Hoops Habit
Fansided

FanDuel NBA Daily Picks: Fantasy Basketball Lineup For January 26

By Brendan Galella

Jan 16, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) shoots the ball while New Orleans Pelicans forward Solomon Hill (44) defends in the second half of the game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Indiana Pacers beat New Orleans Pelicans 98-95.Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 16, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) shoots the ball while New Orleans Pelicans forward Solomon Hill (44) defends in the second half of the game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Indiana Pacers beat New Orleans Pelicans 98-95.Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Pacers forward Paul George is an elite FanDuel NBA option for Thursday night
Jan 16, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) shoots the ball while New Orleans Pelicans forward Solomon Hill (44) defends in the second half of the game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Indiana Pacers beat New Orleans Pelicans 98-95.Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Paul George has struggled to live up to his billing in FanDuel NBA play this season, but Monday’s performance may spark a turnaround for the three-time All-Star.

A loss to the New York Knicks at home Monday night not only dropped the Indiana Pacers to .500 on the year, but sparked the home crowd at Bankers Life Field House to rain down boos on the team.

Even though he was busy posting a game-high 31 points, Paul George couldn’t prevent Indiana from losing for the third consecutive game.

George finished the night with his sixth 30-point scoring effort of the season, along with seven rebounds, three assists and a steal in 38 minutes on the night.

For FanDuel NBA purposes, the outing was solid, as he totaled 42.9 fantasy points, marking just the third time in the past 16 games he has totaled over 40 fantasy points.

Even though his numbers across the board, with his scoring, assists, rebounds and steal averages all declining from a year ago, and even though his time on the floor has increased, George still carries a lofty price tag for FanDuel NBA rosters at $7,700, the seventh highest among all players available Thursday night.

The booing from fans could spark a much-needed turnaround from George, as he has posted just three double-doubles this season, with none coming in the past 22 games.

Part of his decline in productivity stems from his reluctance to attack the rim, an area where he thrives.

George is converting 59.5 percent of his attempts at the rim, but rarely drives to the basket, totaling just 12 dunks, and instead settling for outside jump shots. Of the 635 shots George has attempted this season, 397 have come from 16 feet out or further, accounting for 62.5 percent of his total shots, per NBA.com.

Monday against New York, while playing in his signature shoes, George found success by getting to the rim and drawing fouls.

George finished the night converting 6-of-7 free throw attempts, his highest number of attempts in eight games, while actually decreasing his league-leading foul shooting average to 92.6 percent on the season.

In the midst of a frustrating season, both George and the Pacers need to find a spark, and the first boos of the year could lead to a much needed turnaround.