FanDuel Daily Picks: Fantasy Basketball Lineup, December 16

The NBA has a light schedule on this Tuesday night with six games on tap. Even with a limited pool, there is sure to be some great fantasy basketball action in today’s daily league fantasy sports sites like DraftKings, FanDuel, Draftstreet, or FanThrowdown. To help you find the best possible results tonight, check out our Fansided Fantasy (@FansidedFantasy) FanDuel daily picks below.

Point Guard

High Salary: There are two big-name, big-ticket guards playing in the Western Conference tonight, and since rostering both would soak up your salary, it’s probably best to carry either Stephen Curry or Russell Westbrook. I’m going with Westbrook since I’d rather go against the Kings depleted defense than the Grizzlies in Memphis. Westbrook has been rolling since his return scoring 20_ poitns in every game while grabbing at least five rebounds in every game and adding six assists or more as well. He’s been over 40 FanDuel points in all but one of his eight contests since returning and has been over 50 in each of his last two outings. The Kings backcourt defense leaves much to be desired, but that only makes Westbrook a better option.

Dec 14, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday (11) shoots between Golden State Warriors defenders guard Klay Thompson (11) and guard Stephen Curry (30) and center Festus Ezeli (31) during the first half of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

High Salary: The best high mid-range option on the board is Jrue Holiday who is coming off his second 30-point game in his last three. He’s put up 29 or more FanDuel points in his last five in a row. and tonight he takes on the Jazz who come to New Orleans for a visit. Holiday should be able to dominate Trey Burke and looks to resume his rise to the top group of point guards in the league after a leg fracture derailed him for a season.

High Value: If Mo Williams remains sidelined, Zach LaVine will get another start at point guard for the Timberwolves as they take on the Wizards in Washington. His shooting percentage isn’t great, but he plays such huge minutes with Williams and Rubio sidelined that he can still be productive. In his last six games, LaVine has scored 20 FanDuel points in four outings including a huge 42.6 point game against the Spurs last week. LaVine is risky, but with the floor time he’s getting he’s a nice, inexpensive option in a limited field.

High Value: Going cheap at point guard is tricky, but Beno Udrih is one of the better cheap options as he comes off the bench as Mike Conley’s primary backup in Memphis. Udrih has been averaging right around 18 minutes a game for most of the season has has averaged five assists and seven points over his last four contests. Conley dominates the minutes, but Udrih is one of the more productive bargain basement options.

Shooting Guard

High Salary: Although he’s sure to be a popular option, Klay Thompson has been on a scoring spree that’s too good to ignore at the top of the shooting guard pool. He’s scored 20 or more points in each of his last seven games. He doesn’t usually contribute in a ton of other categories, but the way he lights up the scoreboard makes him a nice play if you can afford him as the Warriors look to keep rolling.

High Salary: The definition of a high-risk play, Tyreke Evans of the Pelicans has been hot lately putting up 50 FanDuel points in back-to-back games. The game before that, though, Evans struggled to just 13.9 FanDuel points against the Mavs. His scoring can come in bunches, and I think he’s lined up for another good game against Utah. He’s scored 25 points or more in three of his last four games and also contributes in peripheral categories like assists, rebounds, and steals when he’s going right. He’s risky, but I think he’ll pay off tonight.

High Value: As a value mid-range option, it’s hard to go wrong with the consistent Alec Burks who has scored over 20 FanDuel points in his last eight games. He missed some time with an injury but since returning has scored between 14 and 19 points in every game while usually chipping in solid rebounds and assists numbers for a shooting guard. He may not go off against the Pelicans tonight, but he’s a steady play if you are looking for good production without paying top dollar.

Dec 14, 2014; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks guard Tim Hardaway Jr. (5) shoots over Toronto Raptors forward Terrence Ross (31) during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /

High Value: In the past three games, Tim Hardaway Jr. has seen more time on the floor for the Knicks as new Coach Derek Fisher continues to try and mis and match his lineup and now deals with the injury to Iman Shumpert. Hardaway has played at least 29 minutes in each of his last three games and has 29, 23, and 23 FanDuel points to show for it. He’s scored at least 16 points in each of those games and has even added 5+ rebounds in each of his last two games. If he keeps getting extended playing time, look for him to be a nice value option tonight against the Mavericks.

Small Forward

High Salary: After recovering form his knee injury Kevin Durant has quickly emerged as a fantasy factor averaging 33.7 FanDuel points per game in his seven games back. The Kings defense won’t be able to slow down Durant and the Thunder, so invest in him if you can afford the high salary. He may still be a little limited on minutes, but he can still fill up the stat sheet like few other players when he is on the floor.

High Salary: The other high salary option I like at small forward will play against Durant tonight for Sacramento. Recently, Rudy Gay has been picking up the scoring slack and has 30 or more FanDuel points in eight of his last nine games. He fills the stat sheet across the board with points, boards, and assists and is playing huge minutes as the focus of the Kings offensive attack especially with DeMarcus Cousins sidelined.

