Fantasy Basketball: FanDuel Lineups For January 11th

Jan 5, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) reacts during the game against the Atlanta Hawks at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The big tournaments focus on the full day on Sunday, with the first game tipping off at 3pm eastern time. That is what I will focus on as well.

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Here are my FanDuel lineups for January 11th:

Point Guards:

Bargains:

Jeremy Lin, Lakers ($5,200): The Ronnie Price experiment seems to have come to a merciful end in Lakerville, at least for now. That puts Jeremy Lin back in charge of the offense. He is not a great fantasy option by any means, but on a light day, he is about the only somewhat reliable cheap PG out there. You are likely better off spending your money on PG’s than trying to skimp by with Lin against Portland, but it might be worth gambling on Lin to get Cousins.

Mike Conley, Grizzlies ($8,100): I know, I know. You all think that I have finally lost my mind, listing a guy this expensive as a bargain. But when you look at all the high-dollar options a PG, Conley really could be a bargain at this price. The Suns, for all their great guard play, don’t defend the lane particularly well. A slasher like Conley could have a pretty good game against them. He has been over 30 fantasy points in seven of his last nine games.

Worth The Cost:

Chris Paul, Clippers ($10,000): Paul is starting to turn it on lately fantasy-wise. He has had over 40 points against the Phillies, Lakers, and Mavs over the last four games. His matchup tonight against the Heat looks very tantalizing. They likely won’t be able to stop him with Mario Chalmers and Norris Cole manning the point. Could he score 50? It is very possible.

John Wall, Wizards ($9,200): Wall has been over 30 fantasy points in eight of his last ten games, but he has also not been close to 50 during that span. The Hawks could give him some trouble, but the thing that really makes me take a look at Wall is his scoring has been own for the last few games, but he is still putting up solid fantasy numbers. If his scoring picks up, he is an elite option again.

Risky Play:

Darren Collison, Kings ($7,300): Collison has been over more than 20 fantasy points in each of the last dozen games, so he isn’t a huge risk. Still, if you only get 20, he could be a bit of a letdown. Collison is worth taking a risk on against the Cavaliers. He is not a top option on the Kings, but he is a good orchestrator of the offense.

My Lineups:

A: Teague and Lin ($13,500)

B: Lin and Kyrie Irving ($13,800): Irving has had 84 fantasy points in two games since he return to the court after a one game absence. He has been superb in the absence of LeBron James.

Next: Should You Spend At SG?

Jan 9, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith (5) is unable to save the ball from going out of bounds against the Golden State Warriors in the fourth quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Cavaliers 112-94. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Shooting Guards:

Bargains:

Wesley Matthews, Trailblazers ($6,000): Matthews has had over 20 fantasy points in eight of his last nine games. The one that he didn’t just happened to be against the Lakers, tonight’s opponent? So why am I buying into Matthews? He left the game with a hyperextended knee. He was able to return, but clearly was not at 100%. Damian Lillard picked up the slack in the Blazer’s win. A healthy (he has back-to-back 30+ point fantasy games) Matthews is a good play against the Lakers.

J.R. Smith, Cavaliers ($5,300): In his first start with the Cavs, Smith set a season high in shot attempts. While this likely will not be a nightly occurrence, it may be until LeBron James returns. That makes Smith a big time player for the next week. That makes him a great option in FanDuel over that span.

Worth The Cost:

Eric Bledsoe, Suns ($8,700): His slow start to the season is a distant memory now. Bledsoe has not had a game under 28 fantasy points in a month, which gives him a high floor. On a light night, he is still a solid option against a good Memphis team because of what his floor is. In a game of uncertainty, it’s nice to have a guy that you can count on 28 points from, even in an unfavorable matchup.

Dwyane Wade, Heat ($8,800): Wade keeps putting up good numbers as long as his body doesn’t fail him. He has not had under 30 fantasy points in a game in which he has played 30 minutes or more since November 4th. He has been remarkably consistent for someone his age, and with the team around him. His matchup with the Clippers is not a great one, but would you really bet against another 30?

Risky Play:

Nick Young, Lakers ($4,700): Young is nothing but a shooter, but if Kobe rests again, guess what the Lakers need? That’s right. A shooter. He always is a threat to go off, but he has not done so with any consistency this year. That makes him an undeniable risk.

My Lineups:

A: Matthews and Jamal Crawford ($10,900): If I am going to take a risk on a pure scorer, it will be Crawford. He is a much safer option.

