NBA DFS Picks For Fanduel 1/8/21

OT saved me! It wasn't looking great for my lineup yesterday until DEN-DAL went to OT and I got additional points from Luka, Jamal, and Jokic. Perhaps this is the start of my NBA misfortune turning around? Moving on to the slate today, it looks to be another one where lineup changes and late swaps will occur based on all the injury news we are still waiting on. Due to that, make sure to keep up with news and DMs if trailing my line. Overall, there are tons of terrific plays which means that my player pool will be larger than usual. Keep reading for my advice on the NBA main slate on Fanduel today!

REMINDER: If you would like the lineup that I will be using, RT the article post on twitter at @SportsVerseHQ, DM @Excyphir, and follow both accounts.

* EDIT NOTE: Lowry being ruled out has opened value for the Raptors*

Top Play:

Caris LeVert - $6,800:

Tonight is another night where you put Caris LeVert in your lineup right away and look to build around him. As long as Kyrie and KD aren't playing, Caris LeVert will be the chalk and top play every time unless he starts getting appropriately priced in the $8,000s. He will be involved in nearly every offensive possession that he is on the court for, and you simply can't pass on him with that insane usage.

Best Value:

Daniel Theis - $4,300:

With Tristan Thompson testing positive for COVID-19 and Robert Williams/Grant Williams needing to quarantine, all of the Boston big men will be out except for Daniel Theis. Obviously, that leads him into getting a big boost in minutes and fantasy potential. At $4,300, I don't see many scenarios where Theis doesn't reach the 5x value threshold at a minimum. I don't usually love locking up the center position since you can only play one on Fanduel, but I would strongly consider it today.

Fade:

Anthony Davis - $10,400/LeBron James - $10,200:

With the Lakers being on a back-to-back against the Bulls, there is way too much risk for me to roster either AD or LeBron on this slate. Anthony Davis has been one to rest in these type of scenarios before, although there has been no official word on that happening yet. Even if he does play, there is a decent chance for both players to see reduced minutes due to the blow-out potential of this game, as well as the Lakers just wanting to give them rest. If either does get ruled out prior to tip-off (would more likely be AD), Kyle Kuzma and Dennis Schroder will become very intriguing plays. I would prefer playing any of the other players priced over $10,000 over these two.

Main Player Pool:

Point Guard:

Marcus Smart - $5,900

Elfrid Payton - $5,500

Cole Anthony - $5,000

Other great plays: Stephen Curry - $9,700 (if a full go), John Wall - $8,500, Coby White - $6,600, Tyus Jones - $5,200, Payton Pritchard - $4,500, Cory Joseph - $3,800 (if Fox doesn't play), Patrick Beverley - $3,800, Chris Chiozza - $3,600 (punt)

Shooting Guard:

Caris LeVert - $6,800

Tyrese Haliburton - $5,400 (better if Fox doesn't play)

Buddy Hield - $5,200 (better if Fox doesn't play)

Other great plays: Jaylen Brown - $8,000, Fred VanVleet - $7,800, Andrew Wiggins - $6,500 (if Steph doesn't play), Terrence Ross - $5,700, Eric Bledsoe - $5,300, Devonte' Graham - $5,100, Josh Hart - $4,400, Dwayne Bacon - $3,900

Small Forward:

Jayson Tatum - $9,400

Joe Harris - $4,900

Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot - $4,100

Other great plays: Kawhi Leonard - $9,600, Brandon Ingram - $8,800, Khris Middleton - $7,400, RJ Barrett - $6,500, Harrison Barnes - $6,100, OG Anunoby - $5,800, Mikal Bridges - $5,500, Kelly Oubre - $5,300, Denzel Valentine - $3,600 (punt), Semi Ojeyele - $3,500 (punt), Garrett Temple - $3,500 (punt)

Power Forward:

Julius Randle - $9,400

Serge Ibaka - $5,300

Khem Birch - $3,700

Other great plays: Giannis Antetokounmpo - $11,200, Zion Williamson - $7,800, Blake Griffin - $5,500, Draymond Green - $5,100, Brandon Clarke - $5,100, Bobby Portis - $5,000, Jae Crowder - $4,400, Nicolas Batum - $4,400, Thaddeus Young - $4,100, Marcus Morris - $3,800

Center:

Nikola Vucevic - $8,800

Jonas Valanciunas - $6,700

Daniel Theis - $4,300

Other great plays: Deandre Ayton - $7,200, Jarrett Allen - $7,000, Mitchell Robinson - $5,800, DeMarcus Cousins - $5,300 (if Wood doesn't play), Brook Lopez - $4,700, Gorgui Dieng - $4,600

Core/Lineup:

My core 3 are Caris LeVert, Joe Harris, and Daniel Theis. These are probably the three chalkiest players, but that is for a reason.

If you would like the lineup that I will be using, RT the article post on twitterfor at @SportsVerseHQ, DM @Excyphir, and follow them both. Likewise, if you enjoy these articles, please follow @SportsVerseHQ and @Excyphir on twitter! Stay up to date there in case of potential news or changes.