NBA DFS Playbook January 9: Top DraftKings and FanDuel Picks
Published: Jan 09, 2023
We have a six-game main slate for Monday, January 9th. This slate features huge names like Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Your reigning MVP winner Nikola Jokic takes on LeBron James and the Lakers. We also have your MVP frontrunner Jayson Tatum taking on the hot Chicago Bulls with Zach LaVine playing the best basketball of his career.
Be sure to check out our NBA DFS projections, powered by FanJections, NBA DFS Lineup Generator, and all of the rest of our NBA DFS content and tools! Let's break down Dylan's top plays of the day for DraftKings and FanDuel!
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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) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PG | Ja Morant | SAS @ MEM Mon 8:00 | 10300 | 0 | 10200 | 0 |
It's unclear if Ja will play in this one after sitting out of Sunday's game. It's a great matchup against the Spurs so I wanted to make sure to get him in here. But this game does have blowout potential so I would be cautious around Morant tonight. If Morant does not go, I like Desmond Bane a ton. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
PG | De'Aaron Fox | ORL @ SAC Mon 10:00 | 8700 | 45.6 | 8900 | 44.3 |
We have a solid matchup for Fox and Kings roster against an Orlando team that is bottom ten in the NBA in defensive efficiency. The last time these two teams met up the final score 126-123 so you know there will be a ton of points to go around tonight. With Fox being priced under 9K on both sites, I love the play. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
PG | Jamal Murray | LAL @ DEN Mon 9:00 | 6800 | 34 | 7800 | 32.8 |
Jamal Murray and Denver are taking on a Lakers team that struggles defensively as well. Murray killed the Lakers in their last meeting going 8-16 from the field for 23 points and 38 fantasy points. He is not on the injury report heading into this one, so all systems go for Murray. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
PG | Immanuel Quickley | 6200 | 0 | 6400 | 0 | |
Immanuel Quickley has been outstanding since stepping into the starting lineup for the injured RJ Barrett. Over those five games he is averaging 39 fantasy points per game, two of which were in the 50s. Quickley has a great ceiling for just $6,200 on DraftKings. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
PG | Dennis Schröder | 5700 | 0 | 5800 | 0 | |
This Nuggets Lakers game will be a high scoring affair with both defenses being in the bottom 10 of defensive efficiency. Schroeder has been on fire recently on the offensive end scoring 32, 21, 27 points in his last three games. He is trustworthy play on both sites, and I especially like his price on FanDuel. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
PG | Ayo Dosunmu | CHI @ BOS Mon 7:30 | 4200 | 19.2 | 5100 | 19 |
Ayo has had a tough couple of games for fantasy purposes scoring under 15 fantasy points in both games. It has been Zach Lavine and a DeMar DeRozan carrying the offense during that span. I believe Ayo will bounce back in this one, and we have seen him put up 35 fantasy points on Boston earlier this season. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
SG | Jaylen Brown | CHI @ BOS Mon 7:30 | 9500 | 43.8 | 9000 | 42.3 |
This is a good matchup for all of the Celtics in this one. But Jaylen Brown has seemed to struggle in the three contests against the Bulls this season. He is averaging 43 fantasy points per game on the season but has not eclipsed 36.35 against the Bulls. I would probably look elsewhere with Brown's price tonight. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
SG | Zach LaVine | CHI @ BOS Mon 7:30 | 7500 | 38 | 8100 | 36 |
It will be interesting to see if LaVine can keep up his hot streak against a good Boston defense tonight. He has scored 36 and 41 game points in his last two. He is shooting a crazy 17-25 from three-point range over that span as well. If you can fit him in your lineup tonight I do not mind the play at his price. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
SG | Franz Wagner | ORL @ SAC Mon 10:00 | 7100 | 31.1 | 6600 | 30 |
Wagner has a great matchup against a Kings defense that ranks fourth worst in defensive efficiency. The last time he played Sacramento he scored 49.5 fantasy points scoring 31 game points. Franz is a great play at his price tonight. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
SG | Quentin Grimes | 5400 | 0 | 5600 | 0 | |
We have seen Grimes have a nice floor in recent games of around 20 points. Do not forget if he gets hot he can go nuts, like he did against Dallas when he scored 48 fantasy points knocking down seven threes. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
SG | Malik Monk | ORL @ SAC Mon 10:00 | 4500 | 21.6 | 5200 | 20.5 |
Monk is not on the injury report heading into this one which is a great sign. It looks like he was hampered by that calf injuries by his shooting numbers in the previous four games shooting 4-19 from downtown. With him not on the injury report I expect him to play around 22-25 minutes instead of the below twenty minutes he was getting the last two games. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
SF | LeBron James | LAL @ DEN Mon 9:00 | 10900 | 54.9 | 11200 | 53.2 |
Update: Lebron has been ruled out tonight. I really like Schroeder and Bryant even more.
