FREE 1/22 NBA Cheat Sheet: Top DFS Plays

Tonight’s 6-game NBA slate offers a mix of game environments, but two matchups clearly stand out for DFS purposes. The Hornets and Grizzlies face off at 8:00 PM ET in the highest-total game of the night (241.0), promising plenty of pace and scoring opportunities. Right behind it is the Pistons-Hawks matchup at 7:30 PM ET, with a 234.5 total that should also draw plenty of attention. These games will likely shape roster construction as they feature ideal spots to target for upside.

With most games tipping off within a 30-minute window, late swap opportunities are limited tonight, so getting your core right from the start will be key. Prioritizing exposure to those high-total matchups while identifying value elsewhere could make all the difference. With that in mind… Our January 22 Starting Five is now LIVE!

Game Environment Analysis

DET @ ATL (O/U: 234.5, Spread: -3.5)

• Pace: DET (18th) vs ATL (3rd) 🏃 (Pace mismatch)
• Off Eff: DET (19th) vs ATL (17th)
• Def Eff: DET (16th) vs ATL (19th)

MIN @ DAL (O/U: 214.5, Spread: 3.5)

• Pace: MIN (25th) vs DAL (11th)
• Off Eff: MIN (16th) vs DAL (8th)
• Def Eff: MIN (7th) vs DAL (11th)

PHX @ BKN (O/U: 215.5, Spread: 12.5)

• Pace: PHX (23rd) vs BKN (27th)
• Off Eff: PHX (9th) 🔥 vs BKN (26th)
• Def Eff: PHX (24th) vs BKN (25th) 🎯

CLE @ HOU (O/U: 228.0, Spread: 2.0)

• Pace: CLE (6th) vs HOU (17th) 🏃 (Pace mismatch)
• Off Eff: CLE (1st) vs HOU (15th)
• Def Eff: CLE (8th) vs HOU (2nd)

UTA @ OKC (O/U: 233.0, Spread: -16.5)

• Pace: UTA (13th) vs OKC (7th)
• Off Eff: UTA (21st) vs OKC (6th) 🔥
• Def Eff: UTA (29th) 🎯 vs OKC (1st)
  ⚠️ Blowout risk

CHA @ MEM (O/U: 241.0, Spread: -12.0)

• Pace: CHA (21st) vs MEM (1st) 🏃 (Pace mismatch)
• Off Eff: CHA (28th) vs MEM (5th) 🔥
• Def Eff: CHA (17th) vs MEM (5th)

Legend:

🏃 = Significant pace mismatch

🔥 = Strong offense vs weak defense

🎯 = Poor defensive team

⚠️ = Blowout risk

Bold = Favored team

PG - LaMelo Ball ($10,700)

LaMelo Ball comes in at $10,700 on DraftKings, and while that price tag is steep, his combination of floor, ceiling, and matchup makes him an elite play tonight. Over his last five games, Ball has consistently stuffed the stat sheet with multiple performances over 50 DK points and a monster 66.5 DK-point outing against Phoenix just two weeks ago. His usage remains sky-high as the clear offensive engine for Charlotte, averaging 1.51 FPPM while playing heavy minutes (projected for 36 tonight). Facing a Memphis team that ranks middle of the pack defensively but struggles to contain dynamic playmaking guards, Ball should thrive in this spot with opportunities to rack up both scoring and assists.

Ownership sits around 21.6%, which feels reasonable for a player of Ball’s caliber given his strong projection (54.2 DK points) and value at 5.1x salary. He appears in nearly 22% of optimal lineups for good reason—his all-around production gives him one of the highest tournament ceilings on the slate. With Charlotte projected for a solid 114.25 points in what should be a competitive game environment, Ball offers both safety and upside for GPPs. If you’re paying up at point guard tonight, LaMelo stands out as one of the best high-priced options on the board.

More PG Plays:

• Cade Cunningham ($10,200)
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ($10,500)
• Anthony Edwards ($9,300)

SG - Nick Smith Jr. ($3,200)

At just $3,200, Nick Smith Jr. stands out as one of the best value plays on tonight’s slate. With Brandon Miller sidelined, Smith has stepped into an expanded role for Charlotte and is making the most of it. Over his last two starts, he’s averaged 27 minutes and put up DraftKings scores of 27.8 and 24.3 points, showcasing both efficiency and upside at this price point. His ability to contribute across multiple categories—combined with a strong shooting touch from deep (8-for-15 from three in those games)—makes him a viable salary-saving option in all formats. The matchup against Memphis is favorable too, as their perimeter defense has been inconsistent this season, leaving room for Smith to take advantage.

