PrizePicks NBA Picks Today, 1/22: Free DFS Picks, Stacks & Projections
We have a nine-game slate in the NBA on Wednesday, January 22nd. There are plenty of opportunities to secure a winning day today, so let’s dive into the top PrizePicks NBA Picks Today.
Looking for an edge today, we look at the NBA DFS projections for Julius Randle of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Nick Smith Jr. of the Charlotte Hornets.
PrizePicks NBA Picks, Wednesday, 1/22: NBA DFS Projections
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Julius Randle NBA PrizePicks Fantasy Pick: More Than 12.5 Reb+Asts
Since Donte DiVincenzo exited the Timberwolves lineup with an injury, Julius Randle has stepped up in a big way in other areas than scoring. He leads the team over the last three contests in potential assists (11.7) and potential rebounds as well (20) while averaging 11.7 rebounds and 7.3 assists. He’s played 34-plus minutes in each of the three and has gone well over in each. He’s second in passes received and made per game over that span too. DiVincenzo’s out for the foreseeable future and the Timberwolves will look to Randle to playmaker for them like he’s been.
- Pick: More Than 12.5 Reb+Asts
Nick Smith Jr. NBA PrizePicks Fantasy Pick: More Than 10.5 Points
Since Brandon Miller went down, the Hornets inserted Nick Smith Jr. into the starting lineup and he’s looked much like the first-round draft pick they selected a couple of years ago. The one thing we’ve seen – dating back to 2023 – is anytime Smith has been extended he’s been a high usage player. In his two starts, Smith has a 20 and 26% USG rate and has a near 21% USG on the year. This is a massive pace up spot and Smith should see plenty of time whether the game stays competitive or not.
- Pick: More Than 10.5 Points
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Player News
Sam Hauser (ankle) is out for Game 4 against the Knicks on Monday.
While Hauser was listed as questionable for Game 4 with an ankle injury, he hasn’t seen any game action since leaving early in Game 1 of the series. Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla turned to Payton Pritchard for a series-high 35 minutes off the bench in Game 3 as the Celtics got back in the series with a 22-point victory. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see that recipe for success replicated in Game 4.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania during an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show, Donovan Mitchell has been diagnosed with a re-aggravation of a left ankle injury and will be a game-time decision for Game 5.
Mitchell didn’t return after halftime of Sunday’s blowout loss, and Ty Jerome started in his place for the second half. The Cavs were getting stomped 80-39, but apparently the injury is more serious than initially thought, and his absence in the second half was more than precautionary. If he’s unable to go, Jerome would likely get the starting nod as Cleveland faces elimination at home down 3-1 in the series.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania during an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show, Donovan Mitchell has been diagnosed with a re-aggravation of a left ankle injury and will be a game-time decision for Game 5.
Mitchell didn’t return after halftime of Sunday’s blowout loss, and Ty Jerome started in his place for the second half. The Cavs were getting stomped 80-39, but apparently the injury is more serious than initially thought, and his absence in the second half was more than precautionary. If he’s unable to go, Jerome would likely get the starting nod as Cleveland faces elimination at home down 3-1 in the series.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reports that Giannis Antetokounmpo “has not made any firm decisions, but for the first time in his career, he is open-minded about whether his best fit is remaining in Milwaukee – or playing elsewhere.”
No surprises here, as rumors of Antetokounmpo’s future with another team swirled as the season came to a close. Milwaukee finished the regular season 48-34 as the fifth seed in the East, and the Bucks were knocked out of the first round in a gentlemen’s sweep to the rival Pacers. With Damian Lillard out for most if not all of next season, the Bucks may choose to trade Antetokounmpo in the offseason and get a jumpstart on the impending rebuild. Fantasy managers should keep a close eye on an Antetokounmpo trade this offseason, as his future plans will be one of the biggest headlines heading into the 2025-26 season and could drastically shift fantasy values for a few other players.
Obi Toppin provided a boost off the bench with 20 points (9-of-14 FGs), five rebounds, two assists and one three-pointer in Game 4 against the Cavaliers on Sunday.
Toppin has been a solid reserve for Indiana all season, but he hadn’t been as productive in the postseason until Game 4. This was the second-highest scoring playoff game of Toppin’s career, narrowly finishing behind his 21-point game against the Bucks last season. Toppin will continue to play a large role off the bench, but the odds of him reaching 20 points again are slim.
Myles Turner lit up the Cavaliers with 20 points (7-of-13 FGs), seven rebounds, three assists and four three-pointers in Game 4 on Sunday.
For the fourth time in Indiana’s last six games, Turner scored 20 points. This time, it only took him 22 minutes. Turner has been a big part of the offense recently, and the strategy is working; they are 4-0 when he scores at least 20 points during this postseason, and they’re 17-2 over the course of the entire season when he reaches 20 points. Turner will continue to feature heavily in the offense in Game 5 as the Pacers look to close out this series.