NBA Daily Fantasy Picks: DraftKings + FanDuel Ownership Projections

Welcome back, everybody. Tonight there is a full 10-game slate to attack, and below are some of my favorite NBA daily fantasy picks for both FanDuel and DraftKings based on Awesemo’s grades and values.

[SportsbookAffiliates]

Join AWESEMO+ today!

Use accurate data and advanced tools crafted by the #1 DFS player.

NBA Daily Fantasy Picks: Awesemo Grades | Feb. 1

Power Forward: Giannis Antetokounmpo

DraftKings Grades: A, Values: B

FanDuel Grades: A, Values: B

The Bucks aren’t the historically dominant regular-season team we saw last year, and their flaws have left Mike Budenholzer no choice but to extended Antetokounmpo’s minutes. When the 60-22 Bucks were consistently blowing out their opponents last season, Antetokounmpo was able to rest frequently at the end of games, and for the year the two-time MVP only logged 30.4 minutes per game.

Now in 2020-21, with Milwaukee dropping four of their last six, we have seen Antetokounmpo handle 37.7 minutes per game during this rough stretch. As one of the best fantasy producers in the NBA (1.7 DraftKings points per minute in 2020-21), the elevated playing time has translated to 61.6 DraftKings points per game. The Bucks have lost two in a row heading into Monday’s matchup with the Trail Blazers, and Antetokounmpo should continue to receive 35-40 minutes tonight in an effort to secure this much-needed win. Portland’s defense has been putrid recently, ranking 29th in defensive rating across their last five, but the Bucks haven’t been much better themselves, sitting at 26th over this time. At a slate-high over/under of 236 points, this tilt should bleed a ton of fantasy goodness, and Antetokounmpo is extremely underpriced on both DraftKings and FanDuel for the absurd ceiling he brings.

Projected NBA DFS ownership projection: DraftKings 17.7%, FanDuel 20.6%

Latest NBA DFS Content

Center: Gorgui Dieng

DraftKings Grades: D, Values: D

FanDuel Grades: D, Values: C

After a COVID-19 outbreak within the team that forced them to postpone all of their contests for nearly two weeks, the Grizzlies were finally cleared to play a game this past Saturday night. With starting center Jonas Valanciunas (health protocols) still absent, we saw Dieng soak up the majority of minutes at center. Xavier Tillman continued to start, but Dieng outpaced him off the bench with 26.4 minutes compared to only 21.2 minutes for the rookie. Even with Tillman not picking up a single foul in the first two quarters, Dieng still saw more playing time in the first half. The veteran also closed out the game with the starters, logging the final 8.1 minutes of the win over the Spurs.

With the expanded role, Dieng recorded a season-best 33.75 DraftKings points. While it’s hard to say given that this was Memphis’ first game in weeks, this distribution of minutes in their frontcourt did appear to be by design. The pendulum could easily swing back in favor of Tillman tonight in their second straight matchup with the Spurs, but the 22-year-old will absolutely be the far more popular DFS play. Based on Awesemo’s projections, Dieng should carry little to no ownership tonight. If he ends up garnering more minutes once again, the 31-year-old will be a game changer in GPPs against this Spurs defense that is giving up the ninth-most DraftKings points per game to opposing centers.

Projected NBA DFS ownership projection: DraftKings 0.6%, FanDuel 0.2%

Point Guard: Ja Morant

DraftKings Grades: B, Values: B

FanDuel Grades: B, Values: B

In his first taste of NBA action in 12 days, Morant had an excellent showing against the Spurs on Saturday, scoring 37.5 DraftKings points. This was the Grizzlies’ sixth consecutive win, the longest active streak in the NBA, and they will stay in San Antonio tonight for a rematch with their divisional foe. The Spurs have been susceptible to point guards all season, ranking eighth in most DraftKings per game allowed to the position. Morant has abused them over the last year, averaging 52 DraftKings points per game in his last four matchups with the club.

The bottom line is Morant’s price tags for tonight are way too low for the point guard at full strength. We saw his salaries on both sites go well over $8,000 earlier this year, and Morant is priced like he is still dealing with the ankle injury that was hampering him weeks ago. This will most likely be one of the final times we see Morant at a sub-$8,000 salary on both DraftKings and FanDuel this season, and we must take advantage of the discounts on Monday.

Projected NBA DFS ownership projection: DraftKings 11.9%, FanDuel 10.6%

Point Guard: Monte Morris

DraftKings Grades: D, Values: A

FanDuel Grades: D, Values: A

In yesterday’s win against the Jazz, starting shooting guard Gary Harris (hip) exited the game early and did not return. Morris started in his place for the second half and turned in a solid 20.5 DraftKings points over 26 minutes. Harris has already been confirmed out ahead of Monday’s date with the Pistons, and backup wing P.J. Dozier (doubtful, hamstring) is also expected to miss his third straight game.

Morris should be the Nuggets’ starting two guard in this situation and approach 30 minutes in this plus spot. The Pistons rank 21st in defensive efficiency, and Morris is supplying 22.8 DraftKings points per game when he has cracked 25 minutes in 2020-21. The veteran’s ceiling isn’t huge, but Morris is a necessary punt play tonight to help us roster multiple studs.

Projected NBA DFS ownership projection: DraftKings 10.5%, FanDuel 3.9%

Follow us on all of our social channels! Check out our Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube for more great Awesemo content.

Looking for more NBA daily fantasy picks content? We have loads of NBA daily fantasy picks articles, data, FanDuel cheat sheets and more on the Awesemo NBA home page. Just click HERE.