Fantasy Sports Fantasy Basketball

Building the Perfect NBA FanDuel Lineup for Dec. 23

Building the Perfect NBA FanDuel Lineup for Dec. 23

Lakers
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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 - John Wall - Washington Wizards - $9,800

Phoenix Suns v Washington Wizards
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PG - John Wall - Washington Wizards - $9,800

Phoenix Suns v Washington Wizards
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While the Chicago Bulls undoubtedly play at a less than favorable pace for fantasy gold, this game should be fairly high scoring. And as I have noted ad nauseam, John Wall is a borderline must-play in all games in his own building.

PG - Brandon Knight - Milwaukee Bucks - $6,800

Milwaukee Bucks v Los Angeles Clippers
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PG - Brandon Knight - Milwaukee Bucks - $6,800

Milwaukee Bucks v Los Angeles Clippers
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Brandon Knight has seen his price drop to under $7,000 for the first time in a while and is averaging over 30 fantasy points per game, which indicates to me he has 45-point upside at most. But he can be counted on for 40 against the Charlotte Hornets on the second end of a back to back.

SG - Kobe Bryant - Los Angeles Lakers - $8,900

Kobe Bryant
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SG - Kobe Bryant - Los Angeles Lakers - $8,900

Kobe Bryant
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Say what you will about Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers ( they are awful will do) -- but he is producing for fantasy purposes and would probably be priced closer to $10,000 if he played a different position. He is averaging nearly 38 fantasy PPG now after a rough period and has an ideal matchup against the Golden State Warriors considering Klay Thompson is not a great defender.

SG - Gary Neal - Charlotte Hornets - $3,800

CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 15: Anderson Varejao #17 of the Cleveland Cavaliers tries to block Gary Neal #12 of the Charlotte Hornets during the first half at Quicken Loans Arena on December 15, 2014 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Anderson Varejao; Gary Neal
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SG - Gary Neal - Charlotte Hornets - $3,800

CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 15: Anderson Varejao #17 of the Cleveland Cavaliers tries to block Gary Neal #12 of the Charlotte Hornets during the first half at Quicken Loans Arena on December 15, 2014 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Anderson Varejao; Gary Neal
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There were five players I really wanted in this lineup and in order to include them I had to make some sacrifices elsewhere. Gary Neal is not going to overwhelm, but he is the Charlotte Hornets sixth-man and will see plenty of minutes. Monday Night he put up an adequate 19 fantasy points which is all anyone needs at $3,800.

SF - Robert Covington - Philadelphia 76ers - $5,400

Philadelphia 76ers v Orlando Magic
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SF - Robert Covington - Philadelphia 76ers - $5,400

Philadelphia 76ers v Orlando Magic
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Robert Covington has been an incredibly consistent fantasy option since being placed into the starting lineup for the Philadelphia 76ers and he carries a high floor -- along with a high ceiling -- considering he contributes not only with buckets, but also in the secondary statistics. The Miami Heat are dealing with a ton of injuries and are very weak currently, giving him some added appeal.

SF - Gerald Henderson - Charlotte Hornets - $3,900

CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 15: Gerald Henderson #9 of the Charlotte Hornets looks for a pass while under pressure from Kevin Love #0 and Shawn Marion #31 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half at Quicken Loans Arena on December 15, 2014 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Hornets 97-88. 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. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Gerald Henderson; Kevin Love; Shawn Marion
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SF - Gerald Henderson - Charlotte Hornets - $3,900

CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 15: Gerald Henderson #9 of the Charlotte Hornets looks for a pass while under pressure from Kevin Love #0 and Shawn Marion #31 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half at Quicken Loans Arena on December 15, 2014 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Hornets 97-88. 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. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Gerald Henderson; Kevin Love; Shawn Marion
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Gerald Henderson is hit or miss even with Lance Stephenson out, but I like the combo of him along with the aforementioned Neal to hit 40 fantasy points minimum and exceed value considering they are both under /,000 options.

PF - Kevin Love - Cleveland Cavaliers - $8,800

Brooklyn Nets v Cleveland Cavaliers
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PF - Kevin Love - Cleveland Cavaliers - $8,800

Brooklyn Nets v Cleveland Cavaliers
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Out of all of the four major sports, "rivalry" matchups seem to persuade results in NBA games the most, so Kevin Love and the Cleveland Cavaliers hosting Love's former team -- the Minnesota Timberwolves -- for the first time makes for an excellent time to take advantage of the trend.

PF - Marvin Williams - Charlotte Hornets - $3,600

during their game at Time Warner Cable Arena on December 20, 2014 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 - Marvin Williams - Charlotte Hornets - $3,600

during their game at Time Warner Cable Arena on December 20, 2014 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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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Marvin Williams lost his starting job to Cody Zeller, but he still plays 20-plus minutes every game and will either sink or swim this lineup. Along with the aforementioned Neal and Henderson, I am hoping for a combined 60 out of the trio regardless of what they do individually. A 60 spot would put it in stellar position considering the other elite players I was able to roster by spending less than $12,000 total over three slots.

C - Nikola Vucevic - Orlando Magic - $8,600

Philadelphia 76ers v Orlando Magic
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C - Nikola Vucevic - Orlando Magic - $8,600

Philadelphia 76ers v Orlando Magic
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Nikola Vucevic is a star -- but he plays on the Orlando Magic -- so he isn't a star, if that makes any sense? He's been on a roll after returning from injury and the Magic have not played terribly despite their 10-20 record. Against the Boston Celtics, Vucevic should not be bothered much by Kelly Olynyk or Tyler Zeller and could easily cruise to his second consecutive 50-plus fantasy point game.

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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