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Fantasy Basketball: FanDuel Lineups For January 7th

By Mike Marteny

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Jan 4, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Jarrett Jack (0) shoots the ball as Miami Heat guard Mario Chalmers (15) defends in the first half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

There are a whopping 13 games on tap tonight, which means that nearly every player will take the court tonight. This makes for a huge player pool to comprise your FanDuel lineups for tonight. It becomes more important than ever to play matchups and guys on hot streaks. Who are the best options? Read on to find out!

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Here are my FanDuel lineups for January 7th:

Point Guards:

Bargains:

Shane Larkin, Knicks ($4,300): Larkin’s stock makes a huge jump with the trade of J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert out of the Big Apple. While the Knicks rotation is likely still in flux, they are running out of options to shuttle in and out of the lineup. Larkin played 31 minutes on Monday night after the trade was announced, and managed to pick up 25.6 fantasy points against a tough Grizzlies squad. He is a superb value while his price is this low, and a fairly low-risk option.

Jarrett Jack, Nets ($6,000): Deron Williams is currently listed as doubtful for Wednesday, which means Jack will likely get an extended run again. He played 44 minutes on Monday and provided 36.8 fantasy points against Dallas. Expect simliar minutes and better numbers against Boston tonight.

Worth The Cost:

John Wall, Wizards ($9,200): I warned of Wall against New Orleans. Now I am telling you to play him with confidence against the Knicks. Yes, I know that he has six straight games below 40 fantasy points. I think he breaks that streak tonight.

Stephen Curry, Warriors ($10,600): Curry was his dominant self against the Raptors and Thunder in his last two games. Now he gets a Pacers squad that is still missing George Hill. The potential is there for Curry to have another game around 45 fantasy points. Perhaps even more.

Risky Plays:

Jeff Teague, Hawks ($8,300): Teague has been outstanding lately. He has averaged 45 fantasy points per game over his last five outings. I won’t sit here and say not to play him. Just be aware that he could be well below that average against a tough defensive Memphis backcourt.

Chris Paul, Clippers ($9,900): Paul has been all over the place lately. He scored 54.6 fantasy points against the 76ers on Saturday. He was held to just 17.6 fantasy points against the Knicks on New Year’s Eve. He also had an off night against the Hawks on Monday. It’s hard to know where Paul is going to be lately, but he does have a tasty matchup against the Lakers tonight. That said, he did have an off night against the lowly Knicks, playing just 28 minutes. Be aware that if when this game gets out of hand, Paul will likely rest.

My Lineups:

A: Wall and Jack ($15,200)

B: Jack and Larkin ($10,300)

Next: Should Harden Be Your Superstar For The Night?

Jan 6, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) dunks against the Phoenix Suns in the second quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Shooting Guards:

Bargains:

Arron Afflalo, Nuggets ($5,600): Afflalo lit up the Timberwolves on Monday. He has now averaged 33 fantasy points per game over his last three outings. He should continue to find open shots against the Magic tonight. He is a guy that you want to roll with when he is knocking them down, and he has certainly done that lately.

Giannis Antetokuonmpo, Bucks ($6,300): Right now, Giannis seems immune to the Kidd lineup shuffling. He played good minutes again last night, and has been putting up some nice lines lately. Another reason why he is here: I love his matchup against the 76ers. Giannis has come close to breaking 40 fantasy points a few times in the last ten days. He might get it done tonight.

Worth The Cost:

James Harden, Rockets ($11,000): The Cavaliers don’t defend the perimeter particularly well, hence the trade to acquire Iman Shumpert. On top of that, the Cavaliers are a little beat up right now. LeBron James and Anderson Varejao are definitely out. Kyrie Irving is a game time decision. Then you take in to account what Harden is capable of. We have seen him drop 60’s several times already this season. He has even come close to 70 a few times this season. I wouldn’t let his recent string of sub-par games deter you. He has a meaty matchup against the Cavs tonight.

Eric Bledsoe, Suns ($8,900): Bledsoe was under 30 fantasy points last night for the first time in ten games (29.2). I am still recommending him against the Timberwolves tonight. Minnesota is so beat up that they don’t defend the guard positions very well at all. Look what Afflalo did to them on Monday. Bledsoe likely won’t get as many shots as Afflalo did, but the chance of him being back over 30 in fantasy points is great.

Risky Plays:

Eric Gordon, Pelicans ($4,600): Gordon played 33 minutes in his return to the floor on Monday, but only managed 16.3 fantasy points. You can chalk that one up to rust. Keep in mind that he may be a little rusty over his next few games as well. That said, he gets the Hornets who are still without Lance Stephenson tonight. If he plays that many minutes tonight, he could put up some really good numbers for the price. You all know the risk involved though.

