Daily Fantasy

NBA DraftKings & FanDuel DFS Primer: Jan. 5

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

Joel Bartilotta, FantasyPros

January 5, 2023 5:55 PM

Kawhi Leonard is picking up momentum as the season continues.

That Wednesday card was wild. We had almost every team in action, but it’s leaving us with a short slate on Thursday. We only have four games in total, but we have some fun matchups to break down. We do have a few teams in the second half of a back-to-back set, with Memphis, Orlando, and Houston all playing two games in two nights. Those are young teams, so we’re hoping that won’t cause too much chaos. There’s still a lot to discuss, so let’s take a look at the schedule and odds!

Injury Report

Brandon Clarke (hip) Questionable
Desmond Bane (B2B) Questionable
Jalen Suggs (ankle) Questionable
Bol Bol (protocols) Questionable
Maxi Kleber (hamstring) OUT
Dorian Finney-Smith (adductor) OUT
Collin Sexton (hamstring) OUT
Jae’Sean Tate (ankle) OUT
Paul George (hamstring) Questionable
Mo Wagner (suspension) OUT
Nicolas Batum (ankle) OUT

Core Plays

Ja Morant (PG – MEM): $10,400 DraftKings, $10,500 FanDuel
Ja has developed into one of the best players in the NBA this season, and he’s an easy option on a four-game slate. The athletic point guard has at least 41 DraftKings points in 24 of his last 26 games, generating a 47-point average in that span. He’s also scored at least 49 fantasy points in five straight games and should reach that again versus a 21st-ranked Orlando defense. There’s also a chance Desmond Bane is rested in this B2B, which would make Morant even more valuable.

Kawhi Leonard (SF/PF – LAC): $8,100 DraftKings, $9,000 FanDuel
It was a rough start for Leonard, but this guy has returned to his All-Star form over the last few weeks. The Klaw has scored at least 33 DraftKings points in nine straight games, posting a 41-point average in that span. More importantly, he’s played at least 35 minutes in three straight outings, and it looks like his minutes restriction is a thing of the past. We adore the matchup with Denver’s disastrous defense, ranked 27th in defensive efficiency ratings.

Lauri Markkanen (SF/PF – UTA): $9,000 DraftKings, $8,600 FanDuel
Lauri is amid a career year in Utah, and it’s been exciting watching him run the show for the Jazz. The versatile forward has scored at least 38 fantasy points in seven of his last eight games, averaging 43 DK points per game in that stretch. He’s simply the focal point of this offense right now, scoring at least 52 fantasy points in half of those. One of those ceiling games is in play against Houston, who ranks 28th in defensive efficiency. In their last matchup, Markkanen dropped 40 DraftKings points!

Luka Doncic is in the form of his life.

Cash Game Considerations

Nikola Jokic (C – DEN): $11,800 DraftKings, $11,500 FanDuel
Jokic is the two-time reigning MVP for a reason. He’s scored at least 40 fantasy points in all but a handful of games over the last three years, averaging over 60 DraftKings points per game in that span. He’s also posting some of his best numbers in that span right now, scoring at least 51 fantasy points in 20 of his last 21 games. He’s also scored 71 or more DK points in seven of those, and there are simply not many better cash game options out there.

Luka Doncic (PG – DAL): $12,600 DraftKings, $12,800 FanDuel
Jokic and Doncic are playing a different game than anyone else. Doncic is leading the league in usage and fantasy points, averaging nearly 64 DraftKings points per game. His last two weeks have been the best we’ve ever seen from the Slovenian, averaging 44.5 points, 11.3 rebounds, 9.8 assists, and 2.2 steals over his last six outings. Those are video game-like numbers, and it really doesn’t matter who he faces.

GPP Targets

Alperen Sengun (PF/C – HOU): $5,800 DraftKings, $6,000 FanDuel
Sengun is averaging 32 DK points per game across his last 12 outings. He’s doing that damage in just 26 minutes a night, and it’s scary to think how good he’ll be in the 35-minute role he’s earned. A matchup with Utah is unbelievable, too, with the Jazz ranked 23rd in points allowed and 26th in defensive efficiency.

Jaren Jackson Jr.(PF/C – MEM): $6,500 DraftKings, $7,000 FanDuel
Jackson is another per-minute monster that doesn’t get the minutes he deserves. The big man is averaging nearly 35 fantasy points per game but is barely playing 25 minutes a night. We have to assume he’ll have more 30 and 35-minute games going forward, and he could be a $9K player in that sort of role. We already talked about how bad Orlando’s defense has been, and JJJ will need to play big minutes to oppose all the big men they send out there.

Kelly Olynyk (PF/C – UTA): $5,300 DraftKings, $5,500 FanDuel
Kelly was a sneaky signing by Utah in the offseason, and he’s been one of their most valuable players. The big man has been starting at center, averaging 27 DraftKings points per game. That alone is an amazing total from such an affordable player, and it’s ironic since he’s posting a 27-point average in his last five matchups with the Rockets. We also don’t mind that they own a 22nd OPRK against opposing big men.

Value Plays

Mike Conley (PG – UTA): $5,700 DraftKings, $6,200 FanDuel
We’ve been discussing how horrible Houston’s defense is this season, but their backcourt defense is nonexistent. They surrendered the most fantasy points to opposing point guards last season and are doing the same thing this year. That puts any point guard in play against them, particularly a veteran like Conley. The lefty is already a nice value in this $5K price range, averaging 31 DK points per game across 32 minutes a night over his last five outings. In the last five games against the Rockets, Conley has compiled a 36-point average.

Al Horford (PF/C – BOS): $5,000 DraftKings, $5,200 FanDuel
It’s been rough for Big Al at times this season, but this pricing is getting ridiculous. The big man has been closer to $7K throughout his career, and his 25-point average indicates that he’s a bit too cheap as it is. He also averaged nearly 40 fantasy points per game when Robert Williams was out last year because he needs to provide more minutes, rebounds, and scoring with Rob-Will sidelined. Dallas can be a daunting matchup for most, but Horford has accrued a 36-point average in their last two meetings.

Advantageous Pricing