In the sports world, New Year's Day traditionally belongs to college bowl games but the NBA is trying to steal some of the spotlight with a 5 game docket. We'll take it, as there's no better time than the very 1st day to get the first DFS wins of 2019. Here's hoping your hangover isn't as bad as LeBron's after a night of New Year's Eve wine slamming but there's an old saying, "the cause is the cure."

Tonight's Headline Games

The Toronto Raptors are just -2 point favorites as they host the Utah Jazz. That line seems a bit off considering Toronto is 14-4 at the Air Canada Centre this season.

Joel Embiid ($10,200) is questionable Tuesday with a knee injury as the Philadelphia 76ers travel to take on the LA Clippers (-2.5). Embiid had 41 points and 13 rebounds when these teams met up on November 1st.

What kind of exposure do you put out there with New York Knicks and Denver Nuggets players tonight? The Nuggets are in a blowout spot as -13.5 favorites at home where they are 14-3.

Damian Lillard ($8,700) was in three perfect lineups in December. Can he start January off on the right foot when the Portland Trail Blazers (-1) visit the Sacramento Kings?

Detroit Pistons salaries are down nearly across the board as they are +10 point 'dogs at the Milwaukee Bucks. Does that mean there's increased value on Blake Griffin (-$3,100), Andre Drummond (-$3,200) and Reggie Jackson (-$2,400)?

Guards

Malik Beasley (DK: $4,100, FD: $4,500 Y! $11)

All Malik Beasley needs is minutes and he should have plenty when the Nuggets host the Knicks. The Denver PG has seen 25+ minutes of court time in each of the past five games and he's responded with 25+ fantasy nights in four of them. Beasley was 8/19 from the field with 7 rebounds on 12/26 vs. the Spurs in 30 minutes on 12/26. He should see very similar usage on Tuesday.

Lou Williams (DK: $6,500 FD: $6,400 Y! $22)

Lou Williams is priced nicely considering the O/U in the Sixers / Clippers game is the highest of the night at 233.5. Williams has gone for 40+ fantasy points in three of the last four games and his production increases 17% when well rested. The Clippers haven't played since 12/29. Williams has gone for 24+ points scored in 4 of 6 games since returning from a hamstring injury including a 36 point night on 12/27 vs. the Lakers.

CJ McCollum (DK: $6,600 FD: $6,100 Y! $23)

Damian Lillard is probably going to get his fair share of points vs. the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday but there's nothing to suggest that CJ McCollum can't have a big outing too. McCollum might even have a more successful game than Lillard as the Kings rank 28th vs. the SG over the last five games McCollum went 13/18 from the field last time out on his way to a 45 point fantasy night. His problem isn't getting the shots - it's making them - as he has launched 17 or more fg attempts in 4 of the last 5 games. Tonight's O/U is 231 so points are going to come from somewhere.

Forwards

Kevin Knox (DK: $5,900, FD; $5,800 Y! $20 )

Kevin Knox should see plenty of minutes tonight regardless of if the Knicks get destroyed by the Nuggets like oddsmakers are calling for. Knox has logged 35+ in eight straight games and he's logged five games of 30+ fantasy point nights over that span. Denver has obviously started off the season very strong but they do struggle vs. the SF, ranking 30th in the NBA vs. that position over the past five games. DeMar DeRozan and Luka Doncic have both had 50 point nights vs. the Nuggets in the last five games.

Kyle Korver (DK: $3,300, FD: $3,700 Y! $10 )

Utah is in an upset mode at Toronto tonight as the Raptors favored by just 2 points seems like a trap game. Sure Kyle Lowry is out for Toronto but he's missed 7 of the last 8. A good ceiling play if the Jazz can pull off the W (or at least keep it close) is Kyle Korver. He's priced well and has gone for 20+ fantasy point nights in 4 of the last 6. Then again, if Toronto gets a big win that's good for Korver's playing time, so that's a plus too.

D.J. Wilson (DK: $3,600 FD: $3,700 Y! $12)

D.J. Wilson has quietly put together some solid outings for the Bucks. He went 4 for 8 from the field and grabbed 14 rebounds in 21 minutes on 12/27. That was in a blowout win over the Knicks and Milwaukee is expected to dominate the Pistons tonight as -10 point favorites. Detroit should be resting their big men on the 1st leg of a B2B so we should see extended time and production from Wilson.

Centers

Luke Kornet (DK: $4,600 FD: $3,800 Y! $12)

Luke Kornet has exploded out of nowhere for the Knicks with a 39 point and 32 point fantasy nights the last two. He went from not being able to crack 15 minutes of court time to starting and averaging 32 the last two contests. Knicks coach David Fizdale seemingly likes to let his dog pick the rotation, so that's always a worry. Even so, with a supposed blowout coming vs. the Nuggets, you have to like the chances for extended PT for Kornet on Monday.

Rudy Gobert ( DK: $8,000, FD: $9,300 Y! $34)

There's good value on Rudy Gobert on Tuesday, at least compared to Embiid and some of the other higher priced centers on the slate. Gobert has hauled in 14+ rebounds in three straight games which has powered three consecutive 47+ point fantasy nights. Utah has a great chance at the upset of Toronto as the spread seems off with the Raptors favored by just 2 at home. Gobert should be a main cause of the win as Toronto ranks 28th vs. the C over the last 5 nights and just allowed a 74 point fantasy night to Nikola Vucevic on 12/28.

Mason Plumlee (DK: $5,000 FD: $6,000 Y! $14)

A lot of people are worried about Mason Plumlee's minutes after Paul Millsap returned for the Nuggets last game. It's true that Plumlee's usage fell about 10 minutes but he still had an OK night, going 3/5 from the field with 8 rebounds. The reason Plumlee is still a viable play Tuesday is because a) the Nuggets are huge favorites over the Knicks and b) it could (should) be a rest game for Millsap who missed the 8 previous games with a toe injury. When he sees the time,Plumlee is good for a consistent 24-26 fantasy points and he'll have something to prove with his opportunities tonight.

Here's to a great start to the 2019 DFS season. Things return to a little bit of normalcy tomorrow with a 9 game docket, so we'll see you then.

Freeroll

Congratulations to the winners of yesterday's freeroll contest:

1st Place: laser1064, 345 pts

2nd Place: teamderivia, 328.75 pts

3rd Place: drugsupplies, 324.25 pts

DM us on Twitter with your winning lineup to claim your prize.