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Fantasy

Building the Perfect NBA FanDuel Lineup for Jan. 7

There are only four NBA games scheduled this evening, which means building the perfect FanDuel fantasy basketball lineup will take some creativity.

PG - Ishmael Smith - Philadelphia 76ers - $6,100

PG - Ishmael Smith - Philadelphia 76ers - $6,100 Mark J. Rebilas USA TODAY Sports
After an incredibly disappointing two-game stretch in Los Angeles, Ishmael Smith bounced back against Minnesota on Monday tallying 21 points, 11 assists, four rebounds and three steals. This evening, Smith's Philadelphia 76ers take on the Atlanta Hawks, who rank a middle-of-the-road 15th at defending point guards. Expect another stellar stat line from Smith in a game the 76ers should be in throughout all four quarters.

After an incredibly disappointing two-game stretch in Los Angeles, Ishmael Smith bounced back against Minnesota on Monday tallying 21 points, 11 assists, four rebounds and three steals. This evening, Smith's Philadelphia 76ers take on the Atlanta Hawks, who rank a middle-of-the-road 15th at defending point guards. Expect another stellar stat line from Smith in a game the 76ers should be in throughout all four quarters.

PG - Jason Terry - Houston Rockets - $3,600

PG - Jason Terry - Houston Rockets - $3,600 Getty Images
With Ty Lawson serving a suspension, Jason Terry is expected to play solid tick this evening against Utah. Terry played 31 minutes on Monday night against the Jazz in Utah and tallied nine points, four assists, three rebounds and one steal, which was good for just over 20 fantasy points on FanDuel since he didn't commit a turnover. Houston should take the back end of a home-and-home against the Jazz, so fire up Terry expecting over 5x value once again for his price.

With Ty Lawson serving a suspension, Jason Terry is expected to play solid tick this evening against Utah. Terry played 31 minutes on Monday night against the Jazz in Utah and tallied nine points, four assists, three rebounds and one steal, which was good for just over 20 fantasy points on FanDuel since he didn't commit a turnover. Houston should take the back end of a home-and-home against the Jazz, so fire up Terry expecting over 5x value once again for his price.

SG - Jimmy Butler - Chicago Bulls - $8,500

SG - Jimmy Butler - Chicago Bulls - $8,500 Getty Images
Jimmy Butler has been scorching hot over his last two games averaging 37 points, 7.5 assists and three rebounds. Against the Boston Celtics, who defend twos much better when the injured Avery Bradley plays, expect another monster showing from Butler this evening. He's the premier shooting guard of the slate over James Harden.

Jimmy Butler has been scorching hot over his last two games averaging 37 points, 7.5 assists and three rebounds. Against the Boston Celtics, who defend twos much better when the injured Avery Bradley plays, expect another monster showing from Butler this evening. He's the premier shooting guard of the slate over James Harden.

SG - Marco Belinelli - Sacramento Kings - $4,300

SG - Marco Belinelli - Sacramento Kings - $4,300 Godofredo Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Marco Belinelli has been seeing increased playing time of late, but it was mainly due to the Sacramento Kings being without Omri Casspi for a few games, and Rajon Rondo for one. However, Ben McLemore has been horrific for the Kings this season, and although he's still starting at the two, he's beginning to lose minutes. On a small slate that isn't flooded with value options, fire up Belinelli expecting 5x value.

Marco Belinelli has been seeing increased playing time of late, but it was mainly due to the Sacramento Kings being without Omri Casspi for a few games, and Rajon Rondo for one. However, Ben McLemore has been horrific for the Kings this season, and although he's still starting at the two, he's beginning to lose minutes. On a small slate that isn't flooded with value options, fire up Belinelli expecting 5x value.

SF - Gordon Hayward - Utah Jazz - $7,600

SF - Gordon Hayward - Utah Jazz - $7,600 Getty Images
Playing Gordon Hayward on the road is typically not a strategy I use, but an abbreviated slate makes him the player with the highest upside at the position this evening. In a favorable matchup against Houston's Trevor Ariza, fire up Hayward expecting a solid performance.

Playing Gordon Hayward on the road is typically not a strategy I use, but an abbreviated slate makes him the player with the highest upside at the position this evening. In a favorable matchup against Houston's Trevor Ariza, fire up Hayward expecting a solid performance.

SF - Jae Crowder - Boston Celtics - $6,200

SF - Jae Crowder - Boston Celtics - $6,200 Getty Images
While his Boston Celtics teammate Evan Turner is a tad cheaper, I elected to go with Jae Crowder at small forward for one simple reason -- Turner is expected to be guarded by Jimmy Butler, and Crowder isn't.

While his Boston Celtics teammate Evan Turner is a tad cheaper, I elected to go with Jae Crowder at small forward for one simple reason -- Turner is expected to be guarded by Jimmy Butler, and Crowder isn't.

PF - Paul Millsap - Atlanta Hawks - $8,500

PF - Paul Millsap - Atlanta Hawks - $8,500 Getty Images
Paul Millsap has played at an incredibly high level this season averaging 18.3 points and 8.8 rebounds per game. Expect Millsap to make mincemeat out of Philadelphia's neophyte-laden frontcourt in this one.

Paul Millsap has played at an incredibly high level this season averaging 18.3 points and 8.8 rebounds per game. Expect Millsap to make mincemeat out of Philadelphia's neophyte-laden frontcourt in this one.

PF - Larry Nance Jr. - Los Angeles Lakers - $4,300

PF - Larry Nance Jr. - Los Angeles Lakers - $4,300 Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Larry Nance Jr. has reached or exceeded 5x value in six of his last seven games, and has been receiving over 25 minutes most nights of late. Nance Jr. is a double-double waiting to happen against the Sacramento Kings.

Larry Nance Jr. has reached or exceeded 5x value in six of his last seven games, and has been receiving over 25 minutes most nights of late. Nance Jr. is a double-double waiting to happen against the Sacramento Kings.

C - DeMarcus Cousins - Sacramento Kings - $10,400

C - DeMarcus Cousins - Sacramento Kings - $10,400 Getty Images
DeMarcus Cousins is going to annihilate the Los Angeles Lakers this evening. Cousins has been on a tear of late, and will continue his hot streak against a substandard opponent -- don't miss out.

DeMarcus Cousins is going to annihilate the Los Angeles Lakers this evening. Cousins has been on a tear of late, and will continue his hot streak against a substandard opponent -- don't miss out.

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