Dec 14, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) is congratulated by Minnesota Timberwolves forward Corey Brewer (13) after surpassing Michael Jordan on the NBA All-Time Scoring List during the second quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /

High Value: As a mid-range play that offers consistent production, take a look at the recent numbers for the T-Wolves Corey Brewer. Brewer usually doesn’t score a ton of points, but he does contribute good fantasy production due to his ability to fill up the box score in the rest of the categories. He’s been over 25 FanDuel points in five of his last six games and should get plenty of floor time again tonight against Washington.

High Value: In the bargain bin, it’s worth noting that Jae Crowder is getting extra time for the Mavs playing at least 15 minutes in each of Dallas’s last four games. His production in those games has been uneven but he has had over 15 FanDuel points in three of those four games which gets him a look as a rock-bottom option in our FanDuel Daily Picks since the game in New York could get lopsided in a hurry.

Power Forward

High Salary: The most expensive player in the game tonight, Anthony Davis is a gametime decision and listed as questionable for tonight’s game against Utah. He didn’t play Sunday, but if he takes the floor tonight he’ll look to continue his dominance which has led to a massive 46.8 FanDuel point per game average. Check his status and be prepared to sacrifice at other positions, but his point production makes him worth it if he’s on the floor.

Dec 13, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph (50) comes down with a rebound against Philadelphia 76ers forward Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (12) during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Grizzlies defeated the 76ers 120-115. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

High Salary: As the Grizzlies look to slow the Warriors roll, they’ll rely heavily on Zach Randolph who is coming off three straight double-doubles and has at least 29 FanDuel points in his last four games. Look for Randolph and Marc Gasol look to take it at the Warriors down low to get a win at home.

High Value: If Davis doesn’t play, Ryan Anderson will get the biggest playing time boost. He’s played over 40 minutes in the last two games for the Pelicans (since Davis’s injury), and he’s contributed solid but not spectacular numbers. If Davis is out, he’s a nice value play since he’ll see so much floor time, but if Davis plays Anderson will play a smaller role off the bench.

High Value: Although he doesn’t play a ton of minutes in his current role, Nene Hilario can be a solid FanDuel Daily Pick since he’s usually fairly efficient, avoids turnovers, and gets solid rebound numbers. In his three games back from his most recent injury, Hilario has put up 21, 21, and 18 FanDuel points while averaging 5.7 rebounds and 10.3 points. He offers consistent production at a low price point which makes him worth a look tonight against the T-Wolves.

Center

High Salary: Grizzlies center Marc Gasol has such a well-rounded game that it’s no surprise he’s a FanDuel fiend. He’s averaging 37 FanDuel points a game for the season and has over 35 in four of his last five contests. He should dominate against a Warriors team that will be without Andrew Bogut in this contest.

High Salary: The Jazz don’t get a lot of attention, but Enes Kanter has been doing work for Utah as of late giving his fantas owners quite the boost in the process. He has scored at least 20 FanDuel points in his last seven games and is a good bet for a double-double almost every night. His value gets an extra boost if Anthony Davis is out for the Pelicans interior defense.

Dec 13, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Mason Plumlee (1) shoots as he is defended by Charlotte Hornets forward center Bismack Biyombo (8) during the first half of the game at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports /

High Value: The Heat frontcourt has been diminished by injuries with Chris Bosh expected to miss today’s game and Chris Andersen just one game removed from his own comeback from injury. The Nets frontcourt options should represent value as they take on the backups up front, and the best Brooklyn option due to the injury to Brook Lopez is Mason Plumlee. Plumlee has played over 30 minutes in each of his last two games posting solid double-doubles in each going for 18-10 against the 76ers and 11-13 against Charlotte. Those numbers have led him to back-to-back games with at least 30 FanDuel points. He may lose a bit of time if Mirza Teletovic returns, but Plumlee is still a great value option at Center.

High Value: Despite his starting role for the Warriors, Festus Ezeli is among the cheapest players on the board for tonight. He will get some minutes, boards, and blocks if Andrew Bogut remains sidelined, so if you have to go to the very basement of the bargains, go with Ezeli and hope he gets you 10+ FanDuel points like he has in each of his last four games.

My Lineup

PG: Russell Westbrook-Oklahoma City Thunder

PG: Jrue Holiday-New Orleans Pelicans

SG: Alec Burks-Utah Jazz

SG: Tim Hardaway Jr-New York Knicks

SF: Rudy Gay-Sacramento Kings

SF: Corey Brewer-Minnesota Timberwolves

PF: Zach Randolph-Memphis Grizzlies

PF: Nene Hilario-Washington Wizards

C: Miles Plumlee-Brooklyn Nets

Last night’s lineup scored a solid 288.3 points and put me in the top half of a $2 double up in the 1K Mon NBA Double Up. My final ranking was 46th out of 558 thanks in large part to huge games from Damian Lillard, LeBron James, LaMarcus Aldridge, and Gerald Green with a surprising contribution from the virtually un-owned Jerryd Bayless.