B: Matthews and Smith ($11,300)

Next: No Good Top Options At SF

Dec 26, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward DeMarre Carroll (5) shoots the ball against the Milwaukee Bucks in the third quarter at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Small Forwards:

Bargains:

Matt Barnes, Clippers ($4,200): Barnes is about as unreliable as they come, but he has managed back to back games of over 25 fantasy points. That is very good production for his price, and he gets to go against the Heat and the struggling Luol Deng. Barnes is a guy that is prone to streaks. You have to ride the hot ones when they come along, especially on a light day like today.

DeMarre Carroll, Hawks ($5,200): Carroll is not a great option by any means, but he is largely consistent. He is usually in the 20’s, but has no upside. However, on a night like tonight, you don’t care. Any sure points are good points

Worth The Cost:

Nicolas Batum, Trailblazers ($5,900): Batum had one of his best games of the season last night, and seems to finally be getting back on track. Against the Lakers tonight, he is a candidate to break out. Don’t be surprised if he comes close to 40, especially if Kobe joins Wesley Johnson on the DNP list

Risky Play:

Rudy Gay, Kings ($8,400): Gay does have a pretty good matchup against the LeBron-less Cavs, but he has been under 25 fantasy points in two of his last three games. He is not shooting the ball particularly well right now. On a team like the Kings, will they really let him just keep letting it fly? I guess if they do, it just makes Cousins that much better of a play due to the higher amount of offensive rebound chances.

My Lineups:

A: Batum and Carroll ($11,100)

B: Batum and Barnes ($10,100)

Next: One Position That Isn't Lacking Is PF

Jan 9, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph (50) against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half of a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Grizzlies 106-95. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Power Forwards:

Bargain:

Nene Hilario, Wizards ($5,300): Once again, Nene has wrestled the starting job away from Kris Humphries. While Nene will never be a guy who plays much more than 30 minutes, he has proven to be efficient when he is in the game. He has 70.4 fantasy points in his last two games, and on a light night with few low priced options at PF, he is worth taking a shot on.

Zach Randolph, Grizzlies ($8,100): Randolph held his own Friday night against the Pelicans in his return to the court. Tonight he gets a matchup with the undersized Suns frontcourt. The potential is here for a very big game. One that will rival the output of all three high dollar options at PF tonight.

Worth The Cost:

Blake Griffin, Clippers ($10,200): Griffin has been an absolute beast over his last three games. He has averaged 46 fantasy points per game in that span. Tonight he gets to face a Miami team that has not been all that great up front. The potential is here for Griffin to help his average out.

LaMarcus Aldridge, Trailblazers ($10,000): Aldridge has not scored in the 40’s for fantasy points in his last three games, but he has still been in the high 30’s. Tonight against the Lakers, he has a great chance to get back into the 40’s.

Risky Plays:

Kevin Love, Cavaliers ($10,000): Love’s numbers took a hit with the return of Kyrie Irving and the shooting of J.R. Smith. It is too soon to determine whether this is a trend or an aberration, but at this price, I would prefer a more reliable option with a higher floor.

Tristan Thompson, Cavaliers ($6,400): The addition of Timofey Mozgov took away some minutes from Thompson, but not many so far. Still, the Cavs didn’t give up first round picks to hit him, so Mozgov will likely keep playing more. That not only caps Thompson’s productivity, but it makes him a big risk.

My Lineups:

A: Randolph and Hilario ($13,400)

B: Griffin and Aldridge ($20,200)

Next: Who Is The New Sleeper At C?

Jan 3, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) dunks the ball during the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Center:

Bargain:

Hassan Whiteside, Heat ($4,500): Whiteside has five consecutive games of over 20 fantasy points despite not playing more than 20 minutes in four out of five of those. If he keeps playing like this, the minutes will increase since they have no one except for Chris Bosh up front.

Worth The Cost:

DeMarcus Cousins, Kings ($11,000): If you had Cousins on Friday, you cashed. It’s that simple. Cousins dominated the mismatched Denver frontcourt and threw up 60.6 fantasy points on them. The Cavaliers are similarly thin up front, so don’t be surprised if Cousins makes you money again

Risky Play:

Marc Gasol, Grizzlies ($8,500): Gasol has been under 40 fantasy points in six straight games, by far his season long. That could change tonight against the Suns and the “dynamic duo” of Miles Plumlee and Alex Len. No, wrong Plumlee. It is his brother Mason that took the job in Brooklyn. This one can’t even hold off the inconsistent Len for the job.

My Lineups:

A: Cousins ($11,000)

B: Whiteside ($4,500)

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