Happy New Year everybody! I’m sure I speak for everyone when I say I’m glad to see 2020 in the rearview. It’s been a bumpy ride but we made it and hopefully we make it many more years. We have a nice 10 game NBA slate in front of us, so let’s bring in the new year cashing a NBA DFS lineup.
Friday’s slate is an odd one. There’s a bunch of pricy options in the $9,000+ range, but this could easily be a day where the winning lineup doesn’t feature any of those players. It’s worth noting that Chicago, Washington, Phoenix and Utah will all be on their second of a back-to-back, so keep an eye on who sits for those teams.
NBA DFS DraftKings GPP Picks January 1st
PG – Raul Neto – WAS ($3,400)
We’re going to start this lineup off with some value. With Washington being in the backend of a back-to-back, it’s expected that Russell Westbrook will take the night off. Westbrook took a rest day on 12/27, and Raul Neto filled his shoes nicely. He saw 32 minutes of playing time in Westbrook’s absence, and we can expect around the same Friday.
In his extended run, he added 22 points, five assists, four rebounds and two steals to cap a 40.5 point DFS night. The Wizards take on Minnesota Friday who isn’t the best defensive team. You don’t want to miss this opportunity to add Neto to your lineup. He’s going to see a bulk of playing time, and he’s primed to have a solid DFS ballgame.
SG – Terry Rozier – CHA ($7,000)
Moving into the SG position, Terry Rozier is a great play at $7,000. His Hornets take on a shorthanded Grizzlies squad, and all signs point to a good game. Memphis struggles on the defensive side as they rank 19th in opponent effective field goal percentage and 26th in defensive efficiency.
Rozier has scored at least 18 points in each of Charlotte’s four games to date. Also, he has done a good job of contributing in other categories such as rebounds and assists. Rozier leads the Hornets with a 26.3% usage rate, and we can expect another 30+ DFS point game from the 6th year guard.
SF – Dillon Brooks – MEM ($6,300)
We’re going to jump on the other side of this Memphis/Charlotte game for the SF position. Dillon Brooks is massively underpriced Friday given his usage rate. Brooks leads the Grizzlies by a nice margin in the usage department with Ja Morant out, carrying a 27.2% usage rate.
He’s scored at least 16 points in each game this year. Much like Rozier he has the ability to rack up rebounds and assists as well. Charlotte has been really good on the defensive end of the ball. However, Brooks is going to get plenty of opportunities to put points on the board. He’s guaranteed a 30 point DFS night, and anything else is a bonus.
PF – Jerami Grant – DET ($6,800)
Playing Jerami Grant is a no-brainer Friday. The 7th year Syracuse product looks to be on his way to a career year. He’s scored at least 27 points in three straight games and he’s shot the ball at least 20 times in back-to-back games. Blake Griffin is out for Detroit, and this only boosts Grant’s usage.
In terms of NBA DFS, Grant is the dream player. He shoots the ball well, he can rebound with anyone and he sees 35+ minutes. Although Boston is normally a good defensive team, this year isn’t the case as they rank 25th in defensive efficiency. Expect Grant to continue his hot start to the season in this contest with the Celtics.
C – Thomas Bryant – WAS ($6,300)
This is another example of an underpriced player. The sky is the limit for Thomas Bryant against Minnesota on Friday. Karl-Anthony Towns remains out for the Timberwolves, and their paint defense has struggled without him. In fact, Minnesota ranks next to last in the NBA allowing 57 paint points per game.
Despite playing for a team with a couple of better offensive options, Bryant hasn’t struggled to find points. He’s scored double figures in points each game and has at least five rebounds in each of those games as well. He is guaranteed to see 30+ minutes of playing time, so don’t miss the chance to play him for a decent price.
G – Malik Beasley – MIN ($5,800)
I am all over Malik Beasley in my NBA DFS lineups for Friday. His Timberwolves take on Washington, and the Wizards rank 21st in defensive efficiency. This number will dip even more with Westbrook and possibly Beal resting for Washington in the backcourt.
Beasley continues to be one of Minnesota’s top scoring options with Karl-Anthony Towns out. With 18 points scored in three of their four games, Beasley will continue to be relied on Friday. Beasley will surely see at least 25 DFS points, and I believe he could be in line for a 35+ DFS point game.
F – Khris Middleton – MIL ($7,700)
We continue to get Khris Middleton at a great price, and I will continue to use him while he’s priced so low. The Bucks take on a less-than-stellar Chicago defense, and this is a great bounce-back spot for them after falling flat in the fourth quarter against Miami last game.
Don’t let his last game scare you away from playing him. Milwaukee fell apart against the Heat last game, and Middleton had an off game. He only made three of his 15 shot attempts, and this won’t happen every game. I believe the Bucks will get back to business with a nice win, and I expect Middleton to be a driving force behind this.
UTIL – Jrue Holiday – MIL ($6,600)
We’re going to cap this lineup with Jrue Holiday and a Milwaukee stack. Again, I expect the Bucks to bounce back in a big way on Friday. The Bulls are a very beatable team, and Holiday is another player you want in your lineup. He carries value in multiple categories, and I love getting those types of players in my lineup.
In Wednesday’s loss to the Heat, Holiday only shot 4-15 from the floor and 3-7 from deep. Despite the poor shooting, he still added 33 DFS points on the night. Holiday will surely get plenty of assists as well as a few rebounds. If he can get some shots to fall as well, then he will top the 40 fantasy point mark with ease on Friday.
NBA DFS DraftKings GPP Lineup
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