Fantasy Basketball: FanDuel Lineups For January 6th

Jan 2, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Brandon Jennings (7) gestures after scoring a three point basket during the third quarter against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Detroit Pistons won 97-81. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

With Dion Waiters being held out of the lineup last night due to a pending trade, it destroyed my chance of finishing in the money on one lineup. Rudy Gobert’s off night killed my other chance. And don’t even get me started on Wesley Matthews.

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With only two games in the NBA tonight, some people will likely have the exact same lineups. I am still playing two lineps just in case, but there are very few good options tonight. This is one of those nights where you need a little luck on your side, and have to be willing to take a risk or two.

Here are my FanDuel lineups for January 6th:

Point Guards:

Bargain:

Isaiah Thomas, Suns ($5,500): This will be one of the few times that you see me recommend a player that doesn’t start. Especially at this price. That said, he is a better option than Cory Joseph if Tony Parker plays. Parker is still a game time decision, but it sounds more and more like he will play. I would be willing to bet that Joseph might still start, but I have my doubts as to what he can do in 20-25 minutes. With Isaiah Thomas, we know what we will get from his 25 minutes on the court. Thomas has taken on the role of scorer for the Suns’ second unit, and has done well in that role. Thomas has not surpassed 30 fantasy points since December 20th, but he has been over 20 in all but two games since. On a night like tonight, that passes for a bargain.

Worth The Cost:

Brandon Jennings, Pistons ($7,500): Jennings blew up the Kings on Sunday. In fact, in the two games since the calendar turned to 2015, Jennings has 89 fantasy points. That makes him a must-start on a night like tonight against the Spurs. Especially if Tony Parker sits again. Even if Parker plays, I have doubts as to whether his hamstring is at 100%. Jennings is the best bet for the night at the PG position.

Brandon Knight, Bucks ($7,100): Knight has only had one game under 20 fantasy points since December 23rd. He was off and on for much of December. Has he righted the ship? Maybe. At any rate, beggars can’t be choosers tonight. Knight has a solid enough track record for me to take a flier on him against the Suns.

Risky Play:

Tony Parker, Spurs ($6,300): The last time that Parker tried to give his balky hamstring a go was on Christmas day. He lasted 27 minutes and scored 23.1 fantasy points. That is not bad production, but I have a feeling that the Spurs won’t push him that hard tonight. They want to make sure that he doesn’t suffer a setback. Don’t be surprised if he only plays around 24-27 minutes tonight.

My Lineups:

A: Knight and Jennings ($14,600)

B: Jennings and Goran Dragic ($14,700): Drago has a good matchup against the Bucks and has played well lately. Besides what is the point of having two lineups if you aren’t going to swtich it up some?

Next: Options Galore At SG

Dec 23, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe walks past Phoenix Suns dancers during a fourth quarter time out against the Dallas Mavericks at US Airways Center. The Suns defeated the Mavericks 124-115. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Shooting Guards:

Bargain:

Jodie Meeks, Pistons ($5,000): Meeks’s upside will remain limited so long as the Pistons keep starting Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, but Meeks is outplaying the starter. He has carved out around 25 minutes a game, and is consistently scoring in the 20’s for fantasy points. There is a chance that KCP struggles against the Spurs, which could lead to more minutes for Meeks. The Pistons are going to need someone to score, and Meeks is their sharpshooter.

Worth The Cost:

Eric Bledsoe, Suns ($8,900): Bledsoe has been tearing it up over his last nine games. He has averaged 41 fantasy points over that span. That makes him the most reliable option at any position tonight. The fact that he is playing the Bucks is just the icing on the cake.

Risky Play:

Giannis Antetokuonmpo, Bucks ($6,300): Jason Kidd’s rotations are maddening. That is the only reason that Giannis is a risk. Still, he has played more than 30 minutes in eight of his last nine games. The one that he didn’t he was in foul trouble for much of the game. He may have a tougher go tonight against the Suns, but on a light night, what else can you do?

