Wednesday’s article was slightly disappointing for my liking. It wasn’t necessarily bad but we didn’t have anyone go off. That’s why we’re going back to the drawing board here and some extra research has me in a great spot for these picks. With that in mind, let’s dive into these 1/31 NBA DFS plays to close out the month!
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1/31 NBA DFS Point Guards
Ja Morant, MEM at NOP
DK ($6,900) FD ($7,400)
This rookie is simply remarkable. They’re already engraving his name into the Rookie of the Year trophy and it’s scary to think just how good Ja can be down the line. While averaging 33.4 DraftKings points per game for the season is impressive on its own, his numbers recently have been even more stupendous. In fact, Morant has at least 35 DK points in 10 of his last 11 games while averaging 41.7 fantasy points per game across those 10 outings. The best part about using Morant might be this matchup though, with New Orleans sitting 25th in defensive efficiency while surrendering the most fantasy points in the league to opposing point guards. In their one meeting, Morant dropped 35 DK points despite shooting just 5-of-14 from the field.
Monte Morris, DEN at MIL
DK ($5,000) FD ($4,300)
It’s funny that a move to the bench is the thing that’s lit a fire underneath Morris but that’s exactly what’s happened. In his last two games, Morris has played at least 34 minutes in both while averaging 29.7 DK points per outing. That’s the guy we expected to see when Jamal Murray went down in the first place and it’s amazing that his price hasn’t risen more. While Milwaukee has a tough defense, we love that they play at the fastest pace in the NBA, adding to Morris’ value. Don’t forget about Jalen Brunson in the absence of Luka Doncic too, priced in the $4,000-range on both sites.
1/31 NBA DFS Shooting Guards
Jrue Holiday, NOP vs. MEM
DK ($8,100) FD ($7,600)
Part of me wanted to go right back to the well with James Harden but I want to see that he’s healthy before we get him back in here. That’s why we’re going to pivot to Holiday, with the Pelicans guard garnering some All-Star consideration. Since struggling the opening week, Jrue is averaging 41 DK points per game over his last 37 outings. That looks even better when you consider that he’s averaging 43.6 fantasy points per game since returning from injury two weeks ago and the addition of Zion Williamson has obviously improved his value. We have to love that against a Memphis team who sits fourth in pace and 26th in points allowed. That was clear when Holiday dropped 52.5 DK points across just 32 minutes against them on MLK Day.
Dillon Brooks, MEM at NOP
DK ($6,000) FD ($5,600)
Brooks has quietly been a nice surprise for the Grizzlies this season. What we really like is his recent form, scoring at least 27 DraftKings points in 11 of his last 13 games. The only two games he didn’t were lopsided results and that has Brooks averaging 35 fantasy points per game across those other 11 outings. One of those happened to come against these Pelicans, dropping a season-best 53.3 fantasy points. That’s no surprise when you see that they surrender the third-most fantasy points to opposing SFs this season.
1/31 NBA DFS Small Forwards
LeBron James, LAL vs. POR
DK ($10,300) FD ($11,200)
Can you imagine what the environment is going to be like in Staples Center? This is the first Lakers game since Kobe Bryant’s tragic death and it’s going to make for some fascinating spectating. While King James always plays motivated, one has to believe that he’ll have an extra pep in his step here in such an emotional game. Using narrative plays is a dangerous proposition but is there anyone you’d trust more than King James in this circumstance? We’re talking about a guy who has at least 38 DraftKings points in all 44 games played this season en route to a 52-point average. That looks even better when you consider that Portland sits 26th in defensive efficiency.
Kris Dunn, CHI at BRK
DK ($5,100) FD ($5,400)
You might be asking why Dunn is even at small forward but that’s a question you’d have to send Jim Boylen’s way. In any case, Dunn has been thriving in this role and he’s actually one of the only Bulls getting consistent minutes this season. Over his last seven games played, Dunn is averaging 29.5 DraftKings points per game across 29.7 minutes per outing. That’s all you could hope for from someone this cheap and we can’t overlook the fact that Brooklyn allows the seventh-most fantasy points to opposing SFs this season.
1/31 NBA DFS Power Forwards
Serge Ibaka, TOR at DET
DK ($6,900) FD ($5,700)
With Marc Gasol expected to miss this game, Ibaka should return to the expanded role that we saw earlier in the season. Between December 14 and January 17, Ibaka averaged 33 DK points per game. That directly correlated with Gasol being sidelined and his 30.3 minutes and 13.2 shot attempts per game in that span shows just how much more valuable he was. If we get that role at this price, we love him against a Pistons team that surrenders the most fantasy points in the league to opposing power forwards. Kristaps Porzingis is also in consideration with Doncic out at $6,800 on DraftKings.
Thaddeus Young, CHI at BRK
DK ($5,000) FD ($5,200)
Young has been the biggest beneficiary with the Bulls frontcourt getting bludgeoned by injuries. In fact, they’re currently without Lauri Markkanen, Daniel Gafford and Wendell Carter Jr. That’s forced him into the starting lineup the last four games, averaging 26 fantasy points per game across 32.3 minutes in that span. A stat-stuffing guy like this seeing an expanded role like that is a recipe for DFS success and we’re certainly not cornered with him facing a 19th-ranked Nets defense.
1/31 NBA DFS Center
Derrick Favors, NOP vs. MEM
DK ($5,500) FD ($5,600)
I really had a hard time picking centers on this slate, so, we’re just going to go with one. A recent decline in production has lowered Favors’ price to these intriguing numbers, as he’s been performing at a $6,000 level on both sites throughout the season. In fact, Favors is averaging 33.5 DraftKings points per game over his last 16 games played which is actually a $7,000-player’s production. That makes him quite the value here and the matchup is simply the icing on the cake. Not only does Memphis own the ugly defensive numbers from the Holiday write-up, but both of these clubs also rank Top-6 in pace, adding value to all of these Pelicans and Grizzlies players.
I also think Steven Adams price has dropped too far and he could have success against a defensively-inept Deandre Ayton. If you want a higher-end center, Nikola Jokic should continue to dominate usage with half of the Nuggets roster seemingly sidelined.
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