FanDuel daily picks: Fantasy basketball lineup-January 26
High Salary PG
Russell Westbrook-Oklahoma City Thunder (10,600): Westbrook played 40 minutes on Sunday in the Thunder’s surprising loss to the Nets. He scored 27 points to go with 11 rebounds, and seven assists to total 49.7 fantasy points. He has at least 48 fantasy points in four of his last five, and he should be in a good matchup tonight against the Knicks who have allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing PG in their last five games. The only risk with Russell is that he does cost so much that even a slightly down game means he won’t return good value. ∗∗
Chris Paul-Los Angeles Clippers (10,100): CP3 is another expensive play tonight who makes sense tonight especially since it looks like he’ll need to keep carrying the offense for LA for a while now that Blake Griffin’s injury or injuries may be keeping him out for a longer time than originally anticipated. Paul had 23 points and 11 assists in his most recent game as the Clippers lost to Toronto. He finished with 46.3 fantasy points in that game and has at least 42 fantasy points in nine of his last ten games including four games with over 50 fantasy points in his last nine. The Pacers have allowed the third-most fantasy points to opposing PG in their last five games, so Paul should be able to attack and find enough room to produce another good line tonight. Like with Westbrook, my only hesitation is his price-point. ∗∗
Damian Lillard-Portland Trail Blazers (8,800): Lillard and the Blazers take on the possibly weary Kings tonight who have allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing PG so far this season. Lillard should be well rested since leading the Blazers past LA on Saturday by shooting 74% from the field (14-19) on his way to 36 points and 44.7 fantasy points in just 29 minutes. Lillard had been struggling coming into that game, but he’s back in top form now,and should be able to take it to the Kings in a good matchup tonight. He’s the focus of the Portland offense, so his usage will continue to be extremely high for as long as he can stay healthy. ∗∗∗
Ishmael Smith-Philadelphia 76ers (6,900): Smith is coming off a rough game against Boston on Sunday night when he only managed 17.2 fantasy points on seven points and four assists. He should be able to get back in good form tonight against the Suns though since Phoenix won’t have Brandon Knight and have allowed the second-most fantasy points to opposing PG so far this season. Smith has the potential to go off as the Sixers primary point guard as he has shown with over 38 fantasy points in five of his last nine games. He’s a boom or bust play, but against a bad Suns defense I am expecting a big boom tonight. The only reason I am not giving him a fifth star is that he has been prone to duds. ∗∗∗∗
Elfrid Payton-Orlando Magic (6,300): Another point guard in need of a bounce-back performance is Elfrid Payton who was shut down last night against the Grizzlies and only managed 19.9 fantasy points on 14 points, three assists, and five turnovers. He played 39 minutes in Memphis, so fatigue is also a concern as he and the Magic head to Milwaukee. However, Payton is still firmly entrenched as the Magic starting PG and he had games of 44.2 fantasy points and 34.8 fantasy points on balanced stat lines in his two previous games. He’s going to have to figure out how to function with Victor Oladipo on the court next to him, and last night neither one looked good. They should find things easier against the Bucks tonight, but he’s high-risk, high-potential until they get the rotation worked out. ∗
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