Top NBA DFS Picks for 1/19/23 – Build Around Joel Embiid?
I already pushed out some NBA DFS fades for today, but it’s high time I nudged you in the right direction when it comes to core plays.
There is absolutely merit in fading some players that might be chalky on a tiny four-game daily fantasy basketball slate, but there are still some options we should gravitate toward.
Without further haste, here are my core plays for all formats at Draft Kings on Thursday night.
Saben Lee, PG, Phoenix Suns ($3.2k)
This is gross, to be sure. However, Lee has a clear path to minutes with the Suns missing some key bodies.
Seriously, look at this list of injuries:
- Chris Paul
- Devin Booker
- Landry Shamet
- Cam Payne
- Josh Okogie
- Jae Crowder
Crowder has been out all year and Cam Johnson returns tonight, but still.
All of that points to Lee, who saw his run increase to a whopping 28 minutes in Phoenix’s last contest. Due to his price and a lack of obvious value on a tiny slate, I see zero reason to get cute and fade him tonight.
Stephen Curry, PG, Golden State Warriors ($10.1k)
There are absolutely some midrange guys worth eyeing. However, I feel compelled to prioritize Chef Curry on a slate where ownership seems to be rather divided.
More specifically – at least for now – Kyrie Irving, Damian Lillard, and James Harden are all drawing ownership in a similar price range.
Curry, meanwhile, projects to be about 3% owned tonight.
A date with the Boston Celtics could be problematic, but Curry can erupt at any given time, and I like playing guys with his upside on slates where nobody is looking their way.
Joel Embiid, C, Philadelphia 76ers ($11k)
Lastly, I’m really into Embiid on this slate. There’s a lot to like, with the only caveat being we can stomach the value enough to pay up for two studs.
Despite this slate offering just four games, I think we can make it happen. Here’s why we might want to consider him.
- He averages almost 58 fantasy points per game
- He owns the best raw points projection (55.21) on the slate
- He has the fourth best smash rate per RotoGrinders.com
- He owns the best ceiling projection (71.43)
- He owns the best floor projection, too
- Oh, and he’s projected for just 18% ownership
I’m not sure where that ownership will be when lineup lock arrives, but if its at 20% or below, you better believe I’m interested in The Process.
I do think there is merit in choosing between just one of Curry or Embiid, but right now I like the path to landing both of them. If they’re both low-owned, I like that pairing even better.
For more NBA DFS picks and lineup advice, be sure to bookmark our site. Thanks for stopping by, and good luck tonight!
Writer at Daily Fantasy Fade
DFS Keanu has been covering fantasy sports, DFS, and props for the better part of a decade, all while fighting The Matrix and a litany of assassins.
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