Ten games are on the NBA schedule for Wednesday, giving FanDuel players a host of options from which to choose when putting together their rosters. While Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook ($12,400) is the most expensive option, Sacramento's DeMarcus Cousins ($10,900) is also worth considering for tonight's action. Cousins is averaging 47.9 FanDuel points per game, a mark he's exceeded in each of his last four games. Tonight Cousins and the Kings visit Philadelphia in a matchup of teams expected by many to land in the NBA Draft lottery at season's end. And from a fantasy standpoint, this game offers up a very intriguing individual matchup.
Opposite Cousins will be Philadelphia's Joel Embiid ($6,200), who after missing all of the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons due to foot injuries is healthy and has shown himself to be one of the top young big men in the NBA. The front office has held firm to its strategy when it comes to resting "The Process," and while it may be frustrating to both Embiid and the fan base it's all about the "long game" when it comes to his career. While on the court Embiid has been effective, averaging 18.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.4 blocks in just 22.8 minutes per game. Even with the minutes restriction (24 minutes) Embiid is a productive center for the 76ers, and certainly worth considering for FanDuel rosters when it isn't a night of rest for him.
Here are our roster picks for Wednesday, working within the rules of a nine-player roster and a salary cap of $60,000. (Getty)
PG: Isaiah Thomas, Boston
Opponent: vs. Detroit
Price: $8,200
Averaging 26.0 points and 6.4 assists per game this season, Thomas is scoring nearly four points per game more than he did in 2015-16 (22.2) while dishing out just as many assists (6.4 apg in 2015-16). From a FanDuel standpoint he's averaging just under 39 points per game, and in the last meeting with Detroit (November 19) he tallied 42.8 points in the Celtics' 94-92 victory. With Pistons guard Reggie Jackson still sidelined but moving closer to a return, expect a similar output from Thomas tonight. (Getty)
PG: Derrick Rose, New York
Opponent: at Minnesota
Price: $6,700
Rose is averaging 16.8 points, 4.9 assists and 4.4 rebounds per game in his first season with the Knicks, and there's been some early chatter that he could be part of the team's long-term plans (Rose is in the final year of his contract). Fantasy-wise he's averaging 29.2 FanDuel points per game on the season, and in four of the last six games he's accounted for 35 FanDuel points or more. With Rose the question is what he can provide outside of the scoring. Over the last two games Rose has tallied 15 rebounds, 12 assists, two blocks, two steals and two turnovers (46.6 and 43.4 FanDuel points in those games). (Getty)
SG: Bradley Beal, Washington
Opponent: vs. Boston
Price: $6,700
In two games against the Celtics this season, Beal's averaged 19.0 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists per contest and shooting 41.2 percent from the field. While Beal has surpassed his FanDuel scoring average of 31.1 points per game just three times in his last ten outings, Boston not having starting shooting guard Avery Bradley is a positive for Washington's second-leading scorer. Marcus Smart is also a solid defender, but not having to deal with both Smart and Bradley is something that should work in Beal's favor from a productivity standpoint. (Getty)
SG: Lou Williams, Los Angeles Lakers
Opponent: at Chicago
Price: $5,000
Going with a bench player for a roster spot can be a bit of a gamble, but when said player is a key offensive figure for the NBA's highest scoring bench it's worth the risk. Williams has been one of the NBA's best when it comes to scoring points in the fourth quarter, and Luke Walton's faith in his bench means that the opportunities are plentiful for the likes of Williams and Jordan Clarkson. And while Chicago's front court reserves (Doug McDermott and Nikola Mirotic among them) are certainly formidable, the backcourt could be where the Lakers have the edge when considering second units. (Getty)
SF: Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio
Opponent: at Dallas
Price: $8,400
Tuesday wasn't a good night for Leonard or his teammates, as they lost at home to the Orlando Magic. Leonard scored 21 points in the defeat, but he only accounted for two rebounds and two assists, figures that fall well below what would be expected from one of the NBA's best players. The second half of the back-to-back means a trip to Dallas, where Leonard and the Spurs will face a team that has struggled all season due in large part to health issues. Nine days ago Leonard accounted for 41.8 FanDuel points in a win over the Mavericks, and given Gregg Popovich's words following that game the Spurs should be ready to go tonight. (Getty)
SF: Wilson Chandler, Denver
Opponent: vs. Miami
Price: $6,400
Having already shown himself to be a productive option for the Nuggets when the team has its full allotment of players, Chandler's been even more productive in recent games. With Gary Harris, Will Barton and Danilo Gallinari among those dealing with injuries, Chandler's scored 17 points or more in five of Denver's last seven games. And over the last two games he's averaging 27.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.5 steals per game. He'll figure prominently in head coach Mike Malone's plans tonight. (Getty)
PF: Taj Gibson, Chicago
Opponent: vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Price: $5,600
Averaging 11.8 points and 7.9 rebounds per game this season, Gibson's looked more comfortable in his second year in Fred Hoiberg's system. Of course part of that is the increase in opportunities with Pau Gasol moving on, but a lot of credit has to be given to Gibson for the work he's put in. With the Lakers having a starting power forward in Julius Randle who just returned from a hip injury that sidelined him for three games (and on the tail end of a back-to-back), Gibson could be in line for another solid night. (Getty)
PF: Tobias Harris, Detroit
Opponent: at Boston
Price: $5,300
In Tuesday's win over the Hornets, Harris tallied 24 points, seven rebounds, two assists, two blocks, one steal and two turnovers on a night that saw Andre Drummond ejected in the second quarter (flagrant 2 foul). Harris is averaging 16.8 points and 4.7 rebounds per game on the season, and while the scoring number is similar to last season's production he's posted that number with better percentages from the field and from three. Boston will be a tougher matchup, but Harris managed 24.9 FanDuel points in the teams' first meeting November 19. (Getty)
C: Marc Gasol, Memphis
Opponent: at Toronto
Price: $7,000
With the Grizzlies' health situation being what it is, as Mike Conley's out with a fractured vertebrae in his back, and Zach Randolph away from the team following the passing of his mother, Gasol will have to shoulder even more of the load offensively. Toronto will be able to focus its defensive efforts on Gasol, but the opportunities he'll have as a scorer and passer should outweigh that. (Getty)
FanDuel NBA Lineup Picks, Advice & Analysis for November 30