Fansided

FanDuel daily picks: Fantasy basketball lineup – January 4, 2019

By Jeremy Lambert

PORTLAND, OR - FEBRUARY 8: Damian Lillard #0 speaks to CJ McCollum of the Portland Trail Blazers during the game against the Charlotte Hornets on February 8, 2018 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - FEBRUARY 8: Damian Lillard #0 speaks to CJ McCollum of the Portland Trail Blazers during the game against the Charlotte Hornets on February 8, 2018 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Orlando Magic’s Nikola Vucevic (9) drives past the New Orleans Pelicans’ Anthony Davis, left, at the Amway Center in Orlando, Fla., on Friday, Dec. 22, 2017. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel/TNS via Getty Images) /

High Salary C

Players costing over $6,667

Nikola Vucevic (at MIN – $9,800): Needs 44.1 fantasy points. Vucevic had 53.9 fantasy points in 26 minutes against the Bulls on Jan. 2. He’s been excellent this season and I see no reason why he slows down in this one. The Timberwolves are better at home and Towns will probably have a strong game himself, but Vucevic is the more cost-effective player in this matchup. Diagnosis: Reliable with a good ceiling.

Jusuf Nurkic (vs OKC – $9,100): Needs 40.9 fantasy points. Nurkic was up to 88.1 fantasy points against the Kings on Jan. 1. And now he gets the Thunder. Fun fact, the Thunder have not won in Portland since 2014 and they have never beaten the Blazers since they acquired Nurkic. This is his matchup. He averaged 1.36 FPPM against them last season. He just always dominates this matchup. This is a different Thunder team, but it’s tough to get over past ghosts. Diagnosis: Proven matchup, red hot, high ceiling.

Deandre Ayton (vs LAC – $8,000): Needs 36 fantasy points. Ayton continues to produce solid outings for the Suns. He’s averaging 36.9 fantasy points in two games against the Clippers this season but was up to 45.9 fantasy points in their last meeting on Dec. 10. He’s shown that he improves the more he sees a matchup, so I’m expecting a strong outing from him in this game. The Clippers aren’t playing great right now and I’m starting to trust Ayton more and more. Diagnosis: Reliable with a very high ceiling.