Happy Sunday! We have a very interesting five game main slate to work with today with a number of top players being ruled out which has created some interesting value and some very obvious chalk plays in great matchups to build our lineups around.

 

 

Before actually diving into the meat and potatoes, welcome to the NBA DFS season. If this is your first time reading our column on NBA DFS picks, I just want to welcome you and give you a few tips and tricks on what you should be looking for each night.

  • News outlets: reliable sources that give us injury news & starting lineups
  • Pace of play: who's playing fast vs. who's playing slow. Which teams get a pace-up spot (more possessions) vs. pace-down (fewer possessions)
  • Usage rates: is a percentage of how many plays that player is being used in
  • NBA DFS Projections
  • Lineup Generator
  • NBA Ownership

NBA DFS Picks & Daily Fantasy Playbook Today, January, 5th

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Pre-Lock Update

This section will be used for anything that changes from the morning until right up to roster lock. 

Injury updates, players we’re higher on than we were in the morning and so much more.

NBA Injuries, News & Updates Today, 1/5

 

 

 

NBA DFS Slate & Game Overviews

In the section below, I’m listing the most notable things we need to look at in Las Vegas, including notable O/U and spreads.

Charlotte Hornets vs Cleveland Cavaliers

  • Total: 223.5
  • Spread: CLE -16.5

New Orleans Pelicans vs Washington Wizards

  • Total: 232.5
  • Spread: NO -5.5

Utah Jazz vs Orlando Magic

  • Total: 208.5
  • Spread: ORL -8.5

Los Angeles Lakers vs Houston Rockets

  • Total: 218.5
  • Spread: HOU -4.5

Sacramento Kings vs Golden State Warriors

  • Total: 225.5
  • Spread: GSW -4.5
 

 

NBA DFS Core Player Pool & Lineup Picks

Here are the core players I’m looking at for my NBA DFS picks tonight. You can see the full analysis of tonight’s NBA DFS projections and player pool below or skip ahead to building the best lineups possible by locking these into the aforementioned lineup generator now.

High

Mid

Value

Pos
(Click to sort ascending)
Player
(Click to sort ascending)
Matchup
(Click to sort ascending)
DK
(Click to sort ascending)
DK Pts
(Click to sort ascending)
FD
(Click to sort ascending)
FD Pts
(Click to sort ascending)
PGStephen CurrySAC @ GSW Sun 8:308500083000

After sitting last night on the front leg of the back to back Curry is in the lineup tonight against a Kings team that will be without De'Aaron Fox. The last time we saw Curry take the court he torched the 76ers, scoring 30 points with six rebounds and 10 assists over 29 minutes while knocking down eight three-pointers.

Game Type: CASH & GPP
PGCJ McCollumNOP @ WAS Sun 6:00780042.2790041.5

The Pelicans and Wizards are running it back after these two teams played on Friday and combined to score 252 points. In that game we saw McCollum knock down 10 three-pointers on his way to 50 points. While it's unlikely he hits 10 threes tonight, we also know the Wizards are not a good defensive team and this is projected to be another high scoring contest.

Game Type: CASH & GPP
PGAustin ReavesLAL @ HOU Sun 7:00720033.6780032.1

I guess this is just the Reaves we are going to get. Against the Hawks he played 39 minutes and finished with 20 points, seven rebounds and six assists. He ahs triple-double upside playing with Anthony Davis and LeBron James and not many can say that.

Game Type: CASH & GPP
PGMalik MonkSAC @ GSW Sun 8:30680037680036

Going to be a very popular play today with De'Aaron Fox out of the lineup. Monk already plays a ton of minutes and takes a lot of shots but with Fox out of the lineup there are even more opportunities for him to have the basketball in his hands.

Game Type: GPP
PGAnthony BlackUTA @ ORL Sun 6:30470019450019.1

The injuries continue to hit the Magic as they are now without Jalen Suggs to go along with Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. Black is back in the lineup tonight facing a Jazz team that is missing three starters and four key rotational pieces here this evening.

