Welcome to the Tuesday edition of FanDuel NBA lineup advice. Tonight’s slate features eight matchups to choose from. It’s not a very top-heavy slate, with only six players checking in at salaries of $10,000 or higher. As of this writing, the highest projected game total is 229 points in the Eastern Conference showdown between the Raptors and 76ers. With the trade deadline on the horizon, it’s imperative to keep an eye on the news and buzz leading up to tipoff. With all that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the better plays for tonight.
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Point Guard
Jerryd Bayless (MIN): $5,900
Even with his price creeping up to $5,900, Bayless is too much of a value to ignore. The Timberwolves have already ruled out Derrick Rose and Tyus Jones, while Jeff Teague is listed as doubtful, so Bayless will once again get all the minutes he can handle at point guard. He faces the Grizzlies tonight, a team that has given up the sixth most FD points to point guards over the last 15 games. Bayless has averaged 34.9 FanDuel (FD) points over the past six games, which makes him well worth his price tonight.
Welcome to the Tuesday edition of FanDuel NBA lineup advice. Tonight’s slate features eight matchups to choose from. It’s not a very top-heavy slate, with only six players checking in at salaries of $10,000 or higher. As of this writing, the highest projected game total is 229 points in the Eastern Conference showdown between the Raptors and 76ers. With the trade deadline on the horizon, it’s imperative to keep an eye on the news and buzz leading up to tipoff. With all that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the better plays for tonight.
Create FanDuel lineups using our DFS Lineup Optimizer tool
Point Guard
Jerryd Bayless (MIN): $5,900
Even with his price creeping up to $5,900, Bayless is too much of a value to ignore. The Timberwolves have already ruled out Derrick Rose and Tyus Jones, while Jeff Teague is listed as doubtful, so Bayless will once again get all the minutes he can handle at point guard. He faces the Grizzlies tonight, a team that has given up the sixth most FD points to point guards over the last 15 games. Bayless has averaged 34.9 FanDuel (FD) points over the past six games, which makes him well worth his price tonight.
Others to consider:
- Russell Westbrook (OKC): $12,000
He’s the most expensive player on the slate, but he has a good matchup with Orlando and has only been under 50 FD points once in the past six games.
- Dennis Smith Jr. (NY): $6,800
He put up 24.6 FD points in 25 minutes Sunday in his Knicks debut. He’s still a bit of an unknown in New York but could start putting up big numbers as he acclimates to his new surroundings.
Shooting Guard
Jordan Clarkson (CLE): $5,400
With Rodney Hood already traded and Alec Burks on the block, Clarkson could be in line for increased opportunity tonight against Boston. He’s been putting up solid fantasy numbers lately, posting an average of 32 FD points over his last three outings. He’s also shown a nice ceiling this season, hitting at least 40 FD points three times. His $5,400 price tag makes him especially attractive on tonight’s slate.
Others to consider:
- Lou Williams (LAC): $7,700
Williams’ price has been skyrocketing lately, but he does have the ability to hit value with Danilo Gallinari still sidelined in Charlotte tonight.
- Dennis Schroder (OKC): $5,300
Schroder is quietly averaging 30.4 FD points off the bench for the Thunder over the last four games. It’s tough to argue against that kind of value at $5,300.
Small Forward
LeBron James (LAL): $10,800
James’ salary isn’t likely to stay beneath $11,000 long, so take advantage of it while you can. He finally returned from his groin injury last Thursday and immediately put up 53.3 FD points in 40 minutes on the court, so his playing time and workload shouldn’t be in question after taking Saturday off to rest. He also should have a favorable matchup in what should be a competitive game with the Pacers. With a possible Anthony Davis acquisition looming you have to worry about most of the Lakers roster, but not LeBron.
Others to consider:
- Jonathan Isaac (ORL): $5,800
Orlando’s second-year forward has been coming on strong, notching at least 30 FD points in six of his last seven games. He should be a great value tonight against an Oklahoma City team that gives up the fourth-most FD points to small forwards on the season.
- Kevin Knox (NY): $5,100
Knox should be worth his $5,100 price tag on sheer volume alone tonight. Since last week’s trade Knox has led the Knicks in minutes played and seen a 26.5% usage rate. Expect the rookie to continue being a major focal point for the Knicks.
Power Forward
Larry Nance Jr. (CLE): $6,300
Nance was eased back into the rotation after missing eight games with a knee injury, but he was up to 27 minutes on the court in his last outing and has regained his starting spot. He’s also increased his FD point output over the previous two outings, hitting 37.9 against the Mavericks on Saturday. He was able to hit 60 FD points earlier this season, making him a player with a stable floor but extremely high ceiling, precisely what you should be looking for on this type of slate.
Others to consider:
- Blake Griffin (DET): $9,200
Griffin’s price is actually affordable compared to the ceiling he offers. The Knicks don’t have anybody to match up against him defensively, giving him massive potential tonight.
- Daniel Theis (BOS): $3,700
In FanDuel’s format that drops your lowest score, you always want to take at least one shot on a low-priced player that could have a big night. That could be Theis tonight, who should see some extra run with Marcus Morris already ruled out.
Center
Myles Turner (IND): $7,300
Turner has hit at least 35 FD points in eight of his 11 games since returning from injury and is coming off of a 40.3 FD point performance last night in New Orleans. You might typically fade a player in the second half of back-to-backs, but that isn’t the case with Turner. He’s played in eight back-to-backs so far this season and is averaging nearly identical minutes and points per game while actually grabbing nearly four more rebounds per game. He plays the Lakers, who give up the fifth most FD points to centers on the season, so Turner should be set up for another solid game tonight.
Others to consider:
- Joel Embiid (PHI): $11,600
Embid has the potential to win a slate on any given night. He may be worth his price tag tonight in what is expected to be the highest scoring game of the night against Toronto.
- Andre Drummond (DET): $9,300
Drummond has been killing it lately putting up at least 49 FD points in four of his last five games, but his price tag hasn’t caught up yet. He should put up big numbers again tonight as he battles DeAndre Jordan and the Knicks.
If you start your lineup tonight with my five featured players, you’ll have an average of $6,075 per player to spend on your remaining four roster spots. As usual, keep an eye on the latest news and injuries leading up to tipoff, especially with the trade deadline looming. Good luck out there!
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Aaron Larson is a correspondent at FantasyPros. For more from Aaron, check out his archive and follow him @aalarson.
