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FanDuel NBA: Best Picks And Lineup For Jan. 4

By Michael Yaffe

Dec 31, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after a play against the Phoenix Suns during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after a play against the Phoenix Suns during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 31, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) prepares to pass defended by Portland Trail Blazers forward Al-Farouq Aminu (R) at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) prepares to pass defended by Portland Trail Blazers forward Al-Farouq Aminu (R) at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports /

Top Four Small Forwards

  1. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder ($9,900) vs. Sacramento Kings
  2. Gordon Hayward, Utah Jazz ($7,500) vs. Houston Rockets
  3. Andrew Wiggins, Minnesota Timberwolves ($6,700) vs. Philadelphia 76ers
  4. Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs ($8,600) vs. Milwaukee Bucks

Rationale:

  • Hayward continues to play better at home (21.3 PPG vs. 16.1 PPG elsewhere) and the Rockets are third-worst overall against 3s on FanDuel NBA.
  • Wiggins’ 31.3 FPPG over his last three outings are slightly below par for his cost, but the Sixers are in the bottom third overall versus his position so hopefully he can benefit from facing the 25th ranked defensive team in terms of points allowed.
  • Despite a couple of duds, Leonard has a slight edge over the Indiana Pacers’ Paul George and the Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James since the Bucks are dead last vs. SFs over their last five games. George has shown signs of life over his last couple of games but he has a difficult matchup with the Heat that could put his resurgence to the test; while LBJ has probably played the best of the three recently, his ceiling is relatively low compared to Durant’s for just $100 less.

Next: Top Four Power Forwards