NBA Daily Fantasy Picks & Playbook: January 16
Published: Jan 16, 2024
Happy Tuesday, hoopsters! We are back for another NBA DFS slate tonight, in which we have just three games on tap for tonight! We do have a bit of news out of Denver that we need to monitor, but for the most part other than that we have a seemingly clear slate ahead. There are some good games going tonight, but one that I love particularly is the Sacramento Kings traveling into the desert to take on the finally fully-healthy Phoenix Suns! Let's dive in!
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Notable NBA Injury Updates
QUESTIONABLE
OUT
- De'Anthony Melton
- Ivica Zubac
- Bol Bol
- Julian Strawther
- Jaden Springer
- Robert Covington
- Mo Bamba
- Danuel House
Back-to-Backs
- Philadelphia 76ers (2nd Leg)
- Oklahoma City Thunder (2nd Leg)
Pace: (Last 15 Games)
Pace definition: Pace is the total number of possessions a team uses in a game.
*key* Green is elite pace of play, Blue is decent pace of play, & Red is slow pace of play.
Green = Fast Paced team
Blue = Neutral Paced team
Red = Slow Paced team
- Denver Nuggets (21st) @ Philadelphia 76ers (17th)
- Sacramento Kings (16th) @ Phoenix Suns (19th)
- Oklahoma City Thunder (8th) @ Los Angeles Clippers (26th)
NBA Game Totals
- Denver Nuggets (+1.5) @ Philadelphia 76ers (Total: 231.5)
- Sacramento Kings (+4) @ Phoenix Suns (Total: 244)
- Oklahoma City Thunder (+6.5) @ Los Angeles Clippers (Total: 235.5)
Top Tier Core Plays
Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
We get Embiid at home tonight against Jokic and the Nuggets. The main concern here is that Embiid did just return after a three-game absence and played 31 minutes yesterday against the Rockets. However, he did manage 63 fantasy points in those 31 minutes on a stat-line of 41 points, 10 boards, three assists, and a block and steal. We know this is quite a rivalry here as both of Embiid and Jokic are once again in the MVP race. Looking for Embiid to show out here.
For most of the same reasons we like Embiid, we have to like Jokic in this same scenario. However, one big pro we get here for Jokic is he is fresh after two days of rest heading into Philly. We know Jokic can get the job done in many ways, and we know that he will be on full display tonight. I do have this as a 1a with Embiid to a 1b with Jokic. It is a small slate, so playing both in separate builds if playing multiple entries is totally viable, and if you can fit both and do a stars and scrubs build, I don't hate that either.
Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings
I know this is going to be a tough slate when the three top players on it are mainly all center position, however, they all deserve their credit as top plays. Sabonis is essentially no different here, as he has averaged nearly 54 fantasy points in two meetings vs the Suns so far this season. This game has just a two-bucket spread and the largest total on the board at a whopping 244, which is nearly 10-points higher than the next. Sabonis has topped 50 fantasy points in three of his last four games, all coming on the road, and the lone dud was against the Sixers.
Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers
If you want to go a bit contrarian here with the Sixers, I don't mind playing some Maxey as a one-off Sixer against Embiid. We have seen multiple games where Maxey has put up 45+ fantasy point games this season, and I would say if there is one way to exploit this Nugget's defense, it is in the backcourt. Jokic is too smart to get into major foul trouble against Embiid, so this likely means we could possibly see more kick-out passing and Embiid become more of a draw two defenders and play facilitator also. Maxey likely comes in severely lower-owned in this top priced range.
Really like Booker on this slate, as I feel his can continue his 40+ fantasy point run. Booker has been great to say the least, and that is even with the emergence of Beal ramping back up to full-strength and taking some usage lately. Booker has topped 40 fantasy points in seven of his last eight contests, and has averaged 44 fantasy points in the two meets vs the Kings this season. It is a great spot in the highest-totaled game on the board.
