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Fantasy Basketball: FanDuel Lineups For December 19th

By Mike Marteny

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There are ten games on tap for the NBA tonight, which means plenty of stars to choose from. Which ones give you a better chance to win some cash? Read on, dear friends!

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Here are my FanDuel lineups for December 19th:

December 18, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after an injury against the Golden State Warriors during the second quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Thunder 114-109. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Point Guards:

Bargains:

Zach LaVine, Timberwolves ($5,100): Even if Mo Williams does play, I just don’t see him outperforming LaVine. Especially with his back spasm problems. Oh, and he gets to face the Rondo-less Celtics. He won’t have a big game by any means, but 25 fantasy points is very possible.

Cory Joseph, Spurs ($4,800): Tony Parker is out yet again, so Joseph will see another start. He has averaged 22.2 fantasy points per game while filling in for Parker. Those are not great numbers by any means, but if you can pull 22 points out of his price range, it gives you a big boost to afford a stud elsewhere.

Worth The Cost:

Russell Westbrook, Thunder ($10,800): Westy’s 46.6 fantasy points last night were his lowest total of the last four games. It was also his eighth straight game over 40, and he gets the Lakers tonight. Expect another huge game from Westbrook.

John Wall, Wizards ($10,100): Wall’s monster December continued on Tuesday night when he tied a career high in assists with 17 in a win over the Timberwolves. He has three 50 point fantasy games in his last ten, and four 40 pointers in that span as well. He is about as good as it gets.

Risky Play:

Aaron Brooks, Bulls ($3,500): True, the Bulls play Memphis, but it will mostly be Kirk Hinrich who has to deal with the starters. Brooks should get good minutes against mostly the second string. And, hey, anything is gravy from a guy who is the minimum price.

My Lineups:

A: Joseph and Westbrook ($15,600)

B: Westbrook and Damian Lillard ($19,500): I just could not find a satisfactory way to get both Wall and Westbrook, so I am going with Lillard as a very good plan B.

Next: Lots Of Firepower At SG

Dec 17, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade (3) looks on in the second half of a game against the Utah Jazz at American Airlines Arena. The Jazz won 105-87. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

Shooting Guards:

Bargains:

Danny Green, Spurs ($6,100): The absence of Tony Parker and Kawhi Leonard likely means another extended run for Green. In case you need me to remind you, he scored a whopping 51 fantasy points on Wednesday with the two of them out. He likely won’t play 52 minutes again, but he could play 40. Which would still put his fantasy output in the high 30’s.

Gary Neal, Hornets ($3,800): Neal is the favorite to start at SG for Lance Stephenson, who is still out with a groin strain. Neal has the ability to light it up when his shot is falling, but that isnt always the case. Still, he is a good bet for around 20 fantasy points, which is a great bargain for the price.

Worth The Cost:

Dwyane Wade, Heat ($8,700): Wade has scored 85.3 fantasy points over his last two games. The scoring load has fallen on him with Chris Bosh out, and he has responded in a big way. He is a good bet to keep it going agianst the Wizards tonight.

Jimmy Butler, Bulls ($8,100): When Rose is out, Butler takes over games. That is exactly what he did last night against the woeful Knicks. Butler likely will score closer to his 36 point fantasy average tonight than to last night’s 59.5 with the Bulls travelling to Memphis. Still, 36 points is a nice boost to your team.

Risky Play:

Wesley Matthews, Trailblazers ($5,600): He has fallen off some since his hot start. Matthews has not scored over 20 fantasy points since December 9th. He is not longer providing that bang for your buck, but he is taking on a banged up Spurs backcourt tonight.

My Lineups:

A: Green and Arron Afflalo ($11,600): Afflalo is averaging 26 fantasy points over his last six games, and is doing it at a reasonable price.

B: Neal and Afflalo ($9,400);

Next: Can You Trust LeBron Against The Nets?

Nov 26, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Shabazz Muhammad (15) against the Milwaukee Bucks at Target Center. The Bucks defeated the Timberwolves 103-86. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Small Forwards:

Bargains:

Shabazz Muhammad, Timberwolves ($5,500): Muhammad went from sneaky play to full blown bargain with the trade of Corey Brewer to the Rockets. Muhammaed will now move into the starting lineup. He is already averaging 30 fantasy points per game over his last four games. That could increase even more.

