NBA Daily Fantasy Picks & Playbook January 28
Published: Jan 28, 2024
Happy Sunday in the NBA everyone. We have a small three-game NBA DFS main slate today with the NFL Conference Championships headlining the day in sports. The NBA still has some good matchups with some terrific star power. It's an early tip-off slate beginning at 6:00 PM Eastern time with Kevin Durant Devin Booker and Phoenix Suns taking on Paolo Banchero and the Orlando Magic. We also have the Toronto Raptors taking on the Atlanta Hawks. Then later on we have the Chicago Bulls traveling out west to take on the Portland Trail Blazers. Let's dive into the NBA DFS main slate for Sunday, January 28th.
NBA DFS Tools to dominate tonight's NBA DFS slate!
Make sure to check out today's NBA DFS projections and NBA DFS ownership projections before finalizing your lineups today. We also have the NBA Consistency Report to help identify players that have exceeded value based off their current price tag this season and of course our NBA DFS Lineup Generator!
Notable NBA Injury Updates
OUT
- RJ Barrett - Doubtful
- Jakob Poeltl - Doubtful
- Immanuel Quickley
- Bruno Fernando
- De'Andre Hunter
- Bol Bol
- Gary Harris
- Patrick Williams
- Shaedon Sharpe
- Zach LaVine
- Jusuf Nurkic
Questionable
Teams on Back-to-Backs
1st leg
Pace Up Spots
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
- Toronto Raptors 15th vs. Atlanta Hawks 5th
- Phoenix Suns 23rd vs. Orlando Magic 22nd
- Chicago Bulls 30th vs. Portland Trail Blazers 17th
Notable NBA Game Totals
- Toronto Raptors +6.5 (-115) vs. Atlanta Hawks -6.5 (-105) Game Total: 242.5
- Phoenix Suns -1.5 (-108) vs. Orlando Magic +1.5 (-112) Game Total: 227.5
- Chicago Bulls -6.5 (-115) vs. Portland Trail Blazers +6.5 (-105) Game Total: 219.5
Top Tier Core Plays
Devin Booker, PG/SG, Phoenix Suns
Devin Booker is coming off a massive performance in the Suns last game. He finished with 62 game points on 37 shot attempts finishing with over 80 fantasy points. That game had one of the best game environments in the NBA going against the Indiana Pacers who play at one of the highest paces in the NBA. This game environment will be much different taking on the Orlando Magic. The Magic are a very good defense ranking 5th in the NBA in defensive rating. But Booker is definitely in play tonight more so than Kevin Durant who will be matched up against Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner.
Trae Young, PG, Atlanta Hawks
Trae Young is back from a few-game absence with a concussion. He was part of the Luka Doncic historic night on Friday but on the bad side of it. Trae was still very solid finishing with 30-11 double-double and going over 55 fantasy points. He is part of the game with the highest game total on the slate, which we like. They are taking on the new-look Toronto Raptors, who are still trying to get to know each other on the defensive end of the court. With Trae sitting under 10K on DraftKings I can absolutely see him finishing with over 5X his value tonight.
Scottie Barnes, PG/SF Toronto Raptors
I absolutely love this matchup for Scottie Barnes tonight, and that is why he is the cover of the playbook today. It is a massive pac-up for him and the Raptors, and the Hawks are ranked in the bottom five in defensive efficiency. With Pascal Siakam now in Indiana, there is no doubt that Scottie Barnes is the alpha in this offense especially with Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett out with injury. I believe Barnes has a massive ceiling tonight and that is why I am riding with him as my top-tier play of the night.
Mid-Tier Core Plays
Anfernee Simons, PG/SG, Portland Trail Blazers
The matchup isn't great going against the Chicago Bulls, because they play at such a slow pace. We are also unsure of who is going to play for Portland tonight with Simons, Malcolm Brogdon, Scoot Henderson, and Jerami Grant are all questionable. Simons is coming off back-to-back games in which he got over 20 shot attempts, and he has had massive games. He combined for 73 points during those two games. If Simons is a go tonight, and anyone else is out for Portland, I am in on Simons. I will be here to update who is ruled out tonight, once we get the news.
