Fantasy Basketball: FanDuel Lineups For January 20th

Jan 18, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) looks on against the Orlando Magic during the second half at Amway Center. Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Orlando Magic 127-99. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The NBA gave itself quite a workout yesterday with games lasting from early afternoon until late evening. It was heaven for us basketball fans and FanDuel players alike. Now today the NBA takes a little break. There are only two games, both at night, but they do feature some big stars taking the hardwood. Which ones do you want on your team? Maybe I can help!

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Here are My FanDuel lineups for January 20th:

Point Guards:

Bargains:

Jameer Nelson, Nuggets ($4,300): Yes, I know Nelson is a backup. However, after being freed from the PG logjam in Dallas and D-league purgatory in Boston, Nelson has finally found a team that will let him play. In his three games in Denver as the backup to Ty Lawson, he has averaged 23 fantasy points per game and 24 minutes per game. He can produce in that capacity, and is one of the better cheap option available today if you want to afford some stars.

Shabazz Napier, Heat ($3,900): Napier put up 50 fantasy points in two games starting for Dwyane Wade. Wade is still a game time decision for tonight with his ailing hamstring. If Napier gets another start, he is definitely worth playing. Make sure to keep an eye on Wade’s status heading up to the lineup lock time, and have a plan B in place just in case Wade does play. If Wade is in there, Napier likely won’t see enough minutes to make much of an impact. However, he has showed that he can produce when called on. He may even be the primary backup to Mario Chalmers with his strong performances in Wade’s absence.

Worth The Cost:

Russell Westbrook, Thunder ($10,600): Westbrook only played 24 minutes in the lopsided game against the Magic on Sunday, meaning a huge dip in production. If this game gets out of hand, the same could happen. He has a great matchup agianst the Heat, but he won’t do us FanDuel players an favors if he is on the bench for much of the second half.

Ty Lawson, Nuggets ($9,000): Lawson struggled a bit against Golden State last night, but his track record before that was really good. You can give him a pass. He should rebound nicely against the Spurs. If you can swing both him and Westbrook without sacrificing too much elsewhere, you could make some money!

Risky Play:

Mario Chalmers, Heat ($5,200): Chalmers has only had one game over 20 fantasy points in his last 11 games. In two of those, he has been under ten. It is way too much of a risk to use him right now, especially with Shabazz Napier garnering more minutes.

My Lineups:

A: Westbrook and Napier ($14,500)

B: Lawson and Napier ($12,900)

Next: If Wade Sits There Are No Great Options At SG

Jan 15, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Dion Waiters (23) shoots against Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) in the second half at Toyota Center. The Rockets won 112 to 101. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports

Shooting Guards:

Bargains:

Dion Waiters, Thunder ($5,400): Waiters has found a nice fit in Oklahoma City. he has averaged 26.5 fantasy points as a member of the Thunder. He is still coming off the bench, but he plays over 30 minutes. A change of scenery has done wonders for him, and he is having no problems finding shots on a talented team. He could have the occasional bad night because he is largely dependent on scoring, but as long as he is going like this, he is worth playing. Especially on a light night like tonight.

Arron Afflalo, Nuggets ($5,700): Afflalo was atricious against the Warriors yesterday, as was most of the rest of the team. What are his chances of going 1-10 from the floor again? I would say not very good, so I am okay with using him tonight against the Spurs. There are no great options at SG with the possible exception of Wade if he plays.

Worth The Cost:

Danny Green, Spurs ($6,300): Green has not been below 20 fantasy points since Christmas. He consistently does enough besides score points that even when Manu Ginobili goes off, Green still provides a solid night for those who play him. He might be the lowest risk option at SG tonight.

Risky Plays:

Manu Ginobili, Spurs ($5,700): Ginobili has been between 4 points and 27 points in his last nine games. There is no consistent production from him, and he no longer plays more than 30 minutes a game which makes it hard for him to contribute enough of everything else if his shot is not falling. He has a nice matchup against the Nuggets, but he will be one of the first to rest if this game gets out of hand.

Dwyane Wade, Heat ($8,400): Wade went through shootaround without incident this morning, but is still a game time decision. If you go with Wade, make sure you check back just before tip to make sure he is playing. Wade was playing well before he re-aggravated his hamstring against the Lakers last Tuesday. If he is in the lineup, he should be a solid play.

My Lineups:

A: Waiters and Afflalo ($11,100)

B: Ginobili and Waiters ($11,100)

Next: Kevin Durant Is A Must Play Tonight

Jan 16, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) reacts after a shot against the Portland Trail Blazers during the second half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Small Forwards:

Bargain:

Wilson Chandler, Nuggets ($5,600): Chandler’s production has dipped with the arrival of Jameer Nelson, but his minutes have not. It may not be fair to expect 30 from him anymore, but 20 should be attainable. Yes, SF is that weak, at least for bargain plays.

