Saturday's NBA schedule is a busy one, with nine games being available to FanDuel participants in "main" leagues. Among the games on the slate is Philadelphia visiting Atlanta. It's the second game of a back-to-back for the 76ers, which means a night of rest for starting center Joel Embiid. Embiid, who's averaging 35.1 FanDuel points per game this season, left Friday's game against Portland with a left knee contusion after landing awkwardly following a dunk in the third quarter. Embiid returned to the floor in the fourth, but after a "minor tweak" he was sidelined for the remainder of the game.
The question regarding Philadelphia from a fantasy standpoint is who will absorb the opportunities that would normally go to Embiid. Jahlil Okafor (20.0 FanDuel points per game) and Nerlens Noel (15.8 ppg) are two players who will see an increase in minutes, but the best bet for production is Ersan Ilyasova. The forward, who Philly acquired via trade from Oklahoma City earlier this season, is averaging 24.8 FanDuel points per game and has a salary value of $5,800. In Friday's victory over the Blazers Ilyasova tallied 35 FanDuel points, and he's had 27 or more in three of the last four games. Obviously Ilyasova and Embiid don't share the same position, and their roles are different, but he's been a more reliable front court supplementary option than any other player at Brett Brown's disposal. That makes him worth considering for a roster spot if looking to save some cap room for other positions.
Here are our FanDuel picks for Saturday's games, with a salary cap of $60,000 for the nine-player roster. The Portland vs. Boston and Washington vs. Detroit games aren't eligible due to their start times, which means no Damian Lillard (Portland), Isaiah Thomas (Boston) or John Wall (Washington). (Getty)
PG: Derrick Rose, New York
Opponent: vs. Phoenix
Price: $6,600
To his credit Rose has played well since the bizarre incident in which he returned to Chicago to address a family issue without informing the team or answering their calls. In the six game since, Rose has averaged 21.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game, shooting 52.5 percent from the field. There continues to be the occasional struggle with balancing his own offense with the need to get Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis their touches, but Rose has worked hard to take steps in the right direction in recent games. (Getty)
Malcolm Brogdon, Milwaukee
Opponent: at Miami
Price: $5,400
Averaging 19.6 FanDuel points per game on the season, Brodgon's tallied 23 FanDuel points or more in each of the last nine games for the Bucks. While Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jabari Parker are at the top of the list when it comes to where Milwaukee looks for its offensive production, Brodgon's ability to play without the ball in his hands makes him a valuable piece for head coach Jason Kidd. And he's also a very good defender, which can lead to some production in steals category as well. (Getty)
SG: Will Barton, Denver
Opponent: vs. L.A. Clippers
Price: $5,700
Barton's scored 30.9 FanDuel points or more in three of his last five games, with his ability to provide an immediate spark offensively making Barton one of the bet sixth men in the NBA. On December 26, Barton tallied 23 points, eight rebounds and six assists against the Clippers. And with L.A. once again being shorthanded with both Chris Paul and Blake Griffin out of the lineup, Barton could very well duplicate his output in the last meeting between the two teams. (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: Wilson Chandler, Denver
Opponent: vs. L.A. Clippers
Price: $5,700
After missing Thursday's game for personal reasons, Chandler is expected to be back in the lineup against the Clippers. With Danilo Gallinari being listed as questionable with an ankle injury, Chandler stands to receive even more opportunities to make an impact offensively for the Nuggets. In the December 26 meeting between the Nuggets and Clippers, Chandler finished with just two points, four rebounds and three assists. It goes without saying that Chandler is capable of better, especially with the Clippers being down two starters due to injury. (Getty)
PF: Montrezl Harrell, Houston
Opponent: at Memphis
Price: $5,200
Harrell's FanDuel point totals have been up and down the last four games, with quality performances being followed by comparatively quiet ones. With this being the second game of a back-to-back and the Rockets still working starting center Clint Capela back into the lineup, this could be a game where Harrell becomes of greater value fantasy-wise. In Friday's loss to Golden State, Harrell tallied just 16.1 FanDuel points. But if the aforementioned trend continues, he'll have a good night against the Grizzlies. (Getty)
C: DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento
Opponent: at Chicago
Price: $10,600
Of the players in action Saturday, only James Harden has a better FanDuel average than Cousins' 48.4 points per game. While the ruptured Achilles suffered by Rudy Gay means that opposing defenses will be able to focus even more attention on Cousins, it also means that Sacramento's top scoring option will get even more shots up. Cousins has yet to face the Bulls this season, but he's scored 48 FanDuel points or more in four of his last five games. (Getty)
FanDuel NBA Lineup Picks, Advice & Analysis for January 21