NBA DFS Expert Survey: Thursday, January 2nd

by Justin Bailey (Jbails26) Last Updated 2025-01-02 23:41:10 Premium Content Part of the product NBA DFS

Our panel of experts is here to give you their NBA DFS advice for the upcoming slate by answering a handful of questions to help you make crucial lineup-building decisions. Want to know headChopper’s favorite tournament play? Or Noto’s favorite salary saver? Find out below!

NBA DFS Picks: DraftKings & FanDuel Expert Survey for Thursday, January 2

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

Notorious: LeBron James (FD) / Deandre Ayton (DK)
tcsmith031: Paul George
TJ Zwarych: LeBron James

Editor’s Note: Looking for more places to play? Check out our Underdog Fantasy promo code and PrizePicks promo code, two of the best DFS apps available today.

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 contests. For tonight’s slate, I want as much exposure to the late game (POR/LAL) as possible. It’s a good matchup for Portland, and they have already ruled out Jerami Grant. LeBron James and Austin Reaves already project well, while the rest of the roster would see a major boost if Anthony Davis is unable to suit up.

tcsmith031: I’ll focus on large-field 20-max GPPs. Some of the most impactful Q tags on the slate are in the late games (e.g., Stephen Curry and Anthony Davis). I plan to build heavily around the Portland value, which grades out well with Jerami Grant missing from the lineup. Then if Curry and/or Davis get ruled out after the early games lock, my lineups will have enough flexibility to pivot to the potentially under-owned value pieces from the Warriors and/or Lakers.

TJ Zwarych: I’m running my typical 150 lineups, and I’m strongly considering crossing the early games out of my pool and just focusing on the later ones. James Harden, Steph Curry, and Anthony Davis, among others, are all listed as questionable in the late games, so I’m going to cross my fingers that a lot of value opens up after the slate locks and that the later games are the money makers.

Want to read more? Sign up for Premium!