Lebron is a good play tonight as we already talked about the matchup earlier. He scored 50 fantasy points in the last meeting against Denver. He has averaged 62 fantasy points in his last four and I have no problem playing him. I think I just like Jayson Tatum a touch more tonight. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
SF | Jayson Tatum | CHI @ BOS Mon 7:30 | 10700 | 53.2 | 10700 | 51.6 |
Tatum has been very solid going against the Bulls this season. He hasn't scored fewer than 45 fantasy points in any three matchups including a 66 fantasy points outing in the second game. Tatum should get his tonight in a good matchup, and he will be in my lineup. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
SF | DeMar DeRozan | ORL @ SAC Mon 10:00 | 9000 | 0 | 8700 | 0 |
Then on the other side we have DeMar DeRozan who has just been solid all season. In his previous three matchups against Boston, he scored at least 39 fantasy points in each including a 62-fantasy point outing similar to Tatum. I have no issue in playing DeRozan in this game, I just think there is slightly better options. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
SF | Paolo Banchero | ORL @ SAC Mon 10:00 | 8200 | 39.6 | 7900 | 38.5 |
Banchero is one of my favorite young players to watch in the NBA. I was in favor of him going to the Magic number one and in my eyes, it has paid off. He looks to have locked up rookie of the year averaging already 21/6/4 on the season. It is a great matchup against Sacramento. Like Franz Banchero smashed in the last matchup against the Kings with 62 fantasy points. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
SF | Herbert Jones | NOP @ WAS Mon 7:00 | 4900 | 23.2 | 5600 | 24.2 |
Ok, I swung and missed with Trent Murphy in the last playbook, so I refuse to go back to him. Instead I'm going with his teammate Herb Jones. I think he is much safer because of his defense. He is coming off a game in which he had five steals against the Dallas. He has at least two steals in seven out of his last eight games including four games over two as well. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
SF | Grant Williams | 3500 | 0 | 4300 | 0 | |
I usually attack a spot up shooter from the Bulls opponent and tonight it is Grant Williams. Grant is a great three-point shooter shooting at a 42% clip. Grant has great price of $3,500 and I think is one of the better values on the slate. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
PF | Giannis Antetokounmpo | MIL @ NYK Mon 7:30 | 12000 | 59.3 | 11800 | 56.5 |
The last time Giannis played the Knicks he went bananas. Giannis went for 37/13/7 and finished with 66 fantasy points. He is a tough matchup for everyone, but the Knicks do not have a great matchup for him. Giannis is a great play, but you have to pay up for him. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
PF | Kyle Kuzma | NOP @ WAS Mon 7:00 | 8400 | 41.3 | 7500 | 38.9 |
Bradley is still dealing with his lingering hamstring injury which means Kuzma keeps getting a ton of usage. He gets a 26.5 usage with Beal on the court but with him off it jumps up to almost 30%. I love Kuzma's price on FanDuel tonight. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
PF | Aaron Gordon | LAL @ DEN Mon 9:00 | 6600 | 33.6 | 7100 | 33.5 |
Gordon has averaged around 28 fantasy points against the Lakers this season. There isnt a ton of value at the power forward position tonight, so if you want to go Gordon, I am fine with it. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
PF | Naji Marshall | 5500 | 0 | 6000 | 0 | |
I am just going to keep putting Naji Marshall in my lineup as long as Zion is out. Marshall has scored 41 and 39 fantasy points, granted CJ McCollum did not play in the last game either. With his price still at just $5,500 on DK he is a smash play. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
PF | Keegan Murray | ORL @ SAC Mon 10:00 | 4300 | 21 | 5000 | 20.6 |
Keegan Murray has been as steady as it comes over his last five games. Murray has played at least 26 minutes in each and finishing with at least 20 fantasy points in each. You will take that at his price, especially on DraftKings. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
C | Nikola Jokić | LAL @ DEN Mon 9:00 | 11700 | 59.4 | 11400 | 57.2 |
It's tough not putting Jokic in your lineup tonight when he could just blow up the slate against the Lakers. He has yet to have a huge game against them this year in the two-meeting scoring 54 and 58 fantasy points. Definitely fade him at your own risk though. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
