Monday’s NBA action should be a rollicking good time. The six-game featured slate tips off at 7 p.m. ET on both DraftKings and FanDuel. There are several options in the player pool worth analyzing to find the top NBA DFS building blocks and NBA DFS picks for DraftKings and FanDuel lineups, including the incomparable Nikola Jokic.
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NBA DFS Picks: Monday, Jan. 9
Core Play of the Day — Nikola Jokic: Denver Nuggets-Los Angeles Lakers
- Stokastic’s Preliminary Point Projections: DraftKings: 61.94 | FanDuel: 59.4
- Stokastic’s Preliminary Rostered Projections: DraftKings 22.1% | FanDuel: 22.3%
- DFS Salary: DraftKings: $11,700 | FanDuel: $11,400
Normally there are caveats about making a center-only player the top option on FanDuel. No such caveats are necessary today. Nikola Jokic is not only the best point-per-dollar center, he is actually the best overall player. Of course, some value options will emerge after the late afternoon injury report comes out, but Jokic is the best play as of publication.
The two-time reigning NBA MVP didn’t put up jaw-dropping fantasy numbers in two of his recent games. He had an off night in a road loss to the Timberwolves and only played 24 minutes in a blowout win over the Clippers. However, he did have 60 fantasy point performances on either side of those appearances.
Tonight marks the fourth time these squads have met this season. Jokic has averaged nearly 60 fantasy points in 35.3 minutes of action against the Lakers. Even better, Anthony Davis played all of those games, but he won’t suit up for the Lakers tonight, which will hurt Los Angeles’ defensive production. Jokic is likely to rack up a double-double as well as flirt with a triple-double, making him a core building block for today.
Russell Westbrook: Los Angeles Lakers-Denver Nuggets
- Stokastic’s Preliminary Point Projections: DraftKings: 61.94 | FanDuel: 59.4
- Stokastic’s Preliminary Rostered Projections: DraftKings 22.1% | FanDuel: 22.3%
- DFS Salary: DraftKings: $11,700 | FanDuel: $11,400
The Lakers have won their last five and are knocking on the door of the Play-in Tournament. Russell Westbrook has been a key force in filling the stat sheet during Davis’ absence, and his contributions are even more crucial now that Austin Reaves and Lonnie Walker IV will likely sit until the end of January.
In his last three games, Westbrook has averaged 33.4 minutes with 15.3 field goal attempts and a solid 47.8% shooting percentage. This has worked out to 20.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, 11.0 assists and 2.4 combined blocks and steals. Though Westbrook doesn’t always play the final minutes, the shorthanded Lakers are running out of alternatives.
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Additional NBA DFS Building Blocks Picks Today – Sports Betting Opportunities
Jakob Poeltl is someone to consider in the betting market with an 8.5 total for his rebound prop against the Grizzlies tonight in Memphis. The 27-year-old is averaging a career-best 9.5 rebounds per game this year and 12.9 rebounds per 36 minutes.
The NBA Bet Pro projections have Poeltl grabbing 10.2 rebounds for a 62% likelihood of surpassing this milestone at -140 on BetMGM. To help increase the 6% xROI (expected return on investment), bettors can utilize this wager as part of a same-game parlay for extra upside.
Did you know that you can get two free months of Stokastic+ Platinum for signing up and making your first bet at BetMGM? Claim here today!
San Antonio Spurs-Memphis Grizzlies
Tonight is a back-to-back for the Grizzlies, but they did not have the services of Ja Morant (thigh), Steven Adams (illness) and Brandon Clarke (hip). NBA DFS players should consider each player questionable, along with Desmond Bane, who may not play tonight as part of his injury maintenance program.
NBA DFS players must keep tabs on Memphis’ starting lineup. This matchup is an outstanding one for Memphis, who draw the Spurs at home. The betting total sits all the way up at 238. The Grizzlies are currently 11.5-point favorites, which indicates that Morant is likely to suit up.
Jaren Jackson Jr. is a tremendous option at power forward and has a 10-game streak with multiple blocks. Last night he fouled out for the first time this season, but he also reached the 50 fantasy point plateau in just 28 minutes. Even if Clarke and Adams return, he is on the short list of tournament targets.
Devin Vassell (knee) is out and Keldon Johnson (hamstring) and Jakob Poeltl (Achilles) are game-time decisions. Tre Jones and rookie Jeremy Sochan are solid options if Johnson and Poeltl are available and stellar plays if one or both are out. Poeltl is trending toward playing, but Johnson is a true game-time decision.
Romeo Langford, Josh Richardson and Zach Collins have their fantasy fortunes depending on the health of Johnson and Poeltl. Keep in mind that this game tips off at 8 p.m. ET and is the fourth on the docket. Those with a strategy of how to take advantage of any pending news could be paid off handsomely.
Final Thoughts on NBA DFS Picks Building Blocks Today
Tonight features three teams getting underway in the first 30 minutes, then the final three matchups are scheduled for the top of the next three hours. Be sure to tune into the Stokastic Live Deeper Dive and Before Lock shows at 5 p.m. ET on YouTube, courtesy of No House Advantage.
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