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)
10. Charlotte
Record: 17-13
Last week: Unranked
Steve Clifford's Hornets have won three straight, most recently taking care of the Bulls with guard Nicolas Batum (20 points, 11 rebounds, ten assists) tallying his first triple-double of the season. The run comes on the heels of a stretch in which Charlotte lost four straight, all on the road, with Clifford citing the team's lack of toughness in a loss to the Wizards in Washington. Since then the Hornets have gotten back to the basics, limiting three of their four opponents to fewer than 100 points. Kemba Walker's still leading the way offensively, with five other Hornets averaging between 10.3 and 14.2 points per game, but it's the defense that will determine just how far Charlotte can go. (Getty)
9. Oklahoma City
Record: 21-13
Last week: 9th
The Thunder went 2-1 last week, with the lone defeat being a 114-80 loss to the Grizzlies in Memphis. That was a bad night for guard Russell Westbrook, who was ejected from the game in the third quarter and finished with 21 points, five rebounds, no assists and six turnovers. But for as rough as that loss was, the way in which the Thunder bounced back was just as impressive. OKC blew out the reeling Clippers Saturday night, with Enes Kanter scoring 23 points off the bench and Westbrook (17 points, 14 assists and 12 rebounds with just one turnover) tallying yet another triple-double. Westbrook will clearly be the focal point, but the Thunder are a more dangerous team when they get balanced scoring from the supporting cast as they did against the Clippers. (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)
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)
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)
5. Utah
Record: 21-13
Last week: Unranked
Not only do the Jazz replace the Clippers, who have lost six straight, in the power rankings but they jump right into the middle of the pack. Utah too care of business, beating three bad teams (Lakers, Philadelphia and Phoenix) ahead of their five-game road trip that begins in Brooklyn Monday night. The best news from last week was the return of point guard George Hill, whose return makes Utah a better team on both ends of the floor. Three of the five games on the upcoming road trip are against teams that will be in the playoffs (Boston, Toronto and Memphis), so we'll learn a little more about Quin Snyder's group. (Getty)
4. San Antonio
Record: 27-7
Last week: 3rd
San Antonio's four-game win streak came to an end Sunday night in Atlanta, with the Hawks beating the Spurs 114-112 in overtime. Gregg Popovich's team appeared to have things under control in the fourth quarter, but the inability to slow down either Paul Millsap or Tim Hardaway Jr. cost San Antonio in the end. Millsap finished with 32 points and 13 rebounds, and Hardaway Jr. added 29 and five rebounds off the bench. While LaMarcus Aldridge and Tony Parker combined to score 49 points Kawhi Leonard struggled, scoring 13 points on 3-for-12 shooting. With six of their next eight games at home, the Spurs are set up to go on a run this month. (Getty)
3. Houston
Record: 26-9
Last week: 5th
Houston's won its last four, most recently beating the Knicks with James Harden producing a dominant performance. Harden, who now has seven triple-doubles this season, finished with 53 points (14-for-26 FG), 17 assists and 16 rebounds. While Harden is clearly an MVP candidate, the play of his teammates is why the Rockets have managed to play so well thus far. Ryan Anderson scored 25 points against the Knicks, and in their 140-116 win over the Clippers a total of six players scored in double figures with Montrezl Harrell racking up 29 points. As long as the supporting cast continues to benefit from Mike D'Antoni's offensive system, the Rockets are sure to be heard from out west. (Getty)
2. Golden State
Record: 29-5
Last week: 2nd
After losing in Cleveland, Golden State rebounded with home wins over Toronto and Dallas. In the 108-99 victory over Dallas Klay Thompson scored 29 points, and Kevin Durant posted his first triple-double as a Warrior, finishing with 19 points, 11 rebounds and ten assists. Recently there's been talk of Stephen Curry's shooting woes, but they've got enough options to not just survive an off night from Curry but thrive. With games against Portland and Memphis, both at home, on the schedule this week Golden State will have the opportunity to build on their lead atop the Western Conference. (Getty)
PF: Kevin Love, Cleveland
Opponent: at Sacramento
Price: $7,700
Over his last four games Love is averaging 17.8 points and 10.0 rebounds per game, shooting just 35.5 percent from the field. But given what Love is capable of doing offensively, those numbers are too much of a concern going into Friday's game in Sacramento. And with the Kings being in the bottom third of the NBA in defensive rating (23rd), this is a night where Love and the Cavs bounce back from Wednesday's disappointing loss to Portland. (Getty)
NBA Power Rankings: Heavy’s Top 10 for January 2