After a day in which only five games were played, the NBA schedule for Monday consists of 11 games. Among those in action are Houston guard James Harden ($11,600), New Orleans forward Anthony Davis ($11,600) and Milwaukee forward Giannis Antetokounmpo ($10,600). Also in action is Sacramento center DeMarcus Cousins ($11,200), who is as gifted as any big man in the NBA but does have some strides to make if he's to be a player that an NBA team can build a successful team around. Cousins is currently averaging 29.1 points, 10.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game for a Kings team that's looking to make its way into the playoff conversation.He has range out beyond the three-point line, and Cousins' ability to contribute in a host of ways is why he's averaging 49.2 FanDuel points per night.
Cousins and the Kings host the 76ers Monday night, which means a matchup between Cousins and Philadelphia rookie center Joel Embiid. With this being the first meeting of the season between the two teams, obviously the two big men have never met in an NBA game with Embiid missing the last two seasons with foot injuries. But how they match up will be interesting to watch, not only in the post but on the perimeter as well. Cousins is shooting 38 percent from three this season on nearly five attempts per game, with both numbers representing career highs for him. As for Embiid, he's attempting just under three three-pointers per game but is shooting a respectable 41.4 percent.
Does this mean that either Cousins or Embiid is on the way to becoming an elite long-distance shooter? No, and given what each can contribute offensively to limit themselves would be a mistake. But it does show that both have developed into players who have to be respected at multiple levels by opposing defenses, which also bodes well for those who look to add either one to their FanDuel teams. Here are our FanDuel picks for tonight's games, working with a $60,000 salary cap and a nine-player roster. (Getty)
8. Memphis
Record: 22-14
Last week: 7th
Memphis also went 2-1 last week, with their lone defeat coming by ten points to the Celtics at home. Mike Conley (toe) didn't play in that game, one in which the Grizzlies shot 9-for-30 from three and allowed the Celtics to post an effective field goal percentage of 55.3 percent. Memphis responded to the loss with a 34-point win over Oklahoma City, and they began their four-game west coast trip with a 112-98 win over Sacramento Saturday night. Given how well David Fizdale's team defends, a 3-1 (or even 4-0) record isn't out of the realm of possibility with Friday's game against Golden State being the most difficult of the remaining three games (Lakers and Clippers being the others). (Getty)
PG: Reggie Jackson, Detroit
Opponent: vs. Sacramento
Price: $6,400
At the start of January, Jackson had just begun a streak of five straight games with 34 FanDuel points or more. Then he went into a slump from a fantasy standpoint, scoring fewer than 25 FanDuel points in three of the next four games. But with solid outings in each of his last two games, Jackson may be back on the right track as trade rumors swirl. Pistons head coach and president of basketball operations Stan Van Gundy shut down the rumors, and that could have a positive impact on Jackson moving forward. Jackson didn't have his best game against the Kings on January 10, finishing with 19 points, three assists, two rebounds and four turnovers, but things could be different this time around based upon how Jackson's played in his last two games. (Getty)
After a quiet night with just three games on the schedule to essentially leave the night to the College Football Playoff Championship Game, Tuesday's NBA schedule consists of nine games. That's good news for FanDuel participants, who won't lack for options as they look to fill out their rosters. There are five players with salary values of $10,000 or higher in action, with Houston's James Harden ($11,700) having the highest value. Harden's averaging 53.6 FanDuel points per game on the season, and in his most recent outing "The Beard" tallied his tenth triple-double of the season in Houston's win in Toronto. Harden finished the game with 40 points, 11 assists and ten rebounds, and while the turnover count (ten) was high he still managed to accrue 66.5 FanDuel points.
So what will Harden do for an encore? Tuesday brings about a matchup with a Charlotte squad that ranks 11th in the NBA in scoring defense and ninth in defensive rating. But the Hornets will likely be down a man, with Nicolas Batum listed as doubtful due to a hyperextended knee suffered last week. That leaves Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, another solid wing defender, as the best option to defend Harden, but who does Charlotte call upon when MKG needs a break? But matchup questions aside, Harden's going to be a good choice due to how important he is to the Rockets' offense.
