Top NBA DFS Plays & Prop Bets 1/25 | Big Decisions to Make on Tonight's 10-Game Slate!

A big NBA Wednesday comes around with a 10-game slate on the board. We’ll have no shortage of ways to attack this one so let’s hone in on some top DFS and player prop targets!

Written By: Ryan Humphries on Twitter & LineStar chat @Ryan_Humphries

Straight Locks🔒 | NBA Props w/ Shannon & Tyler!

DFS Main Slate Rundown 📰

Happy Hump Day! I hope everyone has their thinking caps handy today because we’ll need ‘em on this huge mid-week slate. Ten games land on the docket tonight so let’s jump right into the thick of it. As always, best of luck!

Today’s Key Injuries:

Pacers: T. Haliburton - OUT, A. Nembhard - Questionable, A. Nesmith - Questionable

Magic: C. Okeke - OUT, K. Harris - Questionable

Nets: K. Durant - OUT, D. Sharpe - Questionable

76ers: J. Embiid - Questionable, F. Korkmaz - OUT

Hawks: D. Hunter - Questionable, O. Okongwu - Questionable

Thunder: A. Pokusevski - OUT, J. Robinson-Earl - OUT

Timberwolves: K. Towns - OUT, R. Gobert - Questionable, T. Prince - OUT

Pelicans: Z. Williamson - OUT, B. Ingram - Probable (first game since 11/25), N. Marshall - Probable, D. Daniels - OUT

Nuggets: N. Jokic - Questionable, M. Porter Jr. - Questionable, B. Hyland - Questionable

Bucks: B. Portis - OUT, M. Beauchamp - Questionable

Wizards: K. Porzingis - OUT, M. Morris - Questionable

Rockets: K. Porter Jr. - OUT, J. Smith Jr. - Questionable

Grizzlies: S. Adams - OUT, J. Konchar - OUT

Warriors: J. Wiseman - Probable, A. Iguodala - OUT

Raptors: OG Anunoby - Questionable

Kings: C. Metu - Questionable

Jazz: K. Olynyk - OUT

Trailblazers: J. Winslow - OUT

Spurs: D. Vassell - OUT, R. Langford - OUT

Lakers: L. James - Questionable, A. Davis - Questionable (on track to play, would be his first game since 12/16), L. Walker IV - Questionable, A. Reaves - OUT

Main Slate Match-Ups w/ Game Totals & Point Spreads

Top DraftKings & FanDuel DFS Plays

Note: NBA position designations are never going to perfectly align between the major DFS sites. For the purposes of these newsletters, positional designations will default to DraftKings.

💫 = Favorite Play

Point Guards/Shooting Guards to Consider 🏀

PG Ja Morant, MEM | DK: $9.7k, FD: $9.9k | @ GSW | GPP Preferred

It’s been a while since we’ve seen a truly explosive game out of Ja Morant, but if you want to try to be ahead of the curve for his next big game, tonight would be a strong spot to target him. The Warriors continue to play at the fastest pace in the NBA, they’ve ranked 26th versus PGs over their last 20 games, and Morant went off for 36/7/8 (56.75 DKFP) against the Warriors on Christmas Day. The Grizzlies also step onto the Warriors' home court as +3.5 point underdogs. It hasn’t been often, but when Memphis has been an underdog this season, Morant has responded with 58.75 FPPG. He’s been a $10k+ player for much of this season but Morant falls under the five-figure threshold tonight and sets up as a strong tournament play.

💫PG/SG Josh Giddey, OKC | DK: $7.8k, FD: $7.9k | vs. ATL | Cash & GPP

Giddey brings 20+ point triple-double potential to DFS lineups at a sub-$8k salary. That alone makes him an enticing option on a nightly basis. Add in the fact that both teams in this game rank top 10 in pace and we can expect a ton of possessions, shots, and peripheral stats to go around here. Giddey has upped his production to 1.38 FPPM over his last five games and has averaged +14% more FPPG when well-rested (OKC has not played since Sunday). We can typically expect Giddey to provide a strong floor and, lately, he has been showing off some 50+ FP upside.

