NBA DFS: DraftKings, FanDuel daily Fantasy basketball picks for Friday, January 2, include Jamal Murray
Daily Fantasy basketball players scanning Friday’s main slate will quickly notice Jamal Murray’s name near the top of the guard pool on both DraftKings and FanDuel. The Nuggets star has long been a volatile option, but his ceiling remains one of the most appealing on any given night, particularly in formats that reward three-pointers and usage-heavy guards.
Murray’s appeal starts with his offensive role. Sharing the floor with Nikola Jokic creates a fantasy-friendly ecosystem, as defenses are forced to load up on the MVP center, leaving Murray with clean looks off dribble handoffs, pick-and-rolls, and spot-up opportunities. When his jumper is falling, he can pile up points in bunches, while also contributing assists as a secondary playmaker.
On DraftKings, his three-point volume and potential for bonuses make him especially enticing in tournaments, where chasing upside is paramount. FanDuel’s scoring system, which places more weight on defensive stats and penalizes turnovers, slightly shifts his profile, but Murray’s ability to rack up steals when engaged on defense still gives him a solid floor relative to other scoring-first guards.
The key for DFS managers is understanding roster construction around him. Murray often lands in a mid-to-upper salary tier, which means pairing him with value forwards or centers who are stepping into expanded roles can be crucial. He works well in game stacks featuring high implied totals, where overtime or a late scoring surge can swing contests.
From a broader league perspective, Murray exemplifies the modern combo guard who can dominate a Fantasy slate without needing traditional point guard assist totals. His upside is tied to pace and matchup, so monitoring opponent defensive rankings against guards and recent form is essential.
For Friday’s contests, Murray profiles as a strong core play in GPPs and a viable, if slightly volatile, option in cash games, particularly if injury news consolidates usage in Denver’s backcourt. DFS players who can stomach a bit of variance may find him central to winning lineups.
Murray’s appeal starts with his offensive role. Sharing the floor with Nikola Jokic creates a fantasy-friendly ecosystem, as defenses are forced to load up on the MVP center, leaving Murray with clean looks off dribble handoffs, pick-and-rolls, and spot-up opportunities. When his jumper is falling, he can pile up points in bunches, while also contributing assists as a secondary playmaker.
On DraftKings, his three-point volume and potential for bonuses make him especially enticing in tournaments, where chasing upside is paramount. FanDuel’s scoring system, which places more weight on defensive stats and penalizes turnovers, slightly shifts his profile, but Murray’s ability to rack up steals when engaged on defense still gives him a solid floor relative to other scoring-first guards.
The key for DFS managers is understanding roster construction around him. Murray often lands in a mid-to-upper salary tier, which means pairing him with value forwards or centers who are stepping into expanded roles can be crucial. He works well in game stacks featuring high implied totals, where overtime or a late scoring surge can swing contests.
From a broader league perspective, Murray exemplifies the modern combo guard who can dominate a Fantasy slate without needing traditional point guard assist totals. His upside is tied to pace and matchup, so monitoring opponent defensive rankings against guards and recent form is essential.
For Friday’s contests, Murray profiles as a strong core play in GPPs and a viable, if slightly volatile, option in cash games, particularly if injury news consolidates usage in Denver’s backcourt. DFS players who can stomach a bit of variance may find him central to winning lineups.
