FanDuel daily picks: Fantasy basketball lineup-January 16
High Salary SF
Gordon Hayward-Utah Jazz (7,600): Hayward has picked things up after a rough Texas trip and has at least 32 fantasy points in each of his last four games. He had 33.4 fantasy points in LA last Sunday and will face the Lakers again tonight, but at home where his production is usually significantly higher. Hayward is a multi-category producer when he’s at his best and is averaging 20.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.2 steals over his last ten games. He has at least 19 points in each of his last four games, and especially since he’s playing at home tonight, I think he’ll have a good game against the still-struggling Lakers. ∗∗∗∗
Rudy Gay-Sacramento Kings (7,200): Gay hit the game-winner over Gordon Hayward and the Jazz on Thursday night as part of his 24 points, nine rebounds, and three steals which helped him to 40.3 fantasy points. He has at least 40 fantasy points in two of his last three games and has at least 35 fantasy points in four of his last five. He and the Kings will have their hands full with the Clippers tonight, but Gay has had success against them this season averaging 18 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.0 steals in their previous two meetings. He has definitely picked up the pace lately, and he should be able to find room to create and operate again tonight against the Clippers. He and Hayward are very hard to decide between for me tonight, but I think Hayward is a safer play although Rudy has more upside. ∗∗∗
Khris Middleton-Milwaukee Bucks (6,900): Middleton has become a staple of my FanDuel daily picks making a appearance on this slide almost every game. He scored 26 points last night against the Hawks adding three steals, three assists, and four rebounds for a total of 39.3 fantasy points. He has at least 36 fantasy points in five of his last six games making him a good value again tonight as the Bucks face the Hornets. Charlotte has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points in the NBA to opposing SF over their last five games, so Middleton should be a productive option again tonight as long as last night’s workload doesn’t catch up with him. Playing big minutes isn’t anything new for Middleton as he has played at least 38 minutes in each of Milwaukee’s last six games. In their back-to-back earlier this week, Middleton played 41 and 42 minutes and then followed that with his 46 last night. Fatigue is my concern, but he’s definitely in the zone right now. ∗∗
Jae Crowder-Boston Celtics (6,400): Crowder isn’t the bargain he used to be, but he puts up such good, well-balanced stat lines that he’s work a look even though he costs over 6K now. Last night, he had 17 points, six board, five assists, three steals, and two blocks for a very impressive 39.7 fantasy points. He has at least 33 fantasy points in three of his last five games, and he should be in a place to go off tonight against the Wizards who have allowed more fantasy points to opposing SF than any other team in the NBA. Crowder has enjoyed his two earlier matchups with them averaging 14.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 2.5 steals. Crowder is a low-risk play since he’s in such a great matchup and always seems to be scrapping as he pulls together good fantasy stat lines. ∗∗∗∗
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