💫PG TJ McConnell, IND | DK: $6k, FD: $6.7k | @ ORL | Cash & GPP

No one will be shocked to see McConnell pop up with another player spotlight today. He is taking full advantage of the increased minutes that he is receiving in place of the injured Tyrese Haliburton. And, while it may not impact McConnell’s DFS upside too much, Andrew Nembhard and Aaron Nesmith are both questionable to play tonight. McConnell has started the last two games, played 39 and 41 minutes, and responded with 55.5 and 45.75 DKFP, respectively. He put up 47.75 DKFP in 32 minutes against Orlando earlier this season when he was still playing off of the bench. Even after playing massive minutes last night, McConnell represents too much value to pass up at these $6k salaries.

Other Guards to Consider:

PG Kyrie Irving, BKN | DK: $10.1k, FD: $10k | @ PHI | Cash & GPP

💫PG James Harden, PHI | DK: $9.9k, FD: $10.5k | vs. BKN | Cash & GPP (Boost if Embiid is out)

PG Fred VanVleet, TOR | DKL $8.1k, FD: $9k | @ SAC | GPP Preferred

💫PG Jamal Murray, DEN | DK: $7.4k, FD: $8.3k | @ MIL | DK Preferred

SG Desmond Bane, MEM | DK: $7.3k, FD: $7.7k | @ GSW | Cash & GPP

PG Delon Wright, WAS | DK: $4.1k, FD: $5.2k | @ HOU | DK Preferred

💫SG Corey Kispert, WAS | DK: $3.1k, FD: $4.2k | @ HOU | DK Preferred

Small Forwards/Power Forwards to Consider 🏀

💫SF/PF Scottie Barnes, TOR | DK: $7.6k, FD: $8.4k | @ SAC | Cash & GPP

Despite the large slate, the forward options seem very lackluster tonight. However, one guy that sticks out is Raptors utility man Scottie Barnes. He’s been an excellent DFS asset lately, scoring at least 43.35 DKFP in six of his last seven games. In his last five games, he’s putting up 19.6 PPG and has stuffed the stat sheet with 7.6 RPG, 5.0 APG, and 3.0 STL+BLK/Gm. He draws a great match-up against the Kings (7th in pace, 23rd in defensive efficiency) whom he dropped 53.75 DKFP on earlier this season. Barnes has averaged a whopping +39% more FPPG (49.79 FPPG) when well-rested so we can look for him to provide a great floor with plenty of upside at his current DFS salaries, though he’s a better bargain over on DraftKings.

PF Keegan Murray, SAC | DK: $5k, FD: $5.5k | vs. TOR | GPP Preferred

The Kings are giving their first-round rookie selection a ton of run as of late. Keegan Murray has averaged over 37 Min/Gm across his last four starts and he has posted a couple of big performances in that stretch -- 35.25 DKFP against the Grizzlies on Monday and 51.0 DKFP against the Thunder last Friday. The Kings are also playing in Sacramento tonight where Murray has shot lights out from beyond the arc, hitting 47.6% of his threes at home. It’s not a stellar match-up against Toronto, who plays at a slow pace and possesses decent defensive metrics, but there is ample 6x (or better) upside for Murray at these $5k/$5.5k price tags.

💫SF/PF Deni Avdija, WAS | DK: $4k, FD: $5k | @ HOU | Cash & GPP

Avdija sets up as one of the easiest plays on the slate. Now that Rui Hachimura has been shipped off to Laker Land and Kristaps Porzingis is slated to miss his second straight game, Avdija should have no problem earning big minutes tonight. Whether it’s in the starting lineup or coming off of the bench, as he did last night, we can comfortably project Avdija for around 30-32 minutes in tonight’s enticing match-up with the Rockets who rank 28th in defensive efficiency. Despite putting up a 15-point, 10-rebound double-double with three assists and three steals against the Mavs last night, Avdija’s DFS salaries did not budge on either site. Everyone is going to be on him tonight but, with so many question marks at forward on this slate, he’ll be a tough value play to pass up.

