We hope everyone is doing well going coming into the new year! We are kicking off 2022 with a smaller five-game DFS slate. We must talk about the Detroit Pistons here, who are missing most of their core rotation. The Pistons and Denver Nuggets will be our priorities for value here, as they are both hit badly with injuries. We are looking at a stars and scrubs lineup here, as we have some great stars and the budget plays to pay up for them.
Here’s Two Core Plays For DFS Basketball 1/1/22 (using DraftKings Values)
| Point Guard | |||
| Shooting Guard | C. White | $4,900 | |
| Small Forward | |||
| Power Forward | |||
| Center | N. Jokic | $12.600 | |
| Guard | |||
| Forward | |||
| Utility |
The Chicago Bulls are missing two of their core guards in Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso. We have seen a huge role for Coby White in their absence, and he has scored over 40 FPTS in back-to-back games. White is playing over 30 minutes starting at point guard right now, so he is way too cheap at $4,900. With only five games tonight, the guys like White who look good for value stand out a lot more.
We have some cheap plays that we like getting to tonight, so we are able to pay the $12,600 to roster Nikola Jokic. Jokic is the best DFS producer in the NBA, and he is in a dream scenario tonight. The Nuggets play the Houston Rockets, who play at a very fast pace with terrible defense. We would always expect the Joker to feast in this matchup, and he must do a little more here with the Nuggets rocking a slew of injuries.
Here’s a Fade DFS Basketball 1/1/22 (using DraftKings Values)
One guy who is just too expensive tonight is Zach Lavine at $10,200. Lavine has solid upside, as he can go for 50 FPTS on a good night. However, at this price, he is not even that exciting when he has a big scoring night, and the floor is very low. The Bulls studs are all expensive here, and we typically only look to them if a few of the stars are out.
Now, what do you get if you sign up now for $99?
• A cheap guard from Denver who must play a ton of minutes right now.
• Two budget big men who are stepping into the starting lineup.
• A few forwards who have a ton of upside tonight.
• Our general strategy for Cash and Tournaments.
Point Guard
Facundo Campazzo – PG ($4,200 DK) The Nuggets are missing most of there guards here, so Campazzo is playing a ton of minutes. He played 31.6 minutes last time out, and he could be in for much more floor time if Austin Rivers is ruled out here. Campazzo went for 26 FPTS last game, with upside for a lot more if he has a bigger scoring game. He is too cheap here, and one of our priorities for value tonight.
Shooting Guard
Will Barton – ($6,200 DK) We have already mentioned how there is a lot to like from the shorthanded Nuggets in tonight’s matchup against Houston. Barton does a lot for this Nuggets team, and we often see him do more when some guys are out. He was good last time out with 36.5 FPTS, and he could be even better in this matchup.
Marcus Morris Sr. – ($5,800 DK) As Paul George remains out for the Clippers, Morris has had to do a lot more than we would typically expect. In the three games since his return, he has scored 40.75, 41.5, and 36 FPTS respectively. He was also crushing without George before entering health and safety protocols. Morris is playing close to 40 minutes in competitive games, and he has seen some crazy usage. The upside is fantastic here, and Morris is just too cheap for his current role.
Serge Ibaka – ($3,300 DK) Yesterday we talked about how Ibaka was one of our favorite options as the other Clippers big men are all in health protocols. Ibaka played a bit less than we expect last time with 18 minutes, but that was still enough for him to go for 22.25 FPTS. He could play more minutes in this matchup against Brooklyn tonight, but we like him regardless at $3,300.
Luka Garza – ($4,300 DK) The Pistons had no choice but to play Garza a whopping 39 minutes last time, and they are dealing with similar injuries tonight. Garza shot an abysmal one for ten from the field last game, and he still went for 22.75 FPTS with all the floor time. We expect him to do a lot better with all the minutes he is playing against San Antonio tonight, so he is a priority for us at this price.
General strategy
One key thing we are waiting on is the starting lineups tonight, if cheap guys like Garza and Ibaka continue to start, they become obvious value priorities for us. Our strategy for Cash games is going to be surrounding Jokic with the cheap guys that have high floors. We are going to play Jokic a lot in tournaments as well, but we want some exposure to a few other stars across the slate. Good luck here, and make sure to look for whatever news may break before lock.
