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Building The Perfect NBA FanDuel Lineup For Jan. 2

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By @RoKnowsDFS

Building The Perfect NBA FanDuel Lineup For Jan. 2

Oklahoma City Thunder v Los Angeles Lakers
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After a pitiful offering of only two games on New Year's Day, the NBA is back in full force with 11 games on the schedule. There will be many ways to construct the perfect lineup and I will show you one where we will combine a couple of premium-priced players with some solid value plays. Please remember to stay up to date on the latest player news to avoid late scratches.

PG Mike Conley - Memphis Grizzlies - $7500

mike conley memphis grizzlies pg point guard
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PG Mike Conley - Memphis Grizzlies - $7500

mike conley memphis grizzlies pg point guard
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Mike Conley is one of the most underrated point guards in the NBA, and it's about time more people started giving him more love. Over his last four games, he has averaged 35.6 fantasy points and he needs to score around 37 to make value. He has the best matchup of any point guard on Friday, going up against the Los Angeles Lakers and their league-worst defense against his position. Conley has legitimate 40-point upside.

PG Jarrett Jack - Brooklyn Nets - $5800

jarrett jack brooklyn nets pg point guard
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PG Jarrett Jack - Brooklyn Nets - $5800

jarrett jack brooklyn nets pg point guard
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After making or exceeding his value in four straight games, Jarrett Jack has experienced a couple of hiccups with sub-25 fantasy point performances. However, you can give him a pass from his last game since the Chicago Bulls are a tough matchup for anyone. Friday will be better as he goes up against the Orlando Magic, who are ranked 27th against his position. Jack needs 29 to make value, and he should score exactly that with low-30s upside.

SG James Harden - Houston Rockets - $11,500

james harden houston rockets sg shooting guard
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SG James Harden - Houston Rockets - $11,500

james harden houston rockets sg shooting guard
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This selection should require no explanation as James Harden is clearly the best shooting guard in the world right now. He is also an extremely strong candidate for league MVP as he continues his offensive assault on the NBA. He has averaged 53 fantasy points over his last five games, and he gets to face a New Orleans Pelicans team that's ranked 27th against SGs. On Friday, they will fear "The Beard."

SG Jodie Meeks - Detroit Pistons - $5100

jodie meeks detroit pistons sg shooting guard
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SG Jodie Meeks - Detroit Pistons - $5100

jodie meeks detroit pistons sg shooting guard
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Jodie Meeks is continuing to get his legs under him as he has recently come back from injury on December 12. If his fantasy point average of 29 over his last two games is an indication of his legs coming back, then he is a great fantasy option in any league. On Friday, he gets to face the New York Knicks, who remain the worst in the league against SGs. Meeks has a great opportunity to surpass his value mark, which is 25.5, and go off for 30-plus.

SF Kevin Durant - Oklahoma City Thunder - $10,600

kevin durant oklahoma city thunder sf small forward
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SF Kevin Durant - Oklahoma City Thunder - $10,600

kevin durant oklahoma city thunder sf small forward
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The reigning league MVP came back from his recent ankle injury in true MVP fashion. He torched the Phoenix Suns for 63.5 fantasy points and looks poised to go on a monster run for the new year. On Friday, he gets to face the Washington Wizards, who are ranked 13th against SFs. However, their efficiency has been slipping and Durant will take full advantage of that. He needs to score 53 to make value, and I feel he will score that plus 10.

SF Gerald Henderson - Charlotte Hornets - $4700

gerald henderson charlotte hornets sf small forward
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SF Gerald Henderson - Charlotte Hornets - $4700

gerald henderson charlotte hornets sf small forward
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Gerald Henderson has exceeded his value over his last two games and looks to be taking advantage of usage opportunities afforded by Al Jefferson being out. He gets to face the Cleveland Cavaliers, who currently rank 20th in defensive efficiency against SGs (Henderson's actual position). They've also been trending worse lately, which bodes well for him to continue exceeding his current value. He should score at least 25 with 35-plus upside.

PF Tristan Thompson - Cleveland Cavaliers - $5900

tristan thompson cleveland cavaliers pf power forward
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PF Tristan Thompson - Cleveland Cavaliers - $5900

tristan thompson cleveland cavaliers pf power forward
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Tristan Thompson is taking advantage of his current situation without LeBron James. The King will be out for the next two weeks, and this bodes well for Thompson to continue justifying his price. He needs to score 29.5 against a Charlotte Hornets team that's been slipping lately at defending centers, which is Thompson's starting position. He should flirt with 30 on Friday.

PF John Henson - Milwaukee Bucks - $4200

john henson milwaukee bucks pf power forward
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PF John Henson - Milwaukee Bucks - $4200

john henson milwaukee bucks pf power forward
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John Henson is a good value pick, especially for tournaments. Since returning, he has averaged 20.8 minutes per game while averaging 21.9 fantasy points. As you can see, he is averaging more than a fantasy point per minute and his court time is starting to creep up slowly. He needs to score 21 against a tough Indiana Pacers team, but the Pacers tend to play worse on the road, which bodes well for Henson to make value once again.

C Alex Len - Phoenix Suns - $4500

alex len phoenix suns c center
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C Alex Len - Phoenix Suns - $4500

alex len phoenix suns c center
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After averaging 25.1 fantasy points over a seven-game stretch, Alex Len has had a couple of dud performances. However, the perfect cure for his offensive blues is a game against the Philadelphia 76ers, who everyone knows is anything but a good basketball team. They're currently ranked 28th against opposing centers, which bodes well for the former Maryland Terrapin to get back on track and score at least 25 with 32-plus upside.

Rojé Smith is a Fantasy Sports writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @RoKnowsDFS, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

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