NBA Daily Fantasy Projections & DFS Picks for DraftKings & FanDuel 1/23

On tap for Sunday night is a nine-game slate that is loaded with studs. NBA fantasy lineups on DraftKings and FanDuel will be flush with high-level talent and value plays. The Awesemo NBA Starting Lineups page will provide breaking news when starters are announced as well as a full injury report on players who might be missing in action. Below are some NBA daily fantasy options that stand out for tonight’s slate using Awesemo’s Boom/Bust Tool and NBA DFS projections.

Boom/Bust NBA Daily Fantasy Projections & Picks

Boom: DeMar DeRozan: $8,900 DraftKings/$8,400 FanDuel

38.5% DraftKings Boom/43.3% FanDuel Boom

The injury situation is really starting to take a toll on the Chicago Bulls backcourt. They will be without Zach LaVine, Lonzo Ball, and Alex Caruso tonight. That will open the door for all of the usage and playing time that DeMar DeRozan can handle. According to our boom/bust probability tool, DeRozan has the highest boom percentage on FanDuel and the fifth-highest on DraftKings. DeRozan continues to lead the Bulls in scoring with 26.0 points per game. He has increased that number in the last four games as he is averaging 28.0 points and has a 35.1 percent usage rate per game.

Not only is DeRozan still scoring the ball at a high level, but he has also had to take the ball handling reigns for most of the games. DeRozan has had seven or more assists in six of his last nine games. Despite the record differences between the Bulls and Magic, this game should be competitive due to the Bulls injuries. The Magic rank 26th in defensive rating this season, so this is a great spot to target the high-usage DeRozan tonight.

Boom: Jimmy Butler: $8,700 DraftKings/$8,800 FanDuel

30.7% DraftKings Boom/30.1% FanDuel Boom

Another upper mid-range option who is in a great spot due to injuries is Jimmy Butler. The Miami Heat will be without key backcourt pieces Kyle Lowry and Tyler Herro. Butler will be leaned on heavily to provide the scoring opportunities for the Heat. Three games ago, Butler showed his versatility with a triple-double with 19 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists against the Raptors. He nearly had a triple-double in their last game as well. According to our ownership projections, Butler is in the top six of the highest-owned players for both DraftKings and FanDuel tonight.

The Heat are 3-point home favorites in what should be a fantastic game against the Los Angeles Lakers tonight. The Lakers rank third in pace and fourth in points allowed with 112.7 per game. The Heat have gotten back to their winning ways and a lot has to do with the return of Butler. They have won 11 of their last 15 games as Butler continues to lead the team in scoring with 21.4 points and steals with 1.9 per game. His usage should be very high in this matchup.

Boom: Nikola Jokic: $12,200 DraftKings/$11,900 FanDuel

41.6% DraftKings Boom/35.9% FanDuel Boom

It is impossible to ignore Nikola Jokic at the top. There are enough fringe value plays that provide the salary to get up to Jokic. Awesemo projects Jokic to score nearly 10 more fantasy points than the next closest player on both sites tonight and that is with this slate being loaded with studs. He has had a triple-double in each of the last four games averaging 29.3 points, 13.0 rebounds, 12.3 assists, and 2.0 steals per game. During that time he has averaged a ridiculous 73.0 DraftKings points per game with his highest output being 93.0 DraftKings points against the Clippers two games ago.

This matchup for Jokic is really juicy. The Pistons rank dead last in rebounding percentage which is perfect for Jokic who is averaging a career-high 13.9 rebounds per game. They also have allowed 48.1 points per game in the paint which ranks 23rd in the league. The Nuggets are 11-point home favorites in a spot where Jokic can literally do whatever he wants on the floor. Even if Jokic doesn’t play 40 minutes like he has the past two games, he will fill up the stat sheet with ease.

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Bust: LeBron James: $11,200 DraftKings/$10,600 FanDuel

44.0% DraftKings Bust/41.7% FanDuel Bust

LeBron James has had to do all of the heavy lifting for the Los Angeles Lakers for the last 16 games without Anthony Davis in the lineup. During that time he has played at an elite level averaging 32.4 points, 9.2 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 1.3 blocks, and 1.4 steals per game. He has also played 36.1 minutes per game over that 16-game span. He seems to be tapering off a bit lately, but that is understandable after a great run. For Laker fans the good news is Davis has been upgraded to questionable tonight. Monitor the starting lineup to make sure he is in before you full-fade James in this spot.

James is a completely different player when Davis is in the lineup. In 15 games playing alongside Davis, James is averaging only 24.0 points 6.0 rebounds, and 6.7 assists. His usage rate dips from 33.6 percent to 28.7 percent. This matchup against the Heat is also quite difficult, especially now that Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo are back in the mix. The Heat rank seventh in defensive rating and 28th in pace. It is always risky fading LeBron James, but this is the time to do it when the studs are plentiful and there is a great chance the Lakers get one of their best and highest usage players back in the lineup.

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