Hoops Habit
Fansided

FanDuel NBA Daily Picks: Fantasy Basketball Lineup For January 1

By Brendan Galella

Dec 13, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Andrew Wiggins (22) dribbles the ball against Chicago Bulls guard Dwyane Wade (3) during the second half at the United Center. Minnesota defeats Chicago 99-94. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Andrew Wiggins (22) dribbles the ball against Chicago Bulls guard Dwyane Wade (3) during the second half at the United Center. Minnesota defeats Chicago 99-94. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 6
Next
Minnesota forward Andrew Wiggins is an excellent value play for FanDuel NBA lineups.
Dec 13, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Andrew Wiggins (22) dribbles the ball against Chicago Bulls guard Dwyane Wade (3) during the second half at the United Center. Minnesota defeats Chicago 99-94. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /

Andrew Wiggins has provided efficient scoring for Minnesota over the past week, increasing his value in FanDuel NBA tournament play.

The advanced metrics have never been kind to the play of Minnesota’s Andrew Wiggins.

For the third consecutive year, Wiggins is posting a negative VORP rating (Value Above Replacement Player) and his true shooting percentage of 53.4 percent exactly the league average.

Even with his superior athleticism, Minnesota is surrendering an additional seven points per 100 possessions with Wiggins on the floor.

Only the extended analysis of Wiggins’ production belies what he actually produces for the Timberwolves.

The first overall pick of the 2014 NBA Draft is averaging a career-high 22.1 points per game and has added a viable long range shot to his offensive repertoire this season. Wiggins is converting 1.3 times a night from beyond the arc at a 35.8 percent clip.

Over the past four games, Wiggins has been even more effective, averaging 25 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.5 steals per game.

Wiggins has converted 6-of-15 shots from beyond the arc (40 percent) and has excelled while taking the ball to the rim, as he has converted 15 times right at the basket, including a phenomenal dunk over Milwaukee’s Miles Plumlee Friday night.

After connecting 10 or more times from the field nine times in the first 29 games of the year, Wiggins has reached the total three times in the past four games, while shooting at least 50 percent from the field in each.

In his third season, Wiggins has offered more contributions in areas other than scoring, increasing his value in FanDuel NBA tournament play, as he is averaging a career-high 2.4 assists per game to go along with 4.2 rebounds and 0.8 steals per game.

Wiggins could be in line for an exceptional performance Sunday night, as he has averaged 18.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game in eight career appearances against the Trail Blazers.

Portland has been susceptible to surrendering lofty fantasy scoring totals to small forwards all season. The team has allowed an average of 38.2 points in FanDuel NBA tournament play against opposing small forwards this year, tied with Charlotte for the seventh most.

With Wiggins not only producing lofty scoring numbers over the past four games, but shooting 52.8 percent from the field, he is a perfect option for any FanDuel NBA roster.