NBA Expert Picks Preview: Thursday, Jan. 8
Glean insight from the best minds in the industry as they list picks they’ll actually be targeting in their tournament games, along with detailed analysis and reasoning.
Author Disclaimer: Please remember, these picks are not necessarily safe for your 50/50-H2H games. They are intended to separate yourself from the herd in an attempt to be contrarian and different. The most logical outcomes don’t always play out on a given NBA slate, so we are looking for the guys that may surprise, that few will roster.
Thursday, January 8
POINTGUARD
Kyle Lowry $9,800 – Lowry is the highest priced PG on the board today, and has a great matchup against the Hornets and Kemba Walker who are playing on the second half of a back to back. Lowry is back to putting up big game after big game with DeRozan still out, and has seven 40+ FD point performances in his last nine games. DeRozan will be back soon, so don’t miss out on one of the last chances you will have to use Lowry while he maintains a high usage rate.
Shane Larkin $4,300 – Larkin has seen a nice uptick in minutes and production over his past two games with all the injuries to the Knicks, playing 29.5 minutes and averaging 24.6 FD points in his past two games. The Knicks have said they are trying to trade Calderon, and look to be giving Larkin some extended run to keep Calderon healthy for a trade, and to see what Larkin can offer them. In a game the Knicks may get blown out in, Larkin could also see extended run as the Knicks second unit closes out the game.
SHOOTING GUARD
Dwyane Wade $8,900 – I just can’t pay up for Harden unless I am running out multiple lineups tonight, as the back to back for HOU in a possible blowout win of the Knicks is just too risky for my liking. That has me eyeing Wade as my top SG spend of the night. It’s a tough matchup on paper against Wesley Matthews (if healthy), who has locked down SG’s all season, but Wade is still a great player, and with the position relatively weak tonight, is my pick to lead the position in scoring.
Lou Williams $5,200 – While the majority of players will be taking Hardaway near this pricetag, I like Sweet Lou to keep his hot streak going tonight. Lou is a boom or bust type player, as he is heavily reliant on scoring to be fantasy relevant, but he is hot right now, putting up 17,21 ,and 30 in three of his last four games. The Raptors also may run away with this game, as the Hornets are on a second half of a back to back, which means he may see a few extra minutes of garbage time as the second unit closes out the game.
SMALL FORWARD
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