Fantasy Basketball Daily Pre-Game Report for Wednesday, January 4
Jan 4, 2012 Blog
Daily Fantasy Basketball Tournaments for Wednesday Night, January 4th:
Fanduel $2000 NBA Assist – 7:00 PM EST, $5 Entry, Top 50 Teams Paid
Fanduel $7500 NBA Dunk – 7:00 PM EST, $100 Entry, Top 9 Teams Paid
Fanduel Head to Head Two Player Matches – 7:00 PM EST, $1 to $535 Entry Levels
DailyJoust $500 King James – 7:00 PM EST, $10 Entry, Top 10 Teams Paid
Tonight’s NBA Schedule, Starting Lineups and Fantasy Sit/Start Picks
Cleveland @ Toronto (-5) 193 Total
CLE: K. Irving, A. Parker, (A. Gee/O. Casspi), A. Jamison, A. Varejao
TOR: J. Calderon, D. DeRozan, J. Johnson/R.Butler, A. Bargnani, A. Johnson
Game Preview from RaptorsHQ
Game Preview from RaptorsRepublic
Kyrie Irving has a prime matchup in this game against what may be one of the worst defensive PGs in the league. Irving’s salary has started to rise, but he’s a good play tonight.
Antawn Jamison had a great game last night, but this matchup might not be so attractive. There’s no way he’s going to be able to guard Bargnani from the PF spot and therefore his minutes might be limited tonight on the second of a back to back.
Anderson Varejao should have a good night rebounding the ball and could walk away from this one with a solid double-double.
Washington @ Orlando (-12) 190 Total
WAS: J. Wall, N. Young/J. Crawford, R. Lewis, A. Blatche, J. McGee
ORL: J. Nelson, J. Richardson/JJ Redick, H. Turkoglu, R. Anderson, D. Howard
Game Preview from Howard The Dunk
Jameer Nelson is dealing with a sore neck and it showed with a poor performance in his last game of just 4 points and 5 assists. Avoid him.
The Nick Young/Jordan Crawford timeshare is giving daily fantasy owners fits right now. Young seems like the better play if you have to choose, but I’d let that situation clear up before I played either.
I really like JaVale McGee most days, but not against Dwight Howard, avoid.
New Jersey @ Boston (-13) 179.5 Total
NJN: S. Gaines, M. Brooks, D. James, S. Williams, M. Okur
BOS: R. Rondo, R. Allen, P. Pierce, K. Garnett, G. Stiemsma
Deron Williams will probably miss this one with a rib injury. Sundiata Gaines and Marshon Brooks will likely start together in the backcourt, but it probably doesn’t matter since Rajon Rondo and Ray Allen will shut either of them down. There is, however, the chance of a lot of garbage time stats for Brooks and Gaines when this game becomes a blowout. Rondo, on the other hand, should have a much better game since neither Brooks nor Gaines is the quality defender that Williams is.
Kris Humphries is probably out in this one with Shelden Williams getting the start against Kevin Garnett, which isn’t a great fantasy play.
Jermaine O’Neal missed his last game and might miss this one too. If he does, Greg Steimsma could get a spot start and have a little success against a weak New Jersey interior.
The real problem that fantasy owners will have to deal with in this one is the possibility of a complete blowout where the Celtics bench their starters for much of the second half. Big fantasy risk.
Charlotte @ New York (-11.5) 200 Total
CHA: DJ Augustin, G. Henderson, C. Maggette, DJ White, B. Diaw
NYK: T. Douglas, L. Fields, C. Anthony, A. Stoudemire, T. Chandler
DJ Augustin had recently been dealing with a lower leg injury, but he showed not sign of it last night going for 26 points and 9 assists. Toney Douglas has some problems on defense and Augustin could be a play at a decent salary.
Carmelo Anthony should put up big numbers against Corey Maggette’s pathetic defense. His daily salary is high, but he’s probably worth it here.
