NBA DFS Core Plays - January 5

Biggest news story of the day is Giannis Antetokoumpo being ruled out tonight due to rest. 

Giannis's absence from the Bucks lineup today will see a lot of the ownership go to Jrue Holiday, Khris Middleton and Bobby Portis. We could also see Jordan Nwora and DeMarcus Cousins get some love given the Bucks shortened rotations tonight.

If need a dart throw for the Bucks Rodney Hood would be my bet with Grayson Allen, Pat Connaughton and George Hill all ruled out tonight as well.

We also have the return of Kyrie Irving tonight for the Nets. Irving is expected to see around 30 minutes tonight but we have seen coaches put limits on players and have them go both over and under so play at your own risk. We do not yet know if that will be with the starting lineup to begin or if Irving will come off the bench tonight but all eyes will be in Indiana tonight as the Nets play the Pacers.

The Pacers are still without Malcolm Brogdon, Caris LeVert, Jeremy Lamb and Chris Duarte for this matchup.

In Atlanta we are waiting on the status of Trae Young who is questionable to play tonight due to a back injury.

The Jazz are without Joe Ingles but may also be missing Bojan Bogdanovic, Rudy Gobert and Royce O'Neale tonight against the Nuggets. Look for value plays like Rudy Gay and Hassan Whiteside to be options should they start and the likes of Mike Conley, Donovan Mitchell and Jordan Clarkson to carry the majority of the offense.

The Timberwolves will have Karl-Anthony Towns and likely D'Angelo Russell returning for them tonight as they face the Thunder who get back their top player in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

In Washington the Rockets are expected to have both Kevin Porter Jr. and Christian Wood in their lineup tonight after both were suspended one game for their actions during the team's loss to the Nuggets. Wood will be one of the best overall values on the board if he ends up starting tonight.

With Spencer Dinwiddie and Montrezl Harrell still out for the Wizards we have full systems go for Bradley Beal and Kyle Kuzma. Washington will get Raul Neto back tonight who has been capped at 30-minutes tonight but may not actually see that number.

Both Cole Anthony and Wendell Carter Jr. are questionable for the Magic tonight as they face the 76ers who are still without Tyrese Maxey, Shake Milton and Mattise Thybulle. If Carter Jr. does not play look for Chuma Okeke to enter the starting lineup for the Magic.

The Celtics are getting back Jayson Tatum tonight while their opponent in the San Antonio Spurs will also get back their top player in Dejounte Murray. The Spurs are playing on the second night of a back-to-back after losing big to the Raptors last night.

{{item.name}}

Position	Top Tier	Mid-Tier	Value-Tier
{{position.position.alias}}	{{position.top.name}}	{{position.mid.name}}	{{position.value.name}}