Fantasy Basketball: Early FanDuel Lineup For December 31st

The NBA gives us two games at 1pm eastern time today. So FanDuel gives us a bunch of early-only tournaments. And you know what that means. More chances for money!

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Here is my Early FanDuel lineup for December 31st:

Dec 23, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers guard George Hill (3) who brings the ball up court against the New Orleans Pelicans at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Point Guards:

Bargain: George Hill, Pacers ($5,000): Hill’s minutes are still not where they will be, but there are very few options in the early games. It’s either Hill, the mess in Boston, or Chalmers. We will get to Chalmers more later. Hill has averaged 21.5 fantasy points per game since his return, which is right about at a point per minute. At least you know what to expect.

Worth The Cost: Darren Collison, Kings ($7,400): Collison only has one game of over 28 fantasy points since December 11th. That really isn’t worth the price hike, especially considering that game was against the Knicks. He does get to take on the Boston PG spot that is unsettled since the trade of Rajon Rondo though.

Risky Play: Mario Chalmers, Heat ($5,000): Chalmers has wrestled away the starting PG job once again, but he has not topped 18 fantasy points in his last three starts. You just never know what you will get from the Miami PG’s

My Lineup: Hill and Chalmers ($10,000)

Shooting Guards:

Bargain: Danny Granger, Heat ($4,500): Granger has 50.4 fantasy points over his last two games when he became a bigger part of the Miami rotation. As long as he stays there, he is a solid play. So long as his price remains low. He is a huge injury risk.

Worth The Cost: Dwyane Wade, Heat ($9,100): Wade has been over 35 fantasy points in eight of his last nine games. On a day full of mediocre or risky options, Wade is one of the safest.

Risky Play: Avery Bradley, Celtics ($5,000): The whole backcourt situation in Boston is better left avoided. Yes, even in a tournament when there are only four teams to choose from. That is how toxic it is in the fantasy realm.

My Lineup: Granger and Wade ($13,600): The Heat is on!

Dec 8, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Chris Copeland (22) lines up along the free throw lane while the Atlanta Hawks shoot a free throw at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Atlanta defeats Indiana 108-92. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Small Forwards:

Bargain: Jeff Green, Celtics ($6,100): There isn’t really a bargain out there that doesn’t come with a huge risk. Green is not without risk, but he has put up 61.9 fantasy points over his last two games. That has to count for something.

Worth The Cost: Rudy Gay, Kings ($8,800): That is now 13 straight games of more than 30 fantasy points. Everyone should have Gay in their lineups for the early-only tournaments.

Risky Play: Chris Copeland, Pacers ($4,100): Copeland has put together a couple of good games lately, scoring 48.1 fantasy points in those games. The problem is that he is still not a starter, and there are a lot of option at the guard/SF positions in Indiana. They will likely go with whomever is hot during said game, so if Copeland cools off, he will be on the bench immediately.

My Lineup: Gay and Green ($14,900)

Power Forwards:

Bargain: Brandon Bass, Celtics ($3,700): Jared Sullinger is generously listed as questionable with a back injury. The smart money says he won’t play, but even if he does, he likely won’t be at 100 percent. Enter top backup Brandon Bass, who could log quite a few minutes. Let’s face it: PF is a desert for fantasy purposes during the early-only tourneys. Bass is one of the better options.

Worth The Cost: David West, Pacers ($6,700): West is the only suitable option at PF with Sullinger out. I recommended playing him even when the night was mostly full. Nothing has changed. West put up another solid fantasy performance, and continues to be a lock for between 25 and 35 fantasy points a game.

Risky Play: Udonis Haslem, Heat ($3,500): Yes, Josh McRoberts is still out, but it has not been Haslem who has been chewing up the minutes. And it likely won’t be in today’s tilt either. Even on a good day, Haslem struggles to reach 20 fantasy points. Do you really want to gamble on that?

My Lineup: West and Bass ($10,400)

Center:

Bargain: Kelly Olynyk, Celtics ($6,000): If Sullinger sits, the Celtics will likely play both Olynyk and Tyler Zeller at the same time, making both of them good options today. Recently, it has been Olynyk who has done more with his minutes. He has only been below 20 fantasy points once in his last eight games, and he still had 19.1 in that game.

Worth The Cost: DeMarcus Cousins, Kings ($10,800): In five games since his return from meningitis, Cousins has 251 fantasy points. That’s right, kids. He is averaging 50 fantasy points.

Risky Play: Roy Hibbert, Pacers ($5,300): The return of West has taken a big chunk out of Hibbert’s minutes. The quality of Luis Scola’s play has not helped Hibbert’s cause either, making him a big risk to put in your lineup in daily leagues.

My Lineup: Cousins ($10,800)

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