NBA Winners from Downtown 1-7-15

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

- There are only 4 games on the slate tonight, which is typical of a Thursday in the NBA.

- The highest total on the slate belongs to Lakers-Kings (212.5, -8.5).

- The lowest total on the slate is Jazz-Rockets (198, -9).

- Hawks-76ers (205, +9) may actually be a sneaky source of DFS goodness, but Celtics-Bulls (203, -5) will be a prime target as well.

Top Picks

Salary: FD (PF): $8,900 DK (C): $8,000

Gasol may just be one of the highest-upside plays of the night tonight, even on FD when you factor in his high price tag. He owned the C's in their first meeting this season, with a 16/15/4/2 line and over 46 DK points. Joakim Noah also played 20 minutes in that contest, so those numbers could certainly rise. As we have seen time and time again, you target the Celtics with big men, and this one is a no-brainer on this short slate. Get some Gasol into your lineups.

Salary: FD (C): $10,400 DK (PF): $10,300

Boogie has been on an absolute tear recently, scoring at least 32 REAL points in 3 straight games, including a ridiculous 64.25 and 73.75 in his last 2 games. He has taken 57 shots in the last two contests alone, and while Rajon Rondo is "Questionable" as of this morning, his inclusion would only help Boogie down low. This Lakers team continues to be one of the poorer defenses in the NBA (with the exception of that dismantling of the Suns), and I can't fathom a scenario where he doesn't dominate down low, provided that he doesn't lose his mind and get ejected. The sky is the limit for Cousins tonight.

Salary: FD: $8,500 DK: $8,300

Despite an off-shooting night against the Knicks, Millsap still displayed his high floor in a 31.75 FP performance. Tonight he faces a 76ers team that is among the worst in the NBA against PF this season, and only the Rockets allow more FPPG to the position than the Sixers. Millsap is always a candidate for the DK double-double bonus, and as mentioned above, he comes with an elite floor as well. His minor "knee tweak" from Tuesday is not a concern, per RotoWorld.

Salary: FD: $6,900 DK: $6,300

Kobe has missed the last 3 contests with a sore shoulder, but Byron Scott has indicated the he expects him to play tonight. The Kings have been awful against opposing guards this season, and are allowing the 2nd-most fantasy points per game to them over the last 5 games. This game has the highest total on the slate by a wide margin, and Kobe stands out as a nice play if he does indeed suit up. If he sits again, fire up Jordan Clarkson and Lou Williams instead.

Salary: FD: $5,600 DK: $6,000

This play is of course 100% contingent on the status of Rajon Rondo, who sat out last game with back spasms. If Rondo is back in, Collison becomes a secondary play, but if he sits out again, Collison will once again become a borderline must-play, especially in cash games. One of these two will draw the best matchup in the NBA for a PG, and I'm hoping it's Collison, so that we can have the discount and spend elsewhere. Keep an eye on Rondo's status throughout the day.

Value Plays

Amir Johnson (PF/C - BOS) FD (C): $4,400 DK (PF): $4,400

Johnson has been solid of late, and is seeing more minutes than Jared Sullinger down low. The Celtics will need to have some size down low to compete with the Chicago bigs, and Johnson has been a nice value of late. He is coming off a 16/11 game against Detroit last night, and is a decent pivot off the more popular Taj Gibson (although I prefer Gibson if you can afford him).

Taj Gibson (PF - CHI) FD: $5,400 DK: $5,900

Speaking of Taj, he still slips into the "value plays" section on this short slate. He has at least 23 DK points in 8 straight games, and is coming off an impressive 45 FP performance against the Bucks last time out. As long as Noah is out (which might not be much longer), Gibson is a cash game staple for me, especially on this small slate.

Jordan Clarkson (PG - LAL) FD: $6,100 DK: $5,700

Clarkson has been a solid cash game option recently, eclipsing 26 DK points in 6 straight games. He takes a small step back if Kobe Bryant plays, but still remains one of the better PG targets on this small slate when you factor in his price and matchup.