Today is the smallest NBA slate we have had in a couple days. Only four games today including a few grueling pace matchups. However, there are some sneaky good value plays that will not have the attention they deserve today. My plan for this slate is going to be playing stars and scrubs, so I can capitalize on the cheap value plays.
Here’s a value-oriented lineup For DFS Basketball 1/31/21 (using DraftKings Values)
PG R. Westbrook $9,000 (DK)
SG __________ $6,800 (DK)
SF T. Harris $7,200 (DK)
PF __________ $3,300 (DK)
C N. Vucevic $8,700 (DK)
G __________ $3,500 (DK)
F __________ $7,900 (DK)
Util A. Len $3,500 (DK)
There are a limited number of top-end options on todays slate, my favorite being Russell Westbrook. Westbrook is one of the most effective fantasy producers in the NBA and is averaging almost 50 FPTS on the season. Westbrook was injured recently and has played reduced minutes in the games back. However, Westbrook was on pace for a normal minute’s load prior to his ejection last game. Today Washington has a great matchup against the fast-paced Nets. If Westbrook is back to playing north of 30 minutes, he is drastically underpriced at $9,000.
Tobias Harris has been a solid producer for Philadelphia this season. Harris scored 43.25 FPTS in the last contest and has scored over 38 FPTS in three straight games. Indiana is a decent matchup, however on this slate they are one of the better teams to target. Harris is not hard to fit in lineups today as he has dual position eligibility for only $7,200. If Joel Embiid sits today Harris becomes a core play and should see even more usage. However, he is still a strong play if Embiid is in.
It pains me to admit the Toronto Raptors are not the defensive powerhouse we used to be. Nikola Vucevic is in a perfect position to take advantage of the Raptors defense tonight. The Raptors big men have struggled immensely against top tier centers and Vucevic could crush. Tonight, Vucevic is priced at $8,700 which is cheaper then usual. Vucevic is averaging over 46 FPTS on the season and has dominated in good matchups. In a four-game slate without a lot of options, Vucevic becomes a core play.
I am a bit surprised that Alex Len made the cut today, however he looks like a strong value play. Len seems to be getting a bigger role since his trade to the Wizards and is still near minimum price. Len scored over 25 FPTS last game and over 20 FPTS in three of his last four outings. Priced at only $3,500, Len does not need to do much to hit value again today. A dream matchup with Brooklyn lands Len in my core lineup.
Now what do you get if you sign up now?
• Cheap plays that are in position to break tonight’s slate
• More studs who are deeply underpriced
• The key to unlocking tonight’s GPP’s
Collin Sexton – SG ($6,800 DK) The Cavaliers are a good target tonight with a great matchup against Minnesota. Sexton is my favorite way to get Cleveland exposure as I do not trust their deep center rotation. Sexton is averaging 36.5 FPTS per game and has seen a massive usage bump this season. Sexton should see lower ownership today as he struggled the last outing, however today he has a much better matchup against the Timberwolves. The upside for Sexton is not represented by this price tag.
Yuta Watanabe – PF ($3,300 DK) The Raptors rotation is missing a few forwards today and Watanabe should find some extra minutes. Watanabe has earned an increasing role in the Raptor’s rotation this season. Playing a season high 24 minutes last game. If Watanabe continues to see his minutes rise, his price will rise closer to $5,000. Today Watanabe may even start for the Raptors, which would make him a core play.
Terrence Davis – G ($3,500 DK) Much like Yuta Watanabe, Davis should see increased minutes tonight for the Raptors. Davis got the start for the Raptors last game and scored 19 FPTS. This felt like a floor game for Davis in the starting spot. IF Davis starts again today, he is a core play but should hit value tonight regardless.
Ben Simmons – F ($7,900 DK) Simmons is underpriced whenever he is priced under $8,000. Simmons is a great play today as there are not many other stars in the price range. Simmons is averaging just under 40 FPTS a game this season and has a decent matchup with Indiana. I expect Simmons to be low owned as he was not very productive last game. However, he played limited minutes due to a blowout. Simmons has PG/SF eligibility which allows you to play him at five of the eight roster spots. The position and price on Simmons makes him very easy to fit in different lineup builds.
Alternative Moves…
Chris Boucher – C ($5,600 DK) Boucher is probably the most volatile producer on the slate, which makes him key for GPP Contests. Boucher is averaging around 30 FPTS but frankly has never scored in that range, he either gets you 40 or 15 FPTS. A matchup against Orlando is intimidating as Boucher may struggle to play big minutes against Nikola Vucevic. However, his upside makes him a core play for GPP’s.
James Harden – G ($10,600 DK) Harden is listed as questionable for tonight. I need to state that if Harden ends up sitting, the other stars on Brooklyn become great spend up options today. However, I am less interested in Brooklyn if everyone is healthy.
Have some fun tonight and remember you have a lower standard for plays on a smaller slate.
Go win your lineup and tell us how you did. Twitter (@FantasyDFSX) is a good place for that.
