Happy New Year! Back to work for most, and back to work for the 18 teams on Wednesday’s main slate. Pay attention to the multitude of GTD’s going on today, as they will certainly play into lineup decisions.
Here are my suggestions for Wednesday. As usual, to keep myself honest, the combined salary needs to be less than the FanDuel $60k allowance. This week there’s $900 left over.
In taking this approach I do have to omit players I’d like to include. Ben Simmons (PHI): $9,500 @ PHO is such a player. He’s facing the Suns, who have been very generous to point guards, so get’s an honorable mention. But for this article, I’m going with some lower cost options at the position.
Check out today’s NBA Shot from FanDuel 
Point Guard
Tyus Jones (MIN): $6,300 @ BOS
Jones has done well in a starting role, with Jeff Teague and Derrick Rose out, and has returned a nice value during that time. Rose remains sidelined but Teague will be a GTD on Wednesday, and would likely push Jones to the bench should he start. If Jones retains the starting role, he will be a good option, even against a better defense than he has recently faced. Rose, although listed as a GTD, is unlikely to play; Teague is listed as questionable, but hasn’t played since 12/15, so his minutes may be limited even if he does hit the court.
Happy New Year! Back to work for most, and back to work for the 18 teams on Wednesday’s main slate. Pay attention to the multitude of GTD’s going on today, as they will certainly play into lineup decisions.
Here are my suggestions for Wednesday. As usual, to keep myself honest, the combined salary needs to be less than the FanDuel $60k allowance. This week there’s $900 left over.
In taking this approach I do have to omit players I’d like to include. Ben Simmons (PHI): $9,500 @ PHO is such a player. He’s facing the Suns, who have been very generous to point guards, so get’s an honorable mention. But for this article, I’m going with some lower cost options at the position.
Check out today’s NBA Shot from FanDuel
Point Guard
Tyus Jones (MIN): $6,300 @ BOS
Jones has done well in a starting role, with Jeff Teague and Derrick Rose out, and has returned a nice value during that time. Rose remains sidelined but Teague will be a GTD on Wednesday, and would likely push Jones to the bench should he start. If Jones retains the starting role, he will be a good option, even against a better defense than he has recently faced. Rose, although listed as a GTD, is unlikely to play; Teague is listed as questionable, but hasn’t played since 12/15, so his minutes may be limited even if he does hit the court.
Tyler Johnson (MIA): $4,700 @ CLE
Johnson’s minutes and recent strong play make him a good value option against a weak Cleveland defense. He’s averaged 26.5 minutes over his last four games and during that span has averaged 14.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 0.5 blocks and 1.25 steals.
Shooting Guard
Josh Hart (LAL): $6,500 vs OKC
Hart has filled in well during the three games LeBron James (groin) has been out. He’s averaged 35 minutes, 14.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 0.3 blocks and 2.7 steals. He’s a good bet to net 30+ FPTS.
Jordan Clarkson (CLE): $5,700 vs. MIA
Clarkson has been one of the best scoring options for the Cavaliers of late and they’ll funnel play his way. He’s the sixth man but is seeing 30 minutes a game. His totals have been volatile but the upside potential of 40+ FPTS makes him worth playing.
Small Forward
Harrison Barnes (DAL): $5,900 @ CHA
Barnes has returned value over his last three games, and four of his last six. His floor is high enough to make a dud unlikely, although his ceiling not very high. In his last four games, he’s ranged from 22.3 to 34.5 FPTS. Barnes is a steady option you can use to balance out a riskier play. He won’t drive you to victory lane, but he won’t send you off a cliff either.
Kyle Anderson (MEM): $6,300 vs. DET
Anderson is a good source of defensive stats, which combined with double-digit scoring in his last three games, and minutes in the high-30s sets up well for a game against the Pistons. Anderson can also be relied on for about three steals and a block or two. He’s averaged 36 FPTS over his last three games.
Power Forward
Larry Nance Jr. (CLE): $7,400 vs. MIA
After moving back into the starting lineup, Nance had one of the best games of his career on 12/30, totaling 61.5 FPTS, driven by an 18 points and 15 rebound double-double. It’s wise not to chase the points, but Nance has been very solid even off the bench, so if he retains his starting role for Wednesday, he’ll be an intriguing play.
Jerami Grant (OKC): $5,800 @ LAL
While Paul George and Russell Westbrook generate the headlines, Grant has been quietly efficient over the last couple of weeks. After a slow start, he is now having his best games of the season. Over the last four, he’s averaged 32 minutes, 13.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, 0.2 assists, 0.8 blocks and 2.5 steals. He’s totaled 32+ FPTs in three of his last four games, and has evolved into a reliable option.
Center
Karl-Anthony Towns (MIN): $10,500 @ BOS
Towns is the only one of Wednesday’s top-three center options who won’t be a GTD, and he has been ridiculous lately. In his last two games, he has scored 70.4 and 90.1 FPTS, and has averaged 69.2 FPTS over his last four games. He’s double-doubled in each of those four games, with an average of 28.2 points and 18.5 rebounds. Towns is just the second player since the 1973-1974 season to have back-to-back games of at least 25 points, 15 rebounds, five assists and five blocks (the other being Kareem Abdul-Jabbar). He’s a must-start.
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Jason Micklewright is a correspondent at FantasyPros. For more from Jason, check out his archive and follow him @FantasyPonder.