Brad Beal, Wizards ($6,500): As you all well know by now, Beal should only be used in favorable situations. He struggled mightily in his last two outings against the Pelicans and Spurs. Tonight though, he gets a break facing a Knicks team that is very shorthanded in the backcourt right now. This is about as favorable as it is going to get for Beal.

My Lineups:

A: Antetokuonmpo and Monta Ellis ($13,800): Ellis is about as consistent as they come. He has been between 24 and 36 fantasy points in every game over his last 11. Since I can’t afford the higher priced options, I am taking the consistenty of Ellis.

B: Harden and Afflalo ($16,600)

Next: The Best Cheap Options Are Still At SF

Dec 21, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Knicks forward Quincy Acy (4) reaches for a rebound against the Toronto Raptors at the Air Canada Centre. The Raptors won 118-108. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Small Forwards:

Bargains:

Robert Covington, 76ers ($5,800): Covington just keeps putting up solid outing after solid outing. He does not have a high ceiling, but he is a very consistent player for fantasy purposes, and the price is still right. Oh, and tonight he gets to take on the Bucks. Who knows what lineup Covington gets to take on. Still, SF is the weakest link on the Bucks with Jabari Parker out. Covington should be right about where he usually is in this one. In the upper 20’s.

Quincy Acy, Knicks ($4,700): Acy has three straight games of more than 20 points, including racking up 38.3 against the mighty Grizzlies. How much longer will the Knicks keep him on the bench? I would argue not much longer with J.R. Smith, Iman Shumpert, and Samuel Dalembert all jettisoned out in the last 36 hours. He is a bit of a risk, but with the way he is playing, and with Carmelo Anthony still out, the opportunity will be there for him to have more nights like Monday.

Andrew Wiggins, Timberwolves ($6,400): When the calendar turned to 2015, Wiggins turned it on. He has 116 fantasy points in just three games in January. Wiggins is finally getting comfortable, and he will continue to get every opportunity to score. He is the best option on the Timberwolves. He has scored more than 20 real points in six of his last seven games. The difference is that he is now getting more rebounds and assits. He is on his way to becoming a very well rounded player. And he is still pretty cheap in the FanDuel universe.

Worth The Cost:

Draymond Green, Warriors ($8,300): Green has not taken a step back since the return of David Lee like some had expected. Why? It’s simple. Green does not rely on scoring. For example, on Monday night he only scored 11 points. You would expect his fantasy numbers to be way down. They were not. Green still had 41.1 fantasy points because he had 13 rebounds, five assists, three blocks, and a steal. He is a stat sheet stuffer, and due to his excellence across the board, is worth playing against anyone.

Tobias Harris, Magic ($6,900): The Nuggets have let opposing frontcourts rack up some points on them lately. Harris at this price could be a bargain because he has a pretty high floor. He has not been under 22 fantasy points since returning from an injury in early December. He has yet to break 40 in that same time span, but he should be somewhere in the 30’s tonight, which would make him well worth the cost.

Risky Plays:

Kevin Durant, Thunder ($10.700): Durant had an off night against the Warriors on Monday, but still scored over 30 points in the fantasy world. Obviously, you need more than that from KD, especially on a heavy night like tonight. His matchup against the Kings is not a great one, but he should be back over the 40 mark. Should being the  operative word. If he is not, it will likely keep you out of the money in the big tournaments.

Rudy Gay, Kings ($8,500): He struggled on Sunday against the big Pistons team. The Thunder are almost as big as Detroit, so you could see another off night from Gay. He has been under 25 fantasy points twice in his last three games after having 14 straight games of over 30. He is a risk tonight against the Thunder.

My Lineups:

A: Covington and Wiggins ($12,200)

B: Covington and DeMarre Carroll ($11,300): Carroll has played well lately, and even though he plays the Grizzlies, Memphis has given up their share of fantasy production to forwards with Zach Randolph out. I will take the chance on Carroll.

Next: Should You Spend Big At PF?

Dec 31, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jared Sullinger (7) smiles after making a basket against the Sacramento Kings during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Power Forwards:

Bargains:

Kenneth Faried, Nuggets ($6,700): Faried should see a ton of minutes with the trade of Timofey Mozgov to the Cavaliers. I was going to recommend Faried against the Magic frontcourt anyway. Now with the prospect of Faried seeing big minutes, he is bordering on a must-play tonight.

