NBA DFS: DraftKings, FanDuel daily Fantasy basketball picks for Thursday, January 8 include Anthony Davis
With a compact four-game slate on deck for Thursday, January 8, daily fantasy basketball managers must be precise with their salary allocation. The limited options magnify the importance of securing a high floor, and the headline attraction for the evening is undoubtedly Anthony Davis. The veteran big man enters the night as a premier pay-up option, offering an elite combination of usage and matchup upside that makes him difficult to fade in both cash games and tournaments.
Davis and the Dallas Mavericks are set for a road clash against the Utah Jazz, a matchup that screams fantasy production. The Jazz have struggled mightily in the frontcourt this season, currently ranking dead last in defensive rating and allowing the second-most rebounds per game. For a player of Davis’s caliber, who thrives on paint touches and second-chance points, this defensive fragility presents a massive ceiling. Recent trends support the investment; Davis has bounced back from a minor slump to post dominant numbers in his last two outings, including a 54.9 FanDuel-point performance. With a DraftKings salary of $9,300, he arguably remains underpriced relative to his projected output against a soft interior defense.
Beyond Davis, the slate offers intriguing pivot options. Pascal Siakam of the Indiana Pacers is in a prime spot against the Charlotte Hornets. The Hornets’ backcourt and wing defense have been porous, and Siakam’s ability to fill the stat sheet with points, rebounds, and assists makes him a strong alternative or stacking partner. The Pacers are expected to play at a high pace, further boosting the fantasy appeal of their starters.
For those looking to fit Davis into their lineups, finding value is essential. Managers should keep an eye on Cooper Flagg, who has emerged as a viable option alongside Davis in the Mavericks' rotation. With the Jazz conceding significant production to forwards and centers, the rookie could provide the necessary salary relief to unlock a stars-and-scrubs build. As always, monitor the injury reports closer to tip-off, but locking in Davis against Utah appears to be the foundational move for Thursday’s contests.
Davis and the Dallas Mavericks are set for a road clash against the Utah Jazz, a matchup that screams fantasy production. The Jazz have struggled mightily in the frontcourt this season, currently ranking dead last in defensive rating and allowing the second-most rebounds per game. For a player of Davis’s caliber, who thrives on paint touches and second-chance points, this defensive fragility presents a massive ceiling. Recent trends support the investment; Davis has bounced back from a minor slump to post dominant numbers in his last two outings, including a 54.9 FanDuel-point performance. With a DraftKings salary of $9,300, he arguably remains underpriced relative to his projected output against a soft interior defense.
Beyond Davis, the slate offers intriguing pivot options. Pascal Siakam of the Indiana Pacers is in a prime spot against the Charlotte Hornets. The Hornets’ backcourt and wing defense have been porous, and Siakam’s ability to fill the stat sheet with points, rebounds, and assists makes him a strong alternative or stacking partner. The Pacers are expected to play at a high pace, further boosting the fantasy appeal of their starters.
For those looking to fit Davis into their lineups, finding value is essential. Managers should keep an eye on Cooper Flagg, who has emerged as a viable option alongside Davis in the Mavericks' rotation. With the Jazz conceding significant production to forwards and centers, the rookie could provide the necessary salary relief to unlock a stars-and-scrubs build. As always, monitor the injury reports closer to tip-off, but locking in Davis against Utah appears to be the foundational move for Thursday’s contests.
