First off, a quick introduction. If you don’t know what FanDuel is, well, you’re missing out. FanDuel is a site that offers daily fantasy sports games. Participants get a chance every day to select new players, fill out a lineup and, most importantly, win some cash. If you choose poorly Monday, you can come back Tuesday and try again. Easy as that. Click here to enter a free league for news users today.
Fantasy basketball advice: NBA FanDuel sleepers/busts for Tuesday, Dec. 29
The Dec. 29 schedule features five games, which is more than enough to enjoy some NBA FanDuel action. Click here for the chance to win $10,000 by spending just $2 today!
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As for what we're doing in this space: The goal here will be to direct your attention toward some players who you might not otherwise consider. If you're here and reading this, then you already know that LeBron James is really good. But when filling out a roster you can't just pick out stars. You'll blow your cap and get stuck praying to the basketball gods that a guy like Kosta Koufos gets into the game. No, if you want to win, you have to take advantage of certain matchups -- and in order to do that you have to know where to look. That's what we're here for. Also, this space is going to be used to give you advice for the games on Tuesday, Dec 29. So, with that, let's get started.
3 players to target
Paul Millsap, PF, Hawks ($8,300): The Rockets have yet to show that they can stop anyone, but they've especially struggled against opposing power forwards. The 46.3 FanDuel points they're giving up on average to players at that position is the second most in the league. On Tuesday, the Hawks and Paul Millsap, one of the more versatile and consistent power forwards in the league, get their chance to face the hapless Houston defense. That Millsap is hot of late (averaging 20+ points and shooting better than 50 percent from the field over his last three games) only makes this matchup even better.
Kyrie Irving, PG, Cavaliers ($7,700): The Cavaliers are coming off a game Monday night, so this is a bit of a gamble. Here's the thing, though: Irving, who just recently returned from his knee injury, had his best game of the year Monday against the Suns and on Tuesday he gets to face a Nuggets team that has had trouble slowing down point guards all season. Only the Lakers surrender more FanDuel points per game to opposing point guards, per RotoWire. Against a team like that, 25 minutes of playing time is more than enough for Irving to fill up a box score.
Will Barton, PF, Nuggets ($6,900): The Nuggets shooting guard continues to be one of the game's best bargains. He's averaging 15.8 points, six rebounds and 2.5 assists per game and on Tuesday gets to face a Cavaliers team playing the back end of a back-to-back. In general, those games are rough. But when you have to play for the second time in 48 hours and the game is in Denver's high altitude, well, don't be surprised if Cleveland looks a little slow.
3 players to avoid
LeBron James, SF, Cavaliers ($10,000): As mentioned above, the Cavs played on Monday night, too, and then had to hop on a jet to Denver. Teams almost never win in Denver when playing there in the second game of a back-to-back, and it wouldn’t come as a surprise if David Blatt elected to keep LeBron’s minutes down a bit. Of course, you never want to bet against James, but on this night he’s not worth that hefty price tag.
Dwyane Wade, SG, Heat ($7,300): Wade is dealing with a bruised left hip, an injury he suffered Monday against the Nets. And yes, that's right, the Heat played on Monday night, too. There's a good chance Wade doesn't even suit up for Miami's Tuesday night tilt with the Grizzlies. But even if he does, be sure to avoid him. Not only will he be tired, but, like the Heat, the Grizzlies like to keep the game at a slow pace.
Mike Conley, PG, Grizzlies ($6,800): Again, both the Heat and Grizzlies play slow, so there won't be many possessions here for Conley. Also, the Heat have done an excellent job containing opposing point guards this year, holding them to a total of 38 FanDuel points per game, the fourth lowest number in the league.
Other Notables
Kenneth Faried at $6,500 is a great play as well. He's averaging 12.9 points and 8.8 rebounds per game this season and his lively legs should serve him well against a tired Cavs team. ... Speaking of the Cavs, aside from Irving, you'd be better off avoiding all of them. ... Other teams worth avoiding in general: the Heat and Grizzlies.
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