NBA DFS Expert Survey: Monday, January 12th

by Justin Bailey (Jbails26) Last Updated 2026-01-12 19:09:06 Premium Content Part of the product NBA DFS

Mitchell of the Cavaliers

Our panel of experts is here to give you their insights on NBA DFS today for the 1/12 main slate on DraftKings and FanDuel. They’re ready to answer key questions that will assist you in making those crucial lineup-building decisions. Curious to know headChopper’s favorite tournament play? Or perhaps you’re wondering about Noto’s favorite salary saver? Read their thoughts below!

NBA DFS Picks: DraftKings & FanDuel Expert Survey for Monday, January 12

Who is your favorite player to spend up for in cash games?

Notorious: Payton Pritchard
headChopper: Payton Pritchard
TJ Zwarych: Payton Pritchard

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What is your preferred tournament format (e.g. large-field, single-entry) to play on this slate? How do you plan to beat that field of opponents? What tactic or strategy will set you apart?

Notorious: I prefer small-field and single-entry tournaments. I’m happy to eat the chalk with Boston and want to be overweight on Cooper Flagg with Anthony Davis out. My favorite ways to get a little different are to spend up on Donovan Mitchell and/or Michael Porter Jr.

headChopper: I prefer smaller-field GPPs with limited entries. There are plenty of potential injury spots to attack on this small slate, so I’m not going to fall in love with any one situation. I’ll cap my Boston exposure at two players, while it looks like a decent portion of the field will be heavier. With no true elite fantasy options tonight—no Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, etc.—I’m comfortable leaning into a more balanced, mid-range build.

TJ Zwarych: I’ll be playing large-field GPPs with 150 lineups, and I’m going to load up on this Celtics team as much as I possibly can. I’ll have at least one of Payton Pritchard and Derrick White in every single lineup, and 2-4 Celtics players in every single team that I roll out.

Who is your favorite contrarian play (when considering price, matchup, projected ownership, etc.) on the board and why?

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