Fantasy Basketball: FanDuel Lineups For January 3

Jan 2, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz guard Trey Burke (3) lays the ball up to the basket while being guarded by Atlanta Hawks guard Kyle Korver (26) during the first quarter at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports

My A lineup was back in the money tonight. Let’s try to build on that, shall we?

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Here are my FanDuel Lineups For January 3:

Point Guards:

Bargains:

Trey Burke, Jazz ($5,500): There is a long list of reasons to play Burke tonight. First off, he is playing the beat up Timberwolves and rookie PG Zach LaVine. Second, injuries have ravaged the Jazz’s backcourt. Alec Burks is out for the year. Rodney Hood is out at least a week, and Patrick Christopher is out a month. That means that Burke will get as many minutes as he can handle. Who cares if he misses 65% of his shots? That won’t hurt you in FanDuel.

Tony Wroten, 76ers ($6,200): Wroten racked up 28 real points in 33 minutes yesterday. He can score in bunches, and the 76ers need all of the scoring help that they can get. K.J. McDaniels and Jakarr Sampson are hardly a threat to Wroten’s minutes. Brett Brown announced that Wroten is the starter at SG, so he should be free to shoot as he pleases. Actually, the Sixers would likely prefer that given the horrendous shooting percentage of Michael Carter-Williams.

Worth The Cost:

Jeff Teague, Hawks ($7,700): All of the top tier options today have some risk involved. Except for Teague. Teague has three straight 40+ fantasy point games. As good as the Trailblazers are, they aren’t particularly good at tempering fantasy points. Though that could change with the return of LaMarcus Aldridge. That said, even if Teague only get you 30, it is worth it at the cost.

John Wall, Wizards (9,500): Wall has had three down games as far as scoring goes, but it hasn’t hurt his FanDuel value much. He has still been above 28 points in each of those games. His shooting stroke will come back. Tonight he gets a Spurs team that is like a patchwork quilt at PG. The potential is there for a big game from Wall.

Risky Plays:

Chris Paul, Clippers ($9,900): Paul has had two awful games in his last three. So why do I recommend him? He is playing the 76ers. They will cure your fantasy ailments. Just be aware that he might see a lot of rest in the fourth quarter if this turns into a blowout. Still, he could rack up the points when he is in there. That said, one of his awful games was against the lowly Knicks.

Aaron Brooks, Bulls ($4,100): With Jimmy Butler, Mike Dunleavy, and Doug McDermott all out, Brooks and Kirk Hinrich will likely see a big increase in minutes. Hinrich doesn’t do much from a fantasy point of view, but Brooks does. He is a sneaky play tonight.

My Lineups:

A: Teague and Burke ($13,200)

B: Teague and Elfrid Payton ($12,400): Payton had the best game of his young career last night. That’s what a B team is for: taking some risks.

Next: Are The Top SG's Worth The Price?

Dec 14, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Marco Belinelli (3) attempts a shot against Denver Nuggets forward Alonzo Gee (1) and guard Gary Harris (14) in the fourth quarter at Pepsi Center. The San Antonio Spurs defeated the Denver Nuggets 99-91. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Shooting Guards:

Bargains:

Marco Belinelli, Spurs ($4,300): Kawhi Leonard is still out. Belinelli has provided a good burst for the Spurs with his increased playing time. He doesn’t have a high ceiling, but he consistently puts up point totals at or near 20 on the fantasy side. You need to go cheap somewhere if you want some stars. Belinelli might be the safest of the bargain basement options.

Jamal Crawford, Clippers ($5,400): Crawford is very dependent on scoring, so he is not always a safe option. Playing against the 76ers tonight though, he should get a lot of open shots. He is less of a risk tonight than most nights.

Worth The Cost:

Dwyane Wade, Heat ($9,100): Wade has a nine game streak of 35 or more fantasy points. Tonight he goes against James Harden who is notorious for his defense, and not in a good way. Wade could have a huge game.

James Harden, Rockets ($11,500): Hopefully you heeded my warning of Harden’s track record against the Pelicans last night. Tonight though, he has a much easier matchup against the Miami Heat. Open shots should be plentiful, and Harden is a basket assassin.

Risky Play:

Danny Granger, Heat ($4,500): Granger has done well since his return from injury, and seems to be carving out a role on this Heat team. He should get some chances and open looks against the Rockets tonight. Just keep in mind that this is not the Danny Granger of two years ago. He barely has legs to stand on, but he can still be a serviceable player.

My Lineups:

A: Belinelli and Crawford ($9,700)

B: Wade and Belinelli ($13,400)

Next: Where Do You Go With No Marquee Options At SF?

