As usual the Thursday schedule in the NBA doesn't have as many options as other nights, with there being just six games for FanDuel players to pick their rosters from. Among those back in action is Oklahoma City guard Russell Westbrook ($12,500), who has 15 triple-doubles to his credit this season alone. Averaging 58.4 FanDuel points per game, Westbrook has a tough matchup Thursday night as the Thunder visit the Memphis Grizzlies. Even with starting point guard Mike Conley missing time due to injury, the Grizzlies are allowing the seventh-fewest FanDuel points per game at the point guard position (41.0) according to Rotowire.
That being said, given Westbrook's productivity it's difficult to see Memphis shutting him down in the first meeting of the season between the two teams. Westbrook has accounted for 58.9 FanDuel points or more in each of his last six games, surpassing the 70-point mark twice. Who Memphis uses to defend Westbrook will be something to watch, with both Conley and Tony Allen being the most likely options used by head coach David Fizdale. Here are our picks for Thursday's games, using a $60,000 salary cap and a nine-player roster. (Getty)
7. Boston
Record: 20-14
Last week: 6th
After winning in New York on Christmas Day, Boston completed a sweep of its season series with the Grizzlies by winning in Memphis Tuesday night. And while they did lose in Cleveland two nights later, Brad Stevens' team made its rally in the fourth quarter with All-Star guard Isaiah Thomas on the bench for most of that stretch. Thomas an an integral figure in Boston's win over Miami Friday night, scoring 52 points and becoming the first Celtic since Paul Pierce to score 50 points or more in a game. Boston's got three home games this week, beginning with Utah Tuesday night, will should at minimum help the Celtics keep pace with Toronto in the Atlantic Division race. (Getty)
PG: Jordan Clarkson, Los Angeles Lakers
Opponent: vs. Orlando
Price: $4,300
Clarkson's Friday night came to a premature end, as he and Miami point guard Goran Dragic were ejected for their roles in a third quarter altercation. In the two games prior to Friday, Clarkson accounted for 27.9 and 30.1 FanDuel points. Clarkson tallied 18 points, five rebounds and two assists in the first meeting between the Lakers and Magic, with five turnovers dragging down his point total (22 FanDuel points). If he can keep the miscues in check, Clarkson should have a good night off the bench. (Getty)
6. Toronto
Record: 22-10
Last week: 4th
Toronto's drop isn't because of their 121-111 loss at Golden State; lots of teams lose to the Warriors in Oakland. The Raptors drop two spots because of their loss in Phoenix the following night, 99-91. Being tired in the second game of a back-to-back isn't surprising, and Dwane Casey's Raptors certainly looked the part against the Suns. Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan scored 24 apiece in the loss, with Cory Joseph adding 15 off the bench, but no other Raptor scored more than eight points against one of the NBA's worst defensive teams. The good news for Toronto is that they've got just one game remaining in this four-game road trip (Tuesday in San Antonio) after beating the Lakers Sunday night. (Getty)
Wesley Matthews
SF: LeBron James, Cleveland
Opponent: at Golden State
Price: $9,900
LeBron has scored fewer than 40 FanDuel points in three of the last four games, but given the stage and his importance to the Cavaliers it's tough to pass up the opportunity to add him to the roster. On Christmas Day he accounted for 53.6 FanDuel points, tallying 31 points, 13 rebounds and four assists. Look for James to be much closer to his FanDuel season average (47.5 ppg) than he has been in recent games. (Getty)
SF: Jae Crowder, Boston
Opponent: at Washington
Price: $5,600
Crowder had one of his best games of the month in the last meeting between the Celtics and Wizards, scoring 20 points on 7-for-10 shooting from the field while also grabbing six rebounds. Of course the postgame altercation between he and John Wall was what grabbed most of the attention in the Celtics' 117-108 victory, and that will make for an interesting subplot tonight. Washington already has plans of wearing all black clothing to the arena. (Getty)
PF: Julius Randle, Los Angeles Lakers
Opponent: VS. Dallas
Price: $6,600
Since missing two games to be with his fiancée as she gave birth to their first child, Randle's been very good for the Lakers in his return. After accounting for 13 points, eight assists, seven rebounds and two steals against the Clippers on Christmas Day, Randle followed that up with 25 points, 12 rebounds and three assists against Utah. Averaging 28.8 FanDuel points per game on the season, Randle's tallied 37.4 and 43.9 points in his last two outings. (Getty)
PF: Enes Kanter, Oklahoma City
Opponent: at Memphis
Price: $5,400
With Memphis' second unit being anchored by power forward Zach Randolph, this sets up to be an interesting matchup for Kanter. Kanter's tallied at least 29 FanDuel points in each of his last four games, most recently going for 19 points, eight rebounds and two assists in a win over Miami (29.6 FanDuel points). Memphis is one of the best defensive teams in the NBA, and they're allowing only 38.8 FanDuel points per game to opposing power forward units, so keeping his current streak alive won't be an easy task for Kanter. But he's certainly capable. (Getty)
C: Steven Adams, Oklahoma City
Opponent: at Memphis
Price: $5,400
With Toronto's Jonas Valanciunas ($5,700) being just out of our price range, Adams is the pick here. While not a prolific scorer, Adams is averaging 12.0 points per game and has scored in double figures in three of Oklahoma City's last four games. He and Westbrook have been better in the pick and roll actions the Thunder run, which has paid off for the big man from New Zealand. Just as important in this matchup will be Adams' defensive abilities, as he'll be asked to defend one of the NBA's best centers in Marc Gasol. (Getty)
FanDuel NBA Lineup Picks, Advice & Analysis for December 29