DraftKings NBA picks January 19: The Joker's wild

DraftKings NBA picks January 19: The Joker’s wild

DENVER, CO - APRIL 23: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets reacts to a play against the San Antonio Spurs during Game Five of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffson April 23, 2019 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images /

DraftKings NBA Forwards:

Small forward is usually a shallow position, but not today. You can chase Barton or Butler, but Michael Porter Jr. has been outstanding for the Nuggets lately. He has 106.5 DraftKings points over the last three games. I’m not sure that anyone in a Mike Malone rotation is what you would call “safe,” but the fans will burn down Pepsi Center if Malone doesn’t play Porter 30 minutes tonight. He deserves it, and deserves top billing in our lineups despite a tougher matchup.

If the matchup worries you, T.J. Warren is a strong play against the Nuggets. You know Warren is going to be right around 5x value no matter what, which makes him a valuable asset in cash games.

You can look to Duncan Robinson or Derrick Jones to fill a F or UTIL slot. Both are good plays, especially if Herro is out. As far as Torrey Craig goes, he may be starting, but that doesn’t mean he’s effective. take what the Nuggets bench did to the Warriors with a grain of salt.

Domantas Sabonis torpedoed lineups after I gave him top billing on Wednesday in a foul-plagued game against Minnesota. A bounce back game could be in order here, and he’s a hell of a lot safer than Aldridge, who mustered just 20.25 DraftKings points against the Heat earlier this week.

Jerami Grant was one of the favorite plays across the industry, but it was Mason Plumlee that did the damage to the Warriors, not Grant. I expect to see a lot of Jokic and Plumlee together again against the long Pacers up front.

If Gay sits, which looks likely, Trey Lyles is a decent play. His lack of production is a bit concerning though. I would rather roll with someone with more upside for the price like Plumlee or Duncan Robinson. I would even consider sharpshooter Doug McDermott over Lyles for a fraction of the price.