C | Domantas Sabonis | ORL @ SAC Mon 10:00 | 10500 | 52.5 | 10400 | 50 |
Sabonis has just been incredible for the Kings this season averaging 19 points, 12 rebounds, and almost seven assists. In his last five games he has scored at least 51 fantasy points in four of them. Wendell Carter Jr. will have his hands full trying to guard Sabonis tonight. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
C | Jaren Jackson | SAS @ MEM Mon 8:00 | 6800 | 37.3 | 7600 | 40 |
Jaren Jackson has been awesome over his past five games and his price hasn't quite caught up to it yet. He has scored at least 32 fantasy points in each game. He is the best defensive big in the game today as he has at least three blocks in five straight games including two games in which he had five and six. I will be playing Jackson on DraftKings tonight in a great matchup. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
C | Thomas Bryant | 6300 | 0 | 6800 | 0 | |
Thomas Bryant has been an awesome pick and roll partner with Lebron James recently with Anthony Davis out of the lineup. Over his past five games Bryant is averaging 21 points and 13 rebounds for 43 fantasy points per game. Denver is bad defensively, so I expect him to have another good night. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
C | Robert Williams | 4400 | 0 | 5400 | 0 | |
Robert Williams is a much cheaper version of Jaren Jackson Jr. on the defensive end. Williams is coming off a game in which he scored 10 points 11 rebounds and four blocks for 41 fantasy points. With that kind of ceiling his price intrigues me on DraftKings. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
C | Willy Hernangomez | NOP @ WAS Mon 7:00 | 3900 | 17.4 | 4600 | 17.2 |
Hernangomez doesn't get a ton of run playing just over 16 minutes per game over his last five games. However, he averages 21 fantasy points per game over that span. If you need to go cheap at the center position I like Hernangomez as an option. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
PG | Malcolm Brogdon | NOP @ WAS Mon 7:00 | 5300 | 0 | 5800 | 0 |
Marcus Smart has been ruled out for tonight's game which makes Brogdon a very solid play. He has scored over 25 fantasy points in three straight games while playing around 25 minutes. He has been on fire from the three-point line hitting 9-14 from behind the arc. If he stays hot shooting tonight, he will a great value. Game Type: CASH & GPP |
Ja Morant, PG | 10300 , 0 | 0 | 10200 , 0 | 0 | ||
It's unclear if Ja will play in this one after sitting out of Sunday's game. It's a great matchup against the Spurs so I wanted to make sure to get him in here. But this game does have blowout potential so I would be cautious around Morant tonight. If Morant does not go, I like Desmond Bane a ton. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
De'Aaron Fox, PG | 8700 , 45.6 | 45.6 | 8900 , 44.3 | 44.3 | ||
We have a solid matchup for Fox and Kings roster against an Orlando team that is bottom ten in the NBA in defensive efficiency. The last time these two teams met up the final score 126-123 so you know there will be a ton of points to go around tonight. With Fox being priced under 9K on both sites, I love the play. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
Jamal Murray, PG | 6800 , 34 | 34 | 7800 , 32.8 | 32.8 | ||
Jamal Murray and Denver are taking on a Lakers team that struggles defensively as well. Murray killed the Lakers in their last meeting going 8-16 from the field for 23 points and 38 fantasy points. He is not on the injury report heading into this one, so all systems go for Murray. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
6200 , 0 | 0 | 6400 , 0 | 0 | |||
Immanuel Quickley has been outstanding since stepping into the starting lineup for the injured RJ Barrett. Over those five games he is averaging 39 fantasy points per game, two of which were in the 50s. Quickley has a great ceiling for just $6,200 on DraftKings. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
Dennis Schröder, PG | 5700 , 0 | 0 | 5800 , 0 | 0 | ||
This Nuggets Lakers game will be a high scoring affair with both defenses being in the bottom 10 of defensive efficiency. Schroeder has been on fire recently on the offensive end scoring 32, 21, 27 points in his last three games. He is trustworthy play on both sites, and I especially like his price on FanDuel. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
Ayo Dosunmu, PG | 4200 , 19.2 | 19.2 | 5100 , 19 | 19 | ||