Jared Sullinger, Celtics ($6,700): Sullinger seems to be back on track after a rough stretch around Christmas. He has over 20 fantasy points in each of his last six games, and is averaging 33.3 fatnasy points per game over that stretch. Oh, and the last time he faced the Nets on December 26th, he finished with over 30 fantasy points. It is looking like a good night to play Sullinger.

Markieff Morris, Suns ($6,100): Morris was dominant agianst the Bucks last night, and gets another weaker opponent tonight in the Timberwolves. His inconsistency is hard to trust, but the chances of him putting up another solid night are very good. Just don’t expect a repeat of last night’s domination of the Bucks.

Worth The Cost:

Kevin Love, Cavaliers ($10,100): Love has stepped up his scoring with LeBron James out, and is producing much like he did last year with the Timberwolves. As the main option in this offense, Love has put up 139 fantasy points in just three games. You would have a hard time covincing me that he is not the best PF option tonight against the Rockets. I have him ranked even higher than Anthony Davis against Charlotte.

Pau Gasol. Bulls ($9,200): Pau has three straight games of over 50 fantasy points. He has destroyed the Rockets, Celtics, and Nuggets over that span. Tonight against the Jazz may pose a bit more of a challenge, but they aren’t as stacked up front with Enes Kanter still out. I wouldn’t put Pau down for 50 again, but I fully expect him in the 40’s.

Risky Plays:

Anthony Davis, Pelicans ($11,000): Davis has had two pedestrian games in a row against Houston and Washington, two teams which he should have done well against on paper. Tonight, he gets the Hornets who are still without Al Jefferson. It looks like a fantastic matchup for Davis. Then again, so did Washington, and he only mustered 35 fantasy points in that game.

Nikola Mirotic, Bulls ($5,300): Mirotic is the future for the Bulls, but playing time will be hard to come by. Taj Gibson is probable for tonight, which likely will mean a chunk out of Mirotic’s minutes. Mirotic is still a guy that has produced in limited minutes, as his performance against Houston on Monday shows. I just wouldn’t bet on it, which is essentially what you are doing with FanDuel.

My Lineups:

A: Faried and Sullinger ($13,400)

B: Love and Faried ($16,800)

Next: With Only One Center, You Need To Choose Wisely

Dec 30, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets center Jusuf Nurkic (23) during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Pepsi Center. The Lakers won 111-103. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Centers:

Bargains:

Jusuf Nurkic, Nuggets ($5,000): Nurkic becomes the starter with the trade of Timofey Mozgov to the Cavs. Nurkic had been outplaying Mozgov and J.J. Hickson anyway. All this move does is clear more meaningful minutes for Nurkic. He has averaged 33 fantasy points over the last four games while averaging only 23 minutes per game. He could see a huge uptick in production once he plays more than 30 minutes per game.

Steven Adams, Thunder ($4,900): Adams is a guy that is nothing special offensively, but his defensive prowess makes him relevant in fantasy games. He has only had one game in the last nine in which he was under 20 fantasy points. That was a game in which he was in foul trouble, and did not score a point. These will happen from time to time, but it is a lot easier to deal with that from a guy who costs $5k.

Worth The Cost:

DeMarcus Cousins, Kings ($10,600): Cousins has played in eight of the Kings last ten games, and averaged 44 fantasy points per game over that span. That is especially impressive considering he struggled to just 24.2 points in one of those games. Tonight, Cousins has a very favorable matchup against the Thunder. Steven Adams and Kendrick Perkings are decent defenders, but decent won’t stop Cousins. He could have a huge game.

Andre Drummond, Pistons ($9,200): Drummond showed just how great of a fantasy asset he is last night, scoring 20 points and grabbing 17 rebounds. His rebounding prowess always gives him a high floor. If he can score points like he did last night, he is a monster. Do temper your expectations tonight against the defensive minded Tyson Chandler.

Risky Plays:

Zaza Pachulia, Bucks ($5,400): Pachulia had trouble last night fantasy-wise. In fact, John Henson not only outplayed him off the bench, but he tallied more minutes that him as well. Is this just another Kidd-fueled anomaly, or is it a sign of things to come? I don’t know, but I am staying away from this one.

Brook Lopez ($6,600) and Mason Plumlee ($6,700), Nets: Brook Lopez has dominated in his last two games, and Plumlee has struggled. Plumlee even struggled with both of them on the court Monday with Lopez got the start for Kevin Garnett. This situation bears monitoring. In the meantime, you are probably best served ignoring the whole thing.

My Lineups:

A and B: Nurkic ($5,000)

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