Nikola Vucevic, C, Chicago Bulls
Vuc is about as steady as it comes for the Bulls and for us for fantasy purposes as well. He is going to give you 30 fantasy points because of the rebounding floor he possesses. Whatever he gives you on the offensive end is a bonus, which is great, because he is a good offensive player. Vuc has scored at least 17 points in five of his last six games while scoring over 50 fantasy points in three of those games. Getting someone with that type of ceiling for under 8K on DraftKings is outstanding value.
Saddiq Bey, SF/PF, Atlanta Hawks
Saddiq Bey goes as his shot falls each night. He does a solid job rebounding the ball playing mostly at the power forward position. He has grabbed at least seven rebounds in four straight games. In those four games, Bey has also gotten up at least 11 shot attempts in each. Unfortunately, in one of those games, he went 0-12 from the field just obliterating your lineup. In a good game environment against Toronto, I am taking Saddiq Bey tonight.
Bruce Brown, SG/SF, Toronto Raptors
Brown is still trying to get his feet wet with this Raptors team. But with the Raptors being down two of their top scorers RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley out of the lineup Bruce Brown will need to step up. Brown also showed some signs of life scoring nine points and grabbing nine rebounds in the last game finishing with 24 fantasy points. He should see much more than 30 minutes tonight with them being short-handed, so I may be riding with Bruce Brown tonight.
Value Tier Core Plays
Gary Trent, SG, Toronto Raptors
With Toronto being short-handed tonight, there is so much value in their role players tonight. If Gary Trent gets hot tonight, in a spot start would anyone really be surprised? I don't think so, we have seen Trent just go nuclear at times throughout his career. It could happen again today in a great matchup against Atlanta, it will most likely be the chalk play.
Thaddeus Young, C, Toronto Raptors
Thaddeus Young continues to start for the injured Jakob Poeltl and he continues to produce. In his last two games, he has finished with 12 points, grabbed six rebounds, and dished out four assists finishing with 29 and 31 fantasy points. He is still priced nicely under 5K on DraftKings, making him an auto-lock for me tonight if you are paying down at the center position.
Ayo Dosunmu, PG/SG, Chicago Bulls
With Patrick Williams being ruled out in this one, Ayo Dosunmu could get the nod in the starting lineup. Even if he doesnt get the start, he will play close to 30 minutes tonight either way. Ayo really thrives in transition and off his energy should be able to handle this bad Portland defense. Dosunmu has a 30-point ceiling tonight, and getting that under 5K is great value, you should look to attack it, even in a low game total.
Onyeka Okongwu, C, Atlanta Hawks
I am going to keep this short and sweet. This is a solid game environment for Onyeka Okongwu and he will get 20-28 minutes tonight. If you want to pivot off of Thad Young who will most likely be highly owned tonight, Okongwu is your next best option at a slightly cheaper price.
Roster Lock News & Notes
- Jusuf Nurkic has been ruled out for the Suns. This opens up value with Drew Eubanks a bit.
- Dejounte Murray has been ruled out for the Atlanta Hawks. I look for Bogdan Bogdanovic to be more involved. Trae Young is in the must-play territory.
Player Pool
| $ Tier | PG | SG | SF | PF | C |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High |  Trae Young  $10,000 |  Devin Booker $9,900 |  Scottie Barnes $9,300 | ||
| Medium |  Dennis Schröder $6,100 |  Anfernee Simons $8,400 |  Bruce Brown $5,500 |  Saddiq Bey $6,100 |  Nikola Vučević $8,000 |
 Alex Caruso $6,200 | Grayson Allen $5,900 | Jalen Johnson $7,900 |  Wendell Carter $6,700 | ||
| Jerami Grant $7,600 | |||||
| Low | Ayo Dosunmu $5,400 |  Gary Trent $5,000 | Thaddeus Young $5,600 | ||
| Jalen Suggs $5,200 | Onyeka Okongwu $5,800 | ||||
 Andre Drummond $6,000 | |||||
 Drew Eubanks $5,000 |
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.