My Lineups:

A: Bledsoe and Antetokuonmpo ($15,200)

B: Bledsoe and Marco Belinelli ($14,300): Kyle Anderson and Kawhi Leonard are both out for the Spurs, so Belinelli should see another start. He is the third or fourth option, and the only asset his is is as a scorer, but I couldn’t afford Meeks.

Next: Very Limited Options At SF

Dec 27, 2014; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton (22) during the game against the Atlanta Hawks at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Atlanta won 90-85. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Small Forwards:

Bargain:

Khris Middleton, Bucks ($4,900): Jared Dudley is questionable for tonight, so Middleton could see a big uptick in minutes. He has been starting for the last couple of games anyway, but if Dudley is out, then Kidd won’t have much of a chance to tinker with the lineups. Middleton is not a huge fantasy asset, but he has been over 20 fantasy points in four of his last five games. That makes him worth a start with a pathetic pool at SF.

Worth The Cost:

NONE

Risky Plays:

Gerald Green ($4,900) and P.J. Tucker ($4,600), Suns: Both play about the same number of minutes, and both have erratic production. Green is slightly more reliable, but Tucker has more of an ceiling for points because he is a scorer. That also means he has a basement whereas Green does not.

My Lineups:

A: Middleton and Green ($9,800)

B: Middleton and Tucker ($9,500)

Jan 2, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Greg Monroe (10) dunks during the first quarter against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

Power Forwards:

Bargain:

John Henson, Bucks ($4,500): The Bucks gave more minutes to Johnny O’Bryant on Sunday, and he did almost nothing with them. I am inclined to believe that the Bucks give more than 11 minutes to Henson tonight with Ersan Ilyasova and Larry Sanders still out. The Suns are not dominant in the frontcourt, so someone has a chance to step up big for the Bucks. Who will it be? Your guess is as good as mine.

Worth The Cost:

Tim Duncan, Spurs ($8,700): Duncan is about as consistent as they come. A resurgent Pistons team may keep it close enough so Duncan plays more than 35 minutes, but be aware that he may not. Still, if you have cash burning a hole in your pocket tonight, Duncan is worth a shot.

Greg Monroe, Pistons ($6,300): Monroe’s greatest asset is rebounding, so he will always be able to get you some fantasy points. He has scored 20 or more points in nine of his last ten games, and he has benefitted the most from the waiving of Josh Smith. He is a good play tonight, even against the Spurs.

Risky Play:

Markieff Morris, Suns ($6,100): Morris is about as inconsistent as they come, but against a patchwork Bucks frontcourt, he is likely worth running out there. Just be aware that you might not get what you pay for.

My Lineups:

A: Duncan and Monroe ($15,000)

B: Duncan and Henson ($13,200)

Next: The Best Options Are At C

Dec 26, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Milwaukee Bucks center Zaza Pachulia (27) shows emotion against the Atlanta Hawks in the third quarter at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Center:

Bargain:

Zaza Pachulia, Bucks ($5,400): Pachulia has far surpassed Larry Sanders’s production so far, and that will likely continue. In fact, if you look at the numbers, Pachulia has averaged 30 fantasy points a game since taking over for Sanders. That is nearing the production of tonight’s highest priced player (Andre Drummond, $9,200).

Worth The Cost:

Andre Drummond, Pistons ($9,200): Drummond has been an absolute monster on the boards this year. He is averaging 13.1 rebounds a game, which is second in the league. What that means is that if he has his average night, he will have 19.5 fantasy points on rebounds alone, even if he does nothing else. That makes him a sure bet to not have one of those horrible games, as in under 20 points. His rebounding prowess makes him matchup-proof.

Risky Play:

Miles Plumlee, Suns ($4,200): Plumlee is playing more minutes than Alex Len once again, and has responded with back-to-back 20+ point fantasy outings. Against the Bucks, a Suns center should be a solid play, but which one? Therein lies the risk.

My Lineups:

A: Pachulia ($5,400)

B: Drummond ($9,200)

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