DJ White and Boris Diaw have been great value plays lately, but the matchup tonight with Amare Stoudemire and Tyson Chandler will probably limit their fantasy production.
Check Amare Stoudemire’s gametime status just to make sure he’s a full go after his recent ankle problems.
Iman Shumpert could return tonight and steal some of Toney Douglas’ minutes.
Indiana @ Miami (-8) 197.5 Total
IND: D. Collison, P. George, D. Granger, D. West, R. Hibbert
MIA: (M. Chalmers/N. Cole), D. Wade, L. James, C. Bosh, J. Anthony
Game Preview from Eight Points, Nine Seconds
Paul George is 6’10 and very quick, which could actually give Dwyane Wade some problems in this one. There is some speculation that Wade might also miss tonight’s game due to his foot injury. Either way, it’s probably best to lay off Wade tonight in daily games, his salary is just too high given the matchup and injury concerns.
I really like Roy Hibbert against the Heat if he can stay out of foul trouble. Center is the one spot where teams can attack the Heat and Hibbert has the ability to capitalize. He’s a great daily play.
The Granger/James and West/Bosh matchups are very tough fantasy calls and I don’t see much edge either way. Tyler Hansbrough could be a sneaky play here if the Pacers try to work the interior with their size advantage.
Chicago (-6.5) @ Detroit 180.5 Total
CHI: D. Rose, R. Brewer, L. Deng, C. Boozer, J. Noah
DET: R. Stuckey, B. Gordon, T. Prince, J. Jerebko, G. Monroe
Game Preview from By The Horns
Game Preview from BlogABull
Richard Hamilton might miss this one with a continuing groin problem. Ronnie Brewer would get the start, but isn’t much of a daily play.
Joakim Noah has been turning in some really poor performances and the matchup tonight against Greg Monroe isn’t an easy one. His salary is too high to take a risk tonight.
Jonas Jerebko has been a great value play with an abnormally low salary on most daily sites. Carlos Boozer is a fairly weak defender, so Jerebko could have some success.
Tough Matchup for Rodney Stuckey against Derrick Rose, avoid Stuckey.
Philadelphia (-5.5) @ New Orleans 182 Total
PHI: J. Holiday, (E. Turner/J. Meeks), A. Iguodala, E. Brand, S. Hawes
NOR: J. Jack, M. Belinelli, A. Aminu, C. Landry, E. Okafor
Game Preview from Hornets247.com
Eric Gordon is listed as questionable and will probably miss this game. If he does miss, Marco Belinelli should get the start at shooting guard. Belinelli is a decent roster filler if you want to spend extra salary elsewhere.
Is Spencer Hawes for real? I doubt it and can’t bring myself to bet real money on him, but his matchup is decent tonight and he has outproduced his salary every game this season. How lucky do you feel?
Trevor Ariza is dealing with a groin problem and could miss tonight. Al-Farouq Aminu could get the start and makes an interesting low salary play.
Jarrett Jack has been looking great and really has no competition for minutes. He should earn his reasonable salary tag tonight.
Memphis @ Minnesota (-4) 197.5 Total
MEM: M. Conley, (T. Allen/OJ Mayo), R. Gay, D. Cunningham, M. Gasol
MIN: (L. Ridnour/R. Rubio), W. Johnson, M. Beasley, K. Love, D. Milicic
Zach Randolph has a torn ligament in his knee and will miss 6-8 weeks. This is why I love daily leagues rather than season long leagues. In daily fantasy I can only get screwed one day, not 8 weeks, and I get to toss Randolph aside and pick a completely new team every day. I’m still in 5 season long leagues this year though, but luckily only had ZBo in one.
Dante Cunningham or Sam Young will get the start tonight at PF, but going against Kevin Love isn’t the recipe for a big fantasy night. On the other side, Love should dominate in this one without Randolph in the lineup. Also, for guys in season long leagues, give the newly acquired Marreese Speights a flier if you need a big man.