Other Forwards to Consider:

PF/C Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL | DK: $11.5k, FD: $11.4k | vs. DEN | GPP Preferred

💫SF/PF Lauri Markkanen, UTA | DK: $9.1k, FD: $8.8k | @ POR | Cash & GPP

PF/C Jaren Jackson Jr., MEM | DK: $7.1k, FD: $7.9k | @ GSW | GPP Preferred

💫PF/C Draymond Green, GSW | DK: $6.3k, FD: $6.8k | vs. MEM | Cash & GPP

SF/PF Harrison Barnes, SAC | DK: $5.7k, FD: $6.3k | vs. TOR | GPP Preferred

PF Tari Eason, HOU | DK: $4.4k, FD: $4.7k | vs. WAS | Cash & GPP (If he’s starting)

Centers to Consider 🏀

💫C Nikola Jokic, DEN | DK: $11.6k, FD: $11.6k | @ MIL | Cash & GPP (Note: Jokic is currently questionable)

We’ll need to monitor the injury news for Jokic (hamstring), who is currently listed as questionable on the back end of a road B2B. The fact that the Nuggets are currently +8 point underdogs doesn’t seem to bode well for his availability. But if he plays, he’s an obvious spend-up target. Jokic has almost effortlessly put up triple-doubles in his last four games and he was one assist away against the Suns on Jan. 11th from having that streak extend back to seven games. The Bucks have been a great match-up for opposing centers. They have ranked 27th against the position over their last 20 games. So if Jokic can give it a go tonight, we should expect another 60+ FP outing.

💫C Xavier Tillman, MEM | DK: $3.2k, FD: $4.6k | @ GSW | DK Preferred (If he’s starting)

Tillman will be an easy target over on DraftKings if he gets another start in place of the injured Steven Adams. It ended up being a blowout loss to the Kings, but Tillman started in place of Adams on Monday and went on to play 30 minutes and post a 25.5 DKFP score. Tillman has averaged 0.96 FPPM this season so, at $3,200 (DK), he would coast to value if given starter’s minutes. But this is a 10:00 ET tip-off, so be sure to have a late-swap contingency plan in place if Tillman lands back on the bench.

Other Centers to Consider:

C Alperen Sengun, HOU | DK: $8.7k, FD: $8.4k | vs. WAS | GPP Preferred

C Nicolas Claxton, BKN | DK: $7.6k, FD: $8.1k | @ PHI | GPP Preferred

💫C Clint Capela, ATL | DK: $5.7k, FD: $6.5k | @ OKC | DK Preferred

NBA Player Props 📊

Player Prop or Bet | Odds | Unit Bet Size

Jalen Williams OVER 1.5 Steals + Blocks | -121 (Caesars) | 2.0 Units

Pascal Siakam OVER 0.5 Blocked Shots | -120 (BetMGM) | 2.0 Units

PrizePicks Power Play ⚡

Here is a two-pick “Power Play” I’m liking for today's NBA action over on PrizePicks! Nothing is ever a guarantee to hit but I put my own money on these bets so I don't just lightly throw these out there without believing they'll cash! If it hits, it will return 3x the wager.

Jalen Williams MORE than 1.5 BLKS + STLS

Pascal Siakam MORE than 0.5 Blocked Shots

🆕 Props Edge+ 🆕

In LineStar’s ongoing mission to improve, innovate, and help you reel in some cash, we are introducing Props Edge+ for NBA – available for LineStar Premium users! This tool can help you find value and mispriced odds on player props from sportsbooks and, more specifically, for PrizePicks and UnderDog Fantasy!

Speaking of props, put the Props Edge+ tool to use by signing up for PrizePicks (Promo code: BETFULLY) or Underdog (Promo code: LINESTAR). You'll receive a 100% match on first deposits up to $100 PLUS a free two-month subscription to LineStar Premium. Many people may not realize that you can legally place prop bets in most states using UnderDog (or PrizePicks) – it’s called Pick'Em, and it’s incredibly easy.

That will wrap us up with today’s “Daily Dribble” edition! Once again, you can find me on Twitter or in LineStar chat @Ryan_Humphries. Good luck everyone!