This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
Guards:
Jrue Holiday, NOP vs. LAC ($7,700): With DeMarcus Cousins (Achilles) now out for the year, Holiday should see his already impressive numbers rise with a boost in usage. That's 25 points, 12 rebounds and five assists that need to be made up and Holiday should be a huge beneficiary of some of that production. Holiday's been fantastic recently too, scoring at least 33 fantasy points in 10-straight games while averaging over 41 fantasy points per game during that span. Not to mention, Holiday faces a Clippers defense that allows the third-most fantasy points to opposing shooting guards.
Dejounte Murray, SAN vs. SAC ($5,800): Murray has recently usurped Tony Parker as the starting point guard for San Antonio and it's done wonders for his fantasy value. In fact, Murray is averaging 35 fantasy points per game across his last four outings, as he's playing nearly 30 minutes a game in this new role. The matchup may be the best part of this play though, with Sacramento ranking 28th in defensive efficiency.
Avery Bradley, DET at CLE ($4,900): Bradley's recent four-game slump has lowered his price to this intriguing number, as he's got way too much upside to be below $5,000. Prior to this four-game slide, Bradley was averaging 30 fantasy points per game across his previous five outings, which is much more indicative of who he's been throughout his career. It's the matchup that truly makes him a great option though, with Cleveland sitting 29th in the league in defensive efficiency.
Forwards:
Anthony Davis, NOP vs. LAC ($11,700): Davis is the other beneficiary of Cousins being out, as his already ridiculous averages should only rise from here on out. Not only did Cousins post those aforementioned averages, he also ranked third in the NBA with a 32.3 usage rate. That's nearly a third of the Pelicans offense that needs to be made up and what better option to do that than someone who's already averaging 51 fantasy points per game. Los Angeles struggles against power forwards too, allowing the eighth-most fantasy points to the position for the season.
Blake Griffin, LAC at NOP ($8,700): Griffin has been a stud this season when he's healthy, as he's essentially running the Clippers offense out of the post. Not only does he have at least 35 fantasy points in six-straight games, Griffin is also averaging over 43 fantasy points per game during that span. That's huge production from a player at $8,700 and he should be able to abuse this favorable matchup. New Orleans allows 48.3 fantasy points per game to opposing power forwards, the worst mark in the NBA.
Brandon Ingram, LAL at TOR ($6,000): Ingram has four 20-point games in January, despite the fact that he's missed multiple due to an ankle issue. That just shows how much he's improved, as he's coming off a 43-fantasy point outing in his most recent game. What's really made him better is the fact that Lonzo Ball (knee) is out of the lineup, as it's raised his usage rate to nearly 25 percent during that span, with much of the offense being run through Ingram. Toronto is weak at small forward too, as that position has been a carousel for them all season long.
Centers:
Kevin Love, CLE vs. DET ($7,100): Love is hard to trust right now with his recent form, but buying a stock at its lowest price is one of the best ways to succeed in DFS. A blowout and a game where he left injured is what's really killing his averages, as he is actually averaging 35 fantasy points in the other five contests during that seven-game stretch. Even with the recent struggles, Love is still averaging 34 fantasy points on the season, which is nearly five times value on its own. In addition, Love is averaging 35 fantasy points per game against Detroit dating back to the beginning of last season.
Jonas Valanciunas, TOR vs. LAL ($5,700): Valanciunas is in the best stretch of his season right now, as he's scored 109 combined fantasy points in his last two games. It's the upside that really makes Valanciunas an attractive option, as he's scored at least 33 fantasy points in eight of his last 16 games while scoring at least 40 fantasy points six times during that span. The Lakers are a hard matchup not to like too, as they allow the eighth-most fantasy points to opposing centers, in addition to ranking 27th in total defense.