Worth The Cost:

Kevin Durant, Thunder ($10,700): Durant continues to be an absolute monster for the Thunder. He racked up 47.2 fantasy points in just 28 minutes against the Magic on Sunday, so he can even put up great numbers in limited time. You really don’t have any reason not to play Durant at this point. On a light night like tonight, you need him in your lineup.

Kawhi Leonard, Spurs ($7,800): Leonard has picked up where he left off in his two games back after a hand injury. He has scored 67.6 fantasy points in 61 minutes over those two games. He is a very solid play tonight as well, especially against Denver.

Risky Play:

Luol Deng, Heat ($5,900): Deng had his best game of the year against the Rudy Gay-less Kings on Friday, but is questionable to take the court tonight because of an illness. If you decide to go with Deng, check back at about the same time that you check on Wade. Just keep in mind that Deng may not be 100 percent, and he had plenty of below 20 fantasy point games at 100 percent before his explosion on Friday.

My Lineups:

A: Durant and Chandler ($16,300)

B: Durant and Leonard ($18,500)

Next: Should You Take A Risk At PF?

Jan 18, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka (9) pumps his fists after he made a basket against the Orlando Magic during the second half at Amway Center. Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Orlando Magic 127-99. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Power Forwards:

Bargain:

J. J. Hickson, Nuggets ($4,700): Hickson is still the top backup at PF and center. Last night was the only night that he didn’t play at least 22 minutes, and that was because the Nuggets were blown out of the building. They rested Hickson like the rest of their starters, meaning they are saving him for bigger minutes tonight. He is a solid 25 points at a very reasonable price.

Worth The Cost:

Chris Bosh, Heat ($8,600): Bosh is back to his early season form. Almost. He has averaged 33 fantasy points per game over his last nine games, including three of those above 40. He is likely the best PF option of the night.

Serge Ibaka, Thunder ($7,200): The return of Kevin Durant has really helped Ibaka. He has averaged 33 fantasy points a game since Durant returned. That’s right, the same production as Bosh lately at $1,400 less!

Risky Plays:

Tim Duncan, Spurs ($8,200): Duncan has only played more than 30 minutes four times in the Spurs last 11 games. Not all of those have been blowouts either. The Spurs just have great depth that is all healthy now, and they are resting their veterans. It is good for the team, but not so much for us FanDuel players.

Kenneth Faried, Nuggets ($6,700): Faried played just 20 minutes yesterday, and has been below 30 in half of the Nuggets last ten games. I love Faried and his upside, but it is really hard to justify gambling on Brian Shaw and his rotations. Unless you have someone as cheap as Hickson, who plays nearly as many minutes as Faried.

My Lineups:

A: Bosh and Hickson ($13,300)

B: Hickson and Ibaka ($11,900)

Next: Should You Gamble On Hassan Whiteside?

Jan 3, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs power forward Tiago Splitter (22) shoots the ball over Washington Wizards power forward Nene Hilario (42) during the first half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Center:

Bargain:

Tiago Splitter, Spurs ($4,400): Splitter is the starter. At least that is what the lineup card says. He has only played more than 20 minutes six times since Christmas. Still, since the Spurs are committed to giving Duncan adequate rest, Splitter is a good bet to see solid minutes moving forward. He started beside Duncan on Sunday and put up 24.3 fantasy points against the Jazz. He is starting beside Duncan again tonight, so hopefully we can get the same kind of production.

Worth The Cost:

Hassan Whiteside, Heat ($5,500): Whiteside was dominated by DeMarcus Cousins on Friday, which should come as no surprise. The surprise was that he only played 15 minutes. Is this a trend? Given his strong play coming into the one, I doubt it. At least not right now. Add to that the fact that his matchup agianst the Thunder is a really good one on paper, and he is worth a flier.

Risky Plays:

Jusuf Nurkic, Nuggets ($5,000): The novelty of Nurkic has apparently worn off. He has just 47.1 fantasy points in his last three games combined. Darrell Arthur and J.J. Hickson are taking a lot of the playing time that was supposed to be his since Timofey Mozgov was dealt. It may come to that eventually, but there is no reason to play roulette with Nurkic in the meantime for daily leaguers.

Steven Adams, Thunder ($4,000): Adams’s minutes are fluctuating again, which means that his production is as well. He has not put up more than 15 fantasy points since January 5th. He may have a chance to do that agianst the Heat, but it’s hard to bet on him right now.

My Lineups:

A: Splitter ($4,400)

B: Whiteside ($5,500)

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