RADIO
Happy Thursday, Rotoballers! How about that James Harden trade? So many pieces flying all over the place, and it will affect tonight's games quite a bit. Harden is obviously in Brooklyn, but now Victor Oladipo is in Houston and Caris Levert in Indiana. I'm not sure of the COVID protocols with trades, but it's unlikely Oladipo or LeVert will debut for their new teams this evening. These moves will open up plenty of shots in both offenses and a chance to find great value in those backcourts.
There are five games on the schedule for tonight's slate, and it should be a bonanza of fantasy points on the table. Eight of the ten teams taking the court tonight rank in the bottom half of the league for points per game allowed, and only Charlotte (8th) and Indiana (12th) are above average. Meanwhile, Houston (22nd), Denver (23rd), Golden State (25th), and Portland (26th) sit inside the bottom-10. The Golden State Warriors-Denver Nuggets matchup should be very popular in DFS this evening, with both teams projected for at least 110 points and the Warriors having the second-highest pace (107.2) in the league.
This article will provide you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 1/14/21. 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.
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DraftKings DFS Guards
Tyler Herro - PG/SG, MIA at PHI ($7,300)
The rising star of this summer's bubble, Tyler Herro, is grabbing the spotlight once again for the Miami Heat. Miami is riddled with injuries right now, and they played only eight players in the first game this week against the 76ers. Herro posted a season-high 34 points in that matchup, along with seven rebounds, four assists, one block, and three makes from behind the three-point line in 39 minutes. He should be in line for a similar workload this evening and, although chalky, an excellent DFS play. The 20-year old has posted back-t0-back 40 DraftKings fantasy points performances and has a superb chance of making it three in a row tonight.
Terry Rozier - PG/SG, CHA at TOR ($6,200)
Rozier is averaging 32.5 FPPG this season and, tonight, he goes against the third-worst defense versus shooting guards, the Toronto Raptors. The sixth-year guard is averaging career-highs in points (19.4), field-goal percentage (46.5), and three-point percentage (43.3). He's improved his three-point shot and is sixth in the NBA with 39 three-pointers this year. As of this writing, the Hornets have the lowest implied team total on the slate, but that shouldn't cause DFS players to fade Rozier. He has a usage rate of 23.5 percent, which is right in line with last year.
Patty Mills - PG/SG, SA vs. HOU ($5,200)
The San Antonio Spurs keep running Patty Mills out there on a nightly basis, and his volume keeps him as an intriguing DFS option. I'm not sure if you heard, but his opponent, the Houston Rockets, just traded James Harden, and John Wall is out tonight. That leaves Houston short on depth and talent in the backcourt. Those two aren't defensive stalwarts by any means, but Mills should have a better than usual night. And that would be pretty good because, over the last four games, the Australian is averaging 19.0 points and 4.3 three-pointers in 28 minutes. The salary sits at a season-high $5,200, but the veteran guard will have a fantastic opportunity to hit value against a depleted Rockets lineup.
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DraftKings DFS Forwards
Pascal Siakam - PF/C, TOR vs. CHA ($8,500)
Reports of Siakam's demise were greatly exaggerated. After a terrible start for his team, there seemed to be many fingers pointing at Siakam's lack of progress as a big reason for the Toronto Raptors' struggles. However, that has not been the case recently. The Cameroonian has tallied at least 50 fantasy points in three of his last four games and averages 51.5 DraftKings fantasy points in that same stretch. The Hornets are bottom of the league in terms of DKFP allowed to opposing power forwards at 56.29 FPPG and will have their hands full again with a much-improved Siakam on the floor.
Eric Gordon - SG/SF, HOU at SA ($5,100)
As previously mentioned, Harden and Wall will not be in a Rockets jersey for tonight's game (or ever again in the Beard's case), and someone is going to have to take some shots. Gordon is questionable himself with a leg injury but will have an incredible opportunity to produce if he can take the court. This logic also applies to Ben McLemore ($3,400), Sterling Brown ($3,000), and David Nwaba ($3,200). Last year, when Russell Westbrook and James Harden both sat out against the Utah Jazz, Gordon erupted for a career-game when he dropped 50 points with six threes. Another performance like that is unlikely, but he can flash when he's one of the main offensive options, and the 32-year old is worth the gamble tonight.
DraftKings DFS Centers
Christian Wood - C, HOU at SA ($7,700)
If you're not feeling great about splashing the cash for Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid, or Domantas Sabonis tonight, an excellent middle ground will be Christian Wood. With Harden gone, someone has to be the primary scoring option for this team. Before his offseason move to Houston, Wood's career-high in field-goal attempts per game was 7.9. However, that has all changed since his move to Texas. The big man is now doubling that number and shooting the ball 17.5 times per game. The 25-year old is bursting through with new career-highs in points (22.6), rebounds (9.5), and blocks (1.6). With Wall also out tonight, Wood is the only reliable offensive weapon on the court for Houston, and San Antonio has their share of defensive struggles versus big men.
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