Game Type: GPP
PGCarlton CarringtonNOP @ WAS Sun 6:00470026.1450025.3

No Jordan Poole today and already playing a ton of minutes over the last few games. Should see him play 30+ minutes today and without Poole maybe there are more shots for him as well.

Game Type: GPP
PGIsaiah CollierUTA @ ORL Sun 6:30320017.5390017.1

Collier played 24 minutes against the Heat in Utah's blowout win the other night, finishing with 24 fantasy points. With Keyonte George and Jordan Clarkson out of the lineup we have to think he will get at least the same 24 minutes tonight if not even more against this Magic team. We saw Collier play 35 minutes at the end of December and in that game he also finished with 25 fantasy points. 

Game Type: GPP
SGAmen ThompsonLAL @ HOU Sun 7:00670037.1660037.9

Thompson is back from suspension and will enter the starting lineup for the injured Jabari Smith Jr.. With Tari Eason also out of the lineup the minutes are going to be very secure for Thompson here in this matchup against the Lakers.

Game Type: CASH & GPP
SGCollin SextonUTA @ ORL Sun 6:30620038.4620036.3

No Jordan Clarkson, John Collins, Lauri Markkanen or Keyonte George today for the Jazz. This feels like a 30 shot game incoming for Collin Sexton against this depleted Magic team.

Game Type: GPP
SGMalcolm BrogdonNOP @ WAS Sun 6:00590025.5570025

Brogdon is a high usage and fantasy point per minute player and without Jordan Poole today we could see a ceiling minutes game from Brogdon this evening. Against the Pelicans the other night he played 25 minutes and finished with 16 points three rebounds and three assists. 

Game Type: CASH
SGCole AnthonyUTA @ ORL Sun 6:30530032.7510031.3

Anthony saw 34 minutes against the Raptors the other night and finished with nine points, 11 assists and four rebounds. As long as he is going to approach 30 minutes he is live for a huge scoring night. Just know that he is a volume shooter but not an efficient one so there are days where he will go 2-for-12 and others where he will go 13-for-25.

Game Type: GPP
SGKeon EllisSAC @ GSW Sun 8:30360024.4520025.7

Big chalk today, especially on DraftKings. He's going to likely start and play the minutes in place of De'Aaron Fox. That said, he's not a great offensive player but if he makes his shots there is some nice upside given his defensive stat accumulation.

Game Type: CASH
SFTrey MurphyNOP @ WAS Sun 6:00760036.5750035.9

We loved Murphy the other night against the Wizards but it was McCollum that dropped the 50 spot instead. It's doesn't scare me off going right back to Murphy here today in this matchup as he still had 37 fantasy points and we've seen him go for 40-45 FP pretty consistently this season.

Game Type: CASH & GPP
SFDeMar DeRozanSAC @ GSW Sun 8:30700036.9720037.5

Big usage bump without De'Aaron Fox on the floor. I like DDR in cash games today but can certainly see why he would be a core piece in GPP lineups as well as we look to stack this Kings vs Warriors matchup.

Game Type: CASH
SFAndrew Wiggins5600064000

Curry is back but Jonathan Kuminga has been ruled out. Kuminga has been a high usage player when on the floor and with him out of the lineup I'd expect to see Wiggins pick up some of the offensive slack.

Game Type: GPP
SFTristan da SilvaUTA @ ORL Sun 6:30510025.9500025

Which version of Tristan da Silva shows up today? In two of the last five games he's shot 0-for-5 and 0-for- 6. In the other three games he's gone 7-for-12, 8-for-15 and 9-for-13. Given the matchup against the Jazz today I'm more inclined to think we get the good version of da Silva today and not the bad version.

Game Type: GPP
SFCam WhitmoreLAL @ HOU Sun 7:00440013.3480013.2

We love Cam Whitmore here at Fantasy Alarm and with both Jabari Smith and Tari Eason out of the lineup there should be plenty of minutes for him off of the bench even as Amen Thompson returns to the starting lineup.

