Don’t make the mistake of leaving James Harden out of your DFS lineup

Now that the NFL season is winding down, it leaves more time for NBA DFS. So this will be my first FanDuel NBA Lineup Advice article of the season. My lineup recommendations each Tuesday will be focused on cash games (50/50, Head-to-Head, Double Ups) but can also be used in GPP tournaments.

You will notice that I reference some of my own custom stats in my NBA DFS articles that I use to help determine my favorite plays. I don’t use the common Defense versus Position (DvP) numbers that most use. Instead, I calculate blended percentages for each stat category (points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks) that take into account team stats for the season and last five games, as well as a weighted average between similar positions. For example, my shooting guard DvP numbers are a blended between point guard (10%), shooting guard (70%) and small forward (20%) stats for each category.

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Point Guard

Reggie Jackson (DET): $7,100 @ SAC
Jackson has increased his production in recent games scoring at least 34 FanDuel points in each of his last five games. He gets a favorable matchup against the Kings who have allowed increased production in points (+8.8%), rebounds (+4.9%) and assists (+13.7%) to opposing PGs. Also on a night with many games featuring big favorites, the Pistons/Kings game is expected to be a close one which should lead to a full set of minutes for Jackson.

George Hill (UTH): $9,300 vs. CLE
Hill has been in and out of the lineup this year due to a concussion but has played in each of the last two games for the Jazz with 33 minutes played in each contest. Hill has been solid in his return averaging 17 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists over his last two games. Hill may not have the upside of the top tier of point guards but should provide solid production for a reasonable price against the Cavaliers who struggle to stop opposing PGs.

Others Options:

• Damian Lillard (POR): $8,900 @ LAL
• Dennis Schroder (ATL): $6,900 @ BKN

Shooting Guard

James Harden (HOU) : $11,700 vs CHA
On a night with quite a few high-priced stud options to choose from, Harden comes in as my top play by a fairly wide margin. Harden has such a high floor, scoring at least 49 FanDuel points in seven of his last eight games, and ceiling with three games over 66 FanDuel points during the last six games that he is a near must-start especially when he has a good matchup. Tuesday, Harden will face a Hornets’ team that will be without one of their better options to guard him in Nicolas Batum, for a team that already allows increased production in points, rebounds and assists to opposing SGs.

Jeremy Lamb (CHA) : $4,000 @ HOU
With the aforementioned Batum out of the lineup, Lamb will see an increased role for the Hornets. Lamb played 29 minutes in his last game scoring 28.1 FanDuel points against a tough Spurs defense. He should get similar minutes in a much better matchup on Tuesday in an up-tempo game against the Rockets who have allowed increase points (+6.8%) to opposing SGs this season.

Other Options:

• Kentavious Caldwell-Pope: $5,700 @ SAC
• Tim Hardaway Jr.: $4,500 @ BKN

Small Forward

Kawhi Leonard (SA) : $8,300 vs MIL
Leonard is generally one of the most consistent fantasy players in the NBA averaging 38.6 FanDuel points per game this season. He will look to step up his game Tuesday night against an up-and-coming Bucks team. The Bucks have struggled to slow down opposing SFs this season allowing increased points (+9.5%), rebounds (+3.7%) and assists (+20.4%) to the position.

Doug McDermott (CHI) : $4,000 @ WAS
The Bulls are expected to be without both Jimmy Butler and Dwyane Wade on Tuesday which will lead to greater opportunity for others against the Wizards. McDermott figures to be one of the beneficiaries to see increased minutes and usage. While his production has been up-and-down this season, he does have 30 FanDuel point upside as he did just two games ago against the Raptors. Priced at just $4,000, he should be a strong value option.

Other Options:

• Kevin Durant (GSW): $10,100 vs MIA
• Gordon Hayward (UTH): $7,200 vs CLE

Power Forward

Julius Randle (LAL) : $7,200 vs POR
Randle has really stepped up his game over the last couple of weeks producing at least 35 FanDuel points in six of his last eight games. His all-around production in points, rebounds and assists fit very well into his favorable matchup against the Trail Blazers. The Trail Blazers have struggled against opposing PFs this season allowing more points (+3.5%), rebounds (+8.6%), assists (+21.4%) and steals (+19.7%). Randle could flirt with a triple-double in a high scoring close game on Tuesday.

Nikola Mirotic (CHI) : $4,500 @ WAS
Mirotic is the second cheap Bulls player to consider when constructing your lineups. He should also see an increase in playing time and usage with Butler and Wade out and should be a lock for at least 5x his salary. Mirotic put up 20.2 FanDuel points in 22 minutes in his previous meeting with the Wizards and with an increase in minutes should come increased production.

Other Options:

• Paul Millsap (ATL): $8,100 @ BKN
• Tobias Harris (DET): $6,100 @ SAC

Center

Mason Plumlee (POR) : $6,700 @ LAL
Plumlee has averaged close to a double-double over his last seven games with 12.9 points and 9.9 rebounds on his way to an average of 34.4 FanDuel points per game. Without any strong, safe low-priced options on the slate, Plumlee offers just enough value and consistency to fill out a cash game roster at the center position.

Other Options:

• Dwight Howard (ATL): $7,600 @ BKN
• Jonas Valanciunas (TOR): $5,100 vs BOS

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Brad Richter is a correspondent at FantasyPros and a contributor at DailyOverlay and GoingFor2. For more from Brad, you can view his archive or follow him @RotoPilot.