DraftKings NBA picks January 24: Kawhi or Russ?

DraftKings NBA centers:

Best Bets:

Nikola Jokic ($9,700): Jokic has at least 50 DraftKings points in all but one game with Jokic out, and that was the game that he had to tangle with Towns. The offense is running through him right now. The triple-double on Wednesday isn’t an isolated incident. He did that from time to time even with Murray on the court. It will become far more common now that the offense runs through Jokic.

Deandre Ayton ($8,500): Ayton dropped 48 DraftKings points on the Spurs just four days ago. He should be right in that same area tonight. The Pacers briefly slowed the Ayton train, but I doubt the Spurs can. They just aren’t long or athletic enough up front anymore.

Honorable Mention:

Clint Capela ($7,600): I’m a little nervous about this since Capela hasn’t had to deal with Towns yet since one or both of them were hurt for each meeting. Towns has been tough on centers lately, but Capela’s value mostly comes from the boards. With all of the wayward offensive rebounds flying around, I think he’ll still be a solid play tonight, though I don’t think the upside is all that high.

Jonas Valanciunas ($7,200): I’m not worried about Detroit stopping Jonas. I’m worried about his limited minutes. He has been close to 30 the last couple of games, but why isn’t he playing like 30 minutes a game? JJJ can play the four. This doesn’t have to be a timeshare. So long as it is, the upside on both is limited, but Jonas’s floor is a bit safer.

Dark Horses:

Nerlens Noel ($5,100): Noel has played well in limited minutes off the bench and looked good starting for Adams in the win against Orlando on Wednesday. Adams will play if he can. If he can’t Noel is a lock. Even if Adams does play, there’s enough to like about Noel and the possibility of a blowout to make him worth a look.

Dewayne Dedmon ($4,600): There’s not a lot to like about Dedmon, but both Holmes and Bagley are out again and Harry Giles has yet to show any of the promise that got him drafted. Dedmon is capable of a fantasy point per minute when he starts. He’s a sure value play tonight.

Luke Kornet ($4,400): Kornet is the starter in name only. The Bulls often run Thad and Markkanen on the court together leaving Kornet as the odd man out. That said, Kornet is a high-energy player in the 20 minutes he does get and is more than capable of hitting value at this price. He just has zero upside. UPDATE: Markkanen is out at least a month, so Kornet should play big minutes. Felicio could be a solid play as well.