Daily Fantasy

NBA DraftKings & FanDuel DFS Primer: Tues., Jan. 17

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

Joel Bartilotta, FantasyPros

January 17, 2023 4:59 PM

After a strong game against the 76ers earlier this season, Kawhi Leonard is a player to watch against Philadelphia on Tuesday.

That Monday card was mayhem. I’m a night owl, so I didn’t play much yesterday. In any case, I still made some lineups and had mixed results. The plays in yesterday’s article did really well, though, and the process is still on point. With that said, we only have four games on this Tuesday card so let’s get started.

Injury Report

As of 10:30 a.m. ET –

Kevin Durant (knee) OUT
Devin Vassell (knee) OUT
Jamal Murray (ankle) Probable
Paul George (hamstring) Questionable
John Wall (abs) OUT

Core Plays

Joel Embiid (PF/C – PHI): $11,300 DraftKings, $11,600 FanDuel
Not enough people are talking about Embiid in the MVP race. The big man is second in the NBA in scoring, averaging over 57 DraftKings points per game. His recent form is even more ridiculous, averaging 61 DK points per game across his last 24 outings. He’s also established a 46-point floor in that span and shouldn’t have any issues reaching 60-plus against a Clippers team that owns a 20th OPRK against opposing centers.

Damian Lillard (PG – POR): $9,500 DraftKings, $9,900 FanDuel
It’s strange to see Lillard sitting below $10K on both sites. The sharpshooter has scored at least 55 fantasy points in four of his last five games, generating a 57-point average in that span. That’s absurd from a four-figure player, especially since Denver allows the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing point guards. In their three matchups this year, Lillard is averaging over 61 DraftKings points per game!

Cash Game Considerations

Nikola Jokic (C – DEN): $12,000 DraftKings, $11,500 FanDuel
The Joker is the frontrunner for MVP yet again, which would mark his third straight award. That’s an unprecedented mark, with Jokic averaging over 60 fantasy points per game in that three-year span. He’s really turned it on recently, scoring at least 51 DK points in 23 of his last 26 games. He’s also scored over 80 fantasy points in a handful of those, and he’s simply the safest play on every slate. Not to mention, he’s got 60 DK points in back-to-back games against Portland.

Kyrie Irving (PG – BKN): $9,900 DraftKings, $9,300 FanDuel
Irving will be tough to fade as long as Durant remains out. With Durant off the floor this year, Kyrie posts a 36% usage rate while averaging 1.5 DK points per minute. That’s huge when you look at his recent form, scoring at least 35 fantasy points in 18 straight games. Irving is also flirting with a 50-point average in that span, and we genuinely believe that’ll be his floor as long as Durant is sidelined. The matchup is the icing on the cake, with the Spurs sitting last in points allowed and defensive efficiency.

Kawhi Leonard (SF/PF – LAC): $10,300 DraftKings, $9,400 FanDuel
It was a slower start for the former Finals MVP, but Kawhi looks back to normal now. He has scored at least 37 DraftKings points in 11 of his last 13 games, posting a 43-point average in that span. More importantly, he’s playing roughly 35 minutes while running the offense in the absence of Paul George. The 76ers can be a frightening matchup for most, but Kawhi collected 28 points, three rebounds, and five assists in that matchup just three weeks ago.

GPP Targets

Ben Simmons (PG/SF – BKN): $5,900 DraftKings, $6,900 FanDuel
Simmons isn’t scoring many raw points, but this guy is still a fantasy asset. The stat-stuffing guard has scored at least 28 DraftKings points in 19 of 31 games this season, averaging 37 DK points per game in those outings. We love that since he’s being asked to do more with Durant out, scoring 35 DK points in two of his last three games. Facing the Spurs is sensational, too, surrendering the most fantasy points to their opponents.

Michael Porter Jr.(SF/PF – DEN): $5,400 DraftKings, $6,100 FanDuel
Porter has been inconsistent at times this season, but seeing him sit around $6K on both sites is strange. This youngster has played at an $8K level at times throughout his career, scoring at least 26 fantasy points in four of his last five games. That’s right on par with his 28-point average for the year, and that’s really all you can hope for from a player in this price range. He’s also had success against Portland this year, averaging 29 DK points per game across just 26 minutes a night in their two matchups.

Value Plays

Nic Claxton (C – BKN): $7,200 DraftKings, $7,200 FanDuel
Claxton has been one of the best centers in the NBA this season. The big man has scored at least 29 DraftKings points in eight of his last 10 games, totaling a 38-point average in that span. That’s no surprise since he’s taken on more responsibility in the absence of Durant, generating a 39-point average since Durant went down. All of that makes him tough to fade against the Spurs.

Jusuf Nurkic (C – POR): $7,600 DraftKings, $8,100 FanDuel
Nurkic has been rolling recently. The Bosnian has at least 25 DK points in 26 of his last 27 games, with the outlier being his first game back from an injury. He’s also averaging 40 fantasy points per game in those other 26 outings, entering this matchup scoring 31 or more fantasy points in seven straight outings. Facing Denver is dandy, too, with the Nuggets ranked 23rd in defensive efficiency ratings. In their three matchups this season, Nurkic scored 38 DK points per game.

O.G. Anunoby (SG/SF – TOR): $7,100 DraftKings, $7,000 FanDuel
Anunoby is playing the third-most minutes in the NBA, playing nearly 40 minutes a game. That’s established an elite floor for OG, scoring at least 31 fantasy points in eight of his last nine games. Anunoby is also averaging 35 fantasy points per game for the season, and it’s hard to understand why he’s remained so affordable all season. A matchup with Milwaukee looks tough, but Anuniby has at least 33 DK points in three straight games against them, playing nearly 42 minutes a night!

Advantageous Pricing