We’ve got ourselves a bite-sized six-game NBA featured slate to close out the month of January.
Let’s go game-by-game and break down everything you’ll need to know to set a few lineups this evening on DraftKings.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $300K Friday 8’s [$100K to 1st]
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Clippers at Hornets
This is an interesting spot for the Clippers. Despite being on the road, the team is a massive favorite and the blowout potential has to make prospective owners think twice about paying up for an asset like James Harden ($9,300). Remember this Hornets squad is without both LaMelo Ball (ankle) and Mark Williams (foot). They just lost a game by 21 points to a Nets team that is also trying to tank. However, Kawhi Leonard ($6,900) is a bit of a unique case on Friday, as Los Angeles’ star forward is on a minutes restriction to begin with. He’ll likely play 27-30 regardless of the script. Leonard just posted 47.5 FPTS against the Spurs and, since January 15, he’s averaging 1.24 FPTS per minute. At less than $7,000, I’ll have some exposure to the former All-Star.
Mavericks at Pistons
With one of the lowest implied totals of the slate, this doesn’t seem like a tilt where anyone is in their ideal matchup. While Cade Cunningham ($10,100) is always viable, the Mavericks have surrendered the seventh-fewest FPTS per game to opposing point guards so far this season. On the other side, it’s difficult to get to invested in Kyrie Irving ($8,800), as the Pistons own the league’s fourth-best defensive rating in the month of January (110.0). It doesn’t help matters that Irving’s failed to exceed 40 FPTS in three of his past four starts, either.
Bulls at Raptors
The possible return of Immanuel Quickley ($6,700; hip) is one of this slate’s biggest situations to monitor. Quickley has missed Toronto’s last eight games and while his presence hasn’t really impacted Scottie Barnes ($9,400) this season from a fantasy perspective, he has effected RJ Barrett ($7,300). In fact, Barrett goes from averaging 1.23 FPTS per minute with Quickley off the floor to just 0.98 FPTS when sharing the court with his long-time teammate. Bruce Brown ($4,600), Davion Mitchell ($4,000) and Ochai Agbaji ($3,800) would all also see their roles change were Quickley to play this evening.
Nuggets at 76ers
This is a battle between two teams with very different injury reports. The Nuggets head to Philadelphia with a fully healthy rotation, while the 76ers are missing a number of key players, including both Paul George (finger) and Caleb Martin (hip). Still, Philadelphia is on a four-game winning streak, led mostly by the strong play of Tyrese Maxey ($9,700). In Maxey’s last six starts, the guard is averaging 33.0 points and 53.9 FPTS. I’d also keep an eye on Kelly Oubre Jr. ($6,300), as Denver is conceding the most FPTS per contest to opposing shooting guards in 2024-25. Justin Edwards ($4,000) and Kyle Lowry ($3,800) are viable value options, with the former having started the past two games.
Bucks at Spurs
I’m not sure this is even worth mentioning, but Damian Lillard ($9,000) was added to the Bucks’ injury report this morning with left groin soreness. He’s still listed as probable, but we’ve all see this movie with Milwaukee before. I guess I’m just saying it’s at least a probable with an asterisk. Lillard has been performing very well in recent days, even exceeding 60 FPTS in two of his last four starts. If he does suit up — which remains likely — he’d be an intriguing asset to build around given the Spurs’ woes in January. Only the Wizards have a worse defensive rating in the month than San Antonio’s mark of 119.6. Combine that with the league’s sixth-fastest pace since January 1 (100.8), and you’ve got an amazing DFS matchup.
Celtics at Pelicans
Is this the night Jayson Tatum ($9,500) gets back on track? The All-Star has registered fewer than 40 FPTS in each of his last four starts — a span of time where Tatum is shooting a putrid 36.5% (23-for-63) from the field. It’s certainly the type of matchup you’d ask for when trying to break out of a slump. The Pelicans are back to their losing ways and the team sports the league’s fourth-worst defensive rating in January (117.4). New Orleans has given up the fifth-most FPTS per game to opposing small forwards and also the second-most FPTS per game to opposing centers. Kristaps Porzingis ($7,000) set new season-highs in points (34), three-pointers made (8) and FPTS (63.25) in Wednesday’s win over the Bulls. Maybe he’ll stay hot on Friday.
