RADIO
We have just a three-game slate on tap Thursday night, which naturally makes it all the more challenging to choose wisely and find at least a handful of plays that can help us differentiate in tournaments.
Fortunately, there are no major injuries to be concerned with, as the designations attached to LeBron James and Anthony Davis aren’t expected to keep either out of action. And, even with the compact ledger, there are still plenty of big names capable of providing elite production – the likes of Giannis Antetokounmpo, James and Stephen Curry are just some of the stars taking the floor.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for FanDuel on 1/21/21. I’ll be providing multiple player suggestions for players at guard, forward and center on FanDuel, aiming to highlight one option apiece at the high, middle and lower end of the salary scale. You can also check out DraftKings lineup picks and injury news before lineups lock. Good luck, RotoBallers.
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FanDuel DFS Guards
Mike Conley, PG – vs. NO ($7,400)
Conley has a pair of 40-plus fantasy-point tallies in his last five games, and he’s exceeded 30 in five of the last six contests overall. The veteran is also averaging a career-high 4.0 rebounds and shooting a career-best 41.1 percent from three-point range, while his assists (6.3) and steals (1.4) are his best figures in those categories since the 2016-17 and 2013-14 seasons, respectively. The Pelicans make appealing targets for Conley on the small slate as well, as New Orleans is giving up the sixth-highest offensive efficiency (30.4 percent), most assists (10.7) and third-most steals (2.6) per game to point guards.
Jordan Clarkson, PG – vs. NO ($6,300)
Clarkson continued his recent surge in production Tuesday night versus the Pelicans, posting 33.2 FD points against the same Pelicans squad he’ll face Thursday. The veteran stands to benefit from the same vulnerabilities the Pelicans have exhibited against point guards that were just described in Conley’s entry, as well as the fact New Orleans is allowing elevated 38.5 percent shooting from behind the arc to second-unit players. Clarkson is averaging a solid 25.4 minutes per contest, especially given his 49.2 percent shooting, including 43.0 percent from behind the arc.
Elfrid Payton, PG – at GS ($5,300)
Payton makes for a solid cost-savings pivot in a matchup that will represent a big bump in pace for the Knicks. Payton is averaging a career-high 13.1 points per contest, and he’s already delivered more than 5x value on his current salary on six occasions in 15 games. The veteran is also averaging a career-high 12.3 shot attempts per game, a level of involvement that could particularly pay off in a game where there is a near-nine-possession per game difference between New York and the Warriors.
Also consider: Stephen Curry ($9,800)
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FanDuel DFS Forwards
LeBron James, SF – at MIL ($9,500)
James is expected to continue playing through the ankle injury that’s saddled him with a questionable designation for every game this season, especially in this showdown against Giannis Antetokounmpo and company. James thrived versus the Bucks in two meetings last season, averaging 29.0 points (on 50.0 percent shooting), 10.0 rebounds, 9.5 assists and 1.5 steals over two games against Milwaukee. LeBron also scored over 40 FD points in 11 straight games before seeing that streak snapped Monday against the Warriors, and the Bucks also offer the benefit of a bump in pace for L.A., which could help maximize James’ production in what should be a wire-to-wire battle.
Brandon Ingram, SF- at UTA ($8,200)
At his salary, Ingram stands a chance to serve as one of the best fantasy-point-per-dollar values on the three-game ledger. The 2016 second overall pick has been in a bit of a fantasy lull by falling under 40 FD points in four consecutive games, but he’s been over the 40-mark in six of 13 contests and draws a very good positional matchup against the Jazz. Utah has played some typically stingy defense thus far, but they’re giving up the fifth-highest offensive efficiency rating (26.4) and fourth-most points per game (23.6) to small forwards.
RJ Barrett, SF – at GS ($6,700)
Barrett is averaging career highs in points (17.1), rebounds (7.6) and assists (3.4) over 15 games, and although his efficiency is still a concern, he offers an appealing combination of salary and matchup Thursday. The Warriors are ranked in the bottom 10 in offensive efficiency rating (24.1 percent) allowed to shooting guards, while Barrett is currently on an upswing with 30.5 to 40 FD points in his last four games. Barrett has encouragingly flashed an improved shot during that span (49.1 percent), and like Payton, he could certainly benefit from the bump in pace the Warriors will bring a Knicks squad that’s averaging an NBA-low 98.9 possessions per game.
Also consider: Giannis Antetokounmpo, ($11,300); Julius Randle ($9,000); Khris Middleton ($8,000)
FanDuel DFS Centers
Rudy Gobert – vs. NO ($8,500)
Gobert is clearly the top option in a very sparse pool of centers Thursday. The Stifle Tower has exceeded 40 FD points in two of his last three games alone, and he’s been over 30 in 13 of 14 games overall. That track record underscores the priceless reliability Gobert brings to the table, and it’s also worth noting he’s averaging career highs in rebounds (13.6) and blocks (2.7). The Pelicans make for good targets as well despite the presence of Steven Adams, as New Orleans is allowing NBA-high 61.5 percent shooting to centers.
James Wiseman – vs. NYK ($4,400)
Wiseman has scored over 30 FD points in two of his last three games, although the 8.6 he scored in the other contest in that sample underscores the volatility his production is subject to. However, the big games speak to the upside he brings at his salary, as do the other three tallies of at least 29.7 FD points he’s managed this season. The Knicks could well be facilitators of more of the same Thursday, as New York ranks in the bottom 10 in points (25.3), rebounds (15.7), blocks (3.2), shooting percentage (53.9) and offensive efficiency (34.8 percent) allowed to centers.
Also consider: Montrezl Harrell ($6,000)
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