RADIO
All throughout the 2014-15 campaign, RotoBaller will be giving you the top NBA DFS lineup picks at the guard, forward and center positions as well as top sleepers for the day. Below are our favorite picks for December 31st, 2014.
Keep in mind, fantasy basketball is a fickle game when it comes to injured players, so be sure to check all lineups prior to tip-off. If you want to chat about your roster picks, check out the DFS chat room at the bottom of this post.
Editors Note: If you have not tried out FanDuel 1-day fantasy basketball leagues, RotoBaller offers the best bonuses around. Signup and make a deposit for a new FanDuel account, and receive a 100% bonus on your deposit up to $200.
Worth the Investment
Russell Westbrook (OKC, PG) - $11,700
To be the top play at this lofty of a price shows just how dominant Westbrook has been of late. The all-star point guard has failed to reach 46 points just once in his last 10 games while posting over 60 on two occasions during that stretch. Even with the Thunder expecting to get Kevin Durant back tonight, Westbrook is the clear fantasy stud on the team.
It should also be a boost that Oklahoma City will be rested while Phoenix is playing the second game of a back-to-back. Goran Dragic and Isaiah Thomas lack the size or speed to keep up with Westbrook.
On a short slate, it is imperative to have the top scoring player. Westbrook is likely to be that guy on New Year's Eve.
Blake Griffin (LAC, PF) - $10,400
If it were not for Westbrook, Griffin would claim the title of top play of the day, as he has been an absolute monster in recent days. He has contributed his standard 23 points per game, but it has been his peripheral game that has stood out. In his last 10 contests, Griffin has three double-figure rebound efforts and nine games with at least five assists.
The Knicks play at a slower pace, but should be torched by the skill and athleticism that Griffin and the Clippers bring. It will be tough, but pairing Griffin and Westbrook seems like the way to go today.
Cole Aldrich (NYK, C) - $5,000
The center position is an absolute mess tonight, as Dwight Howard has seen a drop in production with Josh Smith in the fold, Al Jefferson hurt and only DeAndre Jordan as a high-priced option. That leaves Aldrich as the top play.
Aldrich put up a monstrous performance last time out, finishing with 12 points, 19 rebounds and four steals. Andrea Bargnani is expected to be back, but the Knicks will still need Aldrich’s physical presence in the paint against the likes of Griffin and Jordan.
When trying to fit in both of the top two players tonight, options like Aldrich will provide great salary relief while still producing at a high level.
Top Sleepers
Cody Zeller (CHA, PF) - $4,900
Zeller has scored over 15 fantasy points in five of Charlotte’s last eight games. With Jefferson leaving the last game early due to injury, it was Zeller that saw 32 minutes and contributed across the board with six points, five rebounds, three steals and two blocks.
The numbers will not blow you away, but Zeller should see over 30 minutes against a Rockets team that likes to get up and down the floor.
Gary Neal (CHA, SG) - $3,500
Like Zeller, Neal comes in on the value list due to Jefferson’s injury. Charlotte will need someone else to pick up the scoring slack and Neal has never been shy about throwing up shots.
At the bare minimum price, Neal should be a candidate to not only hit 5X value, but has the ability to hit 10X value against a Rockets team that is one of the worst in the league at defending opposing shooting guards.
