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FanDuel NBA: Best Picks And Lineup For Dec. 21

By Michael Yaffe

Dec 9, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) shoots the ball as Houston Rockets guard Patrick Beverley (2) looks on in the third quarter quarter at Verizon Center. The Rockets won 109-103. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 9, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) shoots the ball as Houston Rockets guard Patrick Beverley (2) looks on in the third quarter quarter at Verizon Center. The Rockets won 109-103. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jazz Power Rankings
Dec 9, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) dribbles the ball during the second half against the New York Knicks at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Jazz won 106-85. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /

Top Four Small Forwards

  1. Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks ($8,600) vs. Orlando Magic (tired team)
  2. Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs ($8,800) vs. Indiana Pacers
  3. Gordon Hayward, Utah Jazz ($7,100) vs. Phoenix Suns
  4. Jae Crowder, Boston Celtics ($5,600) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (tired team)

Rationale:

  • In the earlier meeting, Melo torched the Magic with 28 points and 12 boards. He has just one sub-par game in his last five outings, and that was a 29 fantasy point game vs. the Philadelphia Sixers when his minutes were conserved for the following night.
  • Both the Spurs and Pacers are stingy vs. opposing SFs but the Claw wins out over PG-13 because San Antonio is the toughest of them all, and his team is unbeatable at home (15-0). Leonard has eclipsed the 40-point threshold in three of his last five games.
  • Hayward is far more effective at Vivint Smart Home Arena, averaging 20.8 PPG as opposed to 16.8 PPG elsewhere. The Suns are in the lower third overall vs. opposing SFs in their past 10 games.
  • Crowder is coming off a 33 fantasy point night vs. the Hawks (his best outing in a while) and the fatigue factor is on his side. The Beast averages 5.9 RPG at TD Garden vs. 3.5 RPG on the road.

Next: Top Four Power Forwards