Game Type: GPP
SFJohnny JuzangUTA @ ORL Sun 6:30340019.2380018.3

Juzang has been playing and he's had some good games as well. With everyone out of the lineup theres a shot he enters the starting lineup. A value play dart throw as most of the Utah Jazz roster will be today.

Game Type: GPP
PFLeBron JamesLAL @ HOU Sun 7:001000048.2950046

James has looked great since returning to the Lakers lineup and he's coming off back-to-back 30-point games against the Hawks and Blazers. Sure, the Rockets are a good defensive team but few are stopping LeBron even at his age.

Game Type: CASH & GPP
PFKyle Kuzma5800059000

Kuzma started and played 28 minutes against the Pelicans on Friday. My hope is those minutes continue to ramp up because this price tag is just too cheap for the ceiling that Kuzma provides, especially with no Jordan Poole here today. He scored 25 FP in 28 minutes in that start.

Game Type: GPP
PFDraymond GreenSAC @ GSW Sun 8:30570032.7620032.5

Going to be locked into 30+ minutes and with Steph Curry back in the lineup that will actually benefit Green a bit more as he runs the offense and increases his assist odds. No Jonathan Kuminga may also offer a slight bump in minutes for Green here tonight as well.

Game Type: CASH
PFBrice SensabaughUTA @ ORL Sun 6:30330021.6370020

My man dropped 34 points in 26 minutes against the Heat last night on his way to 51 fantasy points. He's the top rostered play of the slate. He is going to start and play more than the 26 minutes we just saw him. We've gotten a few good games from Sensabaugh this season but he hasn't had an opportunity with THIS many guys out of the rotation. 

Game Type: GPP
CAnthony Davis105000115000

He's Anthony Davis. Lock him for 60 fantasy points and move along.

Game Type: CASH & GPP
CDomantas SabonisSAC @ GSW Sun 8:30900048.2940045

No De'Aaron Fox today and Sabonis has a 25% usage rate and averages 1.4 fantasy points per minutes with him off of the floor this season. That is the highest on the team.

Game Type: CASH & GPP
CGoga BitadzeUTA @ ORL Sun 6:30710042.7760043.3

We were all ready for Goga against the Pistons and he gets benched, playing only 23 minutes. He then plays the Raptors, sees 30 minutes and goes for 46 FP. With Walker Kessler on the other side today I'd expect to see him play closer to the 30 minutes than the 20 minutes.

Game Type: CASH
CWalker KesslerUTA @ ORL Sun 6:30630040690041.1

There's obviously not a huge minutes sample size with all the players off the floor today that are out for the Jazz but if you take off John Collins, Lauri Markkanen and Jordan Clarkson we see Kessler with 1.31 FP/Min. He has solid double-double upside with a massive shot block potential.

Game Type: GPP
CYves MissiNOP @ WAS Sun 6:00590033.4610033.1

The Wizards really struggle defensively and Missi put up a good game against them the other night. He is good with the defensive stats and has a double-double potential as well.

Game Type: GPP
CTrayce Jackson-DavisSAC @ GSW Sun 8:30500031.8610032.2

Seems relatively secure in his role which seems to see him play close to 30 minutes. Now, it's Steve Kerr as his head coach so this can change without notice but it's hard not to love the fantasy point upside we've been getting from the young center.

Game Type: GPP
8500 , 0
0
8300 , 0
0

After sitting last night on the front leg of the back to back Curry is in the lineup tonight against a Kings team that will be without De'Aaron Fox. The last time we saw Curry take the court he torched the 76ers, scoring 30 points with six rebounds and 10 assists over 29 minutes while knocking down eight three-pointers.

Game Type: CASH & GPP
7800 , 42.2
42.2
7900 , 41.5
41.5

The Pelicans and Wizards are running it back after these two teams played on Friday and combined to score 252 points. In that game we saw McCollum knock down 10 three-pointers on his way to 50 points. While it's unlikely he hits 10 threes tonight, we also know the Wizards are not a good defensive team and this is projected to be another high scoring contest.

