Hello NBA fans, welcome to the NBA DFS Showdown for Thursday, January 24, 2024. We have a battle between two of the most historic franchises in the NBA. The Chicago Bulls are traveling west to Los Angeles to take on Anthony Davis, LeBron James and the Lakers. Both teams are below .500 right now so they both need this win to turn their respective season around.

Finding some of the NBA DFS top picks could be, easier if you look at Fantasy Alarm’s NBA DFS Projections, powered by FanJections. Let’s dive into the complete breakdown for tonight’s showdown slate between the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers.

 

Chicago Bulls vs. Los Angeles Lakers

Total: 228.5

Spread: -4.5 (LAL)

Chicago Bulls Injuries

Los Angeles Lakers Injuries

NBA DFS Showdown CPT/MVP Top Plays

Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers

AD has the highest ceiling on the slate on the slate. Unfortunately, he is dealing with an Achilles injury that he has been playing through. He hasn't been great over the past two games scoring under 50 fantasy points in back-to-back games. At his price that just isn't going to do it, especially on a night that seems to be pretty expensive at the utility pieces of the lineup. You can play him, it just makes the rest of your lineup tough to build around.

LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers

It's been a while since we have seen a huge game from LeBron James. However, he has been very solid, having a solid floor every night. Bron has scored at least 40 fantasy points in seven of his last eight games but only scored over 50 fantasy points twice during that span. Like Davis, his price makes it a bit difficult to build around tonight at the captain spot but is still in play. In the last matchup against the Bulls, he finished with 56.5 fantasy points posting a line of 25-10-9. 

Nikola Vucevic, Chicago Bulls

Vuc is just so solid every night with the solid floor he possesses because of his rebounding ability. He is pretty much a walking double-double, and he is over $3,000 cheaper than Anthony Davis tonight which helps your lineup depth so much better. Vucevic is my top captain play tonight because of that, and he is coming off a 52 fantasy points performance. That was his third game out of five going over 50 fantasy points. Play him tonight.

NBA DFS Showdown UTIL Top Plays

Coby White, Chicago Bulls

Coby White has been the most enjoyable part of being a Bulls fan this season. He has taken a massive step forward in his game, being the lead ball-handler in this offense. His numbers without Zach LaVin in the lineup this season are great. He is averaging over a 23% usage rate every night and is posting a 22-6-6 in a 20-game sample size. He hasn't been quite as good as of late but is coming off a huge game against the Suns. White should be in your lineup tonight as well, and he pairs nicely with Vuc.

DeMar DeRozan, Chicago Bulls

DeRozan is a bit pricey tonight sitting at 9K on this slate. With Coby White taking a step forward, DeRozan has kind of taken a step back to 1B on this team. He still has a 50-point fantasy ceiling on any given night, as he did in the last matchup against the Lakers in December. If you want someone who is a bit cheaper than Coby White, DeRozan is a fine pivot and might be a bit safer.

D'Angelo Russell, Los Angeles Lakers

D-Lo has been very good as of late, and his price has skyrocketed because of it. You were able to get him at under 7K on DraftKings just last week, and now he is up to $8,600. He is coming off two 50 fantasy points and has fallen below 30 fantasy in his last seven games. For what it's worth, Russell did have his worst game of the season in December against the Bulls. That isn't the end all be all for me tonight, he should be in consideration.

Ayo Dosunmu, Chicago Bulls

The last guy here is to try and save a bit of money, and that is Ayo Dosunmu. With Zach LaVine out of the lineup, Dosunmu's number takes a big jump. He goes from 18 minutes to 29 and goes from 7 points per game to 11, and has just about doubled his assists and rebounds. Yes, he could get you 15 fantasy points tonight. But he can also get you close to 40 if he gets going in transition because that is where Ayo excels.

NBA DFS Showdown Value Plays

Andre Drummond, Chicago Bulls

Andre Drummond is a big salary saver tonight as the backup big for this Bulls team. He will likely only play around 15 minutes tonight, but we have seen him grab double-digit rebounds time and time again in those minutes. Because of that, he has finished with at least 25 fantasy points in three of his last five games. The Lakers will play Christian Wood as their backup big, and Drummond should just dominate him on the glass tonight. You will need to play Drummond if you play a few high-priced guys tonight.

Christian Wood, Los Angeles Lakers

I know I just ripped Wood a bit above, but we don't care about his defense for DFS purposes. Wood should be in consideration tonight because of his $4,000 price tag. He should get the backup center minutes tonight because the Bulls play a true backup big in Andre Drummond. Wood should be able to put up decent numbers against Drummond tonight, and could get an extended run if that Davis achilles injury acts up. Wood should float around 20 fantasy points tonight, and you will gladly take that at his price.

 

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