NBA DFS Expert Survey: Tuesday, January 2nd
Our panel of experts is here to give you their NBA DFS picks for the upcoming slate by answering a handful of questions to help you make crucial lineup-building decisions. Want to know squirrelpatrol’s favorite tournament play? Or Noto’s favorite salary saver? Find out below!
NBA DFS Picks: DraftKings & FanDuel Expert Survey for Tuesday, January 2
Who is your top contrarian play (when considering price, matchup, projected ownership, etc.) on the board and why?
Notorious: Malik Monk – I love this spot for Monk. He’s going to play minutes in the mid to upper 20s if this game is competitive and could see some extra run in a blowout (which is fairly likely, given the spread). The Hornets are dead last in both 3-point percentage allowed and defensive rating. We’ve seen Monk catch fire a number of times this season, and this seems like the perfect matchup for it to happen again.
squirrelpatrol: Nick Smith – The Hornets are running out of point guards, and although their game against the Kings has a decent total (232.5), they are 15.5-point underdogs. Ish Smith will be popular if he gets the start again at his discounted price, but Nick Smith was one of the team’s 1st round picks, got blowout run yesterday, and should be in the rotation regardless.
headChopper: Cody Martin – I like Miles Bridges, Ish Smith, Brandon Miller, and some Nick Richards tonight to get some extra run with the Charlotte injuries, but so does everyone else. So, a nice contrarian piece is going to be one of the other Charlotte guards/wings that could have a big day, and Martin fits the bill. His minutes could creep into the low 30s, and the usage rate could balloon up to the low 20s, which would make him a steal at these price tags and projected ownership.
Stevietpfl: Brandon Ingram – Ingram has played at least 36 minutes in 5 of his last 6 games, and he has at least 40 fantasy points in 4 of the last 6 games. This is going to be one of the better games on this slate, and with three potential blowouts, I’m looking for a close game. Ingram has stepped it up defensively and has at least 2 blocks + steals in 5 of his last 6 games. With the scoring and defense, Ingram has a high ceiling, and he’s not projected for a lot of ownership.
TheLuuch: Paolo Banchero – As good as Orlando has been defensively this season, the Magic’s offense has been a bit underwhelming. But a matchup against the Warriors and their 119.4 defensive rating without Draymond Green in the last 9 games can help solve those offensive woes. Maybe it took Paolo some time to get going this season. He logged a usage rate of 28% or higher in just 3 of his first 10 games but has gone over that in 12 of his last 13 games. Paolo has 48+ FD points in 4 of his last 8 games, and a few of those were against stingy defenses. Paolo and Franz Wagner should be squarely in the player pool tonight.
Who is your top overall play (when considering price, matchup, roster construction, etc.) on the board and why?
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