The Playbook had a successful night on Friday as James Harden, LeBron James, Brandon Bass, and Jason Smith all had big nights. While Klay Thompson wasn't in the playbook, his 37 points in the third quarter was an awesome achievement and was so much fun to watch. Alright, time to focus on tonight's five game slate. The biggest news of the day is LaMarcus Aldridge announcing that he's going to play despite tearing a ligament in his non-shooting hand. He's a risky play, but his price on DraftKings is incredibly low, which means he's basically a must-start on that site.
The point guard position has some great options at the top with John Wall and Damian Lillard. I prefer Wall over Lillard because he's going to get close to double digit assists and Aldridge is going to take shots away from Lillard. Langston Galloway continues be a superb value plays as long as he starts for the Knicks. The shooting guard position is filled with mediocre players with little value at the bottom. Joe Johnson has the best matchup of the night at the position. There isn't a lot to like at the small forward position as Carmelo Anthony is questionable to play and Gordon Hayward's big games have been hard to predict. The rest of the position is filled with decent mid-tier options.
Love the power forward position tonight as Zach Randolph continues to be a beast down low. I prefer Randolph over Greg Monroe because Monroe has struggled vs the Bucks this season and he costs more than Z-BO on DraftKings. There are a couple of really good value plays at the position as well, but I'm worried about Jason Smith producing tonight with Amar'e Stoudemire playing. Therefore, I'd only use Smith in GPP's as long as he is starting. Andre Drummond is the clear cut number one center tonight because his price tag is not that high and he's dominated Milwaukee this season. Marcin Gortat is a sensational value play as well.
Here is the Daily Fantasy Basketball Playbook for January 24th:
Point Guards
Player | Team | DraftKings | Fanduel | Comments |
Langston Galloway | Knicks | 4,100 | 4,600 | 32 FP on DK in 3 straight games |
John Wall | Wizards | 9,200 | 8,800 | Worth spending up for tonight |
Jarrett Jack | Nets | 6,000 | 6,700 | Safe mid-tier play that has a great matchup |
Michael Carter-Williams | Sixers | 8,400 | 8,500 | Tough matchup, but did post a triple-double vs MEM earlier this season |
Shooting Guards
Player | Team | DraftKings | Fanduel | Comments |
Joe Johnson | Nets | 5,800 | 6,300 | Utah is brutal vs opposing SG's/SF's & he's cheap on DK |
Bradley Beal | Wizards | 6,300 | 6,200 | Boom/bust player that should get 30 FP |
Wesley Matthews | Blazers | 6,100 | 5,900 | Would only play on FD if I couldn't afford one of the guys above him |
Courtney Lee | Grizzlies | 3,800 | 4,400 | Decent punt play option |
Small Forwards
Player | Team | DraftKings | Fanduel | Comments |
Gordon Hayward | Jazz | 7,800 | 7,400 | Best option at the position if Melo is out |
Jeff Green | Grizzlies | 5,100 | 5,400 | Still super cheap on DK |
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist | Hornets | 5,500 | 5,600 | GPP play that has struggled vs N.Y., but has 29 FP in 3 out the past 4 games |
Robert Covington | Sixers | 5,200 | 5,600 | PF on DK; Safe play on FD. |
Power Forwards
Player | Team | DraftKings | Fanduel | Comments |
LaMarcus Aldridge | Blazers | 6,600 | 9,600 | Must-start on DraftKings, but fading him on FD |
Zach Randolph | Grizzlies | 8,000 | 8,500 | Will dominate the Sixers front court. |
Jason Smith | Knicks | 3,900 | 4,100 | Great value play, but only if he starts. Worried he's about to have off game |
Nene Hilario | Wizards | 5,400 | 5,700 | Solid mid-tier player that has 27+ FP in 4 out of the past 5 games |
Derrick Favors | Jazz | 7,500 | 7,600 | GPP option as his price tag is low, but he's been inconsistent recently |
Centers
Player | Team | DraftKings | Fanduel | Comments |
Andre Drummond | Pistons | 8,300 | 8,400 | Averaging 42 FP in 3 games vs MIL. |
Marcin Gortat | Wizards | 5,500 | 5,900 | Cheap and he'll dominate Portland's crappy centers |
Brook Lopez | Nets | 6,000 | 6,300 | GPP play, prefer him over Plumlee |