’s a red hot Devin Booker against the Knicks. This can only go one way. Booker will find himself putting up big scoring numbers while chipping in with a handful of rebounds and assists. If you don’t want to spend on Giannis because it is a slow night and less value on the table, definitely take Booker if you don’t take Giannis.

Julius Randle (vs PHO – $8,000 on DK; $7,900 on FD): Randle can be inconsistent but it’s a great matchup against the Suns. He always had double double potential and with Morris and Robinson potentially sidelined, Randle will get even more opportunities. He should go off in this matchup.

Will Barton (at GS – $6,800 on DK; $6,400 on FD): Barton is very inconsistent but this is a matchup where he should be able to get his scoring going. I like the value in the Nuggets in this game as they won’t have to rely on one guy to carry the load. He’s a slight risk because he is a higher salary guy and the inconsistency is concerning. But I’m going to trust the matchup.