Fantasy Basketball: FanDuel Lineups For December 23rd

The A lineup hit some money again, despite netting well below 300 points. Last night was a night where a lot of stars failed, and if you had Jimmy Butler and/or James Harden, you made money. It was that simple. Tonight won’t be so easy with 11 games on tap.

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Here are my FanDuel lineups for December 23rd:

Dec 21, 2014; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) handles the ball against New Orleans Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday (11) during the first quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Point Guards:

Bargains:

Jarrett Jack, Nets ($4,900): Even if Deron Williams does play, I doubt he is at 100 percent. Even if he is, Jack may still be a solid play. He was averaging 20 fantasy points per game in the five games leading up to his Sunday start. Which is very close to what D-Will is getting you lately.

Mo Williams, Timberwolves ($5,500): Williams shone on Saturday against the Pacers. He put up 38.4 fantasy points, and will likely be the starter for at least one game as a reward. He keeps the ball and the offense moving better than Zach LaVine right now. The Timberwolves would likely want to use LaVine with the second string anyway since those are the guys that he will be playing with as they start to build the team for the future

Worth The Cost:

Russell Westbrook, Thunder ($11,200): He has ten straight games of over 40 fantasy points. TEN. No one else can claim that this year. He is the most reliable high priced option out there.

Chris Paul, Clippers ($10,300): Paul has put together four straight games of 40 or more fantasy points, and seems to be back on track after hitting a speed bump in mid December.

Risky Play:

Damian Lillard, Trailblazers ($9,000): Lillard had 57.6 fantasy points in the triple overtime thriller against the Spurs on December 19th. In the two games since, he has a combined 54.2 points. His matchup with Westbrook and the Thunder tonight are just one more reason to steer clear.

My Lineups:

A: Westbrook and Williams ($16,700)

B: Williams and Jack ($10,400)

Next: Go Without Jimmy Butler At Your Own Risk

Dec 7, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley (0) gets a round above Washington Wizards forward Paul Pierce (34) during the second half of the Boston Celtics 101-93 win over the Washington Wizards at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Shooting Guards:

Bargains:

Gary Neal, Hornets ($3,800): Neal has come off the bench over the last three games with Lance Stephenson out, but he is still producing numbers near what he was when he started two games. He has averaged 18 fantasy points a game in that span, which is not great, but if it can afford you a stud, is it not worth it?

Avery Bradley, Celtics ($4,800): Bradley is the top backup at both G spots for Boston, and is playing as much, if not more, than the starters. He has put up 59 fantasy points in the two games since Rajon Rondo was jettisoned to Dallas. Bradley is one of the better bargains right now.

Worth The Cost:

Jimmy Butler, Bulls ($8,900): Jimmy Buckets is on fire right now. he has scored 115 real points in his last four games. In fantasy land, that has amounted to 203. Yes, that is a 51 point average over a four game span. He is worth every penny of that $8,900.

Monta Ellis, Mavericks ($8,100): Ellis was cold from the floor last night, but he still managed to put up 26 fantasy points. If he can do that on an off night, that makes him a pretty low-risk proposition.

Risky Play:

Kobe Bryant, Lakers ($8,900): Kobe has not been over 40 fantasy points since December 12th, and with the recent news that he could start seeing less minutes and games off to ease the rigors of the NBA season on his 37 year old body, it is probably in your best interest to avoid him in daily games. At least until a pattern starts showing for his rests.

My Lineups:

A: Butler and Neal ($12,700)

B: Butler and Joe Johnson ($15,600): Even if D-Will returns tonight, I don’t see Johnson just disappearing from the offense. He has been really good lately. So good that the Nets can’t afford to move away from him on offense.

Next: Bargains Galore at SF

Dec 6, 2014; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Robert Covington (33) during the game against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Small Forwards:

Bargains:

Robert Covington, 76ers ($5,400): There is no better bargain at the price than Covington. He has put up more than 25 fantasy points in all but two of his last nine games, and he has not been under 20 since December 10th. I play him with confidence every time the 76ers take the court.

