The NBA DFS DraftKings slate set for Friday night has seven games worth of players in the pool. That isn’t too many, but it’s also not some three-game slate. We’ve got a ton of narratives swirling with Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna’s tragic passing, plus All-Star Game snubs. But really when we’re considering value, we have to look to injuries and that’s what we’re going to stick with for value. Let’s dive into some top bargain options $5K or under for tonight.
Update: Unlucky ... Clarke didn’t go through shootaround and may not play tonight. I guess we’ll have to fire up Solomon Hill ($3,000) after all ... smh. Clarke is doubtful so it doesn’t look like he’s going to play. So can fire up Hill or even Jae Crowder ($4,500) for some value.
Brandon Clarke didn’t go through shootaround this morning. Unclear if he’ll play tonight
— Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) January 31, 2020
Brandon Clarke, PF/C, MEM @ NOP ($4,800)
Clarke may be my favorite play on the entire slate. Other than maybe LeBron James ($10,300). But as far as value goes, it’s tough to fade Clarke. The Grizzlies won’t have Jaren Jackson Jr. (suspension), so Clarke has a shot to start. Even if he comes off the bench, his numbers the past four games have been solid: 13.5 points, 7.3 rebounds at nearly 60% from the field. I’ll remind you of his per 36 minute splits: 20.2 points and 9.5 rebounds while shooting 62.6% from the field and 40% from downtown. This game environment is tops on the slate as well, with the highest implied point total over 240.
Delon Wright, PG/SG, DAL @ HOU ($5,000)
We already know that Luka Doncic is going to be sidelined. Tim Hardaway Jr. is questionable. If both those guards are out, we could see Wright get a start, which isn’t customary. Chances are it’s Jalen Brunson ($3,800), who I also like as a value. The thing is, Wright can do a little bit more rebounding the ball and those counting stats are what’s going to help him get more fantasy points. It won’t be scoring. High pace in this game makes a lot of cheap players appealing.
Reggie Jackson, PG, DET vs. TOR ($4,800)
Until his price is fixed, I’m going to ride the Reggie Jackson train into oblivion. I had him as a top value the other night and all he did was score 23 points with five dimes in 27 minutes. That was light work for 37.25 fantasy points. It’s a bit of a tougher matchup tonight vs. the Raptors, but we know Jackson is going to get around 25 minutes at high usage. I think the Pistons want to give Jackson more run over Derrick Rose since D-Rose will likely be traded before the deadline. Plus, tonight Toronto is on the second of back-to-back.
Nassir Little, SF/PF, POR @ LAL ($3,000)
If we’re going super, super cheap, I don’t mind Little, who could start in place of Carmelo Anthony (personal) tonight. Melo didn’t travel with the team to L.A. and his status is up in the air. Little is an unproven rookie and this game may be way above what he can handle, but whenever he gets close to 20 minutes he’s usually productive. On a per 36-minute basis, Little posts 10.2 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. At basement pricing, if we get anything close to that, it’s more than enough for value.