FREE 1/24 NBA Cheat Sheet: Top DFS Plays

Tonight’s three-game slate may be small, but it packs plenty of intrigue for DFS players. The action tips off at 7:00 PM ET with Cleveland visiting Philadelphia, a game featuring a solid 229.0 total and two teams capable of pushing the pace when the stars align. The real fireworks, however, are expected in the nightcap as New Orleans takes on Memphis at 8:00 PM ET. With a massive 244.5 total, this matchup stands out as the clear priority for anyone looking to target an up-tempo game environment.

On smaller slates like this, roster construction gets even more critical, especially with such a stark contrast between these high-total games and the lower-scoring alternatives. Prioritizing exposure to the NOP-MEM showdown while finding value elsewhere could be key to gaining an edge over the field. With that in mind… Our January 24 Starting Five is now LIVE!

Game Environment Analysis

CLE @ PHI (O/U: 229.0, Spread: 10.5)

• Pace: CLE (6th) vs PHI (29th) 🏃 (Pace mismatch)
• Off Eff: CLE (1st) 🔥 vs PHI (24th)
• Def Eff: CLE (9th) vs PHI (21st)

POR @ CHA (O/U: 221.5, Spread: -5.5)

• Pace: POR (17th) vs CHA (21st)
• Off Eff: POR (27th) vs CHA (28th)
• Def Eff: POR (25th) 🎯 vs CHA (19th)

NOP @ MEM (O/U: 244.5, Spread: -11.0)

• Pace: NOP (16th) vs MEM (1st) 🏃 (Pace mismatch)
• Off Eff: NOP (25th) vs MEM (5th) 🔥
• Def Eff: NOP (27th) 🎯 vs MEM (5th)

Legend:

🏃 = Significant pace mismatch

🔥 = Strong offense vs weak defense

🎯 = Poor defensive team

⚠️ = Blowout risk

Bold = Favored team

PG - Dejounte Murray ($8,400)

Dejounte Murray ($8,400) stands out as a strong play on tonight’s slate with a solid combination of floor, ceiling, and value. Projected for 45.3 DK points at 1.37 FPPM, he offers an impressive 5.4x value at his price point while appearing in 31% of optimal lineups. His recent production backs up the numbers—Murray has posted three games over 50 DK points in his last five outings, including a monster 59.3-point performance just days ago against Utah. The game environment is favorable as well, with a 116.5 implied total for the Pelicans in what should be a competitive matchup against Memphis.

Ownership is a factor here, as Murray is expected to be rostered by over 41% of the field, making him one of the chalkier plays on the slate. While that limits his leverage in tournaments slightly, his Boom% (30.2%) and consistent minutes (33+ per game) suggest he’s worth eating some chalk in this spot given his high probability of delivering strong value or exceeding expectations. The Grizzlies’ defense isn’t impenetrable either—Murray’s ability to rack up peripheral stats should keep him safe regardless of shooting efficiency, making him one of the most reliable mid-tier options tonight.

More PG Plays:

• Darius Garland ($7,500)
• Donovan Mitchell ($8,300)
• Tyrese Maxey ($10,000)

SG - Paul George ($8,000)

Paul George ($8,000) stands out as one of the top tournament options on tonight’s slate, ranking first in Hero GPP metrics with a strong 37.3% optimal lineup rate and a solid 5.2x value projection. While Cleveland is known for its defensive prowess, their struggles against versatile wings like George create a sneaky opportunity here. He’s projected for 35 minutes and 41.5 DK points (1.19 FPPM), and his ability to contribute across multiple categories makes him appealing even in what could be a slower-paced game with a lower implied total of 109 points.

Ownership will be high at 37.5%, but that doesn’t diminish his viability given his ceiling—he’s hit over 50 DK points twice in his last five games. His recent performances show consistency in rebounds and assists, which provides a stable floor even if scoring isn’t elite on any given night. At $8,000, he offers enough upside to justify the price tag in tournaments while remaining a strong building block for cash lineups due to his role and minutes security in this matchup against the Cavs.