Here are our FanDuel picks for Tuesday, using the rules of a nine-player roster and a $60,000 salary cap. Linked stats are from Basketball Reference and Rotowire. (Getty)
SG: Sean Kilpatrick, Brooklyn
Opponent: vs. Charlotte
Price: $4,600
By no means is Kilpatrick a prolific FanDuel scorer, as he's averaging 23.9 points per game. But in cases where you spend a substantial amount of money on one spot (Harden, Westbrook, etc.) he's not a bad choice. Kilpatrick's a starter who's going to get his touches offensively, and he's capable of stretches similar to the one earlier this season in which he scored 14 points or more in eight consecutive games. In the first meeting with Charlotte, Kilpatrick tallied 31.8 FanDuel points (19 points, four rebounds and four assists). It will be tough given how good the Hornets are defensively on the wings (Nicolas Batum and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist), but not impossible to register a repeat performance. (Getty)
SF: Harrison Barnes, Dallas
Opponent: at New Orleans
Price: $6,500
As is the case with Kilpatrick, if you can add a starter to your lineup while saving some money it's not a bad move to make. Barnes is averaging just under 30 FanDuel points per game, a number he's exceeded in five of his last six games. In Barnes' most recent outing, which was also a game in which Dirk Nowitzki returned to the lineup, he tallied 24 points and six rebounds in a 90-88 win over the Clippers. At his current salary cap number, Barnes represents good value at the small forward position. (Getty)
SF: Danilo Gallinari, Denver
Opponent: at LA Clippers
Price: $6,100
With Wilson Chandler, who's been moved into the starting power forward spot, also being listed as a small forward FanDuel players can go with either he or Gallinari. The pick here is Gallinari because of his better showings in recent games, with 25 FanDuel points in four of the last five games. As for Chandler, while he's surpassed 30 FanDuel points in three of the last five there are also efforts of 18.7 and 20.3 points mixed in. But regardless of which Nuggets small forward is selected, the hope is that they can take advantage of the Clippers both playing last night and being shorthanded (Blake Griffin and Chris Paul are both out). (Getty)
PF: Jabari Parker, Milwaukee
Opponent: at Washington
Price: $6,900
Parker and the Bucks face Washington for the third time in 16 days Monday night, and while he struggled in the first meeting Parker had no such issues Friday in Milwaukee. Parker accounted for 42.1 FanDuel points Friday, finishing with 21 points, eight rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks with just one turnover. In the first game between the two teams Parker tallied just 9.8 FanDuel points. In game three, look for Parker to be much closer to his season average (31.6 FanDuel ppg) than that 9.8 number. (Getty)
PF: Alex Len, Phoenix
Opponent: at Houston
Price: $4,900
This selection does not elicit as much confidence as the Kilpatrick one, but when having to pinch pennies somewhere rolling the dice on Len may not be a bad idea. He's averaging 21.5 FanDuel points per game on the season, and in last week's game against the Rockets Len finished with nine points, five rebounds, four blocks and one steal (25 FanDuel points). He isn't going to be a scoring threat, but the hope here is that Len can do enough in the rebounding and blocked shot categories to make up for that. Expect a night in the mid- to high-teens from Len, and if he can get into the twenties that a bonus. (Getty)
C: Joel Embiid, Philadelphia
Opponent: at Sacramento
Price: $7,100
While the win total hasn't been as high as anyone involved hoped for, this season has gone well for Embiid and the 76ers. He's been both productive and injury-free, outside of a couple nicks that all players pick up throughout the course of the season. Monday night brings about the task of playing against DeMarcus Cousins in what is a "measuring stick" kind of game for Embiid. He's averaging 32.4 FanDuel points per night for the Sixers, who will need Embiid to be at his best during their four-game road trip if they're to pick up wins. (Getty)
FanDuel NBA Lineup Picks, Advice & Analysis for December 26