NBA DFS Picks For FanDuel 1/12/22

As things still stand, there are many players in the league's health and safety protocols, so other players will have to step in and fill the void, creating for interesting DFS scenarios. The main slate tonight is a relatively large one that features 9 total games, so there are plenty of intriguing player options to choose from. As on most slates, we have a lot of prevalent injury news that we are waiting on which could shake up the slate when released. Be sure to keep on eye on these injury situations as we approach roster lock. Let's dive in to the breakdown of the NBA main slate on FanDuel tonight!

REMINDER: RTs on the article post on twitter at @SportsVerseHQ are appreciated, as well as following my personal Twitter, @cobioconnell. If you would like to see my lineup package for the NBA and NFL seasons, message me there. If you want my core 4 lineup players for the slate, RT the article post on Twitter, follow both accounts, and direct message me. Thank you!

Top Play:

Zach LaVine (SG - $7200) -

Following a slump of four games where Zach LaVine has failed to surpass 33 FD points, his price has plummeted all the way down to $7200 for tonight's slate. He is usually priced around $8000 or higher, so it is unlikely that we will be able to find him at any cheaper of a cost. The Bulls-Nets matchup tonight featuring the top two teams in the East projects to be a close one, which means that LaVine should play extensive minutes with his normal usage rate. He is currently averaging 38 FD points per game across the season, which should correlate to a higher price than he is currently sitting at. In his previous game against the Nets, Zach LaVine boomed with a 53 FD point performance. Take advantage of LaVine at a reduced price tag tonight.

Best Value:

Onyeka Okongwu (C - $3900) -

After failing to take place in the Hawks shootaround this morning, Clint Capela is considered doubtful to play. If he is inactive tonight, it is expected that Onyeka Okongwu will draw the start at center. Okongwu started in place of the injured Capela on Sunday, and he played 37 minutes in that contest. With Gorgui Dieng clearing protocols, I wouldn't expect Okongwu to play quite reach that same minute total, but he should be able to register 30+ minutes on the court. He is averaging .95 FD points per minute on the season, which would put his median around 30 FD points. At the near minimum salary of $3900, Onyeka Okongwu is in a prime smash spot tonight. There are other strong center options on this slate, but if he starts, I will likely be locking Okongwu into my lineup.

Main Player Pool:

Point Guard:

Russell Westbrook ($8400)

LaMelo Ball ($8000)

Dennis Schroder (PG/SG - $5300)

Other great plays: Luka Doncic (PG/SG - $10500), Dejounte Murray (PG/SG - $10200), Trae Young ($9900), Cole Anthony (PG/SG - $7400), Kyle Lowry ($7200), Spencer Dinwiddie ($7100), Tyrese Maxey (PG/SG - $6200), Alec Burks (PG/SG - $5800)

Shooting Guard:

Zach LaVine ($7200)

Tyler Herro (SG/SF - $6500)

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG/SF - $4800)

Other great plays: Donovan Mitchell (SG/PG - $8500), DeMar DeRozan (SG/SF - $8300), Darius Garland (SG/PG - $7700), Malik Monk ($5500), Buddy Hield (SG/SF - $5100), Talen Horton-Tucker (SG/SF - $4900), Torrey Craig ($4500)

Small Forward:

LeBron James (SF/PF - $11300)

Gordon Hayward (SF/SG - $6500)

Harrison Barnes (SF/PF - $5000)

Other great plays: Jayson Tatum (SF/PF - $9700), Miles Bridges ($7900), RJ Barrett (SF/SG - $6200), Franz Wagner (SF/SG - $6100), Corey Kispert ($3500)

Power Forward:

Robert Williams (PF/C - $7600)

Christian Wood (PF/C - $7000)

Chuma Okeke ($5500)

Other great plays: Damontas Sabonis (PF/C - $10300), Tobias Harris (PF/SF - $7800), Day'Ron Sharpe ($4500 - if Claxton is out), Moritz Wagner ($3500)

Center:

Joel Embiid ($10900)

Jakob Poeltl ($6100)

Onyeka Okongwu ($3900)

Other great plays: Jarrett Allen (C/PF - $8000), Evan Mobley (C/PF - $7700), Robin Lopez ($4900), Montrezl Harrell (C/PF - $4900), Mitchell Robinson ($4800), Eric Paschall (C/PF - $4200)

Cover Picture Attribution: All-Pro Reels, Zach Lavine 2022, CC BY-SA 2.0