Fantasy Basketball: FanDuel Lineups For January 9th

Dec 27, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets point guard Jarrett Jack (0) controls the ball against Indiana Pacers point guard C.J. Watson (32) during the first quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The B lineup made a little bit of money last night. As for the other, well, that’s what I get for trying to figure out what will happen with the Knicks.

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There are 11 games on tap for the NBA tonight, which leaves a plethora of options open. The downside is that there are still too few reliable mid-level options.

Here are my FanDuel lineups for January 9th:

Point Guards:

Bargains:

Jarrett Jack, Nets ($5,900): Deron Williams is out indefinitely again, and we all know what that means. Jarrett Jack will get an extended run. The team has been running better with Jack at the helm anyway. The prospect of Jack getting 35-40 minutes a game is enticing. Especially since he has shown what he can do with good minutes. The prospect of him racking up 30 fantasy points against Philadelphia make him a must play tonight if you want to go cheap at PG.

Elfrid Payton, Magic ($5,300): Payton has come on lately. He has scored at least 24 fantasy points in all but one game since Christmas. In the game that he didn’t, he played just 24 minutes. The Magic are content to play the offensively challenged Payton since he does so much on the defensive end. You should be content to play him for the same reason. Players that don’t rely on scoring for fantasy success have a much higher floor in daily leagues. And the Magic are playing the Lakers tonight, so the potential is there for him to have a big game.

Worth The Cost:

Stephen Curry, Warriors ($10,700): Curry has scored at least 45 fantasy points in three consecutive games after five straight of 40 or under. There is a slight risk in playing Curry tonight against the LeBron-less Cavs, but I wouldn’t worry too much. Cleveland still doesn’t defend the perimeter well, so Curry should have great success hitting his own shots or finding open teammates. Even if the Warriors do rest him when the game gets out of hand.

Jeff Teague, Hawks ($8,400): In a night where many of the high level point guards either have tough opponents or have been struggling, a mid-level guy like Teague stands out. Teague has averaged 43.5 fantasy points per game over his last six outings. The only really tough opponent in that span was Memphis, but you have to admit, it has been a great run for Teague. I would ride him again against the Pistons tonight.

Risky Play:

Ty Lawson, Nuggets ($8,900): Lawson has a streak of eight straight 30+ fantasy point games, but he has a tough draw tonight against the Kings. His knee didn’t bug him against Orlando on Wednesday, but it gives me one more reason to pause before putting him in my lineup tonight. There are better options with less risk.

My Lineups:

A: Curry and Jack ($16,600)

B: Teague and Jack ($14,300)

Next: Should You Spend At SG Tonight?

January 7, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) celebrates after a basket during the third quarter against the Indiana Pacers at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Pacers 117-102. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Shooting Guards:

Bargains:

Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks ($6,200): Giannis only played 15 minutes on Wednesday, which really tempered his value. He should get a decent amount of minutes tonight against the Timberwolves, and we have all seen what he can do with minutes. Did I mention he is playing the Timberwolves? He is a good option on a night where they are very few bargains to be had at SG.

Joe Johnson, Nets ($6,900): Johnson has been a consistent force for the Nets this year. He has only one game under 20 fantasy points in the last month. He has not topped 40 in that span, but if consistency is what you desire, you know you can count on 25-30 points from Johnson every game. Especially tonight against Philadelphia.

Worth The Cost:

Eric Bledsoe, Suns ($8,700): Bledsoe is the best high-dollar option at SG tonight. The Spurs are still without Kawhi Leonard, which should allow Bledsoe to use his quickness to his advantage. He is a good passer and a ball hawk, so he doesn’t have to score big to score big in FanDuel. Bledsoe has not been under 30 fantasy points in his last 12 games.

Klay Thompson, Warriors ($7,800): Klay lit up the Pacers on Wednesday night, and showed that he has possibly the highest ceiling at the position. The problem is that with so many options around him, Thompson is mostly a role player on most nights. He consistently gets 25-30 points, and that is why he is here. The high ceiling certainly doesn’t hurt. There is a chance that he will do the same thing to the Cavs unless J.R. Smith is revitalized and feels like giving an effort.

Risky Play:

Jimmy Butler, Bulls ($9,400): Butler has been a very consistent producer for much of the year. That said, he did struggle last time he played the Wizards. You have to use caution for that reason alone. Butler has struggled against teams who play good perimeter defense. Butler is a nice guy to have, just be aware that he is not likely to reach his per-game average of 37.3 points. In fact, he has not reached that yet this year.

My Lineups:

A: Thompson and Marco Belinelli ($12,200): Belinelli is still starting in the place of Kawhi Leonard, and putting up a consistent 20 fantasy points per game.

B: Bledsoe and Antetokounmpo ($14,900)

Next: There Are Still Great Bargains At SF

Jan 1, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Andrew Wiggins (22) and Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) laugh during a free throw in the fourth quarter at Target Center. Sacramento Kings win 110-107. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Small Forwards:

Bargains:

Khris Middleton, Bucks ($5,200): Middleton has outplayed Jared Dudley for the last five games. How long will he keep getting more minutes? It’s anyone’s guess in Milwaukee, but I would hope that his recent performance will keep him in the lineup. Middleton has averaged 28 fantasy points over his last seven games. That is not great production, but it is for his price.

Andrew Wiggins, Timberwolves ($6,900): Wiggins has taken off over the last couple of weeks. Since December 23rd, he has just one game of under 30 fantasy points, and is averaging 32.4 fantasy points per game in that span. He hasn’t just done it against bad teams either. The Wolves played Utah and Denver twice in that span, and had a game with the Suns. He is a sure 30 at 7k right now. Take him if you can.

