NBA Daily Fantasy Picks For Jan. 31: Hardaway Jr. To Benefit From Mavs' Injuries

NBA daily fantasy perfectly blends the worlds of fantasy sports and sports betting into one fun and exhilarating contest that can lead to big gains for those who partake. 

The DFS lineup will incorporate a standard starting lineup of a PG, SG, SF, PF, and C, along with an additional G, F, and UTIL slot at a salary of $50,000 which cannot be exceeded. Points are allocated based on the statistical production from each individual player that night. 

Here's a look at our lineup for the NBA's slate of games on Wednesday, January 31, 2024:

PG: Jaden Hardy, Dallas Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks will be missing a ton of bodies on Wednesday against the Minnesota Timberwolves, including leading scorers Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. This presents a golden opportunity for Hardy to put up some big numbers with more minutes, especially coming off a 20-point, seven-assist effort on Monday. 

SG: Ayo Dosunmu, Chicago Bulls

Dosunmu will continue to see an extended run as a starter with Zach LaVine and Patrick Williams missing time due to injury. The 24-year-old is averaging 15.5 points on 58.8 FG%, 3.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and a block per game since Jan. 13.

SF: Tim Hardaway Jr., Dallas Mavericks

Hardaway Jr. will also reap the benefits statistically of leading Dallas' skeleton crew into battle with the Timberwolves. His 36-point, eight-rebound effort against the Orlando Magic on Monday was his strongest performance of the campaign.

PF: Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns

Not that any more reason was needed to select Durant, but the 14-time All-Star will be making his grand return to Brooklyn for the first time in well over a year. Durant has finished with fewer than 40 fantasy points just twice in the month of January, and he'll certainly be looking to stick it to his former team with some monster numbers at the Barclays Center.

C: Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs

Wembanyama is nearly bulletproof in the fantasy department. He's riding a personal streak of six games with at least 49 fantasy points as a player the Spurs count on for essentially everything. As long as he maintains a clean bill of health, this level of production should continues.

G: Ben Simmons, Brooklyn Nets

Simmons just returned to the Nets' rotation on Monday after being out of action since Nov. 6. He finished with a near triple-double off the bench of 10 points, 11 assists, and eight rebounds in just 18 minutes in a massacre of the Utah Jazz. Here's hoping those efforts weren't just a flash in the pan.

F: PJ Washington, Charlotte Hornets

The Hornets need offense from somewhere with LaMelo Ball sidelined again and Terry Rozier now with the Miami Heat. Enter Washington, who just four days ago tied his career high with 43 points on 17-of-24 shooting against the Jazz. He's not much of a five-category talent, but the minutes will be there and he'll have a license to shoot to his heart's content. 

UTIL: Norman Powell, Los Angeles Clippers

Powell has scored at least 17 points off the bench for the Clippers in three of his last four games. The Washington Wizards have the third-worst defense in basketball, and if this game gets ugly fast, Powell may see the hardwood just a bit more in what could be a blowout.