Ayo has had a tough couple of games for fantasy purposes scoring under 15 fantasy points in both games. It has been Zach Lavine and a DeMar DeRozan carrying the offense during that span. I believe Ayo will bounce back in this one, and we have seen him put up 35 fantasy points on Boston earlier this season. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
Jaylen Brown, SG | 9500 , 43.8 | 43.8 | 9000 , 42.3 | 42.3 | ||
This is a good matchup for all of the Celtics in this one. But Jaylen Brown has seemed to struggle in the three contests against the Bulls this season. He is averaging 43 fantasy points per game on the season but has not eclipsed 36.35 against the Bulls. I would probably look elsewhere with Brown's price tonight. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
Zach LaVine, SG | 7500 , 38 | 38 | 8100 , 36 | 36 | ||
It will be interesting to see if LaVine can keep up his hot streak against a good Boston defense tonight. He has scored 36 and 41 game points in his last two. He is shooting a crazy 17-25 from three-point range over that span as well. If you can fit him in your lineup tonight I do not mind the play at his price. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
Franz Wagner, SG | 7100 , 31.1 | 31.1 | 6600 , 30 | 30 | ||
Wagner has a great matchup against a Kings defense that ranks fourth worst in defensive efficiency. The last time he played Sacramento he scored 49.5 fantasy points scoring 31 game points. Franz is a great play at his price tonight. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
Quentin Grimes, SG | 5400 , 0 | 0 | 5600 , 0 | 0 | ||
We have seen Grimes have a nice floor in recent games of around 20 points. Do not forget if he gets hot he can go nuts, like he did against Dallas when he scored 48 fantasy points knocking down seven threes. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
Malik Monk, SG | 4500 , 21.6 | 21.6 | 5200 , 20.5 | 20.5 | ||
Monk is not on the injury report heading into this one which is a great sign. It looks like he was hampered by that calf injuries by his shooting numbers in the previous four games shooting 4-19 from downtown. With him not on the injury report I expect him to play around 22-25 minutes instead of the below twenty minutes he was getting the last two games. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
LeBron James, SF | 10900 , 54.9 | 54.9 | 11200 , 53.2 | 53.2 | ||
Update: Lebron has been ruled out tonight. I really like Schroeder and Bryant even more.
Lebron is a good play tonight as we already talked about the matchup earlier. He scored 50 fantasy points in the last meeting against Denver. He has averaged 62 fantasy points in his last four and I have no problem playing him. I think I just like Jayson Tatum a touch more tonight. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
Jayson Tatum, SF | 10700 , 53.2 | 53.2 | 10700 , 51.6 | 51.6 | ||
Tatum has been very solid going against the Bulls this season. He hasn't scored fewer than 45 fantasy points in any three matchups including a 66 fantasy points outing in the second game. Tatum should get his tonight in a good matchup, and he will be in my lineup. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
DeMar DeRozan, SF | 9000 , 0 | 0 | 8700 , 0 | 0 | ||
Then on the other side we have DeMar DeRozan who has just been solid all season. In his previous three matchups against Boston, he scored at least 39 fantasy points in each including a 62-fantasy point outing similar to Tatum. I have no issue in playing DeRozan in this game, I just think there is slightly better options. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
Paolo Banchero, SF | 8200 , 39.6 | 39.6 | 7900 , 38.5 | 38.5 | ||
Banchero is one of my favorite young players to watch in the NBA. I was in favor of him going to the Magic number one and in my eyes, it has paid off. He looks to have locked up rookie of the year averaging already 21/6/4 on the season. It is a great matchup against Sacramento. Like Franz Banchero smashed in the last matchup against the Kings with 62 fantasy points. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
Herbert Jones, SF | 4900 , 23.2 | 23.2 | 5600 , 24.2 | 24.2 | ||
Ok, I swung and missed with Trent Murphy in the last playbook, so I refuse to go back to him. Instead I'm going with his teammate Herb Jones. I think he is much safer because of his defense. He is coming off a game in which he had five steals against the Dallas. He has at least two steals in seven out of his last eight games including four games over two as well. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
Grant Williams, SF | 3500 , 0 | 0 | 4300 , 0 | 0 | ||
