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Building the Perfect NBA FanDuel Lineup for Jan. 20

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By @Tidow1212

Building the Perfect NBA FanDuel Lineup for Jan. 20

Russ
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Building the perfect NBA FanDuel lineup is a difficult chore, so I hope this helps you out. Keep in mind that the NBA can be tricky on DFS sites, considering there are many "game-time decisions" and random days off to worry about. Always double-check to ensure all these players are scheduled to play as expected.

PG - Shabazz Napier - Miami Heat - $3,900

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PG - Shabazz Napier - Miami Heat - $3,900

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Two-game slates are not ideal and typically I avoid them with the exception of a tournament lineup or two, which is exactly what I built here. Shabazz Napier could provide huge upside if Dwyane Wade is indeed out again with an old hamstring and Mario Chalmers moves to start at SG. Even if Napier doesn't start, one must assume he has won the backup PG job over Norris Cole and should see 20-minutes minimum, thus giving him a chance to hit value.

PG - Russell Westbrook - Oklahoma City Thunder - $10,600

during the game at Amway Center on January 18, 2015 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
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PG - Russell Westbrook - Oklahoma City Thunder - $10,600

during the game at Amway Center on January 18, 2015 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
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Since Napier provided a tremendous amount of salary relief, I was able to fit Russell Westbrook in and only spend $14,500 total on my PGs. This is huge. Westbrook has his fantasy PPG average up to 44.6 now and could exceed 50 any given night.

SG - Arron Afflalo - Denver Nuggets - $5,700

Minnesota Timberwolves v Denver Nuggets
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SG - Arron Afflalo - Denver Nuggets - $5,700

Minnesota Timberwolves v Denver Nuggets
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Arron Afflalo is playing a ton of minutes for the Denver Nuggets and typically scores around 15 points a game on the floor, thus giving him a huge opportunity to hit 5x value (27.5 fantasy points) without having an outstanding game in the secondary and tertiary categories. If this game was in San Antonio, I might consider fading most Nuggets. However, in Denver, they should score a ton of points as usual despite the solid opponent.

SG - Dion Waiters - Oklahoma City Thunder - $5,400

Golden State Warriors v Oklahoma City Thunder
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SG - Dion Waiters - Oklahoma City Thunder - $5,400

Golden State Warriors v Oklahoma City Thunder
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Dion Waiters is on the Oklahoma City Thunder now -- but make no mistake -- he's still playing like Dion Waiters plays regardless where Dion Waiters plays. He's largely bucket dependent and oftentimes adds nothing in the secondary and tertiary categories which gives him a low floor. However, he could score 25-points any night and, add a few steals, boards and assists to crush value approaching 40-fantasy-points. No risk, no reward.

SF - Wilson Chandler - Denver Nuggets - $5,600

Minnesota Timberwolves v Denver Nuggets
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SF - Wilson Chandler - Denver Nuggets - $5,600

Minnesota Timberwolves v Denver Nuggets
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Wilson Chandler rarely scores over 15-points on the floor which somewhat limits his upside considering he isn't particularly gifted at rebounding or dishing. However, he does on occasion have random games where he accumulates 10-rebounds and five assists to utterly disintegrate value. Again: It is hard to be picky when choosing the SF position any night, let alone a two-game slate. Hope for 20, and Harlem Shake if he hits 30-fantasy-points.

SF - Kevin Durant - Oklahoma City Thunder - $10,700

Memphis Grizzlies v New Orleans Pelicans
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SF - Kevin Durant - Oklahoma City Thunder - $10,700

Memphis Grizzlies v New Orleans Pelicans
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The Miami Heat play at a snail's pace, so perhaps Kevin Durant loses some upside. However, he's still one of the top three options on this two game slate, and I felt pairing him with Russell Westbrook was important considering it's extremely likely the duo combines for 85-plus fantasy points regardless of who carries the load.

PF - J.J. Hickson - Denver Nuggets - $4,700

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PF - J.J. Hickson - Denver Nuggets - $4,700

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J.J. Hickson has looked good for the Denver Nuggets since Timofey Mozgov was traded. Hickson has double-doubled now in two straight games and can do so any given contest, thus making him one of the highest percentage options to hit 5x value considering he only needs 22.5 fantasy points to do so at just $4,700.

PF - Serge Ibaka - Oklahoma City Thunder - $7,200

Oklahoma City Thunder v Houston Rockets
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PF - Serge Ibaka - Oklahoma City Thunder - $7,200

Oklahoma City Thunder v Houston Rockets
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While a four-player team stack is not an ideal strategy on NBA FanDuel, it is incredibly difficult to avoid on a two-game, four-team slate. Thus, picking the high-scoring Oklahoma City Thunder seemed like the best way to go. Serge Ibaka has a sweet matchup against Chris Bosh -- who the Miami Heat rely on heavy for points currently -- so Ibaka could be on his way for a big night all-around.

C - Hassan Whiteside - Miami Heat - $5,500

Miami Heat v Los Angeles Lakers
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C - Hassan Whiteside - Miami Heat - $5,500

Miami Heat v Los Angeles Lakers
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Hassan Whiteside has been all the rage in fantasy basketball circles of late, but he's coming off a disappointing outing against the Sacramento Kings and DeMarcus Cousins. However, it was less about his performance and more about the fact that he only played 15-minutes being in foul trouble early and often. Whiteside should bounce back to his normal double-doubling self against Steven Adams of the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Timothy Downs is a fantasy sports writer for www.RantSports.com. You can ‘like him’ on Facebook add him on Google or follow him on Twitter @Tidow1212.

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