There's no LeBron James tonight, as he sits out with a groin injury and James Harden is a GTD with a calf issue. Chris Paul is already out for a month with a hamstring injury, so tonight's 5-game DFS slate is down a bit on star power. That's OK though, as Giannis Antetokounmpo ($11,100), Joel Embiid ($10,100), and basically the entire Warriors team provides some rostering options.

On this date in NBA history in 1991, Tim Hardaway (Sr.) kept plugging away, setting the NBA record for most field goal attempts in a game...without making one, going 0-17. Tim Hardaway, Jr ($6,400) is in action tonight and has been struggling with his shot a bit. Does he pay homage to 'the old man' tonight?

Tonight's Headline Games

Lance Stephenson ($4,200) is an option tonight without James tonight and the Los Angeles Lakers are +4 underdogs coming off a Christmas day blowout at Golden State. LA is at the Sacramento Kings, who are favored despite being in part 2 of a B2B.

The New York Knicks have dropped five straight and are gigantic +14.5 underdogs at the Milwaukee Bucks. This is a rematch of Christmas Day in which the Bucks won by 14. Antetokounmpo had 30 points / 14 rebounds and played 35 minutes despite the blowout.

The Houston Rockets have improved their home record up to 11-5 and have the game of the night hosting the Boston Celtics. The Rockets opened as 2 point favorites but the question marks around Harden have shifted it to Boston being -1.5 road favorites. We all know Harden is probably going to play regular minutes, so take that with a grain of salt.

The Philadelphia 76ers are +5.5 underdogs at the Utah Jazz and the Golden State Warriors (-9) host the Portland Trail Blazers in another game with great potential. Even though there are only five contests tonight, they are all intriguing in some way - especially for DFS purposes. It's shaping into a "nice little Thursday," a night when the NBA sometimes only gives us 2 or 3 games.

Guards

Malcolm Brogdon (DK: $5,300, FD: $5,700 Y! $19)

Rostering Malcolm Brogdon tonight is all about comparative value. He is the 2nd lowest priced SG behind Marcus Smart and Brogdon has a great shot at another 36 point night as he did vs. the Knicks on Christmas. Brogdon has played three games since December 19th, getting double-digit FG attempts in each contest despite not playing more than 27 minutes. The Knicks are 30th vs. the SG and if New York can keep this game closer, Brogdon should approach a 40 point fantasy night.

Marcus Smart (DK: $4,400 FD: $4,900 Y! $20)

Marcus Smart definitely has upside here at the price. The game between the Celtics and Rockets should stay pretty close, which means the eighth 28+ minute game in the last 9 for Smart. His production could be better (just three double digit scoring games over that span) but hopefully he elevates on national television vs. the Rockets. When Boston played Houston last March, Smart had a solid 11 point, 6 rebound, 5 assist night.

Eric Gordon (DK: $5,800 FD: $6,300 Y! $14)

James Harden being listed as a GTD puts Eric Gordon in a tough spot tonight. On one hand, you want Harden to play so that defenses focus on him and let Gordon get off uncontested shots. Then again, if Harden doesn't play, 30 shots open up for the Rockets offense. Either way Gordon should be a solid play for the money, especially considering he's put up 17,20, and 18 shots the last three games. The Celtics are top 10 vs. the SG, but Gordon did drop 29 on them when they last met up in March.

Forwards

Kyle Kuzma (DK: $7,400, FD; $6,700 Y! $32 )

Everybody on the Lakers has increased value with James out tonight but you have to think Kyle Kuzma is in line for a huge night. Kuzma's usage increases 10% and his fantasy points go up 18.01 with LeBron out of the lineup. Kuzma might have been a play even with James in the lineup as the Lakers take on a Kings team on a B2B. From 12/7 to 12/16 when Brandon Ingram was out of the Lakers lineup, Kuzma had five 40+ fantasy point nights. Expect big things out of the Lakers PF again tonight.

Joe Ingles (DK: $5,700, FD: $6,300 Y! $20 )

Somebody is going to have a big night for Utah, as they are inexplicable -5.5 favorites vs. the Sixers. That line screams trap. What better option for a productive DFS night (for the value) than Joe Ingles. One thing to like is that Ingles is getting minutes, 32+ in three of the last four games. Not only is Ingles on the floor, he's producing; scoring double figures in each of those games. Ingles scores fantasy points in other ways too, notching 5+ assists in three straight and 4+ rebounds in each of those games.

Noah Vonleh (DK: $5,600 FD: $6,100 Y! $19)

Even if the Knicks do get blown out vs. the Bucks, it still should mean plenty of court time for Noah Vonleh. If that's the case, expect him to have another solid night as he's gone for 29+ fantasy points in 5 of 6. Vonleh had 14 points and 14 boards vs. Milwaukee in the Christmas Day matchup and he's been a rebounding machine lately with 10+ in 5 of 6. Milwaukee is the #1 rebounding team in the league but they do give up 7.1 to PF starters. Vonleh should have another big board meeting tonight.

Centers

Meyers Leonard (DK: $3,200 FD: $3,800 Y! $10)

Could we see a Meyers Leonard breakout game tonight? Do I have the holiday week off and have been drinking already? The answer to both of those questions is, "maybe." If Leonard is ever going to provide ROI, it's tonight vs. Golden State. The Trail Blazers were blown out on Christmas yet Leonard still only saw 19 minutes of court time. That's disappointing, but overall, his minutes have improved with three nights of 20+ in the last 6. Leonard has double figures in scoring in 2 of the last 4. Golden State gives up 18 fppg to PF / C reserves. Starter Jusuf Nurkic has 5 PF or more in 3 of 5 and if he can get in foul trouble vs. the Warriors, it should open up a big night for Leonard.

Willie Cauley-Stein ( DK: $6,600, FD: $7,500 Y! $20)

He's going to scare away a lot of DFS owners tonight after a dismal 11 point, 5 rebound performance last night. That was against the Clippers playing the "in LA" angle for Willie Cauley-Stein. Maybe it's actually tonight at home in the "Vs. LA" spot that we could see W.C-S. step up for another 50+ point fantasy night as he did with 22 points, 17 rebounds against New Orleans on 12/23. Cauley-Stein played just 23 minutes last night, so he should be fresh on a B2B. Plus the Lakers a) don't have LeBron b) are in game one of a B2B and c) have injuries up front to Javale McGee and Tyson Chandler. Things are lining up for Willie for those who stay faithful.

There are only five games tonight but there's decent exposure to be had across the board. There are 10 games on tap for tomorrow as the NBA week and nearly the calendar year winds down. You've still got 4 days to make good on those postponed resolutions for 2018, so get to it!

Freeroll

Congratulations to the winners of yesterday’s freeroll contest!

1st Place: JONESWILLIEKO, 326

2nd Place: fitzpat85, 317.5

3rd Place: petemigs, 315.5  

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