FanDuel daily picks: Fantasy basketball lineup-January 16
High Salary PG
Russell Westbrook-Oklahoma City Thunder (12,500): Westbrook continues to put up crazy fantasy points almost every game and he comes into tonight with four triple-doubles in his last five games (and just one rebound short of five straight). Last night, he had 36-11-10 (points-rebounds-assists) with four steals for 65.2 fantasy points against the Kings. He has at least 65 fantasy points in four of his last seven games but before last night had been held under 60 for three straight.
He’ll be playing his second night in a row tonight as the Thunder visit the Clippers. Earlier this season Westbrook posting 17-14-12, 29-14-9, and 35-6-5 in three games against the Clippers but none of those came on the second night of a back-to-back. With Chris Paul back for LA, Westbrook and the Thunder have a tough matchup tonight in the late game, so I think there are better ways to spend big although Westbrook is hardly ever a bust.∗∗∗
Chris Paul-Los Angeles Clippers (9,100): On the other side of the late game, Chris Paul seems like a more prudent financial decision at over 3,000 cheaper. He has at least 42 fantasy points in there of hi four games since returning from a troublesome hamstring and is coming off a solid 20-5-13 game against the Lakers last Saturday. Tonight’s game against OKC will the the Clippers’ fourth straight home game and it should be a chance for CP3 to deliver a good stat line like he did in the first two meetings between these teams before missing their New Year’s Eve game with his injury. Hopefully, we get a close game tonight and both Westbrook and Paul are on top of their games. The Thunder have allowed the tenth-most fantasy points to opposing PG this season, so I actually think Paul is a slightly better points-per-dollar play than Westbrook.∗∗∗∗
Isaiah Thomas-Boston Celtics (9,100): If you’re not feeling the late game, Isaiah Thomas is definitely an option early against the Hornets. Thomas has scored at least 27 points in each of his last four games and in seven of his last eight. He has 40+ fantasy points in six of those eight contests and should be able to produce another big game at home tonight. I don’t think he’s quite as likely to go off as the other two 9K+ PG, but he’s still a solid play given his recent form.∗∗
Kyrie Irving-Cleveland Cavaliers (8,000): We all remember what Irving did to the Warriors on Christmas Day (when he was in my FanDuel daily picks lineup). He hit the game-winning shot as part of his 25-6-10 with a whopping seven steals to total 59.2 fantasy points. He has been forced to miss a few games since then due to injury, but he looked sharp on Friday in Sacramento with 26-3-5. He and LeBron will definitely be fired up to try and knock off the Warriors again tonight in Oakland, so look for him to log heavy minutes and usage and produce a good line again.∗∗∗∗
Eric Bledsoe-Phoenix Suns (7,700): In the least star-filled game tonight, there is lots of value to target between the Suns and Jazz. The two teams met just over two weeks’ ago on New Year’s Eve when Bledsoe put together 19-8-8 for 39.6 fantasy points. He has at least 34 fantasy points in seven of his last eight games including that contest and is coming off a strong 17-6-10 game against the Spurs on Saturday when he totaled 38.2 fantasy points. Bledsoe at home tonight is a solid alternative to Irving if you think the Cavs won’t be able to keep things close with the Warriors tonight. ∗∗∗
George Hill-Utah Jazz (6,100): Hill should pick up some extra shots with Rodney Hood out tonight, and he’s in a good matchup against the Suns who had given up the sixth-most fantasy points this season to opposing PG. Hill had to leave their New Year’s Eve matchup with a concussion, but he has looked good since returning with at least 25 fantasy points in four of his five games back. Hill had 14-0-7 for 26.5 fantasy points against the Magic on Saturday, but he should be able to get 30+ tonight with the increase in usage and favorable matchup.∗∗∗∗
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