NBA DFS Picks For FanDuel 2/1/22

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 normal sized one with 7 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!

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Top Play:

Giannis Antetokounmpo (PF/SF - $11000) -

With Nikola Jokic and James Harden currently carrying injury designations heading into the start of the slate, and with Dejounte Murray making his first appearance back from injury, Giannis Antetokounmpo stands out as the safest spend up option. Even if the other players priced over $10000 were fully healthy, Giannis would still be one of if not the best play on the slate because of his price and matchup. We are used to seeing Giannis' salary closer to $11500, and the Bucks carry the highest implied total of any team on the slate. Pair that with the fact that the Wizards struggle to defend opposing big men, and you have a very appealing situation for Giannis. Scoring less than 50 FD points in two of his last three games is not a normal occasion for Giannis, but expect 55+ tonight.

Best Value:

Gary Payton (SG - $3800) -

The Warriors have ruled out Steph Curry and Andrew Wiggins for tonight's game against the Spurs, which means that their younger talent will be tasked with carrying a larger workload tonight. Jordan Poole, Gary Payton, Mooses Moody, and Jonathan Kuminga will likely be the main beneficiaries of the absences, making them all enticing value options at salaries that are not indicative of the usage they will see today. I decided to give the best value title to Gary Payton, as he averages the most fantasy points per minute (.96) of the mentioned players, and he is priced at just $3800. If Gary Payton isn't inserted into the starting lineup tonight, then the best value play will be transferred to Jonathan Kuminga. Make sure to get some Warriors in your lineups!

Main Player Pool:

Point Guard:

Dejounte Murray (PG/SG - $10200)

Spencer Dinwiddie ($6300)

Jordan Poole (PG/SG - $5300)

Other great plays: Jrue Holiday (PG/SG - $7500), Devonte' Graham (PG/SG - $5400), Gabe Vincent ($5000), Jaylen Nowell ($4000)

Shooting Guard:

James Harden (SG/SF - $10500 - if he plays)

Tyler Herro (SG/SF - $6000)

Gary Payton ($3800)

Other great plays: DeMar DeRozan (SG/SF - $9100), Devin Booker ($9000), Zach LaVine ($8000), Will Barton (SG/SF - $6200), Moses Moody ($3500), Damion Lee ($3500)

Small Forward:

Kyle Kuzma (SF/PF - $7200)

Jonathan Kuminga ($4400)

Kessler Edwards ($3900)

Other great plays: Franz Wagner (SF/SG - $5900), Cameron Johnson ($5600), Juan Toscano-Anderson (SF/PF - $3500)

Power Forward:

Giannis Antetokounmpo (PF/SF - $11000)

Bobby Portis (PF/C - $6000)

Jaxson Hayes ($3600 - if he starts)

Other great plays: Wendell Carter (PF/C - $6700), Jeff Green (PF/SF - $4400 - if Jokic is out), JaMychal Green (PF/C - $3500 - if Jokic is out), Zeke Nnaji (PF/C - $3500 - if Jokic is out)

Center:

Nikola Jokic ($11300 - if he plays)

Jonas Valanciunas ($7400)

Kevon Looney (C/PF - $4900)

Other great plays: Nikola Vucevic ($8700), Bam Adebayo (C/PF - $8200), Nic Claxton (C/PF - $4100)

Cover Picture Attribution: Keith Allison from Hanover, MD, USA, Giannis Antetokounmpo (24845003687) (cropped), CC BY-SA 2.0