The projected 28 minutes are key here because even at a modest 0.76 FPPM rate, that kind of court time makes him a great play for his price tag with a 6.7x value projection. Ownership will likely be high (29.9%), but that’s not surprising given his boom potential (28%) and inclusion in over 21% of optimal lineups today. If you’re building around higher-priced stars, Smith provides the salary relief you need without sacrificing too much floor or ceiling. While he might lack leverage for large-field tournaments due to ownership, he’s hard to ignore in cash builds or single-entry contests given his current role and production trends.

More SG Plays:

• Anthony Edwards ($9,300)
• Desmond Bane ($7,600)
• Donovan Mitchell ($8,400)

SF - Luguentz Dort ($4,500)

Luguentz Dort ($4,500) stands out as a solid value play on tonight’s slate, especially with OKC missing key contributors like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren. Dort is projected for 30 minutes in a high-paced matchup against Utah, a game with a 124.25 total that should offer plenty of scoring opportunities. At 5.39x value and appearing in 12.4% of optimal lineups, his price tag gives him the flexibility to exceed expectations if he can replicate his recent efficiency from deep (12-of-17 from three across two games before his dud vs Brooklyn). While Dort’s fantasy points per minute (0.81 FPPM) won’t blow you away, the increased usage without SGA bumps up his ceiling and makes him worth considering in tournaments given his 16.85% Boom Rate.

Ownership-wise, Dort is expected to come in at 15.5%, which is manageable for GPPs given his salary and upside relative to other mid-range options at SG/SF. His scoring can be streaky—evident in recent performances—but this matchup against Utah plays into his strengths, as their defense struggles to contain wings who can stretch the floor. If he finds success early shooting from deep or contributing across multiple categories, he’s capable of smashing value at this price point while keeping your lineup construction flexible for higher-priced stars elsewhere.

More SF Plays:

• Amen Thompson ($8,000)
• Tyrese Martin ($5,200)
• Grayson Allen ($4,200)

PF - Miles Bridges ($7,600)

Miles Bridges ($7,600) is one of the more intriguing mid-range plays on tonight’s slate, especially given his consistent production and favorable metrics. Over his last five games, Bridges has averaged 38.3 DK points while showing a solid floor in the low-30s and a ceiling of 50 DK points. His FPPM (1.21) and projected 32 minutes of playing time give him strong value at 5.1x, and with Brandon Miller sidelined, Bridges should continue to take on additional offensive responsibility for Charlotte. The Grizzlies are middle-of-the-pack defensively against power forwards, so this matchup doesn’t present any major obstacles for him to hit or exceed his projection.

At a projected ownership of 16.98%, Bridges is not exactly sneaky, but he’s appropriately owned given his optimal lineup rate of 16.2% and Boom% of 21.52%. He’s priced in a range where you’re getting access to reliable scoring output without sacrificing too much salary for other positions. In a game with a total hovering around 114 points for Charlotte, there’s enough pace here to keep him involved offensively throughout the night. If you’re looking for steady production with tournament upside, Bridges fits well as either a core piece or secondary option in your GPP builds tonight.

More PF Plays:

• Jalen Williams ($8,200)
• Jalen Johnson ($8,700)
• Jaren Jackson Jr. ($8,400)

C - Jarrett Allen ($6,800)

Jarrett Allen sits in a great spot tonight at $6,800 in a favorable matchup against the Houston Rockets. Houston has struggled defensively against centers this season, making Allen’s efficient 1.22 FPPM and projected 32 minutes particularly appealing. He’s been consistently productive, averaging over 17 points and 10 rebounds across his last ten games while shooting an elite 77.7% from the field. With the Cavaliers’ dynamic backcourt of Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland drawing defensive attention and Evan Mobley spacing the floor, Allen should continue to benefit from high-percentage looks around the basket. His 39.1 DK point projection translates to an excellent value of 5.75x, making him one of the best point-per-dollar plays on the slate.

Ownership will likely be a factor here, as Allen is projected to appear in roughly 22.8% of lineups with a strong optimal rate of 25.1%. While he won’t be sneaky, he offers enough upside with a 31.4% boom rate to justify the chalk in both cash games and tournaments. The game environment is solid as well, with Cleveland carrying a team total of 115 points against a Rockets squad that tends to give up second-chance opportunities inside. At this price point and with his consistent role, Allen is tough to ignore tonight for both floor and ceiling outcomes in your builds.

More C Plays:

• Mark Williams ($7,000)
• Onyeka Okongwu ($5,600)
• Jalen Duren ($5,500)

Good luck today! Make sure to check the Lineup Optimizer for latest updates before lock. Visit DFS Hero for our full suite of DFS tools including the Lineup Optimizer, Contest Simulator, Player Projections, and Ownership Projections. Use code HEROPLAY15 to get 15% off your first month!