DraftKings Daily Fantasy Basketball Helper: Monday 1/6/20

With nine games to choose from on tonight's NBA slate, let's take a look at how to utilize the DFS possibilities.

Here are some of the top plays and sleepers on DraftKings. As always, good luck.

Point Guard

Lonzo Ball ($6,800) -- The Pelicans have picked up their play as of late, going 5-1 in the last six games, and Ball has started five of them. Lonzo is averaging 19.4 points, 6.2 assists, 6.2 rebounds, and shooting 19 for 47 (40.4%) from beyond the arc over that period. On the season, Ball is averaging 11.8 points, 5.4 assists, and 5 rebounds, so this stretch is one of the best two-week periods of his young career. He recorded one triple-double and one double-double in those games, but he will have a true test tonight versus Utah. The Jazz are tied-sixth in defensive rating (105.3), fifth in points allowed (105.3), and fifth in opponent field goal percentage (43.8).

Isaiah Thomas ($4,100) -- Emotion game for IT facing his former Celtics team, this time in Washington. In the first game this season between the two, he scored 18 points and dished out 7 assists in a 140-133 loss in Boston. Thomas has struggled in the last four games, not scoring more than nine points or posting four assists in any of them. This is a good game to get Thomas back on track with Kemba Walker still out for the C's. In his six games prior to the four-game slump, Thomas averaged 18.4 points and 4.3 assists, all against Eastern Conference opponents.

Shooting Guard

Luka Doncic ($12,200) -- Doncic has posted three-straight games of 60-plus fantasy points and recorded a double-double in all three. Luka also posted his 10th triple-double of the season in his most recent game, tallying 39 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists in an overtime loss to the Hornets on Saturday. The Mavericks are third in scoring (116.6) and second in three-point attempts (41.6) while the Bulls are first in the league in opponent field goal attempts (83.3) per game. This game could provide great pace for Doncic, who is third in the league in points (29.4) and assists (8.9). I like Doncic's ability to get another triple-double.

Zach LaVine ($7,700) -- The Chicago Bulls will be without Lauri Markkanen tonight against the Mavericks, which could make it a LaVine game in Chicago. Outperforming Doncic and Dallas will be no easy task, but with the way LaVine has been playing, it's safe to say he will get his tonight. LaVine averaged 25.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.8 assists in December, and he brought in the New Year with 26 and 35-point real-life performances. The Bulls have played their last four games at home, and LaVine averaged 41.3 fantasy points in those contests -- much higher than his season average of 35.6 per game at the United Center.

Small Forward

Giannis Antetokounmpo ($10,900) -- Giannis is pegged as probable for tonight's road game versus the San Antonio Spurs after beating the Spurs 127-118 at home on Saturday. Giannis has scored 32 points in back to back games, and for the first time in eight games, he failed to record a double-double -- still scoring 32 and grabbing 8 boards. In his last three road games, he's failed to register more than 23 points but did post two double-doubles and one triple-double in those contests. Giannis averages 60.1 fantasy points, the most of any player on the board tonight, making him a must-play.

Jaylen Brown (7,400) -- With Kemba Walker still out, Brown, Jayson Tatum ($8,000), and Gordon Hayward ($7,100) all have seen increased touches and production over the last few games. Brown has been on fire for the Celtics, averaging 24.8 points and 8.4 rebounds while shooting 41 of 71 field goals (60.5%) over his last five games. Brown averaged 39 fantasy points in his last three road games, compared to his road average of 33.9 on the season. Our model projects Brown with 20.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 2.3 assists tonight versus the Wizards.

Power Forward

Domantas Sabonis ($8,600) -- Sabonis continued his stellar play in a loss to the Hawks on Saturday, posting 25 points and 11 rebounds on 73.3-percent shooting (11/15). He's recorded three-straight fantasy performances of at least 47 points and now averages 43.3 on the season. Sabonis should be in the conversation for Most Improved Player of the Year, going from 14.1 points and 9.3 rebounds in 24.8 minutes last season to 17.8 points and 13.1 rebounds (5th) in 34.2 minutes this season. The Hornets are struggling inside, ranking 26th in rebounding (42.9) and 27th in points allowed in the paint (51.4). According to our model, Sabonis is projected to take advantage of their weakness, with 18 points and 12.2 rebounds tonight.

Marvin Bagley III ($6,200) -- Bagley is questionable tonight versus the Pelicans with a foot injury that forced him to miss the last four games. Before that, Bagley was looking solid, averaging 13.6 points and 6.5 rebounds in eight games after returning from another injury that kept him out since October 23rd. A game against the Warriors would be a soothing first game back for Bagley and the Kings, who could use a boost. A team like the Warriors, who are 21st in rebounding (43.8) and 20th in points allowed (113), is a good spot for Bagley to get his feet wet. Look out for the injury report -- if he's good to go and not on a minute restriction, then take a flyer.

Center

Joel Embiid ($9,400) -- The 76ers are amidst a four-game slide, but Embiid has been the reason why they've stayed competitive in these games. He's averaging 26.3 points and 11.3 rebounds over his last three contests. Embiid has recorded 10 or more rebounds in 18 of his last 20 games, and the Thunder come into Philadelphia ranked 25th in rebounding (43.2). Embiid should be in for a big performance in a get-right game for Philly. The Sixers lost in OKC in overtime earlier this season, though Embiid recorded 31 points and 12 rebounds in that one.

Rudy Gobert ($7,900) -- Gobert has averaged 13.2 points and 14.2 rebounds over his last five games. He's slowly crept his way up the rebounding leaderboard and is now second per game with 14.2 on the season. He's recorded 15 or more rebounds in 9 of the last 12 games, and has upped his fantasy fantasy points per game average to 40. The Pelicans are 15th in rebounding (45.5) and 26th in defensive rating (112.1), which gives Gobert a good chance at his 11th 15-point, 15-rebound game of the season.