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FanDuel NBA: Best Picks, Lineup For Dec. 26

By Michael Yaffe

Dec 18, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) is defended by Detroit Pistons forward Ersan Ilyasova (23) and guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (5) during the second half at the United Center. The Detroit Pistons won 147-144 in quadruple overtime. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) is defended by Detroit Pistons forward Ersan Ilyasova (23) and guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (5) during the second half at the United Center. The Detroit Pistons won 147-144 in quadruple overtime. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 18, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Robert Covington (33) dribbles past New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Knicks won 107-97. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Robert Covington (33) dribbles past New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Knicks won 107-97. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Top Four Small Forwards

  1. Tobias Harris, Orlando Magic ($6,400) vs. Miami Heat
  2. Matt Barnes, Memphis Grizzlies ($5,300) vs. Charlotte Hornets
  3. Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks ($8,500) vs. Atlanta Hawks (assuming he plays)
  4. Robert Covington, Philadelphia 76ers ($5,600) vs. Phoenix Suns

Rationale:

  • Harris and Barnes are the No. 2 and No. 3 small forwards over the past week on ESPN’s player rater (trailing only the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kevin Durant). The Hornets are 10th-stingiest vs. SFs on FanDuel NBA but the Heat are middle of the pack, so Harris also has the edge in that regard.
  • The Hawks are average vs. opposing SFs over their past 10 games and Anthony had a full stat line of 25 points, seven rebounds, three assists and three steals in the prior meeting this season.
  • The Suns are the second-worst team against SFs over their past five games, and Covington has averaged 21.1 FPPG over his past two contests; closer to 25 would be ideal but given the opponent’s relative weakness it’s not unrealistic to expect that from him Saturday night.

Next: Top Four Power Forwards