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DraftKings NBA picks January 31: Kobe lives on in LeBron

ByMike Marteny|
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 15: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers greets LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers after the game on January 15, 2015 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. 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 2015 NBAE (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 15: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers greets LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers after the game on January 15, 2015 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. 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 2015 NBAE (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images)
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DraftKings NBA
LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 30: The LA Clippers honor Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna Bryant prior to a game between the Sacramento Kings and the LA Clippers on January 30, 2020 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. 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 2020 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

DraftKings NBA picks January 31: Kobe lives on in LeBron

We have a solid seven game Friday night DraftKings NBA slate tonight. The big story is the Lakers are playing their first game since the passing of Kobe Bryant. We’ve seen some emotional games since then from players that were most affected by Kobe. This could be something entirely different. We could see something otherworldly from LeBron. A Dallas-Houston undercard is quite enticing too. Oh, and Giannis is on this slate against the depleted Nuggets, who are also on a back to back. Fun stuff!

First, we have to take a look at who wont be participating. Personal days may still happen once in a while, but they have mostly gone by the wayside the last couple of days.

Out: Luka Doncic (ankle), Lauri Markkanen (pelvis), Jamal Murray (ankle), Jaren Jackson (suspension), Carmelo Anthony (personal), Wendell Carter (ankle), Luke Kennard (knee), Otto Porter (foot), Marc Gasol (hamstring), Jusuf Nurkic (leg), Daniel Gafford (thumb), De’Anthony Melton (hand), Paul Millsap (knee), Mason Plumlee (foot), Cam Johnson (quad), George Hill (hamstring), Bol Bol (foot), Nene (hip), Gerald Green (foot), Dwight Powell (Achilles), Kevin Durant (Achilles), Darius Miller (Achilles), Kenrich Williams (back), Bruno Caboclo (knee), Grayson Allen (hip), Andre Iguodala (personal), Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (ankle), Malcolm Miller (neck), Dewan Hernandez (ankle), Zach Collins (shoulder), DeMarcus Cousins (knee), Aron Baynes (hip), Frank Kaminsky (knee), Rodney Hood (Achilles), Skal Labissiere (knee), Blake Griffin (knee), Khyri Thomas (foot), Andre Roberson (knee).

Questionable: Giannis Antetokounmpo (shoulder), Tim Hardaway Jr. (back), Donte DiVincenzo (ankle), Markieff Morris (illness), Gary Harris (personal), Turd Ferguson (personal).

If the shoulder is still a thing, the Bucks will rest Giannis against Denver. Even in this game, I’m not sure Giannis sees enough minutes in what smells like another blowout win for the Bucks. Morris was huge for the Pistons on Wednesday, so it’s a big loss if he sits.

I cashed with five of six lineups thanks to being all in on Bryant and Beal. I had heavy exposure to Jokic and Ibaka as well. I had zero Jordan Clarkson, so that kept me from a big night.

DirtyBastards got the takedown with 378.25 DraftKings points. He had the magic combo of Trae and Beal and backed that up with Fox, Clarkson, Miles Bridges, Chriss, Dedmon, and Will Barton.

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.