NBA

3 Daily Fantasy Basketball Players to Avoid on 1/12/17

Jordan Sharp  —  @TehSharp Jan 12th, 2017
Kristaps Porzingis has been in a rough slump. It might not get any better tonight against Taj Gibson.

In daily fantasy basketball, finding players you want to roster is a lot easier than finding players to avoid.

You can find a ton of great information and research on guys you might want to include in your DFS NBA lineups, but what about guys you may want to lessen your exposure to, or even fade altogether?

Avoiding players whose matchups or situations aren't as great as they seem can often be just as important as finding the best targets. After all, it only takes one player to sink a lineup. Searching for the landmines could mean the difference from winning or losing your contests.\

Kristaps Porzingis, PF, New York Knicks

FanDuel Price: $7,900

Kristaps Porzingis has been in a slump since coming back from his sore achilles. He had a nice game in his return against the Milwaukee Bucks, which has been followed by three consecutive duds.

Now, he has a game against the Chicago Bulls and Taj Gibson. While Gibson's ability to defend Porzingis out on the perimeter is probably not going to slow him down, he's still posted strong numbers this season on the defensive end.

Gibson is holding players he defends to just 44.8% shooting from the field, including 48.8% within 10 feet of the basket. With Porzingis posting only 32.4% shooting over his last three games, it's doubtful he turns it around tonight against Gibson.

Tobias Harris, PF, Detroit Pistons

FanDuel Price: $6,000

Tobias Harris is going to be a fine tournament and cash game option while Jon Leuer is out, but Thursday may a different story as he runs up against Draymond Green.

Green is one of the league's best defenders and Harris is about to experience why -- he's holding his opposition to just 41.6% shooting overall, along with 48.0% from within 10 feet.

Harris has posted five straight games of at least 30 FanDuel points, but against the Golden State Warriors and Green, it might be a night to avoid him in cash games. He has been great recently and does have some nice games against Green in the past, but it's a bit of a risk with the Dubs as 13-point favorites.

Luol Deng, SF, Los Angeles Lakers

FanDuel Price: $4,500

Luol Deng is the next victim in line for Kawhi Leonard's suffocating defense. Deng has played at least 30 minutes in his last three games, but that might end tonight with Deng have to defend Leonard, as well.

The small forward's defense used to be elite, but age and heavy mileage has reduced his ability on that end. However, Leonard is limiting opposing players to 44.0% shooting and getting even more stingy beyond the three-point line (34.9%).

Deng has also never had much success against Leonard. In six career head-to-head matchups, Deng is shooting only 40.0% from the floor and 33.3% from deep. Tonight is not the night to save money with Los Angeles Lakers players.