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FanDuel NBA: Best Picks, Lineup For Jan. 12

By Michael Yaffe

Jan 8, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) stretches for the loose ball as Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (bottom) dives to the ground during the third quarter at Staples Center. The Oklahoma City Thunder won 117-113. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 8, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) stretches for the loose ball as Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (bottom) dives to the ground during the third quarter at Staples Center. The Oklahoma City Thunder won 117-113. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Read on for the top four picks at each position and a sample lineup for Tuesday’s FanDuel NBA games; but first, a look at Tuesday night’s building blocks.

Jan 8, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) stretches for the loose ball as Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (bottom) dives to the ground during the third quarter at Staples Center. The Oklahoma City Thunder won 117-113. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 8, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) stretches for the loose ball as Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (bottom) dives to the ground during the third quarter at Staples Center. The Oklahoma City Thunder won 117-113. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /

Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder ($10,900) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves: In what should have been a mismatch on Sunday, the Thunder managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory thanks to the Portland Trail Blazers’ fourth-quarter comeback.

While it’s probably not much consolation to the crestfallen fans, fantasy owners of the mercurial point guard were rewarded with 60.3 fantasy points for taking a chance that his night wouldn’t be cut short in a blowout.

OKC draws some parallels to the Golden State Warriors in that they are both up-tempo offensive teams that also stress the defensive side of the ball; however the Dubs have proven to be more adept in the latter part of the philosophy as their defensive rating of 102.0 (seventh in the league) trumps the Thunder’s 104.3 (14th).

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While that’s not a huge discrepancy, a couple of extra “stops” here and there can make the difference as to whether the game is truly out of hand, at which point the b-squad often finishes the game.

After a promising start to the season, the T-Wolves have regressed to lottery form, losing nine of their past 10 games; however, the one constant that has plagued them all season is their inability to contain opposing point guards, as they are fifth-worst overall in that regard.

In four meetings last season, Westbrook averaged 29.5 points per game, which was ahead of his 28.1 points per game for that campaign, so the former Bruin has a good chance of extending the opponent’s ineptitude against his position based on the recent precedent.

LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers ($10,200) vs. Dallas Mavericks: LBJ has been playing like a man on a mission lately, as he is the top small forward on ESPN’s player rater over the past week due to a couple of vintage performances against the Washington Wizards and Philadelphia 76ers to go with a full stat line against the aforementioned T-Wolves despite scoring just 13 points. In FanDuel NBA terms, that translates into 52.4 FPPG over those three outings.

While Dallas is just outside the top third overall at defending opposing 3s, James is clearly not your typical NBA small forward, as he was able to produce 29 points, seven boards and eight dimes in his lone appearance against the Mavs last season, when he was matched up primarily against holdover Chandler Parsons.

The Mavericks have been a pleasant surprise so far this season, but most people would probably agree that they are a cut below the elite teams in the league, so while they might be capable of giving Cleveland at least three quarters’ worth of peskiness, they are unlikely to stop LeBron James from getting his when all is said and done.

Tyreke Evans, New Orleans Pelicans ($7,800) vs. L.A. Lakers: Tuesday evening’s eight-game slate is deep at point guard, but Evans stands out because the Lakers are dead last against his position overall.

In the absence of Anthony Davis (who played just three minutes vs. Indiana), Evans has averaged 26.5 (actual) points over his last two contests.

While the Brow’s return to the lineup Tuesday night is still up in the air, reserves Ryan Anderson and Jrue Holliday would be more likely to have their value impacted if he ends up playing, but Evans tends to be an integral part of the game plan whether the lineup is at full strength or not.

That said, “Too Easy” becomes more of a must-play option if Davis remains in street clothes, since the team would probably rely more on Evans without the team’s MVP alongside him. Based on the ambiguity of Davis’ status, the situation bears monitoring as the tip-off approaches.

Next: Top Four Point Guards