Mike Conley was a surprise play last night coming back from an injury. I saw seveal people get burned starting Jeremy Pargo. I’d avoid them both tonight.
Tony Allen shut down Marcus Thornton last night and will do the same with Wesley Johnson.
I absolutely love Ricky Rubio, but just can’t start him due to the way the Wolves keep jerking him in and out of the lineup. Unfortunately, you have to avoid him even with the great matchup against Conley/Pargo.
Michael Beasley is playing with an injued finger and the Wolves haven’t had much confidence in him lately, so just avoid.
Phoenix @ Dallas (-8) 195.5 Total
PHO: S. Nash, J. Dudley, G. Hill, H. Warrick/C. Frye, M. Gortat
DAL: J. Kidd, (D. West/V. Carter), S. Marion, D. Nowitzki, (B. Haywood/I. Mahinmi)
Game Preview from Bright Side of the Sun
Game Preview from Valley of the Suns
Steve Nash is playing with hurt ribs and Jason Kidd is a pretty decent defender, so this is probably a spot to avoid Nash.
Marcin Gortat could have nice game here as he matches up well against the Brendan Haywood/Ian Mahinmi pair.
Shawn Marion missed shootaround this morning and could miss tonight’s game. If he can’t go, Lamar Odom would probably get the start and be a great daily play.
Not sure what the average age is of the 10 starters in this game, but it’s got to be pretty damn close to an NBA record.
Golden State at San Antonio (-7.5) 192 Total
GSW: S. Curry, M. Ellis, D. Wright, D. Lee, (A. Biedrins/K. Brown)
SAS: T. Parker, J. Anderson, R. Jefferson, T. Duncan, D. Blair
Game Preview from Golden State of Mind
Game Preview from WarriorsWorld.net
Game Preview from 48 Minutes of Hell
Game Preview from Pounding The Rock
Dorell Wright is in a huge slump and this probably isn’t the game where he’s going to break out, avoid.
Manu Ginobili is out with a broken hand so James Anderson should get the start. I’d be careful though because the Spurs could also give Gary Neal big minutes at the SG spot too.
David Lee is just getting over an illness that caused him to miss a game, so I’m not sure if he’s at full strength yet. If he can’t go, Dominic McGuire would get another start.
DeJuan Blair should have a decent game against the weak pairing of Andris Biedrins and Kwame Brown. Blair’s daily salary is reasonable enough to give him a play.
Sacramento @ Denver (-11.5) 206.5 Total
SAC: T. Evans, M. Thornton, J. Salmons, C. Hayes, (D. Cousins/JJ Hickson)
DEN: T. Lawson, A. Afflalo, D. Gallinari, T. Mozgov/A. Harrington, N. Hilario
Game Preview from Denver Stiffs
Nene is dealing with a bruised foot and missed his last game and could possibly miss this one too. If he does, Al Harrington makes a great daily play.
Derrick Cousins got some minutes last game out after being suspended for a game, but his situation is just too uncertain to risk money on, avoid.
I usually like Ty Lawson, but he’s got a tough matchup against Tyreke Evans and he also left shootaround early with an illness. Not sure if he’s going to play and even if he does, he probably won’t produce the fantasy points needed to justify his high daily salary.
Houston @ LA Clippers (-7.5) 203.5 Total
HOU: K. Lowry, K. Martin, C. Budinger, L. Scola, (J. Hill/S. Dalembert)
LAC: C. Paul, C. Billups, C. Butler, B. Griffin, D. Jordan
Game Preview from Clips Nation
Game Preview from The Dream Shake
DeAndre Jordan should be a great play tonight against the Jordan Hill / Samuel Dalembert pair.
Luis Scola has a tough matchup with Blake Griffin. I’d avoid Scola, but definitely give Griffin a play, as he should be able to really outplay Scola.
Kevin Martin could be Houston’s best hope for offense in this game, so expect him to see some extra looks with Chauncey Billups trying to cover him.
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