Fantasy Basketball: FanDuel Lineups For January 5th

Jan 3, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Ty Lawson (3) shoots the ball over Memphis Grizzlies forward Jarnell Stokes (1) during the first half at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

There are 11 games tonight in the NBA, which makes it the heaviest night in the New Year.

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Despite the big game load, there is not a lot of star power. LeBron James, Lance Stephenson, Kyrie Irving, Carmelo Anthony, and Al Jefferson are all out. Jimmy Butler, Zach Randolph, and Michael Carter-Williams are all questionable. That is a lot of injured stars, but also a lot of bargains when backups become starters. For a day at least.

Here are my FanDuel lineups for January 5th:

Point Guards:

Bargains:

Matthew Dellavedova, Cavaliers ($3,600): Kyrie Irving is out tonight, so the starting role will go to Dellavedova. He is a decent shooter and decent passer, but he won’t put up any big points. However, he has played at least 30 minutes in each of the Cavs’ last three games, and scored 59.3 fantasy points over that span. If you can get a sure 20 points out of a guy this cheap, you are ahead of the curve.

Donald Sloan, Pacers ($4,500): Sloan has started two straight games due to injuries in the Pacers backcourt again. In that span, he racked up 67.5 fantasy points. As we have seen in the past with Sloan, consistency can be a problem. However, if you have a shot at this many points for this price, can you really pass it up? George Hill is out, and C.J. Watson is another game-time decision. If Watson is out again, look for similar numbers from Sloan.

Worth The Cost:

Ty Lawson, Nuggets ($9,200): Lawson has averaged 43 fantasy points over his last six games and gets a Timberwolves squad that has allowed a ton of points to opposing guards. Lawson is probably the safest play of the night. Especially when you consider how he has been producing lately anyway.

Damian Lillard, Trailblazers ($9,100): Lillard has come back to earth after scorching the league for the first couple of weeks in December. Tonight he gets the worst defensive team in the NBA in the Lakers. Just be aware that he could rest if the Blazers build a big lead. That said, even if Lillard only plays 30 minutes, he could still have a huge night against the Lakers.

Risky Play:

John Wall, Wizards ($9,200): Wall’s production has been right around the 32-35 fantasy point mark, which is a little lower than you would hope for at his price. Tonight he gets a Pelicans team that has been a nightmare to opposing guards lately. You might be better served passing on Wall for the night.

My Lineups:

A: Lillard and Mike Conley ($16,800): Conley has played well lately, and I love his matchup with the Knicks tonight.

B: Dellavedova and Tony Wroten ($10,200): Wroten has emerged as a reliable scorer for the Sixers, and I like his matchup with Cleveland. Especially if MCW is out.

Next: Go Cheap At SG

Dec 22, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Wesley Matthews (2) during the game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Shooting Guards:

Bargains:

Wesley Matthews, Trailblazers ($6,000): Yes, you are detecting a theme here. Play people against the Lakers. With Matthews, I have another reason. Kobe Bryant is taking a day of rest, so Matthews won’t have to deal with him, making him an even more enticing option. Matthews lit up the Knicks last week. He could kick off this week with a similar performance against the Lakers.

Dion Waiters, Cavaliers ($5,400): Waiters will get the start tonight with Dellavedova moving over to PG to cover for Kyrie Irving. Waiters is a generally poor shooter, but he is a decent rebounder at guard, and a decent passer. Missed shots won’t count against you in FanDuel, so ride him. With Irving and King James both out, he is going to be jacking shots up like Kobe. He hasn’t had an opportunity like this yet this season.

Worth The Cost:

Monta Ellis, Mavericks ($7,600): Ellis has been remarkably consistent, scoring between 26 and 38 fantasy points in his last seven games. The Nets have been pretty good defensively against opposing guards, but I can’t argue with this kind of consistency.

Jimmy Butler, Bulls ($9,600): According to reports, Butler is returning from bereavement leave tonight, and it happens at a great time for us fantasy people. Butler matches up with James Harden and the Rockets tonight, so you know he is going to have plenty of open shots.

Risky Play:

Nick Young, Lakers ($5,000): Young is almost exclusively a scorer, but tonight with Kobe Bryant out, he should have plenty of shot selection. So why isn’t Young a bargain? He could be, but there are a couple of things working against him. Wayne Ellington started in place of Kobe last week when he rested, and that could happen again tonight. Young is a loose cannon, and wears out his welcome with coaches and officials alike. You never know when the next incident will occur, so there is a risk to playing him at any time.

My Lineups:

A: Matthews and Waiters ($11,400)

B: Matthews and Young ($11,000)

Next: Go Cheap Or Buy Durant?

