This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
If you're looking for great matchups on the NBA schedule Tuesday, you will be disappointed. Of the five games to be played, none of them consist of two teams with winning records facing each other. Enter FanDuel excitement to save the evening — let's take a look at some of the better value plays available to hopefully help you come away with a winning entry.
James Harden, HOU at MIA ($12,300): Harden's dream season continues, as he
has posted three triple-doubles in his last five games. He has been masterful running the point for the Rockets this season and has dished out at least 10 assists in 13 of his last 14 games. He enters this game averaging 53.7 FanDuel points per game on the season overall, and I expect him to at least approach that production again Tuesday against the Heat.
D'Angelo Russell, LAL vs DEN ($6,000): Russell just hasn't been able to put everything together yet this season as he has battled injuries and inconsistency. His recent play hasn't been great, as he has provided 17.7 FanDuel points or less in two of his last three games. However, take note that he has played better at home lately, as he has come away with at least 29.9 FanDuel points in each of his last six homes games. Based on that trend, I feel comfortable playing him at this price Tuesday against a bad Nuggets defense.
Michael Carter-Williams, CHI vs DAL ($4,700): Carter-Williams had arguably his best game of the season Sunday against the Grizzles when he came away with 28.9 FanDuel points. He has a firm grasp on the starting point guard job even though Rajon Rondo has finally found his way out of the dog house and back onto the court for the Bulls. Carter-Williams is not going to rack up a ton of assists, but has scored at least 11 points in four of his last five games. If you want to save money at point guard Tuesday, I think Carter-Williams is your man.
Jimmy Butler, CHI vs DAL ($9,500): If you want to see a show, watch Butler take over games in the fourth quarter. He continues to make clutch shots and close out games for the Bulls as he has become one of the better players in the league. Butler had a tough matchup against Tony Allen and the Grizzlies on Sunday, but still managed to produce 38.6 FanDuel points and hit two key jumpers late to win the game. I'm going to have him in my lineup more times than not, so I'm definitely high on him again in this matchup against the Mavericks.
James Johnson, MIA vs HOU ($5,900): The Heat have just been decimated by injuries this season, leaving Johnson with a pretty prominent role on the team. He has been especially productive of late, recording at least 30.5 FanDuel points in five of his last seven games. I like this matchup for him against the uptempo Rockets, especially considering his price.
DeMarre Carroll, TOR at BKN ($4,600): Carroll doesn't get much publicity on the Raptors, but he should not go unnoticed in fantasy circles as he has provided at least 28.4 FanDuel points in three of his last four games. Although he is only averaging 27 minutes this season, he is playing more lately with at least 34 minutes in four of his last six games. I think he is one of the better bargain plays of the evening against the lowly Nets.
Hassan Whiteside, MIA vs HOU ($8,900): This is going to be a tough game for the Heat against the Rockets, so they are going to need everything Whiteside can give them on both ends of the floor. Whiteside faced a similarly tough opponent a week ago in the Warriors and managed to provide 55 FanDuel points. While he might not reach that lofty total again, I still think he is in line for a very productive evening.
Jonas Valanciunas, TOR at BKN ($6,000): Valanciunas has played better of late, as he has come away with a double-double and at least 30.7 FanDuel points in each of his last three games. The Raptors will rely on him heavily in this contest against Brook Lopez. Also, these two teams played each other last week and Valanciunas was able to come away with 31.5 FanDuel points.
Nene Hilario, HOU at MIA ($3,700): Nene and Montrezl Harrell have both started games at center with Clint Capela (leg) out of action, but Nene tends to start when the Rockets face a bigger center. I'd say Whiteside fits that bill, so I'm expecting Nene to start Tuesday. There is a possibility Capela could return for this game, but he might be limited even if he does. Nene won't cost you much, so he's worth a shot if you need to save money at center.
