Need a jump start on your lineups before Awesemo’s NBA DFS rankings or projections? No worries, Damien Mathews has you covered his Pick 3! favorite NBA DFS Picks for DraftKings and FanDuel for Saturday, Jan. 25. We have a five-game main slate with a few top options to choose from. Damien has some takes on Jimmy Butler and more!
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NBA DFS Pick #1: Kyrie Irving $8,700 FanDuel $8,700 DraftKings
Kyrie Irving is producing 1.48 fantasy points per minute, thanks to a 32.4 usage percentage and 35.2 assist percentage. He is playing 32-plus minutes on average and getting you five rebounds, six assists with one steal. Averaging 46.1 fantasy points per game on the season, Irving looks to be an appealing option on such a small slate given his upside. Brooklyn will travel to Detroit to take on the Pistons who have the 11th-worst defensive rating in basketball. Also, Detroit is 22nd against the point guard position defensively and has some key players banged up, which makes Irving a core play in all formats.
*Honorable Mention: Collin Sexton $6,300 FanDuel $6,800 DraftKings
**Honorable Mention: Derrick Rose $6,800 FanDuel $7,500 DraftKings
NBA DFS Pick #2: Ben Simmons $9,700 FanDuel $9,400 DraftKings
In a game that looks to be highly competitive, Ben Simmons will have to carry the load for the 76ers who will need all hands on deck against the Lakers who average the seventh-most points per game in the NBA. Since Joel Embiid went down with a dislocated finger, Simmons has averaged 1.27 fantasy points per minute with a 22.4 usage percentage (nine-game sample). What’s even more interesting is that Simmons is shooting at an incredible 61.5 percent from the field. He is a triple-double threat every time he laces up his sneakers, and on the year, Simmons is averaging 36.1 minutes, 16 points, 7.8 rebounds, 8.5 assists and 2.2 steals. The Lakers are solid on defense but rank 28th against guards. As such, Simmons grades out fantastically in what should be a great game for NBA DFSers.
*Honorable Mention: Zach LaVine $8,600 FanDuel $9,200 DraftKings
**Honorable Mention: Kevin Love $7,100 FanDuel $7,900 DraftKings
NBA DFS Pick #3: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander $8,100 FanDuel $7,600 DraftKings
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been playing exceptionally for the Oklahoma City Thunder alongside the veteran Chris Paul. Nothing seems to faze the young Gilgeous-Alexander as it seems he’s getting better and better every game. Over the last month, he has averaged 1.19 fantasy points per minute with 23.6 percent usage, good for 34.9 fantasy points per game. Shooting a solid 47.4 from the field, Gilgeous-Alexander looks very appealing in a paced-up matchup against the Timberwolves who rank eighth in pace and allow the fifth-most points to opposing offenses. He is red hot, and is a consistently strong NBA DFS option.
*Honorable Mention: Nerlens Noel $4,400 FanDuel $5,400 DraftKings
**Honorable Mention: Larry Nance Jr. $4,600 FanDuel $5,300 DraftKings
