Fantasy Basketball: FanDuel Lineups For January 12th

Jan 8, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) prepares to take a free throw against Charlotte Hornets during the fourth quarter at Air Canada Centre. Charlotte won 103-9. Mandatory Credit: Peter Llewellyn-USA TODAY Sports

My A lineup was back in the money tonight. Thank you Hassan Whiteside!

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There are only four games in the NBA tonight, so we need to find a good balance. Here are my FanDuel lineups for January 12th:

Point Guards:

Bargain:

Jarrett Jack, Nets ($6,600): Jack still doesn’t have to worry about the injured Deron Williams taking minutes. He is a good gamble when you know he is going to get at least 30-35 minutes in the game. I also like his matchup against Houston. He is a much safer option than his counterpart, Patrick Beverley.

Worth The Cost:

Kyle Lowry, Raptors ($9,700): Lowry is up to ten straight games with over 30 fantasy points. He has really taken on a larger role with the loss of DeMar Derozan. DeRozan will be back within the next couple of weeks, so his value may dip slightly. But until then, he has reached must-play status on FanDuel. Especially on light nights.

Jrue Holliday, Pelicans ($8,000): Holliday has been over 40 fantasy points the last two games, and it was against two pretty good teams in Charlotte and Memphis. Tonight he gets to take on the rebuilding Celtics, who have been a disaster at PG since dealing Rajon Rondo. Holliday could have a big game in store for him tonight.

Risky Play:

Elfrid Payton, Magic ($5,100): Just when it looked like Payton was starting to become a fairly reliable fantasy option, he comes crashing back to earth. That said, he has averaged 29.5 fantasy points per game over the last four games that he has played over 30 minutes in. The risk lies in whether he will get more than 30 minutes or not. Still, he may have a favorable matchup against the Bulls if Derrick Rose sits out.

My Lineups:

A and B: Lowry and Jack ($16,300)

Next: Are The Top SGs Worth Spending On?

Nov 8, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; New Orleans Pelicans shooting guard Eric Gordon (10) reacts after a shot against the San Antonio Spurs during the second half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Shooting Guards:

Bargains:

Victor Oladipo, Magic ($6,600): Oladipo has just one game under 25 fantasy points in his last 11. He also has only one over 40, so he has been a very consistent FanDuel scorer. He has a decent matchup against the Bulls tonight, but it’s a good thing that he doesn’t need to pour in the points to be successful. Jimmy Butler has been a very good defender at times this year.

Lou Williams, Raptors ($5,400): Williams has been a little up and down since the injury to DeMar DeRozan. He is on one of those upticks now. He has four straight games of 25 or more fantasy points. He has a solid matchup against the Pistons tonight, making him about the only good low-priced option at SG.

Worth The Cost:

James Harden, Rockets ($10,700): Harden has only scored above 40 fantasy points once in his last five games, which means has production has dipped some. Really, if you are going to pay this for someone, you need over 40. There is a solid chance for Harden to do that against the Nets tonight. Another thing: on a night like tonight with only four games in the league, there is more margin for error. If you don’t get over 40 from Harden, your team isn’t sunk. That reduces the risk some.

Jimmy Butler, Bulls ($9,000): Butler had a really good game in his first game against the Magic this season. He put up 42 fantasy points on them, and there is a great chance that he will do it again. If Derrick Rose at out, it could even help Butler’s production a little, but either way, he is a solid option tonight.

Risky Play:

Eric Gordon, Pelicans ($4,700): Gordon has played an average of 33 minutes in each of his three games back, and has put up back-to-back double digit scoring games. He won’t do a whole lot besides score, but you know that he has the potential to be a big time contributor. Especially when he is getting the minutes that he is. His 13 points against the Grizzlies on Friday was also an encouraging sign. Oh, did I mention that he is playing the Celtics tonight? They aren’t quite the D-leauge team that the Knicks are, but they are getting close.

My Lineups:

A: Gordon and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope ($9,100): I figured if I’m going to gamble, I am at least gambling with someone who starts.

B: Butler and Williams ($14,400)

Next: SF Is A Barren Wasteland Tonight

Dec 31, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets forward Trevor Ariza (1) steals the ball during the second quarter against the Charlotte Hornets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Small Forwards:

Bargain:

Bojan Bogdanovic, Nets ($3,500): Bogdanovic put up 16.2 fantasy points in his return to the starting lineup on Saturday. Those numbers are not great by any means, but it should give you some hint as to how awful the small forward position is tonight.