Game Type: CASH & GPP
7200 , 33.6
33.6
7800 , 32.1
32.1

I guess this is just the Reaves we are going to get. Against the Hawks he played 39 minutes and finished with 20 points, seven rebounds and six assists. He ahs triple-double upside playing with Anthony Davis and LeBron James and not many can say that.

Game Type: CASH & GPP
6800 , 37
37
6800 , 36
36

Going to be a very popular play today with De'Aaron Fox out of the lineup. Monk already plays a ton of minutes and takes a lot of shots but with Fox out of the lineup there are even more opportunities for him to have the basketball in his hands.

Game Type: GPP
4700 , 19
19
4500 , 19.1
19.1

The injuries continue to hit the Magic as they are now without Jalen Suggs to go along with Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. Black is back in the lineup tonight facing a Jazz team that is missing three starters and four key rotational pieces here this evening.

Game Type: GPP
4700 , 26.1
26.1
4500 , 25.3
25.3

No Jordan Poole today and already playing a ton of minutes over the last few games. Should see him play 30+ minutes today and without Poole maybe there are more shots for him as well.

Game Type: GPP
3200 , 17.5
17.5
3900 , 17.1
17.1

Collier played 24 minutes against the Heat in Utah's blowout win the other night, finishing with 24 fantasy points. With Keyonte George and Jordan Clarkson out of the lineup we have to think he will get at least the same 24 minutes tonight if not even more against this Magic team. We saw Collier play 35 minutes at the end of December and in that game he also finished with 25 fantasy points. 

Game Type: GPP
6700 , 37.1
37.1
6600 , 37.9
37.9

Thompson is back from suspension and will enter the starting lineup for the injured Jabari Smith Jr.. With Tari Eason also out of the lineup the minutes are going to be very secure for Thompson here in this matchup against the Lakers.

Game Type: CASH & GPP
6200 , 38.4
38.4
6200 , 36.3
36.3

No Jordan Clarkson, John Collins, Lauri Markkanen or Keyonte George today for the Jazz. This feels like a 30 shot game incoming for Collin Sexton against this depleted Magic team.

Game Type: GPP
5900 , 25.5
25.5
5700 , 25
25

Brogdon is a high usage and fantasy point per minute player and without Jordan Poole today we could see a ceiling minutes game from Brogdon this evening. Against the Pelicans the other night he played 25 minutes and finished with 16 points three rebounds and three assists. 

Game Type: CASH
5300 , 32.7
32.7
5100 , 31.3
31.3

Anthony saw 34 minutes against the Raptors the other night and finished with nine points, 11 assists and four rebounds. As long as he is going to approach 30 minutes he is live for a huge scoring night. Just know that he is a volume shooter but not an efficient one so there are days where he will go 2-for-12 and others where he will go 13-for-25.

Game Type: GPP
3600 , 24.4
24.4
5200 , 25.7
25.7

Big chalk today, especially on DraftKings. He's going to likely start and play the minutes in place of De'Aaron Fox. That said, he's not a great offensive player but if he makes his shots there is some nice upside given his defensive stat accumulation.

Game Type: CASH
7600 , 36.5
36.5
7500 , 35.9
35.9

We loved Murphy the other night against the Wizards but it was McCollum that dropped the 50 spot instead. It's doesn't scare me off going right back to Murphy here today in this matchup as he still had 37 fantasy points and we've seen him go for 40-45 FP pretty consistently this season.

Game Type: CASH & GPP
7000 , 36.9
36.9
7200 , 37.5
37.5

Big usage bump without De'Aaron Fox on the floor. I like DDR in cash games today but can certainly see why he would be a core piece in GPP lineups as well as we look to stack this Kings vs Warriors matchup.

