FanDuel daily picks: Fantasy basketball lineup-February 3
High Value PG
Marcus Smart-Boston Celtics (5,700): Smart crashed back to earth after his stellar performance Sunday managing just 12.2 fantasy points and four points last night against the Knicks after 26 points and 36 fantasy points on Sunday against Orlando. He did still plays 29 minutes against the Knicks which is a sign for optimism despite his struggles coming back on offense. He still hast at least 30 fantasy points in four of his last six games, though, and he’ll get plenty of minutes again tonight at home against the Pistons. Isaiah Thomas had to play extended time last night, so on the back half of Boston’s back-to-back expect Smart to play at least 28 minutes again with the potential for even more. His streaky offense makes him high-risk, but don’t abandon him after yesterday’s down games. ∗∗
Emmanuel Mudiay-Denver Nuggets (5,200): The Nuggets rookie PG will get all the playing time he can handle tonight in Salt Lake City and going forward with Jameer Nelson sidelined again after setback. Mudiay has at least 19 fantasy points in nine of his last ten games making him a lower risk play than Smart, and he has flashed nice upside with at least 24.8 fantasy points in six of his last nine contests. He isn’t in a great matchup against the Jazz who defend opposing PG pretty well, but his heavy workload still makes him worth a look if you want a player who is unlikely to go totally bust on you. ∗∗∗
Norris Cole-New Orleans Pelicans (5,000): Even though the Pelicans traded Ish Smith, Norris Cole continues to have an Ish-like roller coaster to his numbers as he yo-yo’s back and forth from big production (36.6 and 39.4 fantasy points in two of his last three) and bad burns (17.8 fantasy points and 18.9 fantasy points in the other two of his last four). He is getting considerable playing time for New Orleans and definitely carries the load when Tyreke Evans is unavailable. Evans is considered doubtful for tonight against the Spurs, so look for Cole to be a good play again with big potential since he’ll have to carry the load offensively for New Orleans. ∗∗∗∗
Shane Larkin-Brooklyn Nets (4,300): Donald Sloan took the starting PG job from Larkin after the injury to Jarrett Jack earlier this season, but Larkin has been playing well lately and is starting to show some of the upside many were excited about when it looked like he was lined up for more time. As Sloan’s old team comes to town tonight, Larkin is actually the better play coming off a career-high 14 assists on Monday while he added eight points and six rebounds to get to 35.2 fantasy points. He has over 20 fantasy points in four of his last five, but he’s still high-risk since in his other game in that span he only managed 0.6 fantasy points. He’s high-risk, but the upside is starting to show. ∗∗
Jose Juan Barea-Dallas Mavericks (3,900): While he officially hasn’t been ruled out for tonight’s game as of the time of this article, Deron Williams doesn’t look likely to suit up tonight against the Heat which should mean plenty of time for J.J. Barea, Raymond Felton, and Devin Harris (if he can return from his own injury). Barea shone in his last few opportunities to start for Dallas, and he would be in a good matchup taking on the Heat on the second half of back-to-back games if he gets the starting nod tonight. Berea has scored at least ten points in each of his last five games even in limited time and has at least 19 fantasy points in four of those five contests. If he gets extra playing time, he’ll be the best value play on the board. No D-Will-∗∗∗∗∗ With Williams active-∗∗∗
Next: High Salary SG