RADIO
With 10-game slates back on the table for the NBA, it makes for a ton of captivating ways for fantasy managers to pack DFS lineups with star power. Unfortunately, some of that star power is unavailable, creating a wave of value plays that should compliment high-priced assets.
In terms of games to focus upon, Friday features the top three offenses in the league (Milwaukee, Washington, Brooklyn) via PPG average, in addition to four of the five defenses allowing the most PPG (Washington, Chicago, Golden State, Detroit). Only the Thunder/Knicks showdown features a projected points total below 216, an indication of the widespread offense that can be expected.
This article will provide you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 1/8/21. You can also check out today's FanDuel lineup picks. With COVID-19 a significant factor globally, remember to monitor injury news as the slate can completely change before line-up lock.
DraftKings DFS Guards
Devin Booker - SG, PHO @ DET ($8,200)
The first eight games of the 2020-21 season have proven that the Suns’ offense has a lot of mouths to feed. Fortunately for their contest Friday, they’ll be facing a Pistons defense that enters with the fourth-worst defensive efficiency in the NBA, all while allowing the fifth-highest three-point percentage (39.7) and three-point baskets (14.3) made per game.
That’s where Booker comes in. While multiple Suns should have appeal against a Detroit defense that has allowed at least 122 points in each of their past three games, Booker has the safest floor of the group. In seven of his eight contests to open the year, Booker has dropped at least 20 points, having made at least one shot from deep in every game.
Kyle Lowry - PG, TOR @ SAC ($7,900)
Consistency has been the name of the game for Lowry, who through seven games, is averaging nearly identical points and assists totals to what he produced last season (with just .1 of an assist fewer per game). In five of his first seven contests, Lowry has delivered between 35.8 and 38.8 DK points, just twice deviating above that production, giving him one of the most stable floors on the slate.
Having tied his season high in scoring with 24 points in his last outing versus a stellar Suns defense, Lowry now gets the advantage of facing a Kings group that is yielding the third-most DK points per contest (55.4) to opposing PG’s this year. Those numbers have come with De'Aaron Fox (hamstring) being largely responsible for the on-ball defense, but if a hamstring injury ultimately holds him out, it’s arguably an even better scenario for Lowry.
Chris Chiozza - PG, BKN @ MEM ($3,000)
For those eyeing a true punt play-priced fantasy asset Friday, Chiozza figures to remain an integral part of the Nets’ backcourt mix with Kyrie Irving (personal) not making the trip to Memphis. When Irving sat earlier this year versus the Grizzlies, Chiozza played 27 minutes and went for 14 points and four assists, far exceeding his value.
Having taken nine shots in just 16 minutes of playing time Thursday, Chiozza has shown himself adept at getting involved on both ends of the floor during his run.
DraftKings DFS Forwards
Zion Williamson - PF/C, NO vs. CHA ($7,900)
While most of the attention for Friday’s game between the Hornets and Pelicans will focus on the Ball brothers, Williamson retains his perpetual intrigue due to his captivating blend of size and athleticism, which has proven to be a load for opponents to deal with. Maybe more than any player in the league, Williamson earns consideration most nights simply by staring down the opposing depth chart and wondering who can guard him.
Williamson delivered arguably his best game of the season Wednesday, going for 29 points, six rebounds, and three steals, all while shooting 70.6 percent from the floor. Charlotte ranks around the middle of the pack in most defensive efficiency models, but they do play at the 10th-fastest pace in the league, which when combined with their lack of an obvious lockdown defender of Williamson, gives him obvious upside as he continues to produce most nights on the back of his indefatigable motor.
Caris Levert - PG/SF, BKN @ MEM ($7,400)
LeVert figures to lead the pack Friday in terms of roster percentage due to the massive increase in usage and offensive workload that he sees when both Irving and Kevin Durant (COVID-19 protocols) are out of the lineup, which will again be the case versus Memphis.
Despite going 9-for-25 from the field Tuesday, in addition to shooting just 4-for-10 from the free-throw stripe, LeVert still managed to log a double-double with 22 points and 10 assists. The first game this season in which Durant/Irving were unavailable also came against the Grizzlies, in which LeVert responded with a 28-point, 11-assist showing during which he took 29 shot attempts. His appeal is virtually limitless, with his price tag amenable to either GPP or cash formats.
Jerami Grant - SF/PF, DET vs. PHO ($7,000)
On the heels of a career-high 31-point showing Wednesday, Grant is going to garner considerable intrigue on this slate due to his rather flexible price tag. Having dropped at least 22 points in each of his last seven games, Grant’s role as the unquestioned No. 1 option in the Detroit offense mitigates many of the matchup concerns versus a Suns defense that leads the league in PPG allowed (102.4).
DraftKings DFS Centers
Daniel Theis - PF/C, BOS vs. WAS ($4,300)
With fellow centers Tristan Thompson and Robert Williams III unavailable to suit up due to quarantine under the league’s health and safety protocols, Theis stands to be in line for a considerable workload at the center spot. Coming off of a season-high 28-minute allotment Wednesday in which he scored 14 points, absences in the frontcourt would pave the way for Theis to have a tremendous opportunity at hitting -- and exceeding -- value.
But working in his favor is also the fact that he’ll be facing the Wizards’ interior defense. Having yielded 62.5 DK points per contest to opposing centers, the second-most in the league, Theis would have a solid chance of production even if he found himself among the three-headed center monster that the Celtics traditionally roll out. With Thompson and Williams out, Tacko Fall stands to serve as Theis’ only backup.
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