Daily Fantasy DraftKings and FanDuel NBA Picks - Monday, January 8, 2024

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Point Guard/ Shooting Guard

Andre Jackson Jr. FD - $3900 DK - $3100
Opponent - UTA
Proj Pts FD - 21.03 DK - 22.39

Malik Beasley FD - $4400 DK - $4600
Opponent - UTA
Proj Pts FD - 26.35 DK - 29.27

Damian Lillard has already been ruled out of this game for personal reasons. And backup Cam Payne is also out with a concussion. That will leave the Bucks with a lot of backcourt minutes to fill, and it sure seems like Andre Jackson and Malik Beasley will see a ton of run in this one.

Presumably, Andre Jackson will join the starters here. And though he isn’t exactly a fantasy dynamo, the minutes should be enough to keep him a value at his current price points. He doesn’t shoot at all, but with no Lillard and more minutes, he should (fingers crossed) get there by contributing in other areas in the stat line against a weak Jazz team.

And then there is Malik Beasley, who got his minutes iced last game, but they were in favor of Andre Jackson being paired with Damian Lillard. That isn’t a concern here with the latter out and Payne not around. I think Beasley is another value, especially if the usage ticks up some here with Dame’s shots out of the picture.

Cody Martin FD - $5100 DK - $5400
Opponent - CHI
Proj Pts FD - 27.67 DK - 28.1

The Hornets have been dealt many injuries this season, and it’s messed with their plans in a big way. Now, with LaMelo Ball and Gordon Hayward out, plus PJ Washington set to miss the game, Cody Martin is going to stick in the starting lineup where he landed last game, playing 36 minutes and going for 13 points, five assists and a couple of rebounds.

He isn’t going to get a ton of usage in this offense, sharing the court with Terry Rozier and Miles Bridges. But the minutes should be high enough to warrant a cash game play at his salaries.

Jayson Tatum and Kristaps Porzingis are both questionable. If they sat against the Pacers then Jaylen Brown (FD 8500 DK 8200), Derrick White (FD 8000 DK 7400), and Jrue Holiday (FD 7400 DK 6800) would all be in play.

Small Forward

Khris Middleton FD - $7000 DK - $7000
Opponent - UTA
Proj Pts FD - 37.35 DK - 40.82

One day, we’ll be able to trust the Khris Middleton minutes, and this could (finally) be the spot. With Damian Lillard out of the game they are going to need more offense mustered. Middleton played 33 minutes last game, and that’s mostly, been the plan of late, except for the Houston game which was the second leg of a back-to-back.

We should see double-digit shot attempts just for starters from Middleton and his assist numbers have been solid this season, averaging 7.3 per game over the last six. His price isn’t high enough on either side for this situation and the Bucks’ offense. I suspect we see heavy ownership on Middleton in this game.

Jae'Sean Tate FD - $4800 DK - $4500
Opponent - MIA
Proj Pts FD - 23.26 DK - 23.69

Tate is an unexciting play but serves a certain purpose on this slate. Namely, he’s cheap, and we are going to need the savings wherever we can get it to play guys like Giannis (below) and possibly some of the Celtics’ guys. Tate was burned by a ticky-tack injury and some foul trouble last game, but still managed eight rebounds in 19 minutes. The price is on the lower side, and with Tari Eason still out, the minutes should (in theory) be there if things break right.

Sam Hauser (FD 4400 DK 4100) will be in play if Jayson Tatum sits out this game.

Power Forward/ Center

Giannis Antetokounmpo FD - $12800 DK - $11700
Opponent - UTA
Proj Pts FD - 71.71 DK - 73.85

Giannis Antetokounmpo will probably be the highest-owned play on the Monday slate even with prices all the way in the stratosphere. Giannis has a 34% usage rate on the season which ticks up to 36% with Lillard off the court. The assist rate goes from 27% to 32% as well. It’s boosts across the board for a guy who is already one of the best fantasy producers around.

This is a situation where you just go out and find the savings elsewhere and call it a day. The floor is just so high against a Jazz team that ranks 23rd in defensive rating and 6th overall in pace.

Brook Lopez FD - $6900 DK - $6000
Opponent - UTA
Proj Pts FD - 41.42 DK - 39.47

Might as well finish off the Bucks’ stack here with Brook Lopez who should also see an uptick in this game especially where the usage is concerned. Lopez can be a bit hit or miss on a nightly basis, especially when the rebounds aren’t totally there. Some of that is playing away from the basket because of Giannis. But with more shots available, I think the price is fine enough on both sites at a position that can be a bit tougher to fill.

Chet Holmgren FD - $8500 DK - $7700
Opponent - WAS
Proj Pts FD - 47.28 DK - 48.11

Chet Holmgren is a very good price on DraftKings, where this salary tier might be a bit tough to fit. Typically, we are stacking guys against the Washington Wizards, though without Damian Lillard tonight, the Bucks all get pushed to the top of the list. But Washington is as good as it comes in terms of fantasy opponent.

Chet has mid-30s mid-30s-minute upside if the game stays close (a big “if”). If that’s the case then a double-double is in range. I like the upside here especially if you throw the blocks into the mix.

Consider Chimezie Metu (FD 4700 DK 4900) if he’s starting for Kevin Durant.