We have an interesting nine-game NBA DFS slate to attack tonight, with quite a bit of value going around. We must start the conversation with the Utah Jazz tonight, as this slate is going to revolve around them. The Jazz are missing the core of their team here, with Donovan Mitchell, Mike Conley, Rudy Gobert, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and Joe Ingles. That is pretty much the entire starting unit for Utah, and where most of the minutes go on a given night. We are looking to the Jazz for most of our cheap value tonight, with some star priorities across the slate.
Here’s Two Core Plays For DFS Basketball 1/7/22 (using DraftKings Values)
| Point Guard | D. Murray | $9,600 | |
| Shooting Guard | J. Clarkson | $5,500 | |
| Small Forward | |||
| Power Forward | |||
| Center | |||
| Guard | . | ||
| Forward | |||
| Utility |
For the past we have had some priorities across the San Antonio Spurs with Dejounte Murray in the health and safety protocols. Ironically, Murray is now playing while most of the other core Spurs are in the protocols. Murray was absolutely crushed in his first game back, as he had to do everything for the Spurs to take the win. He shot the ball 21 times from the field while picking up 12 assists and 9 boards. He went for 56.8 FPTS last game, and he looks a lot better tonight with Derrick White, Keldon Johnson, and Devin Vassell all added to the health and safety protocols. Murray may have to do even more than usual to pick up the slack here, so he is a priority spend-up for us.
The Utah Jazz situation is wild here and will consume most of our attention for this one. Pretty much all of the core Jazz guys who are not in the health and safety protocols are questionable with injuries, but they will be our absolute priorities if they play. Jordan Clarkson is questionable, but he will be the biggest lock on the slate if he plays. Clarkson has never met a shot he didn’t like, and most of the available Jazz have no business taking the ball out of his hands. He is priced for his role off the bench after two star guards, so he should be a few thousand more given the current situation. The sky is the limit for Clarkson here, with the ridiculous role we expect to see from him if he plays.
Here’s a Fade DFS Basketball 1/7/22 (using DraftKings Values)
Spencer Dinwiddie was not available for the Washington Wizards last week, and some other Washington studs saw huge games in his absence. Bradley Beal played some of his most productive basketball of the season, going for a few huge assist games. With Dinwiddie back, we do not expect Beal to have as high an assist rate, and it will be very hard for him to hit value at $10,400.
Now, what do you get if you sign up now for $99?
• One cheap star who has been producing at a high rate.
• All our priorities from the Utah Jazz.
• A stud guard who is in the perfect situation tonight.
• The key news we are waiting on tonight.
Point Guard
De’Aaron Fox – PG ($7,200 DK) It has been a bumpy season for Fox, as he started out producing at a level considerably lower than what we expect from him. However, that is really reflected in his price point, as $7,200 is fair for his season average. Fox has been getting hotter lately, with three straight games over 40 FPTS. Fox has been taking high usage over the past few, and we expect his production to continue trending upwards.
Shooting Guard
Jalen Brunson – ($7,000 DK) We also have a lot to talk about from the Dallas Mavericks tonight, as Luka Doncic is joining Kristaps Porzingis on the sideline. Brunson is a de facto priority whenever we find out Doncic is going to be out, as he takes over as the first option in Dallas. He is too cheap whenever he under $8,000 in of these spots, as he plays a star-level role.
Rudy Gay– ($4,000 DK) Gay saw a nice opportunity and crushed it last time with Mitchell, Conley, and Bogdanovic all playing. He scored 36.25 FPTS in 29 minutes. He is questionable here, but he is another lock from the Jazz if he is good-to-go. Gay is an effective DFS producer when given the chance, which we know from throughout his long career. The Jazz likely starts him here, and he should play well over 30 minutes. He is a huge upside guy, and if he gets the start it seems unlikely he disappoints at $4,000.
Royce O’Neale – ($4,100 DK) Like Clarkson and Gay, O’Neale is questionable to go tonight. However, he is another absolute priority if he is ruled in. O’Neale crushed last game with 41 FPTS, and he saw higher usage than we typically expect from him. Given tonight’s situation, he should be in for a much bigger role than what he would do for this team, as they are desperately lacking scorers.
Hassan Whiteside – ($3,500 DK) If you have been playing NBA DFS for a few years, we do not need to tell you how good a DFS producer Whiteside could be. When he got a consistent run as the number one center for Portland a few years ago, he was one of the most productive DFS guys in the NBA. He is questionable here, but we expect him to play a ton of minutes starting at center if he plays. Whiteside can be a winning play whenever he gets the run, which is what we expect to see tonight.
General strategy
Short of the Jazz game getting postponed, we are going to get to three or four Utah guys in all our lineups. There is a lot to like on this slate, but the Jazz value is leaps and bounds ahead of the pack. We have to find out if the questionable Jazz guys are playing, as they are priorities if they play. If some of the Jazz guys are ruled out guys like Trent Forrest and Eric Paschall can become priorities depending on who starts. Keep an eye on the news here, especially what happens with the Jazz.
