Top NBA Plays 1/27 | Finding the New Normal

January 27, 2020

It was a rough weekend for the NBA and Earth in general. I'm sure we all felt the cycle of disbelief, shock, and then sadness when processing the news that Kobe Bryant and eight others including his daughter Gianna lost their lives in a plane crash Sunday. To be honest, it still doesn't seem real.

The NBA isn't going to feel right for awhile and DFS is probably going to be a mess as players sort through the loss of such a global icon of the game and in many cases a personal mentor. Kobe would likely be one of the first to reiterate that 'the show must go on' though and that's what we'll try to do with this 6-gamer for Monday.

Tonight's DFS Headlines

Cavs @ Pistons

Cleveland has dropped 7 in a row, some of them pretty bad including a 20 point loss to the Knicks last Monday and defeats to the Wizards and Bulls while both were on 0 days rest. Does that put Detroit in 💣Blowout Game 💣potential as -7 favorites here?

Magic @ Heat

Points appear to be at a premium when Orlando's #7 defense travels to Miami where the Heat are 20-2 at home. The betting total is the lowest of the night at 212, although Orlando is on a back-to-back.

Spurs @ Bulls

San Antonio will be on a back-to-back here after a 4-point home loss to the Raptors yesterday. LaMarcus Aldridge (out) and DeMar DeRozan ($8.2k) both logged 34+ for the Spurs in that game. Zach LaVine ($9.8k) is inching near $10k after a 44 real point night against the Cavs Saturday.

Kings @ Timberwolves

The Timberwolves have lost 9 in a row and have been lit up by Russell Westbrook (69fp) and Chris Paul (49fp) from the PG spot the last two. The Kings defense has also given up 123+ in 3 of the last 5 so this total should push well towards the 223.

Mavericks @ Thunder

Dallas acquired Willie Cauley-Stein from Golden State over the weekend which should allow Kristaps Porzingis ($7.6k) to go back to playing a majority of his minutes at the 4. OKC allowed a 50+ fp night to Shabazz Napier on Saturday, although the Thunder were on 0 days rest.

Rockets @ Jazz

Houston is on a back-to-back after a tough loss in Denver on Sunday. The Rockets are going to be without James Harden (thigh) but also Russell Westbrook (rest) tonight. Oddsmakers have the Jazz favored by a dozen points as a result.

It's going to be a very different looking Houston squad tonight.

Guards

Derrick Rose DK $7.8k | FD $7.8k

The only concern for Derrick Rose tonight is if Detroit blows out Cleveland and thus Reggie Jackson ($4.3k) gets all his minutes. Otherwise, Rose has scored 6X this price in 3 of the last 5 games and is up against the Cavs' #30 dVp against the PG. Rose has 20+ real points in 12 straight games and has tonight's tilt as well as a matchup with Brooklyn on Wednesday before all-star reserves are announced. Rose wants that homecoming in Chicago for the ASG.

Tyler Herro DK $5k | FD $4.3k

Tyler Herro's matchup with the Orlando defense isn't as bad tonight considering the Magic are on the back end of consecutive games. There should be a usage increase for Herro as well with Jimmy Butler (ankle), Goran Dragic (calf), and Kendrick Nunn (Achilles) missing all or some of Friday's game with the Clippers. Herro logged 40+ minutes and took 19 shots vs. L.A. as a result, two days after going for 25 points vs. the Wizards.

The Heat are playing that Backstreet Boys song, "Everybody, ice your body"

Jordan Clarkson DK $4.6k | FD $4.3k

Great chance for an upside game for Jordan Clarkson as Utah takes on a Rockets team missing Harden and Westbrook while also being on the back-to-back. There should be plenty of minutes available as the Jazz are a -12 favorite and the Rockets are still going to run Mike D'Antoni's up tempo pace. Clarkson is just 8 for his last 31 over three games, but he did score 20+ real points in 3 of 5 prior, which would be knocking on the door of 7X tonight.

Clarkson doesn't need much for value tonight and there should be ample opportunities vs. a fatigued and shorthanded Rockets team.

Forwards

Eric Gordon DK $6.9k | FD $4.4k

DK really values Eric Gordon playing without James Harden and Russell Westbrook. To say that there's more value on FD is like saying Billie Eilish had an OK night at the Grammy's. Either way, Gordon does get an almost 30fp boost without Houston's top two scorers. Gordon has also been shooting the ball well lately with 25, 27, and 19 real points the last three. He did log 36 minutes yesterday though. Austin Rivers ($3.6k) could be a nice pivot play here, even though Rivers also had 30+ yesterday.

There's a lot of production to be picked up with Harden and Westbrook out of the lineup.

Larry Nance, Jr. DK $5.4k | FD $5.1k

Another bad loss for Cleveland and another productive DFS night on tap for Larry Nance, Jr.? The Cavs have dropped 7 in a row and are +7 point underdogs at Detroit tonight. One of the bright spots over this run for the Cavs has been Nance, Jr. who has double digit rebounds in three straight while also scoring 12+ in 4 of 5 games since returning from a knee injury.

Center

Isaiah Hartenstein DK $3.0k | FD $3.7k

Isaiah Hartenstein has a tough matchup, but has been amazing this season filling in for Clint Capela, who is doubtful for tonight's game. At a rock bottom price, without Westbrook on the court, it's going to be hard to pass up on this free square regardless of whether he starts tonight. They're still going to put up points, and he's going to be a lock for 20+ minutes of action tonight.

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You can follow me, Carl Taylor (@dailydogsports), on Twitter for more daily fantasy and sports betting talk and make sure to check out the LineStar chat.

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