NBA DFS Picks & Lineup Advice: Sunday (1/4)

It’s a new year, and with that comes a new NBA DFS slate for us to break down tonight, with plenty of angles to exploit. A couple of matchups project as potential blowouts based on spreads and recent form, but a league-wide wave of injuries continues to reshape rotations and concentrate usage in unexpected places. The Grizzlies in particular are still brutally shorthanded, creating potential value pockets that don’t always show up immediately in pricing. High projected totals, fast-paced environments, and thin rotations are once again the themes to monitor. We’ll focus on the main evening slate available on FanDuel and DraftKings, breaking down key matchups and trends, and data points to help identify upside NBA DFS targets worth building around for tonight’s games on Sunday, January 4.

View the best player prop bets for tonight’s slate with our NBA Prop Bet Cheat Sheet

NBA DraftKings & FanDuel DFS Primer

As of the writing of this article, here is the fantasy-relevant injury report for the 10 teams in the Sunday evening slate:

MATCHUP	INJURIES
NOP @ MIA
New Orleans Pelicans	Trey Murphy III – QUESTIONABLE Derik Queen – QUESTIONABLE Herbert Jones – OUT Saddiq Bey – OUT Dejounte Murray – OUT
Miami Heat	Pelle Larsson – QUESTIONABLE Tyler Herro – QUESTIONABLE Jaime Jaquez Jr. – QUESTIONABLE
MIN @ WAS
Minessota Timberwolves	NONE
Washington Wizards	Kyshawn George – OUT Tristan Vukcevic – QUESTIONABLE Cam Whitmore – OUT
OKC @ PHO
Oklahoma City Thunder	Ousmane Diang – OUT Isaiah Hartenstein – OUT Jaylin Williams – OUT Cason Wallace – QUESTIONABLE Isaiah Joe – QUESTIONABLE
Phoenix Suns	Jalen Green – OUT Grayson Allen – QUESTIONABLE
MIL @ SAC
Milwaukee Bucks	Gary Harris – QUESTIONABLE
Sacramento Kings	Domantas Sabonis – OUT Zach LaVine – QUESTIONABLE
MEM @ LAL
Memphis Grizzlies	Scotty Pippen Jr. – OUT Ty Jerome – OUT Zach Edey – OUT John Konchar – OUT Brandon Clarke – OUT Ja Morant – QUESTIONABLE Santi Aldama – QUESTIONABLE Vince Williams Jr. – OUT
Los Angeles Lakers	Austin Reaves – OUT Rui Hachimura – OUT Gabe Vincent – OUT

NBA DFS Core Plays

Anthony Edwards (PG – MIN)

DraftKings: $9,600
FanDuel: $9,800

Anthony Edwards firmly checks the box as a core DFS play for tonight, with Minnesota drawing an ideal matchup against the Washington Wizards. Edwards has been rolling offensively, shouldering a massive scoring load while continuing to contribute with rebounds, steals, and even blocks. His recent stretch of production has showcased both a high floor and slate-breaking upside, making him one of the safest high-end options available.

Washington has struggled to contain explosive perimeter scorers all season, particularly in transition and on-ball situations — areas where Edwards thrives. The Wizards’ pace and defensive inefficiencies create extra possessions and clean scoring looks, setting the stage for another big fantasy night. Although there is a high blowout potential with a 10.5-point spread in this matchup, Edwards’ minutes and usage should be locked in regardless of game script. Edwards profiles as a premier DFS anchor capable of delivering elite production across all formats.

LeBron James (PF- LAL)

DraftKings: $9,200
FanDuel: $8,700

He was featured in this exact spot last week, but here we are once again talking about LeBron James as a core DFS play on tomorrow’s slate. LeBron has continued to shoulder the load on offense with Austin Reaves sidelined, and we have a pretty good idea of how the Lakers will match up with the Grizzlies since they just played on Friday. In that game, James had the same number of shot attempts as Luka Doncic at 18 while chipping in 31 points, nine rebounds, and six assists.

The ageless wonder could be on triple-double watch again in this game, especially since injuries are just piling up for the Grizzlies. Two more key names, Santi Aldama and Ja Morant, are questionable for the matchup, along with all their other injuries going into the game. The usage and high fantasy floor make him a very solid core pick for DFS lineups tonight.

NBA DFS Cash Game Targets

Giannis Antetokounmpo (PF – MIL)

DraftKings: $11,000
FanDuel: $10,900

Giannis Antetokounmpo is very likely to be featured in most DFS lineups tonight, and for good reason. The price is steep, but it’s backed by Giannis’ recent run of elite production, as he continues to post dominant scoring lines while piling up rebounds, even shooting efficiently from the free-throw line in a couple of recent games. That level of consistency is exactly what cash game builds are constructed around.

