3 NBA FanDuel Studs to Target on 1/16/19

Anthony Davis, PF, New Orleans Pelicans

Price: $13,700

If you were playing NBA DFS back in the 2016-17 season, you'll probably remember a time when multiple slates each week started with the decision "James Harden or Russell Westbrook?" Both were posting absolutely ridiculous numbers, and even with their price tags reaching serious heights, they were far enough ahead of everyone else in terms of production that you almost had to play one.

Harden's part of a similar situation right now, but this time he's paired with Anthony Davis.

Over the past month, no player is averaging within even 8.8 FanDuel points per game of what these two have managed, with Davis averaging 66.9 and Harden averaging 66.4 per game. While Harden has been a bit more consistent, it has been a surprise to see him consistently priced above Davis, who's averaging more points and also showing more upside. Davis has exploded for at least 80 FanDuel points four times in his last eight games, while Harden only has two such games over that past month. He has also accounted for four of the league's top 10 single-game fantasy scores this year, while Harden has only one.

Still, their production and salaries are close enough that matchups can play a big role in the decision. Tonight, Harden is against a Brooklyn Nets squad that allows the league's second-fewest FanDuel points per minute to opposing shooting guards as well as below-average production at the point.

Davis is up against the Golden State Warriors in a game with a colossal 241-point over/under, while the Warriors have allowed above-average fantasy efficiency at the five.

Our models also have Davis projected ahead of Harden by a fairly sizable margin. You can't go wrong with either one, but Davis is the preferred play tonight.