FanDuel daily picks: Fantasy basketball lineup-December 16
High Salary SG
James Harden-Houston Rockets (11,800): Harden and the Rockets welcome in the Pelicans tonight for what should be a high-scoring contest. “The Beard” played a season-low 30 minutes on Wednesday against the Kings but still produced a 15-11-14 triple-double for 46.2 fantasy points. He has at least 45 fantasy points in six straight, but to be worth his almost 12K salary he’ll need to get more like the 62.1 fantasy points he has against the Nets on Monday when he had 36-8-11. He has only reached 60 fantasy points in that one game in his last seven which makes him high-risk despite his crazy-high ceiling tonight at home against New Orleans. ∗∗
Giannis Antetokounmpo-Milwaukee Bucks (9,900): “The Alphabet” rose to the occasion last night as he took on Jimmy Butler and the Bulls piling up 30-14-3 with a block and three steals for 57.3 fantasy points. He has at least 47 fantasy points in four of his last five games and seven of his last nine. He has been more consistent at delivering value at his price than Harden lately which is why I like him better on a points-per-dollar basis tonight. Antetokounmpo faces the Bulls again tonight, so the matchup is obviously one he can excel in. However, the only concern with investing in him tonight is that it is the second night of a back-to-back, and he has struggled a little bit in those situations this season (17.5-8.8-5.3 average compared to 22.6-9.1-5.8 on the season). He’s a good way to invest almost 10K, but there are better options with less risk at the next tier down, in my opinion.∗∗∗
Nicolas Batum-Charlotte Hornets (7,400): Batum and the Hornets roll into Boston tonight without Kemba Walker which should leave more shots and usage for Batum. He’s coming off a good game against the Wizards on Wednesday when he had 20-5-8 for 41 fantasy points. He has at least 35 fantasy points in five of his last seven, and he has the potential to pick up the slack and get back over 40 fantasy points again tonight.∗∗
Dwyane Wade-Chicago Bulls (7,300): Wade has been consistently solid with at least 32 fantasy points in seven straight. He had 20-3-6 for 32.6 fantasy points in last night’s game against the Bucks. Tonight, he is expected to play the second half of the back-to-back at the United Center and is a solid investment at this price point. Double check his availability, but as long as he’s in the Bulls lineup, he can be in yours as well.∗∗∗
Avery Bradley-Boston Celtics (7,200): Bradley will get Isaiah Thomas back next to him in the backcourt tonight against the Hornets, but he should still have plenty of chances to continue his impressive season. While his averages across the board show his improvement, the 31-11-4 for over 50 fantasy points against the Hornets in their first meeting show how high his ceiling is tonight at home coming off a 49-fantsay-point game against the Spurs on Wednesday when he had 25-10-6. Bradley has at least 30 fantasy points in five of his last seven, and he has a very high ceiling from this price point tonight. I think he’s riskier than Wade but with a higher ceiling.∗∗∗
Bradley Beal-Washinton Wizards (7,000): Beal has over 35 fantasy points in three of his last four and is taking his fantasy production up a notch by adding nice assists. He has at least four helpers in five of his last six games and had a season-high nine assists on Wednesday against Charlotte to total 37.3 fantasy points on 20-4-9. He’s in a tough matchup against a good Detroit defense, but he has even higher upside if he can add in some other categories besides just scoring to his fantasy repertoire.∗∗
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