After Monday's NBA schedule provided FanDuel players with seven games from which to assemble their rosters, there are only six games to pick from for Tuesday. The highest-priced option is New Orleans forward Anthony Davis, who has a salary cap number of $12,000 and is going up against a Lakers squad that could be without starting power forward Julius Randle. Randle has missed the last three games due to a hip injury, and he's listed as a game-time decision on the FanDuel board despite only going through the non-contact portion of Monday's practice.
While not having Randle does take away an option at Lakers head coach Luke Walton's disposal when it comes to defending Davis, the former Kentucky Wildcat's absence does not automatically mean that "The Brow" will run roughshod on the Lakers. And there are two reasons why: power forward Larry Nance Jr. ($4,000) and center Tarik Black ($3,700). Both have performed well as part of the NBA's most productive second unit, and the contrast in their skill sets (Nance being a high-level athlete and Black a physical bruiser) gives Los Angeles multiple ways in which to defend Davis. This isn't to say that Davis will get shut down; he'll definitely get his stats regardless of the opposition in this matchup. But it may not come as easily as some would assume with Julius Randle out of the lineup.
Here are today's FanDuel picks, working within the parameters of a nine-player roster and a $60,000 salary cap. (Getty)
PG: Kyrie Irving, Cleveland
Opponent: at Milwaukee
Price: $7,600
Facing the Bucks means that Irving will see an awful lot of former teammate Matthew Dellavedova, a noted defensive pest who worked his way into the Cleveland rotation two seasons ago before leaving for Milwaukee as a free agent this summer. But given Irving's skill set, especially as a ball-handler, he should still be able to at minimum reach his FanDuel average of 35.1 points per game. Last time out against the 76ers, Irving finished with 39 points, four rebounds and two assists in a four-point victory. (Getty)
PG: Jrue Holiday, New Orleans
Opponent: vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Price: $7,300
After winning their first four games since Holiday returned to the team the Pelicans have lost two straight, losing on the road to the Trail Blazers and Mavericks. Holiday's averaging 29.5 FanDuel points per game in six games, reaching double figures in points in five contests. In the two losses Holiday averaged 16.5 points, 5.5 assists and 4.0 rebounds per game in a reserve role, with head coach Alvin Gentry sticking with Tim Frazier as his starting point guard. Whether it's as a starter or the sixth man Holiday's going to get plenty of minutes, which should bode well for his prospects as a FanDuel option. (Getty)
SG: Jordan Clarkson, Los Angeles Lakers
Opponent: at New Orleans
Price: $5,200
On the season the Lakers are averaging an NBA-best 52 bench points per game, and Clarkson is one of the reasons as to why. Clarkson's averaging 15.4 points per game on the season, and he's scored 18 points or more in three of the last four games. The FanDuel average of 24.1 points per game is modest, but tonight's contest sets up as a good matchup for the Lakers' reserve guards (Lou Williams) even with New Orleans bringing Jrue Holiday off the bench. Clarkson's also tallied two steals or more in five of the last seven games. (Getty)
SG: Eric Gordon, Houston
Opponent: at Utah
Price: $4,900
After going scoreless in a win over the Pistons on November 21, Gordon has improved in each of the last three games with the most recent being a 26-point outing in Houston's win in Portland Sunday night. With Patrick Beverley healthy he's replaced Gordon in the starting lineup, but there are still plenty of opportunities for Gordon to put some points on the board as the sixth man. And in Houston's last meeting with the Jazz, Gordon accounted for 20 points, seven rebounds, six assists and two steals off the bench in the 111-102 victory. (Getty)
SF: LeBron James, Cleveland
Opponent: at Milwaukee
Price: $10,100
LeBron's posted a triple-double in two of his last three games, most recently going for 26 points, 13 assists and ten rebounds in the Cavaliers' win in Philadelphia Sunday afternoon. While Milwaukee will counter with Giannis Antetokounmpo, LeBron is going to put up numbers no matter who's in front of him. With an average of 47.9 FanDuel points per game on the season, James is a safe bet to at the very least surpass the 40-point mark. (Getty)
SF: Gordon Hayward, Utah
Opponent: vs. Houston
Price: $7,600
The Jazz have won three straight games and Hawyard's productivity is one reason why, as he averaged 23.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.0 assists per contest. Averaging 34.5 FanDuel points per game on the season, Hayward's accounted for 33.4 FanDuel points or more in each of the last four games for the Jazz. He'll have to deal with the defense of Trevor Ariza Tuesday night, but there's no reason to believe that Hayward isn't capable of another productive night. (Getty)
PF: LaMarcus Aldridge, San Antonio
Opponent: vs. Orlando
Price: $7,000
Aldridge is averaging just under 31 FanDuel points per game, surpassing the 33-point mark in three of the last four games he's played in. Orlando doesn't lack for options in its front court, with Serge Ibaka, Bismack Biyombo and Nikola Vucevic among those head coach Frank Vogel can call upon to defend Aldridge. With averages of 18.4 points and 6.7 rebounds per game on the season, Aldridge has been a reliable front court option for the Spurs and that should once again be the case Tuesday night. (Getty)
PF: Tobias Harris, Detroit
Opponent: at Charlotte
Price: $5,300
With the Hornets still without starting power forward Marvin Williams (knee), this sets up as a very good matchup for the versatile Harris. Averaging 16.4 points and 4.6 rebounds per game on the season, Harris is producing 25.5 FanDuel points per night and serves as a good partner for a center in Andre Drummond who needs space to operate in the paint. And with Frank Kaminsky likely to be Harris' matchup tonight, that's something the former Tennessee Volunteer can take advantage of offensively. (Getty)
C: Tristan Thompson, Cleveland
Opponent: at Milwaukee
Price: $5,000
Thompson's accounted for 28.9 FanDuel points or more in four of the last six games, most recently tallying 29.4 (12 points, 12 rebounds, two blocks and one turnover) in Cleveland's win over the 76ers Sunday afternoon. For the price tag he's not a bad choice for FanDuel players looking to save cap money for other positions. He'll see a lot of John Henson and Greg Monroe tonight, but while Thompson (6.6 ppg, 10.2 rpg) isn't much of a scorer he has managed to corral ten rebounds or more in six of the last seven games. (Getty)
FanDuel NBA Lineup Picks, Advice & Analysis for November 29