DraftKings NBA picks January 24: Kawhi or Russ?

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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – NOVEMBER 08: Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors in action during a NBA game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on November 08, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Gardner/Getty Images) /

DraftKings NBA Power Forwards:

Best Bets:

John Collins ($8,400): For me, Collins is more in play if Young isn’t able to go. Everyone knew he had a game like that in him. Most didn’t think it would come against the Clippers, in a win no less. Collins on his own can be a dominant force. With Young, he’s the one that takes a back seat.

Brandon Ingram ($8,300): Ingram was a bit of a disappointment against the Spurs as Aldridge just ran over the Pelicans’ frontcourt. Normally Denver would, but they wont do that with Millsap and Porter out. Ingram put up 87 DraftKings points in the first two meetings with the Nuggets. He should be at least at that mark tonight against this patchwork front.

Honorable Mention:

Pascal Siakam ($7,700): Siakam played 34 minutes against Philly and took a whopping 23 shots. Both of those are signs that he has fully regained his spot after a groin injury sidelined him for a couple of weeks. Siakam’s price is very low. He’s not going to shoot 35% every game. Most game’s he’ll shoot 50%. If he had done that against Philly, he would have cleared 50 with ease. I’m guessing he does unless this turns into a blowout against the Knicks.

Nemanja Bjelica ($6,700): There’s a reason the Kings thought they could part with Ariza. His name is Nemanja. Of course, the main reason is that they couldn’t find anyone to take on the albatross contract of Barnes, but that’s a story for another day. Only Utah has held Bjelica under 32 DraftKings points in the last three weeks. Chicago wont be able to either.

Zion Williamson ($6,400): The Spurs held Zion in check for his first 12 minutes, but that’s not the part of the story anyone remembers. Williamson wasn’t a prolific shooter from beyond the arc in college, so that outburst in the fourth quarter on Wednesday is more the exception than the rule. Now the good news: Denver is going to want to handle him the way Pop did, but they don’t have the personnel to do it right now with Millsap, Plumlee, and Porter all out. If they roll Jokic to Zion, Favors will eat them alive. Williamson will get his time against Grant. That’s a matchup he can own.

Dark Horses:

Jerami Grant ($6,000): I’m only playing Grant if Porter is out. Too often Denver likes to run Craig or Beasley out there and either play Grant at the five or not at all. With Porter out, Grant is the only natural power forward that they have. He has 72 DraftKings points over the last two games, so there’s still good value potential at this price.

P.J. Tucker ($4,300): Tucker sees a ton of minutes because of his high motor on defense, but that doesn’t always manifest itself in good fantasy numbers. Most of the time Tucker is an afterthought on offense. The good news is that anyone on the court for Houston has the green light. The bad news is that between Russ and Harden they will miss more shots in one game than Tucker takes in a month. I’m not kidding. Tucker has taken 38 shots this month. Harden and Westbrook took that many last game. Harden has missed that many alone in his last ten quarters.