NBA Underdog Fantasy Player Predictions for Thursday (1/30)
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 1/30. 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 promo “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 1/30
Now that you’re signed up, here are some of our top NBA picks on Underdog for 1/30 at a glance:
- Jonas Valanciunas Higher/Lower Than 14.5 Points + Assists
- Zaccharie Risacher Higher/Lower Than 9.5 Points
- John Collins Higher/Lower Than 7.5 Rebounds
Lakers vs. Wizards NBA Underdog Fantasy Predictions
Here are the Lakers vs. Wizards NBA Underdog Fantasy predictions for tonight:
Jonas Valanciunas Higher Than 14.5 Points + Assists
Valanciunas is a strong candidate to achieve higher than 14.5 points + assists tonight. We project him at 16.98 points + assists, showcasing his potential to exceed this mark. Our simulations also highlight a 4.16% edge and a 61.96% hit rate, reinforcing the likelihood of success.
Valanciunas has been productive in his starts this season, averaging 14.8 points and 2.3 assists across 8 games. Additionally, the Lakers’ interior defense ranks poorly, allowing the 28th-most points in the paint and struggling in rebounding percentage. With a favorable matchup and consistent production of late, Valanciunas is well-positioned to surpass this number.
Hawks vs. Cavaliers NBA Underdog Fantasy Predictions
Here are the Hawks vs. Cavaliers NBA Underdog Fantasy predictions for tonight:
Zaccharie Risacher Lower Than 9.5 Points
Risacher achieving lower than 9.5 points tonight is a solid pick based on several factors. We project him at 8.35 points, which is more than a point below this Underdog projection. Our simulations also show a 2.75% edge and a 57.8% hit rate for this outcome.
Risacher has averaged just 6.5 points over his last 10 games and has shot very poorly all season (40% from the field). Facing a tough Cavaliers defense, which ranks among the best in the league, further limits his scoring potential. It is very telling that even though the Hawks are down a few important bodies (e.g. Jalen Johnson, Bogdan Bogdanovic), our projections still don’t think he will crack double digits.
Timberwolves vs. Jazz NBA Underdog Fantasy Predictions
Here are the Timberwolves vs. Jazz NBA Underdog Fantasy predictions for tonight:
John Collins Lower Than 7.5 Rebounds
Collins achieving lower than 7.5 rebounds tonight is a strong pick based on several factors. We project him at 6.82 rebounds, indicating a solid likelihood of falling short of this 7.5 mark. Our simulations also show a 2.57% edge and a 60.38% hit rate for this outcome.
Collins has averaged 8.4 rebounds across 28 games this season, but the presence of strong rebounders like Walker Kessler (11.4 rebounds per game) could limit his opportunities. Additionally, the Timberwolves have a very big frontcourt, starting Rudy Gobert, Julius Randle, and Jaden McDaniels.
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