The matchup with Sacramento only strengthens his case. The Kings have struggled defensively, particularly against physical frontcourt players, and their recent play leaves them vulnerable in the paint and on the glass. Giannis’ downhill style and ability to draw fouls should put constant pressure on a Sacramento defense that has struggled to slow opposing stars. With his role returning to normal after the injury and his floor among the safest in DFS, Giannis offers the most reliable path to raw fantasy points and remains an easy anchor for cash lineups.

Luka Doncic (PG – LAL)

DraftKings: $12,000
FanDuel: $12,000

Talk about an elite cash game anchor. Luka’s role and production have been forced to expand immensely since the Austin Reaves injury. The Lakers have leaned even more heavily on Luka to initiate nearly every offensive set, and that responsibility has turned him into a triple-double threat every night, giving him one of the safest floors on the entire slate.

Recent outings have reinforced that stability. Doncic has consistently pushed toward triple-double territory by pairing massive scoring volume with double-digit assist upside and strong rebounding from the guard position. Even when game flow turns unfavorable, Luka’s minutes and usage remain locked in to 33+ minutes as the offense simply doesn’t function without him. That combination of elite volume, category coverage, and game-script immunity makes Doncic a dependable cash game cornerstone who can deliver strong returns without needing a ceiling game.

NBA DFS GPP Targets

Pelle Larsson (SF – MIA)

DraftKings: $4,100
FanDuel: $4,100

Pelle Larsson shapes up as a sneaky GPP target for tonight’s DFS slate, but managers will need to monitor the injury report closely. Before his ankle injury, Larsson was in a groove, carving out a meaningful role and consistently logging starter-level minutes as his team leaned on his energy and versatility. During that stretch, he showed the ability to contribute as a scorer, rebounder, and secondary playmaker — a profile that can quickly outperform a modest DFS salary.

Health will be the key variable here, but that uncertainty is exactly what makes Larsson intriguing in tournaments. If he’s cleared to play without limitations, there’s a clear path for him to return to a workload that far exceeds his price point. With his recent form still fresh and his role potentially intact, Larsson offers low-rostered GPP upside and the type of risk-reward profile that can separate tournament lineups if he’s fully healthy.

Keon Ellis (SG – SAC)

DraftKings: $3,400
FanDuel: $4,200

Keon Ellis checks in as an intriguing GPP option, particularly with Sacramento continuing to shuffle its rotation during recent blowout losses. Even while coming off the bench, Ellis has quietly logged starter-level minutes, as the Kings have shown a willingness to keep him on the floor when games get out of hand.

Ellis’ tournament appeal comes from his scoring punch and volatility. He’s been aggressive offensively in those extended run scenarios, knocking down perimeter shots and taking advantage of loosened defenses in non-competitive game scripts. While his role can fluctuate on a night-to-night basis, the combination of increased minutes, scoring upside, and low salary makes Ellis a strong low-rostered GPP swing, especially in a matchup like tonight’s against the Bucks, where Sacramento risks falling behind early again.

NBA DFS Value Plays

Jock Landale (C – MEM)

DraftKings: $5,000
FanDuel: $4,200

An intriguing DFS value option for tonight, Jock Landale could get a bump in minutes as Santi Aldama is the latest Memphis Grizzlies frontcourt player to be added to the injury report. Aldama is listed as questionable, potentially creating a clear path for Landale to see a bump in minutes at the center spot if he is ultimately ruled out or limited. Although the Grizzlies have been starting Christian Koloko at the center position, he’s only played between 20-25 minutes per night, with Aldama taking up more time at the five spot off the bench.

Also, when given extended run, Landale has shown he can be productive without needing heavy usage, contributing as a rebounder, interior scorer, and screen-setter who can pick up easy points around the rim. If Memphis is forced to lean on him more in the middle, even a modest increase in minutes could translate into solid fantasy returns. For DFS builds searching for salary relief with a viable path to minutes-based production, Landale offers a low-cost option worth monitoring closely as injury news breaks.

Rudy Gobert (C – MIN)

DraftKings: $6,500
FanDuel: $6,600

Rudy Gobert checks into the DFS value conversation for Sunday, with his recent production and matchup lining up nicely. Gobert has quietly threatened double-double performances in recent games, and cashed in last night with 13 points and 12 boards against the Miami Heat. This type of output gives him a strong floor at a price point that doesn’t fully reflect his recent form.

The matchup against Washington only boosts his appeal. The Wizards have struggled defensively, particularly in the paint and on the glass, making them vulnerable to dominant interior presences. Gobert’s ability to control rebounds, finish efficiently, and pile up defensive stats puts him in a prime spot to make an impact without needing plays drawn up for him. Against a poor defensive team in a favorable game environment, Gobert offers a low-cost value option with a clear path to another productive fantasy outing.