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Three must-start fantasy basketball players for the January 28 NBA slate

Three must-start fantasy basketball players for the January 28 NBA slate

Published:

By: Alex Hunter

On the menu for Tuesday is a four-game slate. Below, I dive into three of my favorite DFS options to consider for this slate.

Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $333K Fadeaway [$100K to 1st]


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PG Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors vs. Utah Jazz, $8,800

While Curry’s recent game log is lackluster by his standards, this matchup vs. the Jazz is exactly what the doctor ordered. Utah ranks dead-last in defensive efficiency and they are allowing the fourth-most made three pointers per game. Additionally, the Jazz are playing their second game in two nights. Despite missing both Jonathan Kuminga (ankle) and Draymond Green (calf), the Warriors sport a 120.5-point implied team total on DraftKings Sportsbook, which is the highest of the eight teams competing Tuesday.

With Kuminga and Green off the floor this season, Curry’s usage and assist rates increase 2.3 and 3.5 percentage points, respectively, resulting in 1.3 FPTS per minute for the sharpshooter. Losing three of their last four, the Warriors desperately need to take of business tonight vs. the Jazz. Curry should put the team on his back and have a vintage performance in this juicy spot.


C Onyeka Okongwu, Atlanta Hawks vs. Houston Rockets, $6,600

Okongwu has flashed great upside as of late, with at least 44 FPTS in five of his last eight games. Okongwu currently starts at center for the Hawks and he is locked into a large role for the foreseeable future, with Jalen Johnson (shoulder) out indefinitely.

With the forward off the court this season, Okongwu produces 1.2 FPTS per minute. The Rockets are a stout defensive group, ranking fourth in defensive efficiency this season, but they are on the second leg of a back-to-back and Okongwu should see close to 30 minutes in a matchup that requires his size to match up with Alperen Sengun ($9,000). Okongwu should exceed five-times value in this situation and is a tough fade for this short slate.


SG Kelly Oubre, Philadelphia 76ers vs. Los Angeles Lakers, $6,200

Oubre is coming off back-to-back double-doubles of at least 46 FPTS. Paul George (finger) played in both of these games, but now the veteran will join Joel Embiid (knee) on the sidelines, resulting in a larger role for Oubre. With both George and Embiid off the floor this season, Oubre’s usage rises 2.7 percentage points and his assist rate increases 2.0 percentage points, lifting the veteran to 0.9 FPTS per minute.

With the 76ers shorthanded and this tilt vs. the Lakers presenting a tight 3.5-point spread on DraftKings Sportsbook, Oubre should see all minutes he can handle. Right around 40 minutes is a realistic expectation for the wing and this is a strong matchup, with Los Angeles ranking 21st in defensive efficiency and on the second leg of a back-to-back. A third consecutive outing of over 40 FPTS is possible for Oubre tonight and he is a great mid-tier option for all formats.

Alex Hunter is an avid DFS player and sports handicapper, who has been a proud member of the DraftKings Network team since 2020. He is a data-driven analyst, who earned his bachelor’s degree in communications at Worcester State University and has been in the sports content business for nearly a decade, covering the NBA, NFL and PGA TOUR. Alex is a diehard Boston Celtics fan, who loves to be on the golf course when he isn’t grinding lineups or producing content. For all of Alex’s work or if you need any lineup advice, be sure to follow him @Hunta512 on X.
Disclaimer

I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is Hunta512) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skills and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.