Fantasy Sports Fantasy Basketball

Building The Perfect NBA FanDuel Lineup For Feb. 23

Building The Perfect NBA FanDuel Lineup For Feb. 23

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The past few days have been pure insanity to start the unofficial second half of the NBA season, but you and I both know we will be waiting for Monday's slate of games like it was Christmas Eve. Join me in building the perfect NBA FanDuel lineup for Feb. 23.

PG - Ricky Rubio - Minnesota Timberwolves - $6,500

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PG - Ricky Rubio - Minnesota Timberwolves - $6,500

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While Patrick Beverly of the Houston Rockets is undoubtedly known as a top defender of PGs in the NBA, the Houston Rockets still rank a middle-of-the-road 17th at allowing fantasy points to the position. Ricky Rubio is coming off of two straight 40-plus fantasy point performances, and his prowess for assists somewhat diminishes Beverly's presence. Rubio doesn't need to make a ton of shots to be effective in a high-scoring game.

PG - Goran Dragic - Phoenix Suns - $5,900

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PG - Goran Dragic - Phoenix Suns - $5,900

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So Goran Dragic was an utter disappointment in his first start with the Miami Heat on Saturday. However, being that the Heat are now without Chris Bosh for the remainder of the season, Dragic will be shooting. The Heat brought Dragic's talents to South Beach in order to change the snail's pace the team was playing at, and there is no more perfect of an opponent to implement this tactic against than the Philadelphia 76ers.

SG - Kevin Martin - Minnesota Timberwolves - $6,800

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SG - Kevin Martin - Minnesota Timberwolves - $6,800

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While James Harden of the Houston Rockets is an amazing basketball player, we all know he plays a brand of "I'm about buckets and beards, not defending" defense. This sets Kevin Martin of the Minnesota Timberwolves up superbly to drop another 40-ish fantasy point performance in what will likely be a 220-point game that should produce a fantasy goldmine.

SG - Eric Gordon - New Orleans Pelicans - $6,300

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SG - Eric Gordon - New Orleans Pelicans - $6,300

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The New Orleans Pelicans season is essentially the definition of two steps forward, two steps back. The health struggle has been real, and the starting unit has hardly seen a month straight together. Now, they've lost both Anthony Davis and Ryan Anderson for the next week or longer to go along with PG Jrue Holiday. This places added responsibility on Eric Gordon to step up, and step up he has done of late.

SF - Wilson Chandler - Denver Nuggets - $5,900 or Trevor Ariza - Houston Rockets - $5,400

Denver Nuggets v Milwaukee Bucks
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SF - Wilson Chandler - Denver Nuggets - $5,900 or Trevor Ariza - Houston Rockets - $5,400

Denver Nuggets v Milwaukee Bucks
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Wilson Chandler is now listed as questionable so keep an eye on his status. If he doesn't go, Trevor Ariza of the Houston Rockets is similarly priced and fits nicely as a replacement. Of course, you could always go with Danilo Gallinari as a near minimum option and use the left over cap space on upgrades elsewhere.

SF - Gordon Hayward - Utah Jazz - $8,400

at American Airlines Center on February 11, 2015 in Dallas, Texas. 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 Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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SF - Gordon Hayward - Utah Jazz - $8,400

at American Airlines Center on February 11, 2015 in Dallas, Texas. 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 Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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Gordon Hayward is one of the few fantasy options, particularly at the feeble SF position, who rarely accumulates fewer points than his FPPG (33). He still carries big upside on a team where he's the featured scoring option. I don't love his price at $8,400, but I understand it's high because of the heavy minutes he logs (rarely below 35). I'm willing to pay for the high floor and slate-changing potential.

PF - Pau Gasol - Chicago Bulls - $9,700

Cleveland Cavaliers v Chicago Bulls
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PF - Pau Gasol - Chicago Bulls - $9,700

Cleveland Cavaliers v Chicago Bulls
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Landing in Chicago with the Bulls was simply the best scenario that could have happened for Gasol this season, as he is playing at the top of his game in an Eastern Conference that lacks dominant big men. Gasol has only accumulated less than 40 fantasy points once in his last 10 games (30), which makes his steep $9,700 cap hit somewhat easy to stomach. Injury and ineffectiveness renders the Milwaukee Bucks PFs ideal targets to pick on.

PF - Nerlens Noel - Philadelphia 76ers - $6,100

Philadelphia 76ers V Indiana Pacers
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PF - Nerlens Noel - Philadelphia 76ers - $6,100

Philadelphia 76ers V Indiana Pacers
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Nerlens Noel has put up two straight stellar fantasy performances (45 and 28) since Michael Carter-Williams was traded away by the Philadelphia 76ers. This will continue against the Miami Heat.

C - Alexis Ajinca - New Orleans Pelicans - $4,200

Indiana Pacers v New Orleans Pelicans
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C - Alexis Ajinca - New Orleans Pelicans - $4,200

Indiana Pacers v New Orleans Pelicans
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Alexis Ajinca is essentially a one-fantasy-point-per-minute option in the limited playing time he typically sees. However, he should see more floor time over the next few weeks after the injuries to Anthony Davis and Ryan Anderson. Ajinca should play 25 minutes and give you six times value, barring another Pelicans calamity in which he is also injured in heartbreaking fashion.

Timothy Downs is a Featured 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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