NBA DFS Picks For FanDuel 1/7/22

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 large one that features 9 total games, so there are plenty of intriguing player options. 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!

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Top Play:

Jusuf Nurkic (C - $6000) -

Jusuf Nurkic is now two games returned from the league's health and safety protocols, and he still hasn't seen much of a price increase despite productive results. In those two games, Nurkic scored 44 and 39 FD points, which would indicate a price tag of $7000+, but we can still find him at a discounted $6000 tonight. The Trail Blazers will once again be without Damian Lillard, which should open up more scoring upside for Nurkic despite them playing opposite positions. Jusuf Nurkic is averaging a stellar 1.31 FD points per minute with a 29.7% usage rate without Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum this season, so I expect him to smash value against a Cavaliers frontcourt that is average at defending centers. Playing Jusuf Nurkic does mean that you can't play other terrific center options in Nikola Jokic, Jakob Poeltl, and Hassan Whiteside, but he is my top play as of now.

Best Value:

Jalen Brunson (PG/SG - $5300) -

Although Jalen Brunson is priced slightly above $5000, you will not find any better value on this slate. If Jordan Clarkson plays then I would put him on the same tier as Brunson with Mitchell and Conley out, but he is still carrying a questionable tag. Luka Doncic is doubtful to play for the Mavericks tonight, which means that Brunson will draw the start at point guard and be the team's primary ball handler. Jalen Brunson has smashed in situations like this all season, and he comes at an even cheaper price than we are used to seeing for him. Brunson is averaging a 28.6% usage rate and 1.07 FD points per minute when Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis are off the court this season. Jalen Brunson will be very chalky tonight, but for good reason.

Main Player Pool:

Point Guard:

Jalen Brunson (PG/SG - $5300)

Jordan Clarkson (PG/SG - $5200 - if he plays)

Monte Morris ($4900)

Other great plays: Dejounte Murray (PG/SG - $10400), Russell Westbrook ($8600), Tyrese Haliburton (PG/SG - $7300), Seth Curry (PG/SG - $6400), Javonte Smart ($3500)

Shooting Guard:

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SG/PG - $8500)

Zach LaVine (SG/PG - $8100)

Talen Horton-Tucker (SG/SF - $4900)

Other great plays: James Harden (SG/PG - $10400), DeMar DeRozan (SG/SF - $8700), Will Barton (SG/SF - $6400), Gary Trent (SG/SF - $5700), Furkan Korkmaz (SG/SF - $5500), Jalen Green (SG/PG - $5300), Lonnie Walker (SG/SF - $4500 - if he plays), Wesley Matthews ($3700), Rodney Hood (SG/SF - $3500), Trent Forrest ($3500)

Small Forward:

LeBron James (SF/PF - $11200)

Anthony Edwards (SF/SG - $7900)

Khris Middleton (SF/SG - $7800)

Other great plays: Kevin Durant (SF/PF - $11000), Norman Powell (SF/SG - $7000), Scottie Barnes (SF/PF - $6300), Nassir Little ($5500), Harrison Barnes (SF/PF - $5300), Matisse Thybulle ($4300), Keita Bates-Diop ($4300)

Power Forward:

Giannis Antetokounmpo (PF/SF - $11700)

Christian Wood (PF/C - $7500)

Bobby Portis (PF/C - $5700)

Other great plays: Tobias Harris (PF/SF - $7900), Jordan Nwora (PF/SF - $5800), Aaron Gordon ($5500), Jarred Vanderbilt ($5300), Lauri Markkanen (PF/SF - $5200), Robert Covington (PF/SF - $5200), Rudy Gay (PF/SF - $4800 - a top play if active)

Center:

Nikola Jokic ($11400)

Jakob Poeltl ($6100)

Jusuf Nurkic ($6000)

Other great plays: Joel Embiid ($10800), Nikola Vucevic ($8700), Jarrett Allen (C/PF - $8200), Evan Mobley (C/PF - $7600), Daniel Gafford ($6600), Hassan Whiteside ($5300 - a top play if active), Drew Eubanks (C/PF - $3700)

Cover Picture Attribution: Frenchieinportland, Jusuf Nurkić Portland (cropped), CC BY-SA 4.0