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Happy Saturday, everyone. After a massive 11-game slate on Friday night, the league has seven games on tap, beginning at 8:00 pm (eastern). Of course, things have been exceedingly complicated for fantasy managers during the 2021 campaign, as postponements and player absences have made things difficult to navigate at times.
Heading into the evening, we know that John Wall (knee), Tyler Herro (neck), Danuel House (illness), and Karl-Anthony Towns will not play. We are also keeping an eye on others who are in jeopardy of not suiting up. In Los Angeles, both LeBron James and Anthony Davis are mentioned in the team’s latest injury report; however, they both have a good chance at seeing the floor. Jimmy Butler, who has missed the Heat’s last six contests due to COVID-19 safety protocols, has a shot at returning for Miami. Christian Wood, who sat on Friday with an ankle ailment, could miss another one as the short-handed Rockets visit the Dallas Mavericks.
Update: John Wall is available for the Rockets on Saturday night after originally being ruled out.
Featured Promo: For this week only, take 50% off any full-season or yearly Premium Pass on the site! Just enter discount code THANKS when checking out. Thanks for being a reader, and Happy Holidays! Sign Up Now!In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for FanDuel on 1/23/21. These DFS lineup picks can vary from higher-priced players and elite options to lower-priced players and value picks on FanDuel. You can also check out DraftKings lineup picks and injury news before lineups lock. Good luck, RotoBallers.
Article Updated: Saturday, January 23, 2021 @ 07:08 pm (eastern)
FanDuel DFS Guards
Ben Simmons, PG - @ DET ($7,900)
Simmons has been a hot topic of discussion, primarily over the last several months. From trade rumors to criticism regarding his inability to mesh with Joel Embiid, the former LSU Tiger’s name has been smothered by both the media and Sixers’ fans alike.
Simmons stepped up and helped guide Philly to a win over the Celtics on Friday night. While he got off to a slow start offensively, his 11 points in the fourth quarter were welcomed by fantasy managers who were gearing up for a disappointing performance. He will have a favorable matchup on Saturday against the Detroit Pistons, a team he was dominant against last year by averaging 14.5 points, 13.5 rebounds, and nearly four steals.
Update: Ben Simmons is questionable heading into Saturday night’s matchup against the Detroit Pistons with an undisclosed injury, according to head coach Doc Rivers.
Goran Dragic, PG - @ BKN ($5,700)
With the Heat down a handful of players over the last several weeks, Dragic has helped keep things together. Although Jimmy Butler could be back against Brooklyn on Saturday night, the rostering cost of the 34-year-old is too reasonable to ignore.
He has played a good amount of minutes over his previous four games and is averaging 27.25 fantasy points during that same span. With the Nets having issues on the defensive end so far this season, Dragic could easily find himself hitting value on Saturday night, even if Butler returns to the lineup.
Updated options: Luka Doncic ($10,800), Chris Paul ($6,900), Jalen Brunson ($4,300), Kendrick Nunn ($6,500), Tim Hardaway Jr. ($5,400), Wayne Ellington ($3,900)
FanDuel DFS Forwards
Kevin Durant, SF - vs. MIA ($10,700)
Durant wasn’t in the lineup on Friday night as head coach Steve Nash opted to give him a rest after logging 50 minutes during the team’s double-overtime loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. For a player who spent a considerable amount of time on the shelf with an Achilles injury, rest is essential; however, he should be good to go against the Miami Heat.
The former MVP hasn’t lost a step. He is currently ranked second in the league with 31.3 PPG and has been getting his fair share of time on the floor. While the presence of James Harden and Kyrie Irving may take away some opportunities on the scoring end—at times—the veteran can make up for it in other ways as he is always a threat on the glass and as a shot-blocker. It wouldn’t be a surprise if either Harden or Irving were given the night off in the second game of a back-to-back, which would only add to Durant’s appeal as a fantasy option.
Jae’Sean Tate, SF - @ DAL ($4,000)
With the Rockets struggling to put bodies on the floor, Tate should continue to serve as a viable option in DFS lineups. The rookie put on a fantastic performance in the win over the equally unimpressive Detroit Pistons, recording 13 points, three rebounds, and three blocks across 32 minutes for a value-busting 35.1 fantasy points.
His outlook may change if Christian Wood is back in the mix against the Mavericks. However, with a rostering cost of only $4,000, fantasy managers can’t go wrong, even if he doesn’t come close to duplicating his performance from Friday night.
Updated Options: LeBron James ($9,900), Brandon Ingram, ($7,700), Kelly Oubre Jr. ($5,600), Mikal Bridges ($5,500), Eric Gordon ($5,200), Duncan Robinson ($4,900), Garrett Temple ($3,800), Josh Jackson ($3,700), Anthony Davis ($9,800), Bam Adebayo ($8,700), Zion Williamson ($7,900), Jarred Vandilt ($4,600), James Johnson ($4,500), Thaddeus Young ($3,800), Daniel Gafford ($3,500)
FanDuel DFS Centers
Steven Adams, C - @ MIN ($5,400)
After spending seven seasons in Oklahoma City, where he had success while playing beside Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and Paul George, Adams is now on a New Orleans team that is in the midst of a rebuild.
Although the team has options capable of accruing fantasy points, the New Zealand native is playing his best basketball in years. While he has slightly regressed on the offensive end, his 9.5 rebounds and 61 percent shooting from the field are some of the best marks of his career. The Wolves have a massive void in the middle without Karl-Anthony Towns, so Adams may be one of the best bargains at the center position during the seven-game slate on Saturday night.
DeMarcus Cousins, C - @ DAL ($4,900)
Speaking of bargains, Cousins has the potential to smash his value once again on Saturday night, just like he did on Friday. With the Rockets down John Wall and potentially Christian Wood against the Mavericks, the veteran should see a significant uptick in +/- differential.
He finished with only five points on a lousy shooting effort in his last outing against the Detroit Pistons but was able to make up for it by pulling down 15 rebounds, dishing out seven assists, and swatting two shots. Cousins, who at one point was considered one of the best centers in the league not too long ago, may be forced to spend more time on the floor against Dallas, which should result in a generous return on his value.
Updated Options: Willie Cauley-Stein ($5,300), Mason Plumlee ($5,100), Naz Reid ($4,800), James Wiseman ($4,800)
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