Mid-Tier Core Plays
Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers
Kawhi is fully back to form and continues to play extremely well as of late. The Clippers are getting the Thunder on their second leg of a back-to-back here, so this is an excellent spot to play some Clippers. The Clippers are also without big Zubac tonight, so look for Leonard to hit the glass a bit more than usual to boot. Over Kawhi's last three games, he has recorded 45+ fantasy points, while seeing 30+ minutes. Fully expect a similar result here at home vs Thunder tonight.
Paul George, Los Angeles Clippers
Could have easily lumped in Kawhi and PG here together in one segment, but felt that Kawhi was just a bit of a better play as their prices are very close tonight. However, PG does get a little bit of a revenge narrative here, as well as James Harden, but the match up for both is seemingly tougher against SGA and Dort of the Thunder. George is coming off a very rough game vs the Timberwolves, so this is also a bounce-back spot at home. The last time these two played, George put up 39 fantasy points on 22 points, four boards, four assists, with a block and steal spread across 29 minutes of action.
Again, I am quite a fan of this game environment here for the Kings and Suns. Beal has really come on as of late and is putting up some really nice fantasy games. Topping 40 fantasy points in three of his last five is great, but it is the 35+ minutes in all but one (32 mins) that is even more intriguing here for his price tag. Spot is good, minutes have been great and his production has shown upside lately.
Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder
Do like the price on Jalen here tonight and really don't think a ton play him in this spot vs LAC. Williams is fresh off a 44-fantasy point effort last night against the Lakers in LA, and has eclipsed 40+ fantasy points in four of his last six! He is playing well and contributing in multiple categories and with Zubac on the shelf, the Clippers won't have his size in the paint tonight.
Monk has one of those iffy price tags tonight and is surrounded by a bunch of players OUT and questionable (well, probable in Denver). Monk continues to be a top sixth man this season for the Kings and when looking to exploit the Suns, look no further than the backcourt. Monk is coming off a near 50-fantasy point game against the Bucks, and has crossed 35 fantasy points in three of his last four games while seeing 27 or more minutes in his last four-straight. Good spot again for Monk in a high-total game.
Value Tier Core Plays
Nicolas Batum/Patrick Beverley, Philadelphia 76ers
With the Sixers having quite a few injuries tonight including Melton, House, Springer, Covington, and even Bamba, Batum should continue to start and seeing as his minutes limit is still in place, but he has played 28 and 25 minutes over his last two games, he is absolutely in play for value here. Batum even though was on a minutes limit, has recorded 20+ fantasy points in four-straight games, three of which have been since he returned to the line up. Beverly has also seen a nice up-tick in minutes with the injuries
Daniel Theis, Los Angeles Clippers
Theis should receive another start here with Zubac on the shelf (Zubac was a late scratch pretty much vs Minne). He struggled a bit vs the Timberwolves, but who hasn't? The big thing is that he saw 22 minutes in back-to-back games now and as long as he is going to see 20+ minutes knowing that he is a stretch and can put up fantasy points, he is in play. The prior game to Minnesota, he did record nearly 30 fantasy points against the Grizzlies in just 22 minutes of action, so knowing he is in-line to start again makes him a top value here against OKC at home. (NOTE: Plumlee did play 16 minutes vs MIN)
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Player Pool
| $ Tier | PG | SG | SF | PF | C |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High |  Shai Gilgeous-Alexander  $11,400 |  Devin Booker $9,800 |  Kawhi Leonard $8,800 |  Domantas Sabonis $10,100 |  Joel Embiid $12,200 |
| Tyrese Maxey $9,200 |  Nikola Jokić $11,700 | ||||
| Medium |  De'Aaron Fox $8,700 | Bradley Beal $7,600 | Paul George $8,300 | Aaron Gordon $6,200 |  Jusuf Nurkić $7,200 |
| Malik Monk $6,800 | Jalen Williams $7,800 | ||||
| Low |  Reggie Jackson $5,300 |  Kevin Huerter $5,400 | Luguentz Dort $5,700 | Nicolas Batum $4,700 | Mason Plumlee $4,300 |
 Patrick Beverley $4,200 | Grayson Allen $5,200 | Norman Powell $5,500 | Daniel Theis $4,400 | ||
| Trey Lyles $4,200 |
Player News
Kristaps Porzingis (illness) said after Wednesday’s Game 2 loss to the Knicks that his current stamina issues may be related to the problem that sidelined him for eight games late in the regular season.
