NBA Underdog Fantasy Player Predictions for Thursday (1/16)
I’m here to give you a (free!) peek behind the curtain regarding some of the awesome things our NBA DFS projections team is cooking up by giving you my top picks for today’s NBA slate on Underdog Fantasy.
Every single pick you will find below is going to be based on what our projections say is a meaningful edge.
Please keep in mind that the NBA news cycle can get crazy, so what is listed below may become a better/worse play depending on how that news breaks. You can always stay up to date on exactly what a team’s rotation and depth chart will look like on a given day by heading to our NBA starting lineups page.
We have 5 games on the schedule as the NBA is set to tip off on 1/16. Below, I’ll detail how I’m approaching things on Underdog this Thursday evening.
First… Sign Up to Make NBA Underdog Fantasy Picks
If you want to play along but haven’t signed up yet, grab a special offer with our Underdog Fantasy promo code “GRINDERS” to unlock up to $1000 Bonus Cash courtesy of a generous deposit match. Underdog Fantasy – one of the most popular DFS pick’em sites – provides player projections for NBA matchups each day. The ball is then in our court to decide whether a player will ultimately exceed or fall short of those projections in the games. With a huge roster of players available from which to choose, we just need to make a minimum of two picks to build an entry.
I’ll break down the board by looking at factors like usage rates, projected pace, lines in the sports betting market, and of course, our RotoGrinders projections to forecast how NBA players might fare in categories like points, rebounds, and assists. For even more insight when making your Underdog picks today, be sure to check out our fantasy pick’em tool.
Underdog Fantasy Top NBA Picks for 1/16
Now that you’re signed up, here are some of our top NBA picks on Underdog for 1/16 at a glance:
- Kevin Durant Higher/Lower Than Than 28.5 Points
- Jonas Valanciunas Higher/Lower Than 9.5 Points
- James Harden Higher/Lower Than 22.5 Points
Suns vs. Wizards NBA Underdog Fantasy Predictions
Here are the Suns vs. Wizards NBA Underdog Fantasy predictions for tonight:
Kevin Durant Higher Than 28.5 Points
With Bradley Beal out, RotoGrinders projects him at 32.54 points. Our sims have this with a 5.02% edge and a 62.75% hit rate for surpassing this mark. Over his last 10 games, Durant has averaged 27.5 points, including standout performances of 31 points against Atlanta and Golden State. His consistent scoring ability, high usage rate, and efficiency make him well-positioned to exceed 28.5 points tonight.
Jonas Valanciunas Higher Than 9.5 Points
RotoGrinders projects him at 11.8 points, and their sims are showing a 3.49% edge and a 61.22% hit rate for surpassing this mark. As a solid contributor for the Washington Wizards, Valanciunas consistently uses his size and skill to dominate in the paint, making him a reliable scoring option. His ability to convert high-percentage shots near the basket, along with his 24.1% usage rating this season, further supports the likelihood of him exceeding 9.5 points in tonight’s matchup.
Clippers vs. Trail Blazers NBA Underdog Fantasy Predictions
Here are the Clippers vs. Trail Blazers NBA Underdog Fantasy predictions for tonight:
James Harden Higher Than 22.5 Points
RotoGrinders projects him at 25.88 points, and their sims show a 2.59% edge and a 60.33% hit rate for surpassing this mark. Harden has been in solid form recently, scoring 21 points in a blowout win and 26 points in the game prior, where he shot 6-for-10 from 3-point range. His high usage rate (30%) and scoring efficiency make him a reliable option to exceed 22.5 points tonight- especially with Kawhi Leonard potentially out and Terance Mann potentially missing this game.
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