This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
We have quite an action-packed slate for you this Tuesday with 11 games on the docket. With Wednesday serving as the final day of the regular season, and following an off day for the league Monday, the last two days of the 2018-2019 campaign will be full of action. I'm not going to even attempt to go through the injury report for the evening, because as you should know by now, teams are resting players left and right, and any player on a contending team with even a minor bump or bruise is likely riding the bench with the postseason set to kick off over the weekend.
The name of the game at this point is to hopefully ride with players on teams who still have something left to play for, or guys who are trying to make a name for themselves in an effort to stick around next season. As we enter the final Tuesday of the regular season, I'll issue one final remainder that FanDuel allows for a nine-player lineup but will drop the player with the lowest score at the end of the night. The first contest is scheduled for 6:00 pm Eastern time.
Point Guard
Alex Caruso, LAL vs. POR (6,800): Caruso has been absolutely on fire in his previous two matchups, racking up back-to-back double-doubles while scoring a combined 50 points over that brief stretch. Rajon Rondo has already been ruled out for Tuesday's matchup due to rest purposes, clearing the way for Caruso to make another start at point guard. The Trail Blazers have already locked up the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference, meaning they don't have anything left to play for at this point. While Portland hasn't yet ruled out any of their starters just yet, it certainly could happen. This would surely benefit Caruso's cause.
Reggie Jackson, DET vs. MEM ($5,200): Jackson and the Pistons are clinging to the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference by a single game, so there's plenty on the line here in this matchup. The former first-round pick has totaled 10 or more points in four of his previous five contests and is also averaging 3.8 assists along with 4.2 boards during that stretch, proving his ability to post a well-rounded line. On top of that, the Grizzlies have essentially called it a season and are resting three of their five starts along with a number of key rotation players.
Shooting Guard
Jeremy Lamb, CHA at CLE ($6,300): Lamb is another guy who's been on a rampage of late, scoring 34.7 and 43.0 FanDuel points in his previous two contests, respectively. The Hornets are currently on the outside looking in with regard to a playoff spot, as they sit just one game behind the Pistons for the No. 8 seed. Motivation is a factor that shouldn't be overlooked at this stage in the season, and Lamb should be properly motivated against a Cleveland team that's about ready to pack it in.
Wayne Ellington, DET at MEM ($5,100): Ellington has been producing at a solid clip of late (27.1 FD points per game), and I'm expecting another solid outburst Tuesday evening against a Memphis squad who's electing to rest a good number of their key contributors. The former Tar Heel is averaging just north of 10 points through 51 games this season but has erupted for 24-plus points in three of his previous six matchups. Outside of the scoring department, Ellington is also capable of posting fairly well-rounded lines, which helps his cause. As I mentioned before, the Pistons will be fighting for their playoff lives through the final games of the regular season, allowing for Ellington to play a full complement of minutes.
Small Forward
Paul George, OKC vs. HOU ($10,000): It's been more of the same for George down the home stretch of the regular season, as he's posted averages of 26.5 points 7.5 rebounds 3.7 assists and 2.2 steals over his previous six games. While the Thunder have already clinched a playoff berth, they hold the No. 6 seed in the West by half a game and would love to avoid a first-round matchup with the defending champs, the Warriors. George figures to see a full workload in his team's second-to-last regular season matchup in an effort to avoid this scenario.
Justise Winslow, MIA vs PHI ($5,500): In his first three games back from injury, Winslow has stepped up for the Heat in a time of desperate need. He's slotted in at small forward with Josh Richardson (groin) sidelined, and he's racked up 29.4 and 35.4 FanDuel points in his last two matchups. Sitting at one game out of the No. 8 spot in the East, the Heat aren't exactly a favorite to make the postseason, although they still have something to play for at this point in the season which is a rarity. I'm counting on Winslow to put up another solid effort against a Sixers team that's already locked up the third seed.
Power Forward
Frank Kaminsky, CHA at CLE ($5,300): Kaminsky has been firing on all cylinders and has come up clutch for Hornets, who are still trying to clinch a playoff berth despite sitting one game back with two contests remaining in the regular season. After opening April with an absolute dud (2.6 FD points), Frank the Tank has followed up with three straight performances of 35 or more FD points. You also have to love the matchup for the former Wisconsin Badger, as the Cavs are sitting a handful of their top producers with nothing left play for this season.
Jerami Grant, OKC vs. HOU ($5,400): I'm drawn to the price tag on Grant, and I'm also encouraged by the fact that he's totaled 10 or more points in each of his previous six matchups. That converts to 28.1 FanDuel points per game when factoring in his other contributions. Grant is a proven rebounder with definite scoring upside. The former second-round pick out of Syracuse is set to face a Rockets team that has surrendered, on average, 39.7 FD points to opposing power forwards this season.
Center
DeMarcus Cousins, GS at NOR ($9,000): Cousins continues to put up impressive numbers in his first year with Golden State, and he's put up 30 or more FanDuel points in each of his previous three contests. He spent just under two seasons playing for the Pelicans and was reportedly eager to return to New Orleans to play against his former squad. I take this as a sign of things to come, and even though the Warriors have clinched the No. 1 seed in the West, I think the big man is going to want to produce at a high level. A short-handed Pelicans squad certainly isn't going to hurt his chances of doing so.
