Fansided

FanDuel daily picks: Fantasy basketball lineup – December 31, 2017

By Jeremy Lambert

MEMPHIS, TN - DECEMBER 23: Tyreke Evans #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies looks on during the game against the LA Clippers on December 23, 2017 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN - DECEMBER 23: Tyreke Evans #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies looks on during the game against the LA Clippers on December 23, 2017 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
8 of 12
Next
LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 27: Blake Griffin #32 of the LA Clippers goes to the basket against the Los Angeles Lakers on November 27, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 27: Blake Griffin #32 of the LA Clippers goes to the basket against the Los Angeles Lakers on November 27, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

High Salary PF

Ben Simmons, PHI at PHO ($8,700): A matchup against the Suns, who rank 27th against the position in their last 15 games, should project well for Simmons. He had 55.1 fantasy points against Phoenix on Dec. 4. However, he’s missed value by 12+ fantasy points in four of his last five and has seemingly hit a rookie wall. I’d like to think that he’ll be able to take advantage of the favorable matchup, but his recent performances definitely have me worried. For now, I have to consider him a risk, but the potential is certainly there for him to have a big game. **

Blake Griffin, LAC vs CHA ($8,500): After missing a month with a knee injury, Griffin returned and performed well, contributing 39.2 fantasy points in 32 minutes. Playing 32 minutes shows that he wasn’t exactly on a minutes restriction, which means he should play his usual 35+ minutes on Sunday, assuming the game is close. He had 34.6 fantasy points against the Hornets on Nov. 18. I still worry that there is some rust there with Griffin, especially as he enters a slightly tougher matchup on Sunday. Despite my concern, I still like him to be at value (36.5 fantasy points) in this one. ***

Nikola Mirotic, CHI at WAS ($6,700): Mirotic has missed value in four of his last six, but his salary has dropped to where he should hit value on Sunday, needing 28.8 fantasy points to do so. In the two games where he did hit value, he was over 35 fantasy points. He’s tailed off a bit from when he was in the starting lineup, but is still fairly reliable. The Wizards look unbeatable one night and then lay an egg the next. If Kris Dunn is out for Chicago, Mirotic will likely see a slight uptick in usage as he is one of their more reliable shooters. ***