NBA Winners from Downtown 1-14-15

Winners From Downtown is bringing the top daily picks for your cash games, alongside some value plays, and Vegas notes. Be sure to check out our minutes tool, and Colossus lineup optimizer.

Projections show DraftKings prices and fantasy points.

Vegas Notes

- Tonight is a decent slate for a Thursday, with 6 total games, and 5 on the main slate. We are covering the games tonight starting at 7 P.M.

- A lot of lines are pending as of this morning, but the Warriors are monster favorites over the Lakers at home (216, -17).

- The game that we are all looking forward to watching is Cavaliers-Spurs (195.5, -5.5).

Top Picks

Salary: FD (C): $10,600 DK (PF): $10,300

Cousins struggled early last night, but eventually caught fire and posted his fifth consecutive game with at least 29 real points and 50+ DK points. Tonight he draws a tougher matchup against the Jazz, but he remains the top overall option for me until further notice. Boogie finally looks like the dominant force we all knew he could be, and I find it really difficult not to start my lineups with him once again tonight.

Salary: FD: $8,900 DK: $8,800

With Pau Gasol ruled out for tonight, Jimmy Minutes should see a nice bump in usage tonight against the 76ers. He is nursing an ankle injury, but is listed as Probable, so all indications are that he'll suit up and eat up minutes like he does on a nightly basis. He has reached at least 40 DK points in 8 consecutive games, and the 76ers are yet another plus matchup for the rising young star, ranking 24th in the NBA in defensive efficiency.

Salary: FD: $6,600 DK: $7,000

The Bulls are allowing the 4th-most fantasy points to opposing PG over their last 5 contests, and Ish Smith has been the engine that has led the 76ers back to being competitive. He has 40+ DK points in 5 of his last 8 games, including 2 straight. If the 76ers are going to continue to compete, they will need Ish at his best, and his return to Philly has not only rejuvenated the team, but his career as well. His price has come up, but he remains a great play on this short slate.

Salary: FD: $7,400 DK : $6,900

Aldridge has carried the Spurs offense of late, averaging just over 20/10 in his last 6 games. His matchup with Kevin Love is a good one, as Love has always been much more of an offensive threat than a defender. You can certainly give Love a look in this spot instead, but I prefer the LMA side. The Spurs are alight favorites in a game that could certainly be an NBA Finals preview. Both teams are on fire, and with LeBron and Kawhi locking horns, I'll be looking to the other key players in this heavyweight bout.

Salary: FD: $7,300 DK: $7,200

Although Derrick Favors could be making his return tonight, I'm still a big fan of Hayward in all formats on this short slate. He has been a consistent contributor, averaging 34.2 DK points per game in 7 games this month. The Kings rank 28th in defensive efficiency, and Hayward can reach value even on a poor shooting night. He is coming off a solid 19/9/6 line against Portland, and draws a soft matchup tonight against Omri Casspi and company.

Value Plays

Mario Chalmers (PG - MEM) FD: $5,200 DK: $6,300

This play is 100% contingent on the status of Mike Conley. If Conley sits, fire up Chalmers on FD, and while he is in play, on DK I'd prefer to pay a little bit more and get Ish Smith into my lineup. If Conley plays, you can ignore Chalmers completely.

Tony Allen (SG/SF - MEM) FD (SG): $4,500 DK (SF): $5,300

Allen has been eating up minutes recently, and still saw 34 last time out despite the return of Courtney Lee. His solid play seems to have solidified his spot in the rotation, although the potential return of Matt Barnes could potentially knock him down a few minutes tonight. Allen has been terrific, with 30+ DK points in 3 straight games.

Tony Parker (PG - SAS) FD: $5,900 DK: $5,100

Parker is coming off his best offensive game of the season, with 31 real points in 32 minutes against the Pistons. This game is expected to be close, per Vegas, and Parker has shown his ability to get up for big games, and is finally looking fully healthy once again. I'll likely be rostering a 2nd point guard from this game, and if you can fit Kyrie Irving at his higher price tag, he is the preferred play of the two.