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Fantasy Basketball: FanDuel Lineups For January 2

By Mike Marteny

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The weather is not the only thing that is cold as we head into 2015. My FanDuel lineups have been as well. A few of the most consistent options have flopped, leaving me out of the money.

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There are quite a few injuries tonight, so finding those gems to step up for George Hill or LeBron James will be key to compiling a winning lineup.

Here are my FanDuel lineups for January 2:

December 27, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) shoots a three point basket against the Los Angeles Clippers during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Point Guards:

Bargains:

Jarrett Jack, Nets ($5,800): The news came down today that Jack will be the starter for the Nets going forward. So long as he keeps playing like he is, he is a serviceable starter for your daily league as well. Jack has not been under 20 fantasy points since December 17th, and has been over 30 four times in that span.

Trey Burke, Jazz ($5,500): Burke seems to be settling in for the Jazz right now. He has topped 25 fantasy points in each of his last three games. If you can get that kind of production from him at that price, it will help you into the money.

Worth The Cost:

Kyle Lowry, Raptors ($9,900): Lowry continues his dominance while DeMar DeRozan is out. Lowry now has five straight games of more than 42 fantasy points, and has been over that mark in seven of his last nine games.

Kyrie Irving, Cavaliers ($8,800): Irving has posted 85.7 fantasy points in the last two games. He is stepping up his scoring with LeBron James out, and could have nice value over the next couple of weeks unless his price rises meteorically.

Risky Play:

Donald Sloan, Pacers ($4,300): C.J. Watson is still a game time decision. If he plays, Sloan will have very little value, even with George Hill out. If he is out, Sloan might be worth a start. Just be aware that Rodney Stuckey could just as easily fill in as Sloan. The team has been quiet about the situation so far.

My Lineups:

A: Jack and Jrue Holliday ($13,600): Holliday has been over 30 fantasy points in five of his last six games, and I like his matchup with Houston more than Jeff Teague’s against the Jazz. If you can’t afford Kyrie, you have to improvise.

B: Jack and Irving ($14,600)

Next: Should You Pay For Harden?

Dec 30, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Jodie Meeks (20) shoots a three pinter over Orlando Magic guard Evan Fournier (10) during the second quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Shooting Guards:

Bargains:

Jodie Meeks, Pistons ($5,100): Meeks has been on fire from the floor lately, and let’s face it: Kyle Singler is not much of an obstruction for playing time. Meeks’ minutes have trended slightly upward, and he has responded with 60 fantasy points in his last two games. Oh, and he plays the Knicks tonight. The potential is here for another good game.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks ($6,300): Giannis has 72.7 fantasy points in his last two games. He is flourishing for the Bucks right now. So much that hopefully Jason Kidd won’t change up the rotation much.

Worth The Cost:

Eric Bledsoe, Suns ($8,800): Bledsoe now has four 40+ fantasy point games in his last five. Even in the one that he missed in, he still scored over 30. He is becoming a very reliable option in an uncertain backcourt.

Joe Johnson, Nets ($7,100): Johnson has only failed to hit the 30 fantasy point threshold twice in his last ten games. He won’t get you 40, but he is consistently dropping mid-30’s. Never underestimate the importance of consistency.

Risky Play:

James Harden, Rockets ($11,500): Harden is here for one reason, and one reason only. His last outing against the Pelicans on December 18th netted him only 32.9 fantasy points in 34 minutes. There is a chance that could happen again, and that simply is not good enough at his price. Then again, there is always a chance that that game on December 18th was the exception and not the rule.

My Lineups:

A: Antetokounmpo and Meeks ($11,400)

B: Meeks and Monta Ellis ($12,600): You have to go all the way back to the first week of Decmeber to find the last time that Ellis was not over 25 fantasy points.

Next: The Bargains Are Still At SF

Dec 31, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Gerald Henderson (9) reacts after a play during the third quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Small Forwards:

Bargains:

Gerald Henderson, Hornets ($4,700): Gary Neal is out for tonight’s game, so that means Henderson will pick up more minutes. He has 60 fantasy points over his last two games while playing 35 minutes per game. Expect him to be near those numbers tonight.

