While Sunday's NBA schedule consists of nine games, only five are eligible for FanDuel main league games beginning with the 8:00 p.m. Eastern contests. And from a fantasy standpoint the game that's likely to garner the most attention is Sacramento hosting Golden State. It goes without saying that the Warriors are loaded with quality DFS options, starting with Kevin Durant ($10,200), with Stephen Curry ($9,000), Draymond Green ($8,000) and Klay Thompson ($6,700) also being popular choices. But the Kings' fantasy value can be found primarily in one player: center DeMarcus Cousins ($10,800). Cousins has the highest value of any player in action Sunday, with Durant and Cleveland's LeBron James ($10,100) being next in line.
Averaging 28.5 points, 9.9 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game, Cousins has been good for an average of 48.9 FanDuel points per night. Sunday marks the first time that the Kings and Warriors have played this season, and in the two games Cousins played against Golden State last season he was held in check. Cousins averaged 20.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game against the Warriors, and he shot just 41.7 percent from the field and 28.6 percent from three. The matchup is different this time around with Zaza Pachulia in the middle instead of Andrew Bogut, but given how Golden State has defended for most of this season Cousins will certainly be tested.
Here are our picks for Sunday's FanDuel main league games, using a salary cap of $60,000 to fill out a nine-player roster. Some stats used are from Basketball Reference. (Getty)
PG: Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City
Opponent: at Utah
Price: $12,000
Yes Westbrook is on the second game of a back-to-back, and the Thunder are coming off of a blowout loss in Portland. But he's still one of the best players in the NBA, and Utah's had issues defending guards who can force the issue offensively. This sets up well for Westbrook, who won't have to face George Hill as Hill remains sidelined with a toe injury. Westbrook had a comparatively quiet night against the Blazers, and one would think that he'll bounce back in a big way against Utah. (Getty)
PG: Reggie Jackson, Detroit
Opponent: at Dallas
Price: $5,600
Jackson's return to the rotation hasn't been an explosive one, as he's scored no more than 18 points in any of the five games he's played. This selection is more about the hope that Jackson can put together a productive night despite the fact that Dallas has one of the better defenses in the NBA. But at times Dallas is going to ask Deron Williams to defend Jackson, and that's when he should be able to strike offensively. (Getty)
SG: Sean Kilpatrick, Brooklyn
Opponent: vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Price: $5,300
The Nets haven't been particularly good this season, and they've won just two games since November 12. But they've been competitive in the majority of their games, and with guard Jeremy Lin returning the Nets have another veteran scorer to call upon. In the case of Kilpatrick, Lin's return will take away some touches but it shouldn't be to the point where he'd be a liability from a fantasy standpoint. In the first meeting between the Lakers and Nets, Kilpatrick accounted for just 11.3 FanDuel points. But given the cap number and the makeup of this roster, there really aren't any other options to go with. So hope that either Kilpatrick has a better night against the Lakers this time around or that a marquee option like a Westbrook, Harden or Cousins can put up enough points to make up for that. (Getty)
SG: Eric Gordon, Houston
Opponent: vs. Sacramento
Price: $5,300
As noted in the intro slide playing alongside a player of Harden's caliber can open things up for players capable of knocking down shots. Gordon certainly fits the bill, as he's shooting 44.2 percent from the field and 43.9 percent from three on the season. Gordon's averaging 21 points per game over the last two contests for the Rockets, but he hasn't contributed as much in other statistical categories as he did in the games before this two-game stretch. Playing the Kings should present Gordon with the opportunity to both score and distribute the ball with the second unit, thus increasing his chances of a good night FanDuel-wise. (Getty)
SF: Paul George, Indiana
Opponent: at Utah
Price: $7,100
George and the Pacers look to redeem themselves after losing to the Lakers Friday night, with a poor second half showing spelling doom for Indiana. But it won't be easy, as Utah has been one of the NBA's most efficient teams on both ends of the floor. This is a game where a team looks to its star (or stars) to step forward, which in the case of Indiana means George. George has accounted for 31 FanDuel points or more in five of Indiana's last seven games, and with an average of 35.4 FanDuel points per contest it can be argued that George can do even more given his versatility. (Getty)
SF: Otto Porter, Washington
Opponent: vs. Charlotte
Price: $5,500
Salary cap constraints mean that we're rolling the dice on Porter, who has struggled mightily over his last four games. Porter's scored no more than ten points in any of those contests, and just once has he surpassed the 20 FanDuel point mark. The Wizards have really struggled this season, and hosting a Charlotte team that ranks sixth in the NBA in defensive rating. As is the case with Kilpatrick, hold out hope that Porter can snap out of his funk but the more realistic possibility is that a Westbrook or George can carry a struggling player on your FanDuel roster. (Getty)
PF: Trevor Booker, Brooklyn
Opponent: vs. Toronto
Price: $5,500
While Booker has shot 50 percent from the field in two games against the Raptors this season, they've kept him in check from a production standpoint. Booker's averaging 8.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game against Toronto this season, which includes the six points, seven rebounds and four assists he accounted for January 13. Booker rebounded from that by scoring 18 points and grabbing five rebounds against the Rockets Sunday, and the hope here is that he can find a way to be more productive against the Raptors the third time around. (Getty)
PF: Tobias Harris, Detroit
Opponent: at Dallas
Price: $5,900
Since scoring 22 points and grabbing seven rebounds against the Bulls on December 6 Harris hasn't been as impactful from a fantasy standpoint, scoring no more than 25.4 FanDuel points in any of the next three games. Dallas not having Dirk Nowitzki will help Harris from a workload standpoint on the defensive end, but he'll look to score against forwards with more athleticism than Nowitzki such as Dwight Powell. But bet on Harris' offensive versatility coming through, thus allowing him to snap out of his current funk. (Getty)
C: Myles Turner, Indiana
Opponent: at Miami
Price: $6,200
Averaging just over 30 FanDuel points per game, Turner's scored at least 33 FanDuel points in each of the last two contests. When he's active defensively, rebounding and blocking shots, Turner is capable of producing a quality FanDuel point total. In Monday's game against the Hornets Turner accounted for 22 points, seven rebounds, four blocks and one steal, which worked out to a total of 40.4 FanDuel points. Wednesday's matchup with the Heat means that Turner will see plenty of Hassan Whiteside, but he has the tools needed to perform well against a seasoned vet. (Getty)
FanDuel NBA Lineup Picks, Advice & Analysis for December 14