Jared Dudley, Bucks ($4,400): Dudley has racked up 59.6 fantasy points in his last two games, and seems to have a leg up on the competition. At least for now. With the Bucks you never know, but he should be a safe option tonight.

Worth The Cost:

Draymond Green, Warriors ($7,800): Green still eclipsed 30 fantasy points, even with David Lee back. The biggest thing to watch will be the minutes. He was down to 26 last night against the Kings.

Shabazz Muhammad, Timberwolves ($6,000): Muhammad has averaged 36 fantasy points per game over his last four games. He is really the only scoring threat that the Timberwolves have, so Muhammad will continue to put up these nice numbers.

Risky Play:

Gerald Henderson, Hornets ($3,900): Gary Neal was given more minutes than Henderson last night. Will this trend continue? Both are relatively low risk options, but it might be prudent to avoid this situation until one separates himself from the other.

My Lineups:

A and B: Muhammad and Covington ($11,400)

Next: Should You Try To Afford Anthony Davis?

Dec 19, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Nerlens Noel (4) shoots the ball during the third quarter against the Charlotte Hornets at Wells Fargo Center. The Hornets won 109-91. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports

Power Forwards:

Bargains:

Nerlens Noel, 76ers ($6,100): It has been a while since I mentioned Noel here, and with good reason. The first (and only) time I did, he bombed. Now, Noel has started four straight games and averaged 31 fantasy points per game over that span. That is a good bargain for 6k.

David West, Pacers ($6,600): West has quietly pout up seven straight games of 25 or more fantasy points. That makes him worth this price, and a very consistent option.

Worth The Cost:

Anthony Davis, Pelicans ($11,500): You know the drill, AD has an off game, then completely goes off. He put up another 60 fantasy point line last night against the Thunder. His on game-off game routine lately suggests that tonight should be an off game. Then you realize that he plays the Pacers and it probably won’t be.

Paul Millsap, Hawks ($7,900): Millsap is not flashy, but he is consistent. He has four straight 30 fantasy point games, and has topped that mark in eight of his last ten. Can you say low risk?

Risky Play:

LaMarcus Aldridge, Trailblazers ($10,300): Aldridge is questionable, and there is a good chance that no designation will be made before the 7pm eastern tip times for his 8pm eastern tip. If he plays though, he could have a huge game against a Thunder frontcourt that got abused by Anthony Davis last night.

My Lineups:

A: West and Noel ($12,300)

B: Davis and West ($18,100)

Next: Sneaky Plays At C Tonight

December 18, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors center Festus Ezeli (31) during the third quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Thunder 114-109. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Center:

Bargains:

Steven Adams, Thunder ($4,500): Adams has now reached 20 fantasy points in three of his last four games. He has always been a good defensive player, but now he is starting to produce on the offensive end as well.

Alex Len, Suns ($4,000): Len is “starting” now for Phoenix, but is still playing about the same amount of minutes as he was before. That said, he does have four consecutive 20 point fantasy games which makes him a good value for you bargain shoppers.

Worth The Cost:

Al Jefferson, Hornets ($8,700): Al Jeff doesn’t get the notoriety that the big names at the position do, but he still produces good numbers. He is riding a streak of four straight 30+ fantasy point games, and gets to face a Bucks team that is still beat up.

Risky Play:

Festus Ezeli, Warriors ($3,500): Ezeli shined last night against the Kings, and with Andrew Bogut still out, he likely will get another chance tonight against the Lakers. That’s right. The Lakers. Now you see why I am seriously considering him.

My Lineups:

A: Mason Plumlee ($6,400): Plumlee has played so well with Brook Lopez out that he is now penciled in as the starter even when Lopez returns. He has racked up six consecutive 30+ fantasy point games.

B: Adams ($4,500):

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