Having New Year's Day fall on a Tuesday might seem like a rough one but it's actually not that bad. Yes, we all have to get back to the grind today but another weekend is right in sight. The NBA slate yesterday just felt awkward and most of us were nachos deep in college football anyway. Today, it's back to business however, with a deep 9-game docket. Buckle up with the 1 or 2 resolutions you haven't broken yet and let's get to work.

Tonight's Headline Games

The Philadelphia 76ers (-5.5) are in a tough spot in a back-to-back against a Phoenix Suns team that has lost 3 in a row. Joel Embiid ($10,600) logged 35 minutes in a 119-113 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday and will have his availability limited tonight.

Russ Westbrook ($11,700) takes his game to Hollywood as the Oklahoma City Thunder visit the LeBron James-less Los Angeles Lakers (+5.5).

The Washington Wizards (-5.5) are just 3-7 in their last 10 and will be without John Wall for the 3rd straight game when they host the Atlanta Hawks. Atlanta has actually won 5 of their last 7.

Justice Winslow ($6,900) was sneakily in 3 perfect lineups in December. He'll be heavily played on Wednesday as the Miami Heat (-6) go on the road to play the Cleveland Cavaliers who have lost 6 in a row. Winslow had 24 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists when the two teams met up 4 days ago.

The Orlando Magic have lost 4 of 5 at the United Center, where they'll be tonight as the Chicago Bulls are -1.5 favorites. The Brooklyn Nets have also gained some legitimacy in oddsmakers eyes as they are a PK over the New Orleans Pelicans. Finally, the Dallas Mavericks who haven't won a road game since 11/28 are at the Charlotte Hornets as just 2.5 point underdogs.

Guards

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (DK: $3,900, FD: $3,800 Y! $12)

We have to figure out what got into Kentavious Caldwell-Pope the last game that allowed him to get up 21 shot attempts including going 5-13 from three point range. Is KCP finding his place in this offense without LeBron James or was that outing against Sacramento an enigma? Either way, Caldwell-Pope gets solid minutes off the bench for LA and has all the potential for another great game vs. OKC with an O/U of 229.5.

Jrue Holiday (DK: $8,300 FD: $8,600 Y! $41)

Jrue Holiday isn't cheap tonight but his production lately has been up there with that of a top notch center. For example, he's scored 42+ fantasy points in seven consecutive games. He's scored at least 20 points in 7 of the last 9 and has 8+ rebounds in 6 of those games. The Pelicans are a horrible 4-15 on the road this season but should be in for a tight competition at Brooklyn with the game listed as a PK by oddsmakers.

TJ McConnell (DK: $3,600 FD: $4,300 Y! $10)

There are two things to look at with the 28 minutes that TJ McConnell played last night for the 76ers. On one hand, it's a little bit high of usage for a player heading into leg two of a back-to-back on Wednesday vs. the Suns. Then again, it shows that McConnell is an integral part of the rotation that should see plenty of court time, especially with starter JJ Redick playing 34 minutes at the Clippers yesterday. McConnell has scored in double figures in three straight games. He's also priced well, especially as the Sixers wrap up a 4-game road swing vs. a Suns team that has dropped 3 straight.

Forwards

Cedi Osman (DK: $4,500, FD; $5,100 Y! $13 )

You have to think the Miami Heat are on a bit of an upset watch as they play their first game outside the state of Florida since 12/16. As Joakim Noah once said, "nobody vacations in Cleveland" so the Cavs could actually break their 6 game losing streak. Cleveland has played 6 of their last 7 away so they'll be anxious to get a home game on Wednesday - especially with 3 days rest. Collin Sexton or Alec Burks could have good games in the backcourt but Cedi Osman at the forward position is a very valuable play. Osman was 8/12 with 8 boards the last time out. The Heat are 27th vs. the SF and allow 32.1 fppg to that position, which bodes well for Osman who has scored in double figures in eight straight games.

Kyle Kuzma (DK: $7,500, FD: $7,400 Y! $32 )

Since LeBron James went down with a groin injury, Kyle Kuzma has had three consecutive 39+ point fantasy nights. James is out again vs. the Thunder in what should be a very fast paced game. Kuzma has logged 40 minutes in each game without LeBron and is averaging 25 ppg while grabbing 8+ boards and dishing out 4+ assists in each. That's a variety of production that makes Kuzma a must-play.

Evan Fournier (DK: $5,400 FD: $5,400 Y! $17)

Evan Fournier is worth a roster spot vs. the Chicago Bulls. He's failed to meet projections in three straight games but against the Bulls on 12/21 Fournier had a solid 8/15 night that included 5/10 from 3 point range for 24 points. Overall, Chicago is 11th vs. the SG/SF position but they've been 25th over the last five games. The Bulls will focus on stopping Nikola Vucevic who had 19 and 19 in the last game, which should open things up for Fournier (or Aaron Gordon).

Centers

Thomas Bryant (DK: $4,700 FD: $6,600 Y! $17)

We may be witnessing the breakout of Washington big man Thomas Bryant over the last 5 games or so. He's had four double-figure scoring games over that span which includes a 21/10 night vs. Charlotte and a 31/13 night vs. the Suns. Markieff Morris is out vs. the Hawks tonight joining John Wall and Dwight Howard (Otto Porter is also questionable) which boosts Bryant's performance by another 10.84 fantasy points. Spending only $4,700 for a starting C vs. a Hawks team that is 29th vs. that position the last 5 games is a no-brainer.

Guillermo Hernangomez ( DK: $3,800, FD: $5,400 Y! $10)

Could Guillermo 'Willy' Hernangomez be the next Luke Kornet - a mostly backup center that starts producing once the minutes start coming? Hernangomez gets a chance to prove himself for Charlotte starting today with Cody Zeller out with a broken hand. Hernangomez has been producing in short order lately and that should all increase with more court time. He scored 10 points and grabbed 8 rebounds in just 13 minutes on New Year's Eve vs. Orlando. In 23 minutes of action on 12/23, the Hornets C scored 19 and grabbed 10 boards vs. Boston. The upside here is tremendous - especially for the price.

Deandre Ayton (DK: $7,300 FD: $7,900 Y! $32

Deandre Ayton has three 50+ point fantasy nights in his last six games and he could be in for another strong outing Wednesday if Joel Embiid is limited on a B2B for the Sixers. Ayton's numbers since Devin Booker returned 9 games ago are tremendous and definitely make him a constant play - at least until the price starts climbing:

There are a lot of strong leans on today's docket, so make the most of it - especially with just 3 games on the board for Thursday. Check back tomorrow for more insight and feel free to follow me (@dailydogsports) for more sports betting and DFS info.

Freeroll

The NBA freeroll contests will take place on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday on DraftKings:

1st Place: $10 via PayPal

2nd & 3rd Places: Your choice of one-month LineStar Premium, a t-shirt, or a coffee mug

Bonus: If you place 1st, 2nd or 3rd in the LineStar Freeroll and you are using the LineStar avatar below, you will receive 2x that prize!

Here’s a link for today’s freeroll.

Please Note - While you may enter the LineStar freeroll as often as you’d like, you can only win each prize 1 time.