Worth The Cost:

Kevin Durant, Thunder ($10,500): Durant is only on here because his floor is the highest of any high priced option tonight. While others have had off games, Durant usually doesn’t. Even if he does, he gets 35 fantasy points. That is much easier to take than an 18 from Jimmy Butler or 24 from DeMarcus Cousins. His minutes are still watched pretty closely, but if the Thunder need him, you can bet he will be in there. They are going to need him a lot more if they want to make the playoffs in the West.

Draymond Green, Warriors ($8,200): Here is an interesting stat for you: Draymond Green has not scored 20 real points in a game since December 13th. Yet he has been over 30 fantasy points in every game since except for one. Green is another guy with a high floor because he doesn’t need to score to produce. He is a very good rebounder, and a good passer. Not to mention the blocks. He has 24 blocks in his last 11 games. Stat stuffers are great plays in FanDuel, so don’t be afraid to play Green, no matter what the matchup.

Risky Play:

Tobias Harris, Magic ($6,800): Harris has only scored over 30 fantasy points four times in his last 11 games, but he has also not been below 20 in that span. He is a slight risk for his price, but you simply can’t ignore a fairly high floor and a matchup against the Lakers. I wouldn’t blame you if you took Harris over anyone else on this list.

My Lineups:

A: Green and Wiggins ($15,100)

B: Harris and Wiggins ($13,700)

Next: Lots Of Great Options At PF

Dec 30, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets center J.J. Hickson (7) during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Pepsi Center. The Lakers won 111-103. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Power Forwards:

Bargains:

Kenneth Faried, Nuggets ($6,500): Faried has the most talent on the team, but he still falls victim to Brian Shaw’s asinine rotations. He has not played more than 30 minutes since he dominated the Bulls on New Year’s Day. Perhaps Shaw is trying to make sure that he doesn’t get dead legs again. Whatever the case is, it limits Faried’s upside. Still, he is getting in the mid 20’s for fantasy points, and he has the highest ceiling of anyone under 10k.3

J.J. Hickson, Nuggets ($4,300): It was Hickson, not Jusuf Nurkic, who benefitted most from the trade of Timofey Mozgov on Wednesday. Hickson played 30 minutes and racked up 27.5 fantasy points. The Nuggets seem content to ease Nurkic into the role, so Hickson is a great candidate for 25-30 minutes again tonight. That makes him a great bargain.

Worth The Cost:

Anthony Davis, Pelicans ($11,100): Davis dominated the beat-up Hornets on Wednesday. Now he gets a crack at the Grizzlies who may be without Zach Randolph yet again. If they are, Davis is going to punish them too. Even if Randolph returns, do you really think he is in any condition to bang around with Davis for 40 minutes? Me either. Davis is a very strong play tonight.

Kevin Love, Cavaliers ($10,100): Love is at his best when he is the focal point of the offense, which is what he has been with LeBron James out. In the four games without the King, Love has averaged 44 fantasy points per game. That is a full ten points above his season average. He is a great play when LeBron is out, no matter who the opponent is.

Risky Play:

Tristan Thompson, Cavaliers ($6,500): The newly acquired Timofey Mozgov is expected to start, though there are rumors that Mozgov has not had his physical yet. If that is the case, Thompson is still the starter, and still a great bargain. If not, it is anyone’s guess as to how many minutes Mozgov will take up. Thompson’s playing time could be very sporadic initially, so this situation should probably be left alone until the Cavs tip their hand about how those two will be used in the coming weeks.

My Lineups:

A: Hickson and Greg Monroe ($11,800): Monroe has been a beast since they Pistons let Josh Smith go. He is a great investment right now.

B: Faried and Hickson ($10,800)

Next: Do You Have Any Money Left For Cousins?

Jan 5, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) warms up prior to the game against the Indiana Pacers at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

Center:

Bargains:

Zaza Pachulia, Bucks ($5,500): Pachulia has done a fine job in the absence of Larry Sanders besides the game against the Suns where he played only 24 minutes before fouling out. In his full-length games with Sanders out, he is averaging 36 fantasy points per game. He is a strong play tonight against the Timberwolves.

Rudy Gobert, Jazz ($6,200): Enes Kanter is listed as doubtful for tonight’s game, which likely means Gobert will get another start. Gobert has bordered on dominant in two of his three starts with Kanter out, and is a great bargain at this price. Especially against Steven Adams tonight. Gobert might be worth starting even if Kanter plays!

Worth The Cost:

DeMarcus Cousins, Kings ($10,700): If you have somehow found enough money left for Cousins, he is a good play tonight against Denver. Their frontcourt was hardly intimidating with Mozgov. Now with Hickson and Nurkic trying to contain Cousins, what do you think will happen? Right. Cousins might be the best option of the night if you could go cheap elsewhere.

Andre Drummond, Pistons ($9,100): Drummond is a low-risk, high-reward option because of his almost supernatural rebounding ability. He has 109 rebounds in his last six games. That is 130.8 points on rebounds alone during that span. That would make for a good average even if he did nothing else. He also has four double-doubles over that span, so he is getting his points too. He is a threat for 40 every night, making him a sound option with a high floor.

Risky Play:

Lavoy Allen, Pacers ($4,300): Roy Hibbert is generously listed as questionable with a sprained ankle that he suffered on Wednesday. If Hibbert is out, Allen may be the bargain of the night against the Celtics. They don’t have a whole lot up front, so Allen is a good bet for a double-double if Hibbert is out. The fact that Ian Mahinmi is also out makes Allen a decent option even if Hibbert gives it a go. There is a good chance that Hibbert won’t take all of the minutes that he usually does.

My Lineups:

A: Allen ($4,300)

B: Gobert ($6,200)

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