FanDuel NBA Daily Picks: Fantasy Basketball Lineup For January 4

Shifting back to being the primary playmaker for the Chicago Bulls has dramatically increased the value of Jimmy Butler in FanDuel NBA tournaments.

Jimmy Butler managed to etch his name alongside Michael Jordan as the only players in Chicago Bulls’ franchise history to submit multiple 50-point scoring efforts.

In just more than 38 minutes of play, Butler torched the Hornets for 52 points, becoming the third player in a four-day span to pour in 50 or more points, as he became the focal point of the Bulls offense.

Chicago was playing without Dwyane Wade, as he remains a game-time decision for Wednesday’s contest against Cleveland with a swollen left knee, and starting point guard Rajon Rondo, as he has fallen out of the rotation at the option of coach Fred Hoiberg.

Rondo and Wade were playing the most minutes behind Butler, combining for an average of 139.1 touches per game.

Also See: Every NBA Team's Star Wars Counterpart

The absence of the veteran guards opened an increased opportunity for Butler, as the ball was placed in his hands a total of 87 times, 19.2 more than his season average.

Additional touches generated exceptional production from Butler, as totaled team-highs with 52 points on 15-of-24 shooting from the field, 12 rebounds, six assists and three steals.

Butler finished the night with a usage rate of 40 percent, a 12.3 percent increase from his average for the year.

Charlotte simply ran out of answers for Butler on the night, resulting in season-highs in both free throw attempts (22) and makes (21) from a single player this year.

For the night, Butler accounted for 44.1 percent of Chicago’s total points, 32.5 percent of its assists and 19 percent of its total rebounds. The Bulls had an offensive rating of 162 with Butler on the court and he posted a true shooting percentage of 77.2 percent.

More from Hoops Habit

• 7 Players the Miami Heat might replace Herro with by the trade deadline
• Meet Cooper Flagg: The best American prospect since LeBron James
• Are the Miami Heat laying the groundwork for their next super team?
• Sophomore Jump: 5 second-year NBA players bound to breakout
• NBA Trades: The Lakers bolster their frontcourt in this deal with the Pacers

When he wasn’t earning trips to the free throw line, Butler was creating havoc on the defensive end of the floor, as he registered his 19th multiple steal performance of the year.

Butler extended his streak with two or more steals to five consecutive games, the longest active streak in the league and just two behind the most straight contests this season.

The expanded role of Butler generated an astonishing 81.4 points in FanDuel NBA play, nearly matching his output in the previous two contests.

Even if Wade sits out with his knee injury, he is a must-start player for FanDuel NBA leagues, as he is posting 31.8 points on 48 percent shooting from the field, 8.2 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 2.6 steals per game.

The Bulls are going to rely heavily on production from Butler in all areas on the court, making him a perfect addition to any FanDuel NBA roster.