NBA Winners From Downtown: 1-23-16

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

- Two games are postponed tonight. 76ers-Celtics and Wizards-Jazz.

- Pistons-Nuggets, Cavs-Bulls, Blazers-Lakers, and Bucks-Pelicans have totals over 200 tonight. Fire away. Bucks-Pelicans remains my favorite, due to a very close spread.

- Knicks-Hornets is off my radar in cash games with a low total. I would target in GPP's instead.

Top Picks

Salary: FD: $8,700 DK: $9,200

This was an easy call tonight, as Damian Lillard is squaring off of against the Lakers. Los Angeles has allowed the most fantasy points per game to opposing point guards, so fire up Lillard tonight. Vegas has Portland sitting at a 109 total, which is the highest so far of the day. (Not all totals are out yet) Lillard has the 6th highest usage rate in the league, and is averaging 20-7-4 in the last five games. In two games against the Lakers this season, Lillard has averaged 29-10-5, shooting 47%. Lillard has also averaged seven more fantasy points at home this season.

Salary: FD: $6,000 DK: $5,800

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope eats minutes for breakfast, and then for lunch and dinner. KCP is averaging 37 minutes in the last six games, and on the season. The surprising number in the last six games is the 52% field goal percentage. KCP is not a strong shooter, but has been superb of late. He is averaging 18-1-3, with 1.8 steals per game in that six game span. He is not a huge fantasy points per minute guy, which is why the 37 minutes per game is crucial. The Nuggets have allowed the 6th most fantasy points per game to opposing SG, and the 4th most steals per game. I love KCP at his price, who continues to be consistent.

Salary: FD: $9,600 DK: $9,700

LeBron James - Player/Coach/GM - is my favorite SF tonight, due to the lack of options. While James has looked a little uninspired of late, he still is delivering safe cash game outcomes. He is averaging 20-6-5 in the last six games, shooting 51% from the field. Chicago has allowed the 9th most fantasy points per game to opposing SF, and James has had plenty of success against this Bulls team in the past. With Paul George in a shooting slump, Melo in an unappealing game, and the others in GPP territory, James is just the safe guy to pay up for.

Salary: FD: $10,300 DK: $10,000

While the blocks and rebounds have been low of late, Anthony Davis' scoring has not. He is shooting 51% from the field, averaging 27 points per game in the last five games. Milwaukee is ranked 22nd in rebound differential, and have allowed the third most offensive boards per game. Davis will get a bump in that department, as well as blocks. Milwaukee has allowed the most blocks per game to opposing power forwards. The matchup sets up a game for AD to put it all together. Bucks have allowed the 4th most fantasy points per game to opposing PF. I believe we see a classic AD outing tonight.

I also cannot get away from mentioning Paul Millsap, who is a bit cheaper. He is averaging 19-3-9, with 3.8 blocks+steals in the last six games.

Salary: FD: $7,700 DK: $7,000

As much as I love Andre Drummond tonight, paying down for Greg Monroe is my strategy tonight, while paying up elsewhere. Monroe is averaging 18-2-10, with 1.3 blocks per game in the last six games. Both these teams struggle on the glass, as New Orleans ranks 25th in rebound differential. We have been picking on New Orleans with centers all season, and tonight is no different. The Pelicans have allowed the second most fantasy points per game to opposing centers. For a few thousand cheaper, Monroe is the more viable cash game option.

Value Plays

Mike Conley (PG - MEM) FD: $6,600 DK: $6,300

Mike Conley qualifies as value for me tonight, compared to the usual $7,000ish range where he usually sits. He has averaged 17-6-2 in the two games back since injury, and has looked fresh. He is unlikely to get over 30 minutes tonight, which is his downside, but I don't mind at these prices. Minnesota has allowed the 6th most fantasy points per game to opposing PG.

Devin Booker (SG - PHX) FD: $4,500 DK: $5,000

I was surprised with Devin Booker in the last matchup against the best defensive team in the league. He played monster minutes and has played over 40 in the last two games, but still shot over 50%, putting up a 24-5-1 line. Injuries will force Booker to play heavy minutes, and shooting 50% in the last five games will have him in many of my lineups.

Myles Turner (PF/C - IND) FD: $4,200 DK: $4,100

Ian Manhinmi is already ruled out tonight, so no worry for waiting to plug in Myles Turner. This kid has been phenomenal filling in lately, averaging 38.3 DK points in the last three games. He has taken 41 shots in that span, making 72% of them. A nice matchup down low against the Kings tonight, fire the rookie up.