Robert Covington, 76ers ($5,300): Covington has been over 25 fantasy points in all but one game since December 1st. As long as the Sixers are riding him, you should too. He is seeing 30 minutes a game over that span as well.

Worth The Cost:

LeBron James, Cavaliers ($10,300): His underwhelming performance from a fantasy perspective against the Hawks on Wednesday will likely scare some people away, but I like his matchup against the Nets. Still, if I could only afford one player over 10k, I would go Westbrook, not LeBron.

Tobias Harris, Magic ($7,000): Harris has been a very consistent play all season. He has not been more than 10 points on either side of his 31.7 average all season. You at least know what you are getting with Harris.

Risky Play:

Josh Smith, Pistons ($7,700): Smith has scored less points in his last two games combined (49.6) than he did against the Kings last Saturday (52.6). He is a bit of a risky play right now. He has been below 30 fantasy points in a game four times in his last six games.

My Lineups:

A and B: Muhammad and Covington ($10,800)

Next: Who Do You Choose With So Many Good PF Available?

December 17, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) shoots a basket against the Indiana Pacers during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Power Forwards:

Bargains:

Thomas Robinson, Trailblazers ($4,200): Yes, I know. The last time that I recommended T-Rob, he didn’t even make it into the game. This time around though, he is coming of a dominant start against the Bucks on Wednesday. Yes the Bucks had virtually no one in the frontcourt, but his 35.7 fantasy points weren’t all luck. I expect the Blazers to let Robinson start again in place of Robin Lopez since it worked out so well the first time around. He will have a harder time against the Spurs, but I would still be surprised if he gets under 20 fantasy points.

Thaddeus Young, Timberwolves ($6,400): Young has quietly put up eight consecutive games of more than 20 fantasy points. He is a very reliable option right now to help offset some of the risks you might be taking elsewhere in your lineups.

Worth The Cost:

Blake Griffin, Clippers ($10,100): Griffin dominated the Pacers on Wednesday. Now he gets a Denver rotation that sometimes has trouble defending in the post. Griffin could have another big game here.

LaMarcus Aldridge, Trailblazers ($9,700): Aldridge just continues putting up 40 point fantasy games like clockwork. The last time he played the Spurs, he was right on schedule with a 40.3 point showing. Expect about the same tonight in Portland.

Risky Play:

Kris Humphries, Wizards ($5,100): He is still a starter, even though his minutes have taken a bit of a dip with Marvin Williams back. He has had two sub-20 point games in his last four, so he is a bit of a risk right now

My Lineups:

A: Aldridge and Robinson ($13,900)

B: Tim Duncan and Robinson ($13,300): Duncan will be well rested tonight, and he is still arguably the most consistent player in the game. To me, he is safer than Kevin Love who may or may not be back to full strength yet, and Pau Gasol against Memphis.

Dec 15, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Boston Celtics center Kelly Olynyk (41) yells instructions to his team during the second half of a game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. The Celtics defeated the 76ers 105-87. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Center:

Bargain:

Kelly Olynyk, Celtics ($6,000): Olynyk is averaging 30 fantasy points per game over his last five games. Tyler Zeller has been steadily losing minutes. In fact, he played just 18 minutes against Orlando on Wednesday. The guard appears to be changing in Boston right now.

Worth The Cost:

Marc Gasol, Grizzlies ($8,800): Gasol is averaging 42 fantasy points per game over his last five games. Use him as you normally would, which is all the time.

Risky Play:

Jonas Valanciunas, Raptors ($6,200): He has been all over the place over his last ten games. Four games in the teens, four in the 20’s, and two in the 30’s. You don’t need this headache, especially against Andre Drummond and the Pistons.

My Lineups:

A; DeAndre Jordan ($8,100): Jordan has been very good lately, and I expect that to continue against the mostly soft Timofey Mozgov and the Nuggets frontcourt.

B: Marcin Gortat ($7,000): The Heat are getting mauled inside without Chris Bosh. Expect that to continue.

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