Ivica Zubac Underdog NBA Picks Today, 1/23: Basketball Projections + More
On Thursday, January 23rd, we have a massive opportunity to secure a nice winning day with our Underdog Fantasy NBA Picks and NBA DFS projections as the NBA season marches onward in full force. We have eight games across the association so let’s dive in.
Looking for an edge today, we look at the NBA DFS projections for Ivica Zubac of the Los Angeles Clippers and Deandre Ayton of the Portland Trail Blazers.
Best Underdog Fantasy NBA Picks, Thursday, 1/23: NBA DFS Projections
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Ivica Zubac NBA Underdog Fantasy Pick: Higher Than 27.5 Pts+Rebs
This is a dream spot for centers. There’s nothing negative in Ivica Zubac’s camp that suggests he won’t smash here if he plays. Obviously, he’s dealing with an eye injury.
Over the last three games, he’s averaged 22 potential rebounds per game and is at 20.4 on the year. The Wizards are a massive pace up spot, the worst defensive team in the league, and 28th in rebounding. Washington cannot stop centers. At all.
- Anthony Davis: 29 points, 16 rebounds
- Domantas Sabonis: 29 points, 18 rebounds
- Trayce Jackson-Davis: 15 rebounds, Kevon Looney (same game): 10 points, 13 rebounds
The last three games against centers have gone terribly for Washington and it makes Ivica Zubac quite appealing here.
Deandre Ayton NBA Underdog Fantasy Pick: Higher Than 12.5 Points
Deandre Ayton is coming off one of his best games of the year and has looked really good in three straight games. Ayton scored 14-plus points in those three games and has had a 17.5% USG or better.
The minutes should be secure for Ayton too with Donovan Clingan out and the Trail Blazers unwillingness to extend Robert Williams. Orlando’s defense with Wendell Carter in the middle is very different than when it’s Goga Bitadze. Over the last four games – all without Bitadze – they rank 26th in DRtg.
- Pick: Higher Than 12.5 Points
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Buddy Hield had 15 points (5-of-14 FGs), three rebounds, one assist, one steal and four three-pointers against the Timberwolves in Game 2 on Thursday.
Hield moved into the Warriors’ starting lineup in the first round and the team became somewhat reliant on his scoring. With Stephen Curry (hamstring) out in Game 2, Hield started and played 29 minutes. The 32-year-old shooting guard led the Warriors in field goal attempts, though no one in a Golden State uniform was able to reach 20 points. The Warriors weren’t able to overcome a double-digit first half deficit. Despite the four made three-pointers, they’re going to need more from Hield as the series shifts to Golden State, especially if Curry remains out.
Jimmy Butler had 17 points (6-of-13 FGs), seven rebounds, four assists, one steal and two three-pointers against the Timberwolves in Game 2 on Thursday.
Butler couldn’t get it done without Stephen Curry (hamstring) on the road in Game 2. The Warriors fell behind by double-digits early and never recovered. Butler had 17 points on 13 shots, which wasn’t far off from the 20 points he had in Game 1. Still, the Warriors have to regroup as they head home for Games 3 and 4 as they try to figure out a way to keep this series close until Curry can return to the court.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker had 20 points (7-of-13 FGs), two rebounds, three assists, one block and four three-pointers in Game 2 against the Warriors on Thursday.
Alexander-Walker was a key scorer off the bench in Game 2. He, Naz Reid and Donte DiVencenzo combined for 10 made three-pointers off the bench. In a game where the Warriors were desperate for scoring without Stephen Curry (hamstring), those bench points were too much to overcome as the Timberwolves won by 24 points.
Julius Randle had 24 points (10-of-17 FGs), seven rebounds, 11 assists and one three-pointer in Game 2 against the Warriors on Thursday.
Randle led the Timberwolves in scoring in the Game 2 victory. The 30-year-old power forward was just three rebounds away from a triple-double. He was a steadying presence in his 33 minutes as Anthony Edwards dealt with an ankle injury towards the end of the first half. Edwards recovered from his injury to play 34 minutes, but Randle is still the next most important player in this series for the Timberwolves.
Anthony Edwards had 20 points (6-of-13 FGs), nine rebounds, five assists, three steals, one block and two three-pointers in the Timberwolves’ 117-93 victory over the Warriors in Game 2 on Thursday.
Edwards appeared to suffer a sprained left ankle towards the end of the second quarter as the Warriors’ Trayce Jackson-Davis landed on his foot. Edwards turned the same ankle in the first round against the Lakers and appeared to re-aggravate the injury. The 23-year-old shooting guard would go on to start the second half and play a team-high 34 minutes in the Game 2 victory. Edwards will only have one full day off before the series resumes in Golden State for Game 3 on Saturday.
Warriors will start Brandin Podziemski, Buddy Hield, Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green and Quinten Post in Game 2 against the Timberwolves on Thursday.
No surprise here as Curry was always a long shot to make it back for Game 2 after leaving Game 1 with hamstring injury. While there has been a report that the 37-year-old point guard is expected to miss a week, there is no firm timetable for his return. The Warriors will go big with their starting lineup for Game 2 with center Quinten Post entering the lineup in Curry’s absence.