Daily Fantasy

NBA DraftKings & FanDuel DFS Primer: Jan. 13

FantasyPros considers the best player values for DraftKings and FanDuel NBA DFS.

Joel Bartilotta, FantasyPros

January 13, 2023 5:28 PM

Kawhi Leonard has scored at least 39 DraftKings points in six of his last seven games.

This has been a fascinating week of basketball. It felt like we got back numerous big-name players last week but just as many went down this week!

Injury Report

Zion Williamson (hamstring) OUT
Brandon Ingram (toe) OUT
Herbert Jones (back) Questionable
Cade Cunningham (shin) OUT
Jalen Duren (ankle) OUT
Isaiah Stewart (shoulder) Questionable
Clint Capela (calf) OUT
Tyrese Haliburton (knee) OUT
Myles Turner (back) Questionable
Bradley Beal (hamstring) OUT
Kristaps Porzingis (ribs) Questionable
Daniel Gafford (ankle) Questionable
Devin Vassell (knee) OUT
Lonzo Ball (knee) OUT
DeMar DeRozan (quad) Doubtful
Devin Booker (groin) OUT
Chris Paul (hip) OUT
Deandre Ayton (ankle) Questionable
Karl-Anthony Towns (calf) OUT
Kelly Olynyk (ankle) OUT
Collin Sexton (hamstring) Questionable
Paul George (hamstring) OUT
Kevin Porter Jr.(foot) OUT
Kevin Huerter (illness) Questionable

Core Plays

Stephen Curry (PG/SG – GSW): $10,400 DraftKings, $9,300 FanDuel
Chef Curry had a rough go in his first game back from an injury, but this guy will bounce back here. The sharpshooter is still averaging 52 DraftKings points per game this year, and that should be his floor in this matchup. San Antonio sits dead last in both points allowed and defensive efficiency while surrendering the third-most fantasy points to opposing point guards. You might be worried about Curry’s role, but he took 22 shots across 32 minutes in his return to action.

Julius Randle (PF/C – NYK): $10,300 DraftKings, $10,300 FanDuel
Many people thought Randle’s All-Star appearance was a fluke, but he’s proving otherwise. The big man has scored at least 53 DK points in 10 of his last 11 games, generating a 56-point average in that span. That’s one of the best stretches from any player all season, and we’re not worried about him facing an 18th-ranked Washington defense. Randle is averaging nearly 50 fantasy points per game in their last five meetings.

Kawhi Leonard (SF/PF – LAC): $9,900 DraftKings, $9,000 FanDuel
It was a slow start for The Claw, but he’s rolling right now. Kawhi has scored at least 39 DraftKings points in six of his last seven games, with the one dud being that shortened Denver blowout. He’s actually coming off a season-high 61 DK points in his most recent outing, playing at least 35 minutes in five of those. That means this former Finals MVP is back to a full-time role and should have success against a 23rd-ranked Nuggets defense.

Cash Game Considerations

Nikola Jokic (C – DEN): $11,600 DraftKings, $11,600 FanDuel
The Joker has won the last two MVPs, and there’s some thought he’s in line for a third straight. The big man is averaging 58 DraftKings points per game this season, scoring at least 51 DK points in 21 of his last 23 games. That’s one of the best floors you’ll ever see, and he’s done that damage despite numerous blowouts. We also don’t mind that he faces a Clippers team with a 19th OPRK against opposing centers.

Domantas Sabonis (PF/C – SAC): $10,600 DraftKings, $10,000 FanDuel
It was unclear how Sabonis would play with a broken hand, but the big man is as good as ever. Sabonis has scored at least 51 DraftKings points in 11 of his last 13 games, totaling a 53-point average in that span. Those numbers should be easy to reach against the Rockets, with Houston ranked 28th in defensive efficiency ratings. In their most recent matchup, Domas dropped 56 DK points in another masterclass performance.

TJ McConnell (PG/SG – IND): $4,100 DraftKings, $5,000 FanDuel
McConnell was actually the key component to my biggest cash ever, and I’m ecstatic that we’re able to use him here. He’s been stuck behind Tyrese Haliburton all year, but McConnell should be in line for a monster role with Hali sidelined. TJ tallied 14 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists in the game where he got injured. That stat-stuffing is what made him such a solid fantasy asset in the past, and he’s way too cheap in this expanded role.

GPP Targets

Draymond Green (PF/C – GSW): $6,300 DraftKings, $6,200 FanDuel
There’s no doubt that Dray is a much better fantasy option when Chef Curry is in the lineup. That boosts Green’s assists, averaging nearly 30 fantasy points per game this year. He’s also scored at least 30 DraftKings points in six of his last eight games, which should be his floor in this matchup. Not only do the Spurs sit with the worst defense in every metric, but they also surrender the most fantasy points to opposing power forwards as well.

Jonas Valanciunas (C – NOP): $6,500 DraftKings, $7,300 FanDuel
Valanciunas has always been a good player when given the opportunity, and he’s tough to fade right now, with Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson both sidelined. That’s locked in JV for more minutes and shots, which is all he needs to be a good fantasy option. In the 25 games he’s played at least 25 minutes, Valanciunas is averaging nearly 40 fantasy points per game. That’s great from a player in this price range, and we love that he’s facing a 29th-ranked Detroit defense.

Andrew Nembhard (PG/SG – IND): $4,300 DraftKings, $5,300 FanDuel
Nembhard has become a much more significant part of this rotation over the last week, and it’s scary to think what his workload will look like with Haliburton injured. That’s awesome since Andrew is playing 32 minutes a night over his last 21 games, posting a 23-point average in that span. He also flashed a 65-point upside in that span too, and we have to believe his usage, minutes, and shot attempts will skyrocket with Hali out for the foreseeable future.

Value Plays

Tre Jones (PG – SAS): $6,200 DraftKings, $6,800 FanDuel
Devin Vassell was the best player on this team when he was healthy, but Jones has taken over since DV went down. That’s led to Tre scoring at least 33 DK points in seven of his last nine games, amassing a 34-point average in that span. That’s stellar from a sub-$7K player, and he should keep it going with Golden State posting a 28th OPRK against opposing point guards.

Mitchell Robinson (C – NYK): $5,600 DraftKings, $6,300 FanDuel
It’s strange that Robinson remains around $6,000 on both sites. This center has always been held back by his workload, but that’s not a problem anymore. Mitch-Rob has played at least 35 minutes in four of his last five games, averaging 33 DraftKings points per game across his last nine outings. That’s tough to avoid against Washington, who are allowing the eighth-most fantasy points to opposing centers this year.

Dario Saric (PF/C – PHX): $4,400 DraftKings, $5,000 FanDuel
This Suns roster is in shambles, but it’s allowing a resurgence from Saric. The former Philly forward is starting for the Suns, averaging 31 DK points per game across 28 minutes over the last two games. That’s incredible from such an affordable player, and we have to assume he’ll continue this workload with Booker, CP3, Ayton, Johnson, and Shamet all on the injury report. Facing the Wolves is terrific, too, with Minnesota allowing the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing power forwards.

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