Worth The Cost:

Trevor Ariza, Rockets ($5,600): Ariza is the highest priced option at SF tonight, and you really have no choice but to take him. Every other option is inconsistent as well, but at least Ariza has been over 20 fantasy points in each of his last six games.

Risky Play:

Everyone but Ariza: James Johnson and Terrance Ross both get court time depending on their performance, so they are both a gamble. Corey Brewer has been relegated to second string since joining the Rockets with mixed results. Jae Crowder has started the last two games for the Celtics, but has not scored more than 14 fantasy points in either of those games. Kyle Singler is a decent option, but the Pistons like to go big, so that really limits his minutes and possibilities. So pick your poison, I guess.

My Lineups:

A and B: Ariza and Bogdanovic ($9,100)

Next: PF Is A Good Place To Spend Your Money

Jan 9, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) against the Memphis Grizzlies during a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Grizzlies 106-95. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Power Forwards:

Bargains:

Ryan Anderson, Pelicans ($5,600): Of the four games on tap for tonight, it is this one that looks like it will be a blowout. That means a backup like Anderson could see a whole bunch of minutes if the Pelicans elect to rest Anthony Davis, which they undoubtedly will. It’s not like Anderson is a bad option either. He averages 24 fantasy points per game this year, and should be able to at least get that tonight.

Greg Monroe, Pistons ($8,200): Monroe is a bargain at this price if you can’t afford the top two guys. In fact, I can see his production coming close to that of Davis since he will likely play only around 30 minutes. Monroe has not been under 20 fantasy points in his last 11 games, and in six of fhose games, he has been over 35.

Worth The Cost:

Anthony Davis, Pelicans ($10,900): Davis has a tremendous matchup against the Celtics tonight. The only drawback is that I don’t see him playing his normal 38-42 minutes tonight. This game will likely be out of hand early. That said, I wouldn’t be shocked if Davis averaged nearly two fantasy points per minute tonight.

Pau Gasol, Bulls ($9,400): Gasol had a double-double in the Bulls first meeting with Orlando this year, and is a great bet to do it again. On Saturday, Gasol turned in one of the best fantasy performances of the year with a career high 46 points agianst the Bucks. He also had 18 rebounds, three assists, and a steal which put him at a whopping 71.1 fantasy points. While I doubt he hits 70 against the Magic, I would say that 50 is not out of the question.

Risky Play:

Donatas Motiejunas, Rockets ($5,400): Motiejunas is starting with Josh Smith coming off of the bench, and so far, it is working for the Rockets. That said, Smith has been noted as a guy who needs his playing time. If he starts becoming a malcontent in Houston, they will have no choice but to put him back in the starting lineup, no matter how Motiejunas is playing. Even if it does not come to that, Motiejunas is on a very short leash with Smith lurking. That makes Motie a risky play on any given night.

My Lineups:

A: Davis and Gasol ($20,300)

B: Gasol and Anderson ($15,000)

Next: A Few Risks At C

Dec 19, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics center Kelly Olynyk (41) reacts after being called for a foul during the second half against the Minnesota Timberwolves at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Center:

Bargain:

Kelly Olynyk, Celtics ($5,200): Oly has started the last couple of games over Tyler Zeller, but everything in Boston seems to be in flux right now. It could change back at any moment. Still, Olynyk has put up 56.7 fantasy points over his last two games. It should buy him at least one more game as a starter, but be aware that he may have a short leash.

Worth The Cost:

Nikola Vucevic, Magic ($8,.900): Vucevic has had three games over 35 fantasy points in his last four games after a couple of miserable showing around the new year. Vucevic seems to be back on track. If he can stay out of foul trouble, he can be an elite option. Tonight he has a tougher matchup against the Bulls, but I will take him over Dwight Howard and his balky knee or Andre Drummond and his sickness-induced slump of late.

Risky Plays:

Mason Plumlee, Nets ($6,800): Plumlee is still firmly entrenched as the starter despite the return of Brook Lopez. He still struggles at times with strong frontcourts, but for the most part, he can hold his own. Tonight he will have to tangle with Dwight Howard, which is not a very good matchup for him. However, I still like Lopez the best out of all of the cheaper options at C.

Jonas Valanciunas, Raptors ($6,000): Valanciunas is plagued by inconsistency, and he has a very difficult matchup with the Pistons tonight. I would stay away from this one.

My Lineups:

A and B: Olynyk ($5,200)

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