Jan 1, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Andrew Wiggins (22) gets fouled in the fourth quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Target Center. Sacramento Kings win 110-107. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Small Forwards:

Bargains:

Robert Covington, 76ers ($5,800): There really isn’t any reason for the mass exodus off of the Covington bandwagon. He has proven that he can co-exist with Tony Wroten. It has been K.J. McDaniels, not Covington, that has taken a hit in minutes. Covington keeps playing his normal minutes, and keeps producing his 20-35 fantasy points. He has only had one bad game since joining the rotation, meaning I don’t really care who the opponent is. Covington is going to help you out.

C.J. Miles, Pacers ($5,500): Miles has forced his way into the starting lineup, and has done well in those three games. Miles has 98.1 fantasy points in those three games. That is outstanding production for his price. Temper your expectations against the Jazz tonight though. Think more in the mid to high 20’s.

Worth The Cost:

Kevin Durant, Thunder ($10,500): The MVP that we have all been waiting for is back. Durant dominated the Wizards as well on Friday. That means in his two games since returning from a sore knee that he has 110.1 fantasy points. Try finding that anywhere else. Golden State will be a tougher matchup, but I am willing to bet that he is still in the 40’s as far as fantasy production goes. Players like that could be hard to come by tonight.

Andrew Wiggins, Timberwolves ($6,200): Wiggins borders on a bargain. He has topped the 30 fantasy point threshold in five of his last six games. He has a solid matchup with Denver tonight, so he should be in the 30’s again.

Risky Play:

Wilson Chandler, Nuggets ($5,800): Chandler has a good matchup against the Timberwolves. He scored 33.3 fantasy points against them on December 26th. The problem is that over his last three games, Chandler has only 62.5 fantasy points combined. Is he being phased out of the offense, or is he just in a slump? At any rate, it makes him a risk.

My Lineups:

A: Covington and Wiggins ($12,000)

B: Durant and Covington ($16,300)

Next: The Stars On Display At PF

Jan 3, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Pau Gasol (16) is defended by Boston Celtics forward Jared Sullinger (7) during the second quarter at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

Power Forwards:

Bargains:

Kenneth Faried, Nuggets ($6,800): One of the most freakish athletes in the league being unleashed on the undersized Minnesota frontcourt? At $5,800? Yes please!

Tristan Thompson, Cavaliers ($6,100): The Cavs are beat up right now, meaning guys who are usually in the shadows will have to step up. Thompson is one of those guys. He has played very well with Anderson Varejao out. Thompson has six straight games of between 28 and 34 fantasy points. And you know how much I love consistency. The potential is there for even more tonight with King James, Kyrie, and Varejao all out of action.

Worth The Cost:

LaMarcus Aldridge, Trailblazers ($10,300): Another Blazer on the list? Now, there’s a surprise! Seriously though, a guy like Aldridge is playable no matter what the matchup is. Tonight he has the potential to dominate against the weak Lakers frontcourt. Even if he does rest the entire fourth quarter, I would not be surprised to see him top the 50 fantasy point mark. That’s how confident I am in Aldridge tonight.

Pau Gasol, Bulls ($9,000): Jimmy Butler is back, which could limit his production some, but Pau has racked up 109 fantasy points in just his last two games. Granted, he did it against Boston and Denver, but are the Rockets all that much better up front?

Risky Play:

Ed Davis, Lakers ($5,400): Davis had played pretty well while starting at power forward for the Lakers, and most nights is a good bargain play. Not tonight. The Trailblazers are monsters up front even without Robin Lopez and Joel Freeland. Davis will likely have to deal with LaMarcus Aldridge all night. That is a matchup I am going to stay away from.

My Lineups:

A: Thompson and Paul Millsap ($14,400): I couldn’t afford Gasol or Love, so I went with Millsap, who is nothing if not consistent.

B: Faried and Aldridge ($17,100)

Next: Is Cole Aldrich Still A Good Option?

Dec 1, 2014; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) dunks the ball during the second half against the Denver Nuggets at EnergySolutions Arena. The Nuggets won 103-101. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

Center:

Bargain:

Rudy Gobert, Jazz ($5,300): Enes Kanter is out again tonight, which means that the talented young Gobert will get another start. He racked up 40.7 fantasy points in place of Kanter on Saturday. He will have to grapple with Roy Hibbert tonight, but he should still put up numbers far above what you could normally expect for his price.

Worth The Cost:

Marc Gasol, Grizzlies ($9,000): Gasol has been under 40 fantasy points in each of his last three games, but he is here because he was still in the 30’s and he has a great matchup against the Knicks tonight. I would be surprised if Gasol didn’t get back into the 40’s tonight.

Risky Play:

Cole Aldrich, Knicks ($5,600): Aldrich was down to just 20 minutes against the Bucks last night. It seems as though the Knick rotation is in flux once again, and Aldrich has been caught in the undertow. I wouldn’t play him against the Grizzlies tonight even if he were the unquestioned starter. There is no way I am taking a chance on him now.

My Lineups:

A and B: Gobert ($5,300)

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