Welcome to the Friday edition of DraftKings DFS NBA advice. If you’re looking to ring in the New Year with some DK action, you’ve come to the right place. It’s a massive 10 game slate to navigate today, so let’s dive in!
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Value Plays
Point Guard
| Name (TEAM) | OPPONENT | PRICE | MATCHUP | RISK |
| Dejounte Murray (SAS) | vs. LAL | $6,900 | ⭐⭐⭐ | LOW |
| Coby White (CHI) | @ MIL | $6,400 | ⭐⭐⭐ | MEDIUM |
Murray has been on a roll lately, topping 40 DK points in three of his last four games. He’s the focus of the Spurs offense and is adding plenty of peripheral stats. He’s a bargain under $7,000.
White will be leading a Chicago team depleted by COVID protocols. He has a safe floor with guaranteed minutes and the potential to put up another double-double with points and assists.
Shooting Guard
| Name (TEAM) | OPPONENT | PRICE | MATCHUP | RISK |
| C.J. McCollum (POR) | @ GSW | $8,400 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | LOW |
| Donte DiVincenzo (MIL) | vs. CHI | $5,100 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | MEDIuM |
McCollum often goes unheralded playing alongside Damien Lillard, but he’s actually scoring more points and dishing assists at the same rate as his point guard teammate so far this season. He’s a huge value at a $1,400 discount compared to Lillard.
DiVincenzo has quietly made big strides in his third season now that he’s a regular part of Milwaukee’s starting lineup. He’s averaging 14 points per game and is knocking down an impressing 3.2 three-pointers per game.
Small Forward
| Name (TEAM) | OPPONENT | PRICE | MATCHUP | RISK |
| Jimmy Butler (MIA) | @ DAL | $7,800 | ⭐⭐⭐ | LOW |
| Joe Harris (BKN) | vs. ATL | $5,300 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | MEDIUM |
Simply put, Jimmy Butler shouldn’t be under $8,000. He’s sat out the past two games but is listed as probable and should be good to go against the Mavericks tonight.
Joe Harris isn’t flashy, but he almost always shows up as a value on DK. He’ll continue to play solid minutes and hoist up threes in what should be a high-scoring game against the Hawks.
Power Forward
| Name (TEAM) | OPPONENT | PRICE | MATCHUP | RISK |
| Jerami Grant (DET) | vs. BOS | $6,800 | ⭐⭐⭐ | LOW |
| Patrick Williams (CHI) | @ MIL | $4,400 | ⭐⭐⭐ | HIGH |
Grant is having a strong start to the season with his new team in Detroit — he’s averaging over 42 DK points over his last three games. With Blake Griffin now sidelined due to a concussion, Grant is about as safe as it gets.
Williams hasn’t put up huge numbers yet, but he is playing solid minutes as a rookie. He should continue to see plenty of time on the court tonight against the Bucks and has the talent to break out at any time.
Center
| Name (TEAM) | OPPONENT | PRICE | MATCHUP | RISK |
| Wendell Carter Jr. (CHI) | @ MIL | $5,900 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | MEDIUM |
| Mason Plumlee (DET) | vs. BOS | $5,700 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | LOW |
Carter is another young Bull that will see plenty of time on the court tonight in Milwaukee. He’s Chicago’s only true center and has notched double-doubles in two of his last three games.
Plumlee continues to go undervalued. He’s nearly averaging a double-double with points and rebounds while adding enough assists, blocks, and steals to make him worthy of a spot in lineups every night if he’s under $6,000.
5 Studs Worth Their Salary
Nikola Jokic (DEN) $10,600: He’s averaging a triple-double and is currently leading the NBA in assists. He’s quickly becoming the best player in fantasy basketball.
Russell Westbrook (WAS) $10,400: Westbrook is continuing to stuff the stat sheet in Washington. He’s also averaging a triple-double and continues to be one of the strongest plays on any slate.
Trae Young (ATL) $10,100: Young should be the leading scorer in what’s projected to be the highest-scoring game on the slate against the Nets tonight. He also adds enough assists to make him an elite play.
Stephen Curry (GSW) $9,600: After a relatively slow start, Curry is starting to look like the dynamic shooter we all remember. He’s drained five three-pointers in back-to-back games and appears to be locked in from deep again.
Kevin Durant (BKN) $9,100: The Nets will be smart with Durant this season, but when he’s active, he’s a full-go. He’s coming off a season-high 33 point outing and could top that tonight against Atlanta.
5 Notable Players to Fade
Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL) $11,000: The reigning MVP hasn’t been putting up eye-popping numbers consistently this season. While he’s a safe play, his $11,000 price tag is too rich for this ten-game slate.
Luka Doncic (DAL) $10,300: Doncic is a discount compared to Giannis, and there’s really nothing wrong with playing him tonight. The problem is that you can’t play all the studs, and it will come down to the other preferred options mentioned above.
LeBron James (LAL) $10,000: LeBron hasn’t been dominant this season, but that’s because the Lakers haven’t needed him to be. He’s not worth paying up for tonight on such a deep slate.
Kawhi Leonard (LAC) $9,200/Paul George (LAC) $8,700: Kawhi came back with his new protective face mask on Wednesday and played fine, but I’m not investing $9,200 of salary in him tonight. There isn’t anything inherently wrong with George, either, but I’m staying away from the Clippers-Jazz game tonight.
Devin Booker (PHO) $8,000: Booker hasn’t been the scoring machine we remember from previous seasons. The Suns are playing slower this season, and Booker has yet to top 30 points in a game.
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Aaron Larson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Aaron, check out his archive and follow him @aalarson.