More SG Plays:

• Donovan Mitchell ($8,300)
• CJ McCollum ($7,600)
• Trey Murphy III ($8,200)

SF - Trey Murphy III ($8,200)

Trey Murphy III ($8,200) is a strong tournament play tonight against Memphis, offering both upside and solid value for his price. He’s projected for 38.85 DK points (4.74x value) while carrying a 23.9% optimal lineup rate, which makes him one of the most appealing mid-to-high-tier options on the slate. Murphy has played at least 35 minutes in four straight games and is fresh off a string of impressive performances, including a 54.5 DK-point outing against Chicago and a 52 DK-point effort versus Dallas. His ability to contribute across multiple stat categories—scoring efficiently, rebounding, and chipping in with defensive stats—makes him an ideal DFS target in this matchup.

The game environment is solid, with New Orleans facing Memphis in a contest featuring a respectable 116.5 total for the Pelicans’ side. With Ja Morant still sidelined for Memphis, this matchup has less defensive bite than usual, especially on the wing where Murphy operates as an SG/SF hybrid. His ownership projection of 21.2% is reasonable given his recent production, but he’s still worth considering even at that popularity due to his high ceiling (14.4% Boom rate). If you’re looking for an efficient scorer who can rack up fantasy points without needing elite efficiency from deep—Murphy went just 2-for-13 from three recently but still dropped over 50 DK points—he’s your guy tonight.

More SF Plays:

• Deni Avdija ($7,000)
• Dean Wade ($3,900)
• Nick Smith Jr. ($4,200)

PF - Miles Bridges ($7,400)

Miles Bridges sits in an intriguing spot tonight at $7,400 against a struggling Portland defense. With a solid 1.21 FPPM and projected for 33 minutes, he offers strong value at 5.4x and appears in over 36% of optimal lineups. The Trail Blazers rank near the bottom of the league defensively, and this matchup provides a favorable environment for Bridges to hit his ceiling, especially with Charlotte’s implied total sitting at 113.75 points. He’s been consistent lately, averaging around 34 DK points over his last four games while flashing upside with a 50-point performance just two weeks ago.

The main concern here is ownership—at nearly 45%, Bridges will be one of the most popular plays on the slate. While that doesn’t mean you need to fade him entirely, it does put pressure on him to deliver if you’re locking him into tournament lineups. Given his role as one of Charlotte’s primary scorers—especially with Brandon Miller out—he’s in a good spot to succeed, but leveraging lower-owned pivots or pairing him with contrarian plays could help differentiate your lineup if he underwhelms. Keep an eye on his questionable tag for back spasms ahead of lock, as that news could open up value elsewhere if he sits.

More PF Plays:

• Jaren Jackson Jr. ($8,100)
• Guerschon Yabusele ($5,000)
• Deni Avdija ($7,000)

C - Jarrett Allen ($6,900)

Jarrett Allen is shaping up to be one of the strongest value plays on tonight’s slate at just $6,900. With a 1.2 FPPM rate and a projection of 37.2 DK points, he offers significant upside in a matchup against the 76ers. His optimal lineup percentage of 27.3% is among the highest on the board, and while his ownership is expected to come in at a hefty 37.2%, that’s an indication of how strong his value is relative to his price tag. The absence of Evan Mobley has allowed Allen to take on an expanded role offensively and defensively, as we’ve seen in recent games like his 47.8 DK-point performance against Houston earlier this week.

The matchup against Philadelphia may seem tough at first glance with Joel Embiid anchoring the paint, but it’s worth noting that Allen has historically done well in spots where Cleveland needs him to step up inside. His ability to contribute across multiple categories—scoring efficiently, cleaning up the glass, and racking up defensive stats—makes him more than capable of hitting value even in a moderately paced game with a total of 119.5 points. At this salary, he’s not only viable for cash games but also has tournament-winning potential given his Boom% (23.6%) and second-place GPP rank on the slate.

More C Plays:

• Mark Williams ($7,800)
• Jaren Jackson Jr. ($8,100)
• Guerschon Yabusele ($5,000)

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!