FanDuel NBA Daily Picks: Fantasy Basketball Lineup For December 20

Nov 2, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jae Crowder (99) drives to the basket during the first quarter against the Chicago Bulls at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Since returning from a sprained left ankle injury, Boston Celtics forward Jae Crowder has quietly been a FanDuel NBA standout performer.

The Boston Celtics didn’t choose a conventional way to showcase its trust in Jae Crowder, but the message was still clear.

With All-Star guard Isaiah Thomas still recovering from an injury, the team resorted to a game of rock-paper-scissors to determine which Celtics player would attempt a technical free throw.

Crowder wisely threw paper, covering the rock thrown by Avery Bradley, to win the honor.

With Crowder on the court, the Celtics have done plenty of winning. During his 19 appearances this season, Boston has posted a 12-7 record, when Crowder sat out eight games with an ankle injury, the team went 3-5.

Since joining the Celtics, Crowder has proven to be a valuable contributor in several areas, but this season he has manage to add a potent 3-point shot to his repertoire.

For the year, Crowder is shooting 40.2 percent from beyond the arc, 7 percent better than his career average, and has knocked down 41 shots from beyond the arc, third-most on the Celtics roster.

Crowder has posted 14.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 2.3 made shots from 3-point range and 1.1 steals per game since returning the team from an ankle injury.

Over the past four games, he has been especially effective from long range, connecting 11 times at a 47.8 percent clip.

To snap a four-game losing skid, the Celtics didn’t need to rely on a game of chance to determine a leader, as Crowder spoke up following a 108-101 loss in San Antonio Wednesday night.

Two nights later against Charlotte, Crowder posted 12 points, five rebounds, three assists and two made 3-pointers, helping the Celtics capture their first win in 12 days.

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Boston added another win Sunday night, despite Crowder missing his free throw after the rock-paper-scissors showdown with Bradley.

The missed free throw was perhaps the only blemish on the night for Crowder, as he posted a season-high five steals along with 15 points, six rebounds and a steal.

The figures from Crowder have translated into success in FanDuel NBA tournament play. During 13 consecutive games, Crowder has posted at least 20 fantasy points.

At 25 FanDuel NBA points per game, Crowder is posting the same figures as D’Angelo Russell, Danilo Gallinari Nikola Jokic and Eric Gordon, but at a lower roster valuation among the group.

Crowder can be added to any FanDuel NBA roster for $5,600 Tuesday night, over $1,000 below the cost of an average roster spot, with a low risk of a quite night since he contributes in several areas.

Dec 12, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Jeremy Lin (7) dribbles the ball as Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon (10) defends during the third quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Top Four Point Guards

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Next: Top Four Shooting Guards For Tuesday

Nov 30, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) drives to the basket past Memphis Grizzlies guard Tony Allen (9) at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Grizzlies 120-105. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

Top Four Shooting Guards

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Next: Top Four Small Forwards For Tuesday

Dec 18, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) shoots the ball as New Orleans Pelicans power forward Dante Cunningham (33) looks on during the first half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Top Four Small Forwards

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Next: Top Four Power Forwards For Tuesday

Dec 15, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) dunks over and draws a foul from Indiana Pacers guard Jeff Teague (44) during the fourth quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Pacers 102-95. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Top Four Power Forwards

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Next: Top Four Centers And Final Lineup For Tuesday

Dec 18, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) shoots against Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) and Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors (15) during the second half at FedExForum. the Utah Jazz defeat the Memphis Grizzlies 82-73. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

Top Four Centers

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Next: 25 Worst Individual Seasons In NBA History

Final Lineup

PG Stephen Curry ($8,700)
PG Jeremy Lin ($6,500)
SG Lou Williams ($5,700)
SG DeMar DeRozan ($8,600)
SF Wilson Chandler ($5,800)
SF Jae Crowder ($5,600)
PF Jabari Parker ($6,400)
PF JaMychal Green ($5,100)
C Rudy Gobert ($7,600)