NBA

3 NBA DraftKings Studs to Target on 2/3/20

Brett Oswalt  —  @bRo14thekid Feb 3rd, 2020
Jayson Tatum should continue to soak up chances in the absence of Kemba Walker. Which other players can you lock in for Monday night?

While building a daily fantasy basketball lineup, it's important to make sure you find the right studs to anchor your team. As the most expensive players in your lineup, they need big-time production to match their high price tag.

You may find it hard to fit some of these guys in while staying under the salary cap, but you can check out our projections to find value players for your rosters. Let's take a look at the top high-priced DraftKings plays of the day.

Karl-Anthony Towns, C, Minnesota Timberwolves

DraftKings Price: $10,600

After struggling to reach his ceiling because of minute limits and low rebound totals, Karl-Anthony Towns has quietly dominated (at least in fantasy) over the last six games. In that time he's averaged 52.7 DraftKings points in 34.2 minutes, all the while notching two double-doubles and knocking down 52.7% of his field goals.

According to NBA.com, his usage rate is up from 28.5% for the year to 31.9% over this span. He's making a concerted effort to lead the team even if it's in losing efforts. However, we could see Minnesota get a win on the road as the Sacramento Kings are only two-point home favorites, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.

The T'Wolves' 113 implied total is enough to be intrigued, but Towns has also been better on the road this year. En route to 54.0 DK points per game, he's shooting 54.5% from the floor and 44.3% from three compared to marks of 47.8% and 37.1%, respectively, at home. We project him to shoot over 50% and finish with 50.6 DK points in this one.

Devin Booker, PG/SG, Phoenix Suns

DraftKings Price: $8,600

Like Towns, his friend and former Kentucky teammate Devin Booker is a player that won't be representing the Western Conference in the All-Star game. He was one of a few notable snubs, and he might just be the most worthy among them. The 23-year-old star is eighth in the NBA with 27.1 points per game on a ridiculous 51.0% shooting. He has the motivation, and the opportunity might be there, as well.

Point guard Ricky Rubio can be considered questionable after sitting out Sunday's game due to an ankle issue. If he is, in fact, out that would send more ball-handling duties Booker's way as the Phoenix Suns meet up with the Brooklyn Nets. And so far, that's been great news for Booker's fantasy game. Per NBA Wowy, he's averaging 1.16 DK points per minute on a 27.9% usage rate with Rubio on the floor, though he has increased those to 1.34 and 34.0% when he's been off.

Following a 48.25-DK-point outburst on Sunday, Booker is projected for 41.9 across 35.9 minutes in Monday's tilt.

Jayson Tatum, SF/PF, Boston Celtics

DraftKings Price: $7,500

Kemba Walker is another point guard that will miss out on Monday's game because of injury. His sore left knee will keep him sidelined for at least a second straight contest, elevating the potential for all of his teammates. And while Marcus Smart stands to benefit from the start it's Jayson Tatum who has and will take the lead role for the Boston Celtics.

Last time out against Philadelphia 76ers, Tatum turned 19 shots into 25 points and 40.25 DK points. A minor minutes limit and a 21-point win kept him to 29 points, though, so we can expect that to be his baseline on the road in Atlanta Hawks. After all, the C's are 5.5-point favorites against a defense ranked 28th in the league in defensive rating and 4th in pace (Boston's 17th).

That bump, along with the one that is more time on the floor, allows us to consider Tatum a stud at this lower price. And with him averaging 39.1 DK points -- better than five-times value here -- you could confidently roll him out in both cash and tournament formats. Our models conservatively project him for 38.7 fantasy points.

Brett Oswalt is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Brett Oswalt also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username BrettOswalt__14. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his/her personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in his articles are the author’s alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.