Fantasy Sports Fantasy Basketball

Building the Perfect NBA FanDuel Lineup for Jan. 25

Building the Perfect NBA FanDuel Lineup for Jan. 25

Hawks
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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 - Chris Paul - Los Angeles Clippers - $9,800

Los Angeles Clippers v Golden State Warriors
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PG - Chris Paul - Los Angeles Clippers - $9,800

Los Angeles Clippers v Golden State Warriors
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The NBA will, in all likelihood, need to send some extra statisticians to the Los Angeles Clippers vs. Phoenix Suns game, as it is going to be a scoring fest conducive to fantasy riches. Phoenix's guard trio doesn't play much defense, which makes Clippers PG Chris Paul a must-play despite his high $ 9,800 cap hit.

PG - Isaiah Thomas - Phoenix Suns - $5,700

Houston Rockets v Phoenix Suns
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PG - Isaiah Thomas - Phoenix Suns - $5,700

Houston Rockets v Phoenix Suns
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As mentioned, this Los Angeles vs. Phoenix game is going to provide plenty for the NBA fan who enjoys a brand of what-is-defense defense. Although he has a low floor and will undoubtedly lay an occasional, foul-smelling fantasy egg, Isaiah Thomas has been playing over 30 minutes a game of late and has scored between 32 and 40 fantasy points over Phoenix's last three games. Accumulating 30 fantasy points should be a piece of easy pie.

SG - Eric Gordon - New Orleans Pelicans - $5,400

New Orleans Pelicans v Minnesota Timberwolves
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SG - Eric Gordon - New Orleans Pelicans - $5,400

New Orleans Pelicans v Minnesota Timberwolves
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With PG Jrue Holiday out for the New Orleans Pelicans, Eric Gordon has seen his minutes at SG increase with Tyreke Evans moving over to the point. He'll give you a guaranteed 25 fantasy points, which is nearly his (27.5) 5x value, but could hit 40 easily as he did just two days ago. Gordon has an ideal matchup against Monta Ellis of the Dallas Mavericks, who is all about buckets -- not defense.

SG - Klay Thompson - Golden State Warriors - $8,100

Sacramento Kings v Golden State Warriors
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SG - Klay Thompson - Golden State Warriors - $8,100

Sacramento Kings v Golden State Warriors
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Klay Thompson outplayed James Harden of the Houston Rockets on Friday night while scoring 37 points on the floor in one quarter, and over 70 fantasy points for an utter demolishing of value. His price has increased to ,100, but he's been a near-guarantee for 40 fantasy points per game of late as the Golden State Warriors begin to run the offense more through him and rely on less scoring from Steph Curry.

SF - Trevor Ariza - Houston Rockets - $5,200

at ORACLE Arena on January 21, 2015 in Oakland, California. 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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SF - Trevor Ariza - Houston Rockets - $5,200

at ORACLE Arena on January 21, 2015 in Oakland, California. 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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Out of this whole lineup, Trevor Ariza is undoubtedly the player I have the least confidence in as he can drop a disappointing 15-burger on you occasionally to make you very sad, and possibly cry. For that reason, I say pick your poison between Ariza, Khris Middleton or Wesley Johnson (whom Ariza matches up against). I chose Ariza because he is going to play 30 minutes and has the easiest matchup against Johnson and the Los Angeles Lakers.

SF - Draymond Green - Golden State Warriors - $7,300

Indiana Pacers v Golden State Warriors
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SF - Draymond Green - Golden State Warriors - $7,300

Indiana Pacers v Golden State Warriors
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With Klay Thompson doing a ton of scoring of late, Draymond Green is rarely going to pulverize his 30 fantasy point-per-game average. However, he's also rarely going to dip much below 25 fantasy points, making him a safe play in cash games despite one recent disappointing performance on a night where I happened to recommend him (no, I am not bitter). The Boston Celtics score a ton of points, as do the Golden State Warriors, increasing his appeal.

PF - J.J. Hickson - Denver Nuggets - $4,500

Boston Celtics v Denver Nuggets
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PF - J.J. Hickson - Denver Nuggets - $4,500

Boston Celtics v Denver Nuggets
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After a few down performances, J.J. Hickson came back with a 15-point, 14-rebound, plus some tertiary statistic, performance against the Boston Celtics on Friday. Hickson will board adequately against the Washington Wizards despite their knack for attacking the glass, particularly with Kris Humphries. For ,500, he only needs to hit 22.5 as a value punt play, but could hit 35 in a high-scoring contest, which this projects as.

PF - Paul Millsap - Atlanta Hawks - $7,800

at Philips Arena on January 23, 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia. 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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PF - Paul Millsap - Atlanta Hawks - $7,800

at Philips Arena on January 23, 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia. 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.
Getty Images

As evidenced by the cover photo, Paul Millsap of the Atlanta Hawks is my favorite play of the slate when considering price and expected performance. The Hawks have won 15 games in a row and take on the floundering Minnesota Timberwolves who, thanks to Thaddeous Young and company, are second to last in the NBA at allowing fantasy production to opposing PFs. If this game stays remotely close into the fourth quarter, Millsap is going to destroy.

C - Jonas Valanciunas - Toronto Raptors - $5,900

duelfinishvalcropped
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C - Jonas Valanciunas - Toronto Raptors - $5,900

duelfinishvalcropped
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While Jonas Valanciunas is dealing with a sore calf, he still accumulated around 25 fantasy points in only 26 minutes against the lowly Philadelphia 76ers on Friday and could have played 30 minutes if needed. Despite Andre Drummond's reputation for being a "good basketball player" or a "swell center," the Detroit Pistons rank dead last in the NBA at allowing fantasy production to the C position. Thus, you can fire up Val confidently.

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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