Jared Dudley, Bucks ($5,200): Dudley had his first game under 20 fantasy points in nearly two weeks on Wednesday, but his minutes were still intact. Chalk it up to a bad night at the office, and put him back out there against the short-handed Pacers.

Worth The Cost:

Kevin Durant, Thunder ($10,600): The MVP-like Durant was out in full force on Wednesday against the Suns. Durant scored 44 points, grabbed ten rebounds, and added seven assists for a whopping 63.5 FanDuel points. He finally looks like his old self again. He even played 40 minutes! It seems like all the restrictions and nagging ailments are gone, at least for now.

Draymond Green, Warriors ($7,700): The official word has come down that Green will remain the starter at PF even though David Lee is fully healthy. Green has 111.6 fantasy points in his last three games, so ride his consistency unless something changes.

Risky Play:

Carmelo Anthony, Knicks ($9,500): Melo has only 44.5 fantasy points in his last two games. That’s it. You don’t need me to tell you that that isn’t nearly enough at that price. Your money is better spent elsewhere with so many high dollar options tonight.

My Lineups:

A: Henderson and Dudley ($9,900)

B: Durant and Henderson ($15,300)

Next: Many Great Options At PF

Nov 8, 2014; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks center John Henson (31) grabs a loose ball against Memphis Grizzlies center Kosta Koufos (41) in the second quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Power Forwards:

Bargains:

John Henson, Bucks ($4,200): Henson has put up at least 20 fantasy points in the four games since his return. Larry Sanders and Ersan Ilyasova are out again tonight, so expect another decent run of minutes for Henson.

Tristan Thompson, Cavaliers ($5,900): Thompson once again was over 25 points, extending his streak to four games. He has a low ceiling, but if he keeps scoring like this for you, he is still a bargain.

Worth The Cost:

Anthony Davis, Pelicans($11,300): Davis is starting to put together some kind of consistency again. He has four straight games over over fantasy points, and two of those have been in the 50’s. He could have a good night against the Rockets since Omer Asik will likely have to deal with the brunt of Dwight Howard.

Paul Millsap, Hawks ($8,400): Millsap extended his streak of 30+ fantasy games to eight with a monster night against the Cavaliers on Tuesday. Don’t expect another 50 bomb against Utah, but I wouldn’t bet against him being in the 30’s again the way he is going.

Risky Play:

Kris Humphries, Wizards ($4,700): Nene is “sore”, but plans to play through it. Allow me to translate: Nene will cede a lot of minutes to Humphries. When Humphries has played over 25 minutes, he has been solid. There is a good chance that that happens tonight.

My Lineups:

A: Davis and Millsap ($19,700)

B: Millsap and Henson ($12,600)

Next: Dear FanDuel, Can We Start Two Centers?

Dec 10, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; New York Knicks center Cole Aldrich (45) shoots the ball as San Antonio Spurs power forward Tiago Splitter (22) defends during the second half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Center:

Bargain:

Cole Aldrich, Knicks ($5,100): Aldrich posted 25 fantasy points once again, and also played over 30 minutes again. As long as he is producing, the Knicks should keep giving him chances.

Worth The Cost:

Andre Drummond, Pistons ($9,300): Drummond has only been under 30 fantasy points once is his last 11 games, and he still topped 25 in that one. His price is climbing to the point where he is a little more of a risk, but after seeing what he did to the Magic on Tuesday, there shouldn’t be much concern. After all, he does get the Knicks tonight.

Risky Play:

Mason Plumlee, Nets ($6,700): Brook Lopez had a huge game on Tuesday. Plumlee only played 17 minutes, so which no announcement has been made, a trend is developing here. One in which the tables turn an Lopez become the bargain, and Plumlee the bust. Avoid both players until some announcement is made.

My Lineups:

A: Aldrich ($5,100)

B: ZaZa Pachulia ($4,900): He has played well with Sanders out, so why not?

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