Daily Fantasy Basketball 2015: DraftKings Rankings, Picks for Jan. 26
Monday's NBA schedule features seven games, and all but two of them have a player worth tabbing for your DraftKings lineup. Before we get into the full lineup, here's a look at the top five most valuable players for Monday's games.
| 1 | Russell Westbrook | $10,300 | Minnesota Timberwolves |
| 2 | Anthony Davis | $11,000 | Philadelphia 76ers |
| 3 | DeAndre Jordan | $7,800 | Denver Nuggets |
| 4 | Jeff Green | $5,000 | Orlando Magic |
| 5 | Avery Bradley | $4,200 | Utah Jazz |
Russell Westbrook, PG, Oklahoma City Thunder, $10,300
While Westbrook nearly posted a triple-double (22 points, 9 rebounds, 11 assists) in the Thunder's 108-98 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday, he didn't shoot the ball especially well.
Westbrook made just seven of 26 shots. He's making only about 43 percent of his shots this season. However, because he's so active, explosive and competitive, Westbrook is almost always a good play. He stuffs the stat sheet as well as any player in the NBA.
It also helps that the Thunder are hosting the woeful Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday. Minny is allowing a league-high 107.5 points per game. In 21 career games against the T'Wolves, Westbrook is averaging 21.9 points, 4.7 rebounds and nine assists.
This is the perfect game for Westbrook to explode.
Anthony Davis, PF, New Orleans Pelicans, $11,000
How highly thought of is Davis amongst those in the NBA community? Here's what Golden State Warriors assistant coach Alvin Gentry said about the Pelicans' 21-year-old star, per Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times:
"I think he's the best player in the game. There is nobody in the league I would trade him for. He's so talented that it's scary. To me, if you were starting your team today, he would be your No. 1 choice in the NBA.
"
How could you argue with Gentry? Davis is averaging 24.2 points, 10.4 rebounds and 2.9 blocks per game. With that type of production, you're safe to pick him any day that he's healthy and in the lineup.
On Monday, Davis should especially be on your radar. Davis and the Pelicans host the Philadelphia 76ers, and that's a great matchup for the Pels' big man.
Per TeamRankings.com, the Sixers' opponents are shooting 50 percent from two-point range, which is ranked 25th in the league. Also, Philly's opponents are grabbing 50 rebounds per game, which is last in the NBA.
This is a matchup begging for Davis to light up the stat sheet.
DeAndre Jordan, C, L.A. Clippers, $7,800
Few centers in the NBA have been as effective as Jordan has been lately. The Clippers are on a four-game win streak, and Jordan has been a key. In the last three games, Jordan is averaging 17 points, 12.6 rebounds and four blocked shots.
That's not all. Over that time, he has made all but one of his 21 shots from the field. That's not a typo.
The free-throw line is, of course, another story. He's just 11-of-23 from there. No one is perfect, but your DK lineup won't be either if you leave Jordan out.
Now that we've seen the most valuable stars for Monday, here's a look at the ideal full lineup, as well as two less-than-obvious choices to bolster your squad.
| PG | Russell Westbrook | Minnesota | $10,300 |
| SG | Avery Bradley | Utah | $4,200 |
| SF | K.J. McDaniels | New Orleans | $4,400 |
| PF | Anthony Davis | Philadelphia | $11,000 |
| C | DeAndre Jordan | Denver | $7,800 |
| G | Dante Exum | Boston | $3,500 |
| F | Jeff Green | Orlando | $5,000 |
| UTIL | Austin Rivers | Denver | $3,400 |
K.J. McDaniels, SF, Philadelphia 76ers, $4,400
It's easy to pick on the Sixers when looking for advantageous matchups, but McDaniels has been a bright spot who might allow you to cash in with a Philly player.
The young and more athletic version of Bruce Bowen has settled in as the Sixers' starting shooting guard. While he can sometimes struggle with his shot, his energy and activity almost always produce a balanced statistical performance.
He's had at least five rebounds in each of his last three games. In that span, he's also made five of 13 three-point shots. For less than $4,500 is a solid investment.
Jeff Green, SF, Memphis Grizzlies, $5,000
Green has moved into the Grizzlies starting lineup, and he showed what he could do in his last game. Facing the 76ers, Green led Memphis in scoring with 18 points.
Even beyond Green's two starts, he has been consistent with Memphis. He's only failed to score double figures in one game. Memphis takes on the Orlando Magic on Monday, and that could mean rookie Devyn Marble draws Green on defense.
Green is bigger, stronger and more experienced. It's a matchup he could find success with, and he could experience his breakout performance with the Grizzlies.
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