This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
Point Guard
Tyreke Evans, $7,000 - Recency bias will be in play here as owners won't be able to forget Evans' last game which was a 3.9 fantasy point effort in only 18 minutes. The Pelicans were blown out in that game and tonight's game with the Wizards should be much closer. Over Evans' previous three games of the season (his first three) he has at least 30 fantasy points in each contest and averaged 35.2 fantasy points. This shows expecting 5X his price is reasonable here and an up-tempo game with Washington should help pad his stats.
Elfrid Payton, $6,900 - Payton was off to a slow start but has picked up his play as of late. He's been rewarded with consistent minutes in the 30s and the key to his uptick in production is the improved shooting touch. For the month of December he's scoring 5.5 more points per game and he's always been a four category contributor. Matthew Dellavedova shouldn't pose much of a threat defensively for Payton.
Shooting Guard
Will Barton, $5,900 - Despite coming off the bench, Barton has been playing solid minutes and been the offensive spark for the second team. He's scored 38.3, 28.3, 32.8 and 28.6 fantasy points over his last four games and has a nice matchup against the Timberwolves, a team that struggles against the shooting guard.
O.J. Mayo, $4,800 - Mayo has started the last three games while teammates Tyler Ennis, Jerryd Bayless and Grievis Vasquez all out due to injury. Mayo's recent production is way above his current price tag with games of 31.8, 24.2, 29.1 and 25 over his last four contests. Mayo has averaged over 35 minutes over that span of games and scored 13, 14, 15 and 17 points showing consistency.
Small Forward
Gordon Hayward, $7,000 -This price isn't discounted as much as it was a couple of weeks ago given his recent play over the last week. He's stepped up in the absence of Rudy Gobert and has games of 36.3, 39.6, 35.5, 34 and 36.2 fantasy points over his last five games. Hayward has steadily improved this season and for the month of December is averaging 2.5 more points, two more assists and a steal more than he averaged last month. This should be a higher paced game going against the Oklahoma City Thunder tonight.
Jae Crowder, $5,200 - Going with Crowder establishes a nice floor especially in what should be a fast-paced game going against the Warriors. Crowder has scored at least 21.6 fantasy points in his last eight games showing where that floor is. Crowder has the ability to contribute in every fantasy category and can get a few tallies in the valuable steals and blocks categories that are worth two fantasy points each.
Power Forward
Jabari Parker, $4,900 - Outside of Milwaukee, no one is talking much about the uptick in minutes for Parker who has played at least 31 minutes in each of his last three games. He's scored 18, 23.2 and 32.4 fantasy points over those games and more importantly looks completely over his injury. Parker has the ability to not only score but contribute with rebounds and a few assists as well. The Bucks' future is looking bright and Parker is clearly one of the reasons why.
Jon Leuer, $4,500, Mirza Teletovic, $4,300 - Including Alex Len ($4,700) all three big men for Phoenix are in play tonight provided Tyson Chandler is out once again. Starting with Leuer, he's had 25.2, 25.6, 32.2, 15.9 and 40.7 fantasy points over his last five games being a consistent producer. He mainly contributes in the points and rebounds categories and throws in the occasional block. Teletovic goes a little under the radar with Leuer and Len being the starting players but Mirza has been getting similar as far minutes being the main player off the bench. Teletovic has 23.5, 30.8 and 23.2 fantasy points over his last three games and the three Suns big men have a great matchup against the frontcourt of the Trail Blazers.
Center
Marcin Gortat, $6,300 - Don't ignore what Kelly Olynyk ($4,200) has done recently in backup minutes but Gortat has been a beast. He had to attend to a family matter in Poland recently and continued his hot streak upon returning to the team Wednesday. He's had games of 35.1, 34.5, 35.2 and 31.5 fantasy points over his last four games and should feel fresh after the small break. There's been a lot of injuries to the big men of the Wizards giving Gortat more run. This is a good matchup for the big man and he should have no trouble returning his value in cash games.
