RADIO
With the final week of the NFL regular season taking place, the NBA has five games on tap to keep millions of people on the couch on Sunday. We have an abundance of injuries to consider on this limited slate. With Houston playing its second of a back-to-back, Russell Westbrook (load management) will almost certainly be out. This makes Eric Gordon, who is anticipated to return after missing extended time due to knee surgery, a welcome addition to the Rockets' lineup, although he may be on a minutes restriction. In addition to Westbrook, Dennis Schroder, Marc Gasol, Norman Powell, Pascal Siakam, and Marvin Bagley III are all confirmed to be absent. De'Aaron Fox, Paul Millsap, Clint Capela and Kyle Kuzma may not play (but still could) and should be monitored as the day progresses.
With eight teams--Mavericks, Nuggets, Rockets, Lakers, Grizzlies, Pelicans, Kings, Raptors--playing the second game in as many days, be sure to monitor minutes, especially for those players who will be in contests that may not be close. With LeBron James and Anthony Davis both dealing with their own respective ailments, they could both sit earlier than usual after each logged around 36 minutes on Saturday night in the win over the Trail Blazers. For that reason, I am fading both of these guys.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for FanDuel on 12/29/19. These DFS lineup picks can vary from higher-priced players and elite options to lower-priced players and value picks on FanDuel. You can also check out today's DraftKings lineup picks. Give me a follow on Twitter @Den_Clausen. Good luck.
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FanDuel DFS Guards
James Harden - SG, @ NOP ($11,500)
Harden should be in everyone's fantasy lineup on Sunday against the Pelicans in what is a favorable matchup. With Westbrook sitting, he will gain a 13.6 percent bump in usage and will be matched up primarily by the combination of Lonzo Ball and Jrue Holiday, who have both not been as effective on the defensive end as in previous years. Despite playing against Brooklyn on Saturday night and flying to New Orleans for a game on the road on Sunday, the former MVP has thrived in the second of back-to-back outings, averaging 44 points in three games on the year.
Chris Paul - PG, @ TOR ($7,300)
Paul will play in his third game over the last four days and draws a good matchup against Kyle Lowry, who is allowing 0.6 fantasy points per minute to opposing point guards on the year. The Thunder will be without Dennis Schroder and Danilo Gallinari, which will bump up Paul's stock, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Steven Adams, and Abdel Nader also standing to benefit.
Also Consider: Luka Doncic ($10,600), Kyle Lowry ($8,000), Jamaal Murray ($6,800), JA Morant ($6,500), Jrue Holiday ($8,700), Fred Vanvleet ($8,500), Devonte' Graham ($7,600), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ($7,000), Bogdan Bogdanovic ($5,600 - if De'Aaron Fox is out), Gary Harris ($4,900), Patrick McCaw ($3,800)
FanDuel DFS Forwards
Derrick Favors - PF, vs. HOU ($6,400)
Favors missed some time in the early part of December due to the unfortunate passing of his mother. Upon his return, he saw the court sparingly. However, with a few games under his belt while getting back in shape for a more significant workload, he has been playing close to 30 minutes on a consistent basis. He has a double-double in three of his last four games and will be up against a Rockets team that will likely be without Clint Capela.
Will Barton - SF, vs. SAC ($6,100)
Barton was a stud on Saturday night against the Grizzlies and finished with 20 points, seven assists, six rebounds, two steals, and a block for a cool 45.7 fantasy points. He has been on a roll recently and will be up against the Kings, a team that allowed him to post 36.9 fantasy points against them back in November.
Also Consider: Brandon Ingram ($9,000), Danuel House ($4,900), Darius Bazley ($3,700), Richaun Holmes ($6,900), Isaiah Hartenstein ($3,500)
FanDuel DFS Centers
Jonas Valanciunas - C, vs. CHA ($6,600)
Valanciunas was semi-productive while with the Raptors and was always a threat for a double-double on a regular basis. However, after arriving in Memphis last season, he has established himself as one of the most legit centers in the league. He has regressed a bit compared to last season, but despite usually logging less than 30 minutes per game, he is still productive while on the court. He has hit at least 30 fantasy points in five of his last six appearances and will have a chance to do some damage against a Hornets team that is allowing a league-worst 60.64 fantasy points per game to opposing big men in 2019.
Also Consider: Nikola Jokic ($9,500), Steven Adams ($6,400), Dwight Powell ($4,800), Mason Plumlee ($3,900 - if Paul Millsap is out)