I usually attack a spot up shooter from the Bulls opponent and tonight it is Grant Williams. Grant is a great three-point shooter shooting at a 42% clip. Grant has great price of $3,500 and I think is one of the better values on the slate. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
12000 , 59.3 | 59.3 | 11800 , 56.5 | 56.5 | |||
The last time Giannis played the Knicks he went bananas. Giannis went for 37/13/7 and finished with 66 fantasy points. He is a tough matchup for everyone, but the Knicks do not have a great matchup for him. Giannis is a great play, but you have to pay up for him. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
Kyle Kuzma, PF | 8400 , 41.3 | 41.3 | 7500 , 38.9 | 38.9 | ||
Bradley is still dealing with his lingering hamstring injury which means Kuzma keeps getting a ton of usage. He gets a 26.5 usage with Beal on the court but with him off it jumps up to almost 30%. I love Kuzma's price on FanDuel tonight. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
Aaron Gordon, PF | 6600 , 33.6 | 33.6 | 7100 , 33.5 | 33.5 | ||
Gordon has averaged around 28 fantasy points against the Lakers this season. There isnt a ton of value at the power forward position tonight, so if you want to go Gordon, I am fine with it. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
Naji Marshall, PF | 5500 , 0 | 0 | 6000 , 0 | 0 | ||
I am just going to keep putting Naji Marshall in my lineup as long as Zion is out. Marshall has scored 41 and 39 fantasy points, granted CJ McCollum did not play in the last game either. With his price still at just $5,500 on DK he is a smash play. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
Keegan Murray, PF | 4300 , 21 | 21 | 5000 , 20.6 | 20.6 | ||
Keegan Murray has been as steady as it comes over his last five games. Murray has played at least 26 minutes in each and finishing with at least 20 fantasy points in each. You will take that at his price, especially on DraftKings. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
11700 , 59.4 | 59.4 | 11400 , 57.2 | 57.2 | |||
It's tough not putting Jokic in your lineup tonight when he could just blow up the slate against the Lakers. He has yet to have a huge game against them this year in the two-meeting scoring 54 and 58 fantasy points. Definitely fade him at your own risk though. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
10500 , 52.5 | 52.5 | 10400 , 50 | 50 | |||
Sabonis has just been incredible for the Kings this season averaging 19 points, 12 rebounds, and almost seven assists. In his last five games he has scored at least 51 fantasy points in four of them. Wendell Carter Jr. will have his hands full trying to guard Sabonis tonight. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
6800 , 37.3 | 37.3 | 7600 , 40 | 40 | |||
Jaren Jackson has been awesome over his past five games and his price hasn't quite caught up to it yet. He has scored at least 32 fantasy points in each game. He is the best defensive big in the game today as he has at least three blocks in five straight games including two games in which he had five and six. I will be playing Jackson on DraftKings tonight in a great matchup. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
6300 , 0 | 0 | 6800 , 0 | 0 | |||
Thomas Bryant has been an awesome pick and roll partner with Lebron James recently with Anthony Davis out of the lineup. Over his past five games Bryant is averaging 21 points and 13 rebounds for 43 fantasy points per game. Denver is bad defensively, so I expect him to have another good night. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
4400 , 0 | 0 | 5400 , 0 | 0 | |||
Robert Williams is a much cheaper version of Jaren Jackson Jr. on the defensive end. Williams is coming off a game in which he scored 10 points 11 rebounds and four blocks for 41 fantasy points. With that kind of ceiling his price intrigues me on DraftKings. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
3900 , 17.4 | 17.4 | 4600 , 17.2 | 17.2 | |||
Hernangomez doesn't get a ton of run playing just over 16 minutes per game over his last five games. However, he averages 21 fantasy points per game over that span. If you need to go cheap at the center position I like Hernangomez as an option. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
Malcolm Brogdon, PG | 5300 , 0 | 0 | 5800 , 0 | 0 | ||
Marcus Smart has been ruled out for tonight's game which makes Brogdon a very solid play. He has scored over 25 fantasy points in three straight games while playing around 25 minutes. He has been on fire from the three-point line hitting 9-14 from behind the arc. If he stays hot shooting tonight, he will a great value. Game Type: CASH & GPP |