Fantasy Basketball: Early FanDuel Lineups For January 15th

Jan 9, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) congratulates Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) after a play against the Utah Jazz at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

There is a game at 3pm eastern today, so I am going to do the lineups a little bit differently. The “A” lineup will be for the all day tournament. The “B” lineup will be for the two night only games.

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Here are my FanDuel lineups for January 15th:

Point Guards:

Bargain:

Brandon Knight, Bucks ($7,200): Knight is a solid option on lighter days, but what elevates him today is that he is playing the Knicks. It’s that simple.

Worth The Cost:

Russell Westbrook, Thunder ($10,700): With only six teams in action, that means only six viable options at each position. Then when you factor in that two of those teams are the Knicks and the Lakers, then you really only have four options at PG unless you want to play roulette. I don’t want to play roulette. Give me Westbrook against the Rockets.

Risky Play:

Anyone Wearing a Knicks Or Lakers Uniform: Ronnie Price, Jeremy Lin, Langston Galloway, Shane Larkin. Who gets the minutes? It has been so inconsistent with both teams lately. This is a horrible situation for those of us who play daily leagues. Take one of these four at your own risk, and only in cheap money games.

My Lineups:

A: Westbrook and Knight ($17,900)

B: Westbrook and Kyrie Irving ($19,200): Irving plays the Lakers. That alone makes him worth a look. Especially when only four teams are playing.

Next: Should You Take A Chance On J.R. Smith?

Jan 11, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith (5) returns to the bench during the fourth quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Sleep Train Arena. The Sacramento Kings defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 103-84. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Shooting Guards:

Bargain:

J.R. Smith, Cavaliers ($6,100): Smith is mostly just a shooter, but he has had two outstanding games out of his three starts. Beggars can’t be choosers.

Worth The Cost:

James Harden, Rockets ($10,700): Harden made it back to 50 fantasy points last night. Tonight, he gets his former team in the Thunder. Dion Waiters is now the starting shooting guard, and he went to the James Harden school of defense. Harden could have a big night tonight.

Risky Play:

Tim Hardaway Jr., Knicks ($5,100): He is only a risk because of the Knicks testing out every player they have even thought about signing. Hardaway is easily their best option at the SG slot. I just won’t bet my FanDuel money on him, even though he deserves it.

My Lineups:

A: Harden and Hardaway ($15,800)

B: Harden and Waiters ($15,900): Waiters may not play defense, but he is still getting some shots on the perimeter in the OKC offense.

Next: Can You Get Durant and James?

Jan 9, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) reacts after a play against the Utah Jazz during the first quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Small Forwards:

Bargain:

Trevor Ariza, Rockets ($5,500): Ariza now has ten of his last 11 games over 20 fantasy points. He has been able to produce despite poor shooting of late, but he went six of seven from the field last night. His fantasy production saw an uptick last night as a result. He could have some issues against the Thunder, but his peripherals still make him a solid play on a light night.

Worth The Cost:

Kevin Durant, Thunder ($10,700): Durant is playing a full compliment of minutes, and he is producing like his former MVP self. He could have a field day against the Rockets tonight so long as they don’t limit his minutes in the back-to-back games.

LeBron James, Cavaliers ($10,600): This is rather incredible that two of the biggest superstars in the game are in action on a night with only two games. They are both worth playing if you can afford it. The only problem is that there are more viable options at SF if you cant afford the stars than anywhere else.

Risky Play:

Carmelo Anthony, Knicks ($9,500): Carmelo wants to play in the game in London, and I would guess that the NBA would like him to as well. It might take some of the flux away from the Knicks rotation to have Melo back, but I would guess that the Knicks will limit his minutes. That makes him a risky play.

My Lineups:

A: Ariza and Khris Middleton ($10,700): Middleton is still the “starter” in Milwaukee, but Jared Dudley will still get his minutes. It’s a coin flip, and I’m going to go with the starter.

B: Corey Brewer and Wesley Johnson ($9,800): This is what you get for going expensive at PG. Brewer is settling into a role in Houston, and he has been able to get around 20 fantasy points per game. Johnson is a streaky shooter, and has been getting a good compliment of shots for the Lakers lately. He is also usually worth 20 fantasy points per game.

Next: Which Way Do You Go At PF

Dec 20, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets forward Donatas Motiejunas (20) before a game against the Atlanta Hawks at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Power Forwards:

Bargain:

Donatas Motiejunas, Rockets ($5,500): Motiejunas is still the starter at PF for the Rockets, and he has been consistently around 30 fantasy points. Josh Smith has excelled coming off of the bench, so I really don’t see Motiejunas losing his job anytime soon. The current rotation is working right now for the Rockets. Don’t look for them to tinker until they have a reason to.

Worth The Cost:

Serge Ibaka, Thunder ($7,000): Ibaka has really benefitted from the return of Kevin Durant. Ibaka has averaged 30 fantasy points per game since the return of Durant, which has made Ibaka a solid fantasy play again. I don’t trust Kevin Love with the King back, so Ibaka is probably the best bet at PF tonight.

Risky Play:

Kevin Love, Cavaliers ($9,700): Love is a risk with LeBron back on the court. Love’s streak of five double-doubles was snapped in James’ return. That said, it’s hard to go against Love playing the Lakers.

The Lakers Frontcourt: Carlos Boozer, Ed Davis, and Tarik Black are all fighting for minutes, with Black increasing his minutes in each game. It’s hard to trust any of them right now until this situation works itself out.

My Lineups:

A: Josh Smith and Ed Davis ($11,100): Davis is still the starter, and I mentioned that Smith is doing well coming off of the bench. It has to be this way, price wise.

B: Motiejunas and Ed Davis ($10,500)

Next: There Is Still A Great Option At C

Jan 9, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Timofey Mozgov (20) attempts a shot over Golden State Warriors forward Harrison Barnes (40) in the second quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Center:

Bargain:

Timofey Mozgov, Cavaliers ($4,500): Mozgov is still growing into his role on his new team. He struggled against the Suns, but was doing well before that. If he can stay out of foul trouble, he can be an asset to the team and fantasy owners alike.

Worth The Cost:

Dwight Howard, Rockets ($8,300): Howard’s price has gone down to the point where if he only drops 20, your team isn’t destroyed. I wouldn’t expect that low of an output against the Thunder. They won’t be able to contain Howard. That makes him a good play if you haven’t spent your money elsewhere.

Risky Play:

Cole Aldrich, Knicks ($5,200): There is no need to reiterate just how in flux the Knicks are. Suffice it to say that I don’t trust any of them. Not even Carmelo.

My Lineups:

A and B: Mozgov ($4,500)

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