DFS NBA Picks for FanDuel and DraftKings - Thursday 1/13

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Point Guard

Ja Morant FD - $9700 DK - $9200
Opponent - MIN
Proj Pts FD - 45.21 DK - 48.2

While it is highly unlikely he would overtake the superstars to win the MVP this season, Morant is most definitely making a case for himself with plays like this! For fantasy, what I like the most here is that he is playing those guys ahead of him in the MVP odds but isn't priced as such still under $10K on both sites. He comes into tonight averaging 29.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, 6.1 assists, and 49.6 DK/41.4 FD points per game over his last eight. The T-Wolves are ranked 11th in defensive efficiency this season but run the 6th fastest pace which should lead to a ton of possessions on both sides allowing Mornant to get a full run and the opportunity to hit and exceed his projection. Lock and load in all formats.

Patrick Beverley FD - $6700 DK - $5300
Opponent - MEM
Proj Pts FD - 31.16 DK - 32.35

Staying in the same game, we have Patrick Beverley who returned from a two-game absence on Tuesday, and despite being limited to just 21 minutes was able to hit nearly 5x value on DraftKings. I fully expect him to return to a full run tonight which easily puts him in to play on DraftKings in a game with the highest total on the slate. Even with the last game where he was limited, Beverley comes in averaging over 31 DK points per game over his last 10 with a balanced fantasy attack contributing in almost all categories. This is going to be a high-paced, high-scoring game and Beverley is one of our top PTS/$ values on DraftKings. Fire him up in all formats.

Strongly Consider: Dennis Smith Jr.(POR) who is likely to get the start with Lillard, McCollum, and Simons all out for Portland

Shooting Guard

Ben McLemore FD - $4100 DK - $4200
Opponent - DEN
Proj Pts FD - 24.15 DK - 27.8

To say the Trail Blazers are short-handed at the guard position would be an understatement. All three of McCollum, Lillard, and now Simons are declared out tonight which leads to a ton of minutes and projected value for Dennis Smith and Ben McLemore. The latter has started each of the last two games playing 25 and 31 minutes and dropping 11 of 23 from the field(48%). He is very shooting dependant but should easily get another 10+ shots tonight and at his price, doesn't need a whole lot to hit value and most of all, helps us pay up for multiple star players.

Amir Coffey FD - $5600 DK - $5200
Opponent - NO
Proj Pts FD - 20.8 DK - 22.91

This one we are going to have to watch for news before making a final decision as there is a chance Kennard returns from the covid list tonight but that is looking doubtful. Kennard out would lead to another start for Coffey who has been very productive from a PTS/$ standpoint lately. He has played 33 and 43 minutes in the last two games with 18 or more points in each and best of all, has been chipping in with the secondary stats(10 rebounds & assists in those two games). If he starts and gets another run of 30+ minutes he should once again easily hit value on both sites. Stay tuned for starting lineups later in the day.

Small Forward

Khris Middleton FD - $8400 DK - $8700
Opponent - GS
Proj Pts FD - 41.75 DK - 46.31

While this is a battle of two Top 10 defenses, Vegas has the game as the second-highest total(223.5) with plenty of scoring to go around so I will be targeting it heavily. For the most part, I like the Bucks side of things as Jrue Holiday is doubtful to get back in the lineup leaving a ton of usage for Middleton and Giannis. The former has been terrific in Holiday's absence putting up a monster line in each of the last two games. The price is rising but with his current opportunity and ability to contribute in multiple categories, one could make the argument he is a bit underpriced. I will have exposure in all formats.

Josh Hart FD - $6900 DK - $6800
Opponent - LAC
Proj Pts FD - 32.98 DK - 35.8

Outside of Zion, who has yet to play this season, the Pelicans are at full strength so this pick may seem a bit curious to some but hear me out. Even sitting fourth in usage on the current projected starting lineup, Hart has been very consistent for fantasy in the short term averaging 17.9 points, 9.0 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 40.2 DK/31.5 FD points per game over his last nine. The Clippers do rank 4th in defensive efficiency but are a short-handed squad and more good news as they rank 25th in rebounding. All things considered, I love Hart's PTS/$ floor for cash games on both sites.

Power Forward/Center

Giannis Antetokounmpo FD - $11300 DK - $12300
Opponent - GS
Proj Pts FD - 59.6 DK - 63.37

The game of the night licks off the slate tonight and we get superstar against superstar. Like I mentioned above, I prefer the Bucks side of things and it comes down to Jrue Holiday likely being out for a fourth straight game which has led Giannis to an insane 37.6% usage rate. He tallied 52 or more DK points in all three games Jrue has been out, has tallied a double-double in five of his last six games overall, and is averaging 60.7 DK/51.7 FD points per game since Christmas Day(8 games). Giannis is my favorite pay-up tonight and in play in all formats.

Robert Covington FD - $5600 DK - $5800
Opponent - DEN
Proj Pts FD - 31.19 DK - 31.77

The Trail Blazers have been absolutely rocked with injuries(Lillard, McCollum, Simons, Powell, Nance all out) which has led to a ton of PTS/$ value throughout the lineup. I mentioned a few guards earlier and now let's look at Covington who, despite a rising price, is still a buy-low with his current opportunity. Over the last three games with Larry Nance out, RoCo has averaged 35.2 DK/37 FD points per game which is production we would expect from a $7k player. Don't over think it here on a smaller slate. Lock him into your player pool in all formats.

Also Consider: Steven Adams(MEM) if he returns to the lineup makes a nice PTS/$ floor play in cash games or Bobby Portis(MIL) as a GPP play after a dud last game and price that is peaking

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