Dec 26, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Andrew Wiggins (22) during the second half against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 106-102. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Small Forwards:

Bargains:

Robert Covington, 76ers ($5,600): No, I am not still riding the bandwagon. At this point, I am probably driving the thing. This is not without merit though. He has only had one game where he was under 20 fantasy points since joining the Sixers rotation in his current capacity in late November. That makes him a safe bargain option, no matter who the opponent.

Gerald Henderson, Hornets ($4,700): Gary Neal will eat into his minutes a little, but Henderson is by far the better option from a fantasy standpoint. Some of it has to do with him being the starter, but it is mostly because he is not dependent on scoring to make an impact. He is a good passer and solid rebounder as well. That means even if his shot isn’t falling, he is doing something to help your team.

Worth The Cost:

Gordon Hayward, Jazz ($7,700): Hayward was remarkably consistent throughout the whole month of December. He has not had a sub-20 fantasy day in over a month now. Being that he has the Timberwolves tonight is just another reason to play him. He has the potential for a big night.

Andrew Wiggins, Timberwolves ($6,100): Wiggins has now topped 30 fantasy points in four of his last five games. Not coincidentally, he has played at least 36 minutes in all of those games. The Timberwolves need all of the offense that they can get, so they will let Wiggins shoot as many times as he wants. Missed shots don’t count against you. Just plug him in, and enjoy the production!

Risky Play:

Shabazz Muhammad, Timberwolves ($6,500): The offense is going more through Wiggins than Muhammad lately. As a result, he has been below 25 fantasy points in three of his last four games. That is not to say that Muhammad is no longer a threat. He still is, but he may not see quite as many opportunities as his did when he first took the starting gig. Another reason to be wary: The Jazz play pretty good defense.

My Lineups:

A and B: Covington and Wiggins ($11,700)

Next: Lots Of Ways To Spend Your Money At PF

Dec 26, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried (35) reacts during the first half against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Power Forwards:

Bargains:

Kenneth Faried, Nuggets ($6,900): It is not often that a guy of this price lands himself as a bargain, but Faried has been lately. It’s not like he all of the sudden got good. The only thing that has changed is Brian Shaw’s willingness to play him. Faried has two games of over 50, and two of over 40 in his last five games. In the one that he didn’t, he left the game because of tiredness, not some hare-brained rotation issue. At this point, he might be matchup-proof. I am not afraid of starting him against Memphis because even if Randolph does take the court, he won’t be at full strength. And if Jon Leuer starts, well, you know how that will end. In another big night for Faried.

Marvin Williams, Hornets ($4,200): Bismack Biyombo has been starting for the injured Al Jefferson lately, but Williams is still getting a lot more minutes. Biyombo is limited offensively, and often finds himself in foul trouble. The minutes will be there for Williams, just be aware that you likely will not get more than 25 or so fantasy points out of him.

Worth The Cost:

LaMarcus Aldridge, Trailblazers ($10,100): LMA is matchup-proof. He is so consistently good that you don’t have to worry about playing him against anyone. Even against Paul Millsap and Al Horford.

Pau Gasol, Bulls ($8,800): The Bulls are beat up in the backcourt, so how does that affect Gasol? Well, someone has to pick up the scoring slack of Jimmy Butler. That someone is Gasol. He is taking on a Celtic frontcourt that has been dominated at times by opponents. I say at times because they were the abusers against the Kings last weekend. Still, I like Gasol against the inconsistency of Boston.

Risky Play:

Josh Smith, Rockets ($6,900): Smith clearly has some adjusting to do in Houston. He has struggled in his two starts with the Rockets after playing very well off the bench. Even though the matchup against Miami looks nice, Smith simply cannot be trusted right now.

My Lineup:

A: Faried and Blake Griffin ($17,200): Griffin is playing the 76ers. Do I need any other reason?

B: Faried and Aldridge ($17,000)

Dec 3, 2014; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) returns to the court after being called for a flagrant foul during the first half against the Toronto Raptors at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

Center:

Bargain:

Rudy Gobert, Jazz ($4,900): Enes Kanter is out with a sprained ankle, which means Gobert will get the starting nod. He has scored over 20 fantasy points in eight of his last ten games strictly as a backup. Can you imagine what he can do with starter’s minutes? Against the Timberwolves, no less?

Worth The Cost:

Marc Gasol, Grizzlies ($9,100): Gasol might be the most consistent player in the game as far as fantasy points go, but if you need another reason to start him, I have one. He is playing the Denver Nuggets tonight, who have been abused by opposing centers all season long.

Risky Play:

Dwight Howard, Rockets ($9,100): Howard has been under 20 fantasy points in four of his last five games. I love his matchup against the Heat, but I just can’t ignore the recent trend.

My Lineups:

A: DeAndre Jordan ($8,100): One reason: The Clippers are playing the 76ers, who are one of the most undersized teams in the league.

B: Gobert ($4,900)

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