After an illness limited him to 13 first-half minutes in Boston’s series-opening defeat on Monday, Porzingis came off the bench in Game 2. Unfortunately, he could only give the Celtics 14 minutes. Following the game, Porzingis said his current problem may be related to the upper respiratory ailment that sidelined him for eight games late in the regular season. “Probably, probably,” Porzingis said. “I’ve had like ups and downs throughout until this point. Just now, had a big crash. Now, my energy, my everything, hasn’t been good, but who cares? Have to move forward and it will get better from this point.” While Boston’s shot selection was the focus following its two home defeats, Porzingis’ limited availability has also been a factor. He’ll hope to return to full health in time for Game 3 on Saturday afternoon.
Nikola Jokic finished with 17 points (6-of-16 FGs), eight rebounds, six assists, one steal, one block, two three-pointers and six turnovers in Game 2 against the Thunder on Wednesday.
This was Jokic’s worst performance of the postseason, and it came to an end in the third quarter. He fouled out with 1:17 left in the third, which brought his night to a close after he played 32 minutes. OKC was up 41 points when Jokic fouled out, so his night may have been close to over anyway. Jokic dominated Game 1, and the Thunder adjusted. Denver will need other players to step up if they want to have a chance of winning this series, but Jokic will also need to be better than he was in this game.
Michael Porter Jr. struggled on Wednesday and finished with just eight points (2-of-10 FGs), five rebounds, one steal and two three-pointers in Game 2 against the Thunder.
MPJ was slightly better in the second half, as all eight of his points came in the third quarter. However, the game was already out of hand at that point after a terrible first half for both Porter Jr. and the Nuggets. MPJ shot 1-of-8 in Game 1, and they’ll need him to be much better moving forward. The series will now shift back to Denver, and MPJ will look to get back on track during the two home games before the series heads back to Oklahoma City.
Russell Westbrook provided a boost off the bench with 19 points (5-of-11 FGs, 8-of-10 FTs), one rebound, five assists and one three-pointer in a 149-106 loss to the Thunder in Game 2 on Wednesday.
Despite an ugly first half for Denver, Westbrook was productive and entered the break with 15 points. He didn’t add much in the second half, though he sat the entire fourth quarter, still it was enough to lead the Nuggets in scoring. Russ has been awesome over Denver’s last five games, and his continued success will be key to the Nuggets winning this series. Though this game was ugly, they still have homecourt advantage in this series. They’ll look to keep it in Game 3 on Friday.
Chet Holmgren recorded a double-double on Wednesday with 15 points (3-of-8 FGs, 7-of-7 FTs), 11 rebounds, two assists, two steals, two blocks and two three-pointers in Game 2 against the Nuggets.
After struggling in Game 1, Holmgren bounced back and recorded the fourth postseason triple-double of his career, with three of those coming this season. Aside from Game 3 against Memphis, Holmgren has swatted at least two shots in every game during these playoffs, which was a trend that continued in this game despite him only playing 26 minutes. Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein (14/8/5/1/1) will look to continue to limit Nikola Jokic (17 points) in Game 3 on Friday.
Jalen Williams bounced back on Wednesday with 17 points (6-of-11 FGs), four rebounds, seven assists and two blocks in Game 2 against the Nuggets.
Williams was criticized for his poor performance in the Thunder’s Game 1 loss, but he responded well in OKC’s blowout victory. He was on pace for a bigger night, but he only played 26 minutes and sat the entire fourth quarter due to the lopsided score. He shot the ball much better after shooting 5-of-20 in Game 1, and he’ll need that success to carry over into Game 3 in Denver on Friday.