Fansided

DraftKings NBA picks January 27: Spend up front

By Mike Marteny

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 19: Andre Drummond #0 of the Detroit Pistons and Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves fight for position during the game on December 19, 2018 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jordan Johnson/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 19: Andre Drummond #0 of the Detroit Pistons and Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves fight for position during the game on December 19, 2018 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jordan Johnson/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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DraftKings NBA
Kobe Bryant and daughter Gianna Bryant attend a basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Dallas Mavericks at Staples Center on December 29, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images) /

DraftKings NBA picks January 27: Spend up front

Yesterday was a really weird day for DraftKings NBA, and honestly, it never should have happened. I know the NBA never wants to postpone games, but this was probably the time to do it. I didn’t even have much fun creating DFS lineups, a process I usually enjoy.

Kobe Bryant was always one of those guys that seemed larger than life. I was never a Lakers fan, but I always had respect for what Bryant did for the game on and off the court. I didn’t even know the guy and wasn’t a huge fan. I can’t imagine what the players who played yesterday, most of whom idolized Kobe and many who knew him personally, were going through.

The worst part for me was that his daughter was with him. Who knows if she would have went on to make her mark on the WNBA like her father did for the Association. Sadly, we will never know.

Maybe today will be better, but I still think many in the league and fanbase are grieving. This six game DraftKings NBA slate is a pretty good one, at least on paper. It’s going to be a hard DFS night though because we don’t know what these players are still going through.

Out: Russell Westbrook (rest), LaMarcus Aldridge (thumb), Chris Paul (personal), Clint Capela (heel), Marvin Bagley (foot), Lauri Markkanen (pelvis), Richaun Holmes (shoulder), Jonathan Isaac (knee), Wendell Carter (ankle), Luke Kennard (knee), Otto Porter (foot), Daniel Gafford (thumb), D.J. Augustin (knee), Justise Winslow (back), Allen Crabbe (knee), Jake Layman (toe), Nene (hip), Gerald Green (foot), Al-Farouq Aminu (knee), Andre Roberson (knee), Abdel Nader (ankle), Dwight Powell (Achilles), Brandon Knight (knee), Dylan Windler (leg), Ante Zizic (illness), Blake Griffin (knee), Khyri Thomas (foot), Turd Ferguson (personal).

Questionable: James Harden (thigh), Jimmy Butler (ankle), Goran Dragic (calf), Kendrick Nunn (Achilles), Nerlens Noel (face), Willie Cauley-Stein (traded), Tony Snell (illness).

Harden was upgraded to questionable earlier today. If he plays with Russ and Capela out, pay whatever the asking price is. With Russ sitting, the Rockets need Harden to have any chance against Utah. The Cavs expect Porter to play, so that’s something to watch in what could be a good matchup. A minutes limit will likely keep me away though.

Just because you don’t see someone on here doesn’t mean they aren’t a good play. I only have so much room, and I’m not going anyone a favor if I recommend more than half of the players at a position. If you have a feeling about someone, by all means, follow that. I mostly follow numbers and trends.