Game Type: CASH
5600 , 0
0
6400 , 0
0

Curry is back but Jonathan Kuminga has been ruled out. Kuminga has been a high usage player when on the floor and with him out of the lineup I'd expect to see Wiggins pick up some of the offensive slack.

Game Type: GPP
5100 , 25.9
25.9
5000 , 25
25

Which version of Tristan da Silva shows up today? In two of the last five games he's shot 0-for-5 and 0-for- 6. In the other three games he's gone 7-for-12, 8-for-15 and 9-for-13. Given the matchup against the Jazz today I'm more inclined to think we get the good version of da Silva today and not the bad version.

Game Type: GPP
4400 , 13.3
13.3
4800 , 13.2
13.2

We love Cam Whitmore here at Fantasy Alarm and with both Jabari Smith and Tari Eason out of the lineup there should be plenty of minutes for him off of the bench even as Amen Thompson returns to the starting lineup.

Game Type: GPP
3400 , 19.2
19.2
3800 , 18.3
18.3

Juzang has been playing and he's had some good games as well. With everyone out of the lineup theres a shot he enters the starting lineup. A value play dart throw as most of the Utah Jazz roster will be today.

Game Type: GPP
10000 , 48.2
48.2
9500 , 46
46

James has looked great since returning to the Lakers lineup and he's coming off back-to-back 30-point games against the Hawks and Blazers. Sure, the Rockets are a good defensive team but few are stopping LeBron even at his age.

Game Type: CASH & GPP
5800 , 0
0
5900 , 0
0

Kuzma started and played 28 minutes against the Pelicans on Friday. My hope is those minutes continue to ramp up because this price tag is just too cheap for the ceiling that Kuzma provides, especially with no Jordan Poole here today. He scored 25 FP in 28 minutes in that start.

Game Type: GPP
5700 , 32.7
32.7
6200 , 32.5
32.5

Going to be locked into 30+ minutes and with Steph Curry back in the lineup that will actually benefit Green a bit more as he runs the offense and increases his assist odds. No Jonathan Kuminga may also offer a slight bump in minutes for Green here tonight as well.

Game Type: CASH
3300 , 21.6
21.6
3700 , 20
20

My man dropped 34 points in 26 minutes against the Heat last night on his way to 51 fantasy points. He's the top rostered play of the slate. He is going to start and play more than the 26 minutes we just saw him. We've gotten a few good games from Sensabaugh this season but he hasn't had an opportunity with THIS many guys out of the rotation. 

Game Type: GPP
10500 , 0
0
11500 , 0
0

He's Anthony Davis. Lock him for 60 fantasy points and move along.

Game Type: CASH & GPP
9000 , 48.2
48.2
9400 , 45
45

No De'Aaron Fox today and Sabonis has a 25% usage rate and averages 1.4 fantasy points per minutes with him off of the floor this season. That is the highest on the team.

Game Type: CASH & GPP
7100 , 42.7
42.7
7600 , 43.3
43.3

We were all ready for Goga against the Pistons and he gets benched, playing only 23 minutes. He then plays the Raptors, sees 30 minutes and goes for 46 FP. With Walker Kessler on the other side today I'd expect to see him play closer to the 30 minutes than the 20 minutes.

Game Type: CASH
6300 , 40
40
6900 , 41.1
41.1

There's obviously not a huge minutes sample size with all the players off the floor today that are out for the Jazz but if you take off John Collins, Lauri Markkanen and Jordan Clarkson we see Kessler with 1.31 FP/Min. He has solid double-double upside with a massive shot block potential.

Game Type: GPP
5900 , 33.4
33.4
6100 , 33.1
33.1

The Wizards really struggle defensively and Missi put up a good game against them the other night. He is good with the defensive stats and has a double-double potential as well.

Game Type: GPP
5000 , 31.8
31.8
6100 , 32.2
32.2

Seems relatively secure in his role which seems to see him play close to 30 minutes. Now, it's Steve Kerr as his head coach so this can change without notice but it's hard not to love the fantasy point upside we've been getting from the young center.

Game Type: GPP