Thank god it's Friday because it's the start of the weekend, but more importantly, it means that there are a bunch of NBA games as well (11 to be exact). This is one of those night that you're going to want to get at least one of the top-tier players in your lineup. There are some really good value plays at point guard and power forward that will allow you to get a LeBron James or James Harden in your lineup.
Derrick Rose should play more minutes tonight and his price tag hasn't caught up to his recent production, which is why he's my top play at the position. There are a couple of great value plays in Langston Galloway and Elfrid Payton. Add Jameer Nelson to that group as well if we get word that Ty Lawson is going to be suspended. The shooting guard position actually has a good amount of mid-tier players that are worth rostering. However, James Harden is going to have a monster game and he's worth paying up for in GPPs. LeBron James always dominates Charlotte whenever he plays them. Add in the fact that the small forward position does not have a lot of good options, and you can see why he's one of my favorite plays of the night.
The power forward is filled with over priced players at the top and value plays at the bottom. Therefore, this is the best position to save money at tonight, especially on Fanduel, where you could possibly roster two quality power forwards for less than nine thousand dollars. The center position has a lot of quality players, but lacks a true value player. I'll be avoiding the top two centers as DeMarcus Cousins has struggled vs Golden State this season and Nikola Vucevic is going to struggle to reach value. Time to grind!
Here is the Daily Fantasy Basketball Playbook for January 23rd:
Point Guards
| Player | Team | DraftKings | Fanduel | Comments |
| Derrick Rose | Bulls | 7,300 | 7,200 | Performing like an elite point guard, but not priced as one |
| Langston Galloway | Knicks | 4,100 | 4,600 | Price tag is starting to rise, but he's getting plenty of PT. |
| Elfrid Payton | Magic | 5,400 | 5,900 | Safe low-tier play that should surpass 30 FP on DK |
| Michael Carter-Williams | Sixers | 8,500 | 8,500 | Boom/bust GPP play with a superb matchup |
| Jeff Teague | Hawks | 8,200 | 8,200 | Consistent 38-40 FP with a chance for a huge game. |
Shooting Guards
| Player | Team | DraftKings | Fanduel | Comments |
| James Harden | Rockets | 10,800 | 11,100 | Price tag is super high, but he'll have a huge night. |
| Evan Turner | Celtics | 5,300 | 6,000 | Better play on DK. Has 30+ FP in 3 straight games |
| Eric Bledsoe | Suns | 8,700 | 8,700 | Believe he gets 40 FP, but that’s still not reaching value |
| Eric Gordon | Pelicans | 5,500 | 5,400 | Great play on FD |
| Monta Ellis | Mavericks | 7,000 | 7,400 | GPP play b/c he's inconsistent. Oladipo is the better cash game play |
Small Forwards
| Player | Team | DraftKings | Fanduel | Comments |
| LeBron James | Cavaliers | 10,700 | 10,800 | Always produces huge games vs CHA |
| Carmelo Anthony | Knicks | 8,900 | 9,600 | Love his price on DK as ORL is terrible guarding SF's |
| Chandler Parsons | Mavericks | 5,900 | 6,200 | Solid mid-tier play that has a great matchup |
| C.J. Miles | Pacers | 5,100 | 5,500 | Boom/bust play that put up 45 FP vs Miami earlier this season |
Power Forwards
| Player | Team | DraftKings | Fanduel | Comments |
| Brandon Bass | Celtics | 3,300 | 4,100 | Playing time has increased, Olynyk is out, and DEN is Brutal vs PF's/C's |
| Taj Gibson | Bulls | 6,100 | 5,500 | Would only play if Noah is out. Like Sullinger as well |
| Jason Smith | Knicks | 3,900 | 4,100 | Started and played 32+ min in previous 2 games. |
| Anthony Davis | Pelicans | 11,100 | 11,200 | GPP play as he's super expensive |
| J.J. Hickson | Nuggets | 5,200 | 4,500 | Only use if Faried is out. Otherwise would go with Amir Johnson |
Centers
| Player | Team | DraftKings | Fanduel | Comments |
| Dwight Howard | Rockets | 7,800 | 8,100 | Good price on DK as he'll post a double-double |
| Tyson Chandler | Mavericks | 6,200 | 6,900 | Is going to dominate the Bulls front court |
| Timofey Mozgov | Cavaliers | 5,100 | 5,100 | Nice lower-tier play as long as Al-J isn't starting |
| Roy Hibbert | Pacers | 6,000 | 5,600 | GPP play that has a great matchup, but his minutes have been inconsistent |
