3 NBA FanDuel Studs to Target on Tuesday 12/21/21

Basketball is the most consistent sport for daily fantasy purposes.

A top slugger in baseball will have his fair share of 0-for-4 days, and an elite fantasy football player is at risk of having games where his team's offense as a whole is shut down. A high-salaried NBA stud is generally going to get his, though. With so many possessions in a game providing opportunities to produce, top fantasy basketball options will be posting high scores just about every night.

While this consistency puts us in a good position to identify top plays, it also means you can't afford to miss when you're paying up for someone. Even with strong value plays in your lineup, paying up and getting a dud is likely going to leave your lineup drawing pretty close to dead.

Which top players should be the focal points of your lineups today?

Karl-Anthony Towns, C, Minnesota Timberwolves ($9,900)

The only drawback on Karl-Anthony Towns is his position.

While he does clog the pivot spot, he is by far the top stud on the slate. Anthony Edwards is out Tuesday due to COVID-19 protocols, and Towns will benefit the most of any of his teammates. During floor situations without Edwards this season, Towns averages a gaudy 1.44 FanDuel points per minute on a team-best 34.3% usage rate.

We know this about him, as well -- he can operate inside this matchup with Dallas. He posted 24 points on Sunday versus the Mavs, but his FanDuel output was unsatisfying due to just 7 boards and no blocks. It might help his glass-cleaning efforts that the Mavs may be without Kristaps Porzingis (toe) and Maxi Kleber (COVID-19 protocols).

The Minnesota center might not be as popular as his work without Edwards this season would indicate he should be; this game has only a 212.0-point total. Even with the low over/under, Towns can rip down a monstrous double-double for the shorthanded Wolves.

Russell Westbrook, PG, Los Angeles Lakers ($9,800)

If you've seen his fashion sense, Russell Westbrook is an artist. Sometimes artists just need a bigger canvas.

Russ has felt the squeeze of his Lakers' teammates this season. When he's on the court with both Anthony Davis and LeBron James this season, Westbrook has just a 21.7% usage rate, and his FanDuel points per minute mark is just 0.96.

However, when one (or both) have been out, Westbrook has shined. Tuesday, and for the foreseeable future, the Lakers will be without Davis due to a sprained MCL. Westbrook should be the primary beneficiary. He averages 1.10 FanDuel points per minute on a significantly improved 29.6% usage rate without Davis this season. That increases even further (34.0%) when James sits, which will be the floor situation as LeBron rests at some points on Tuesday.

With the extra room to operate and LeBron at a lofty $11,500 salary, Westbrook is the target in Tuesday's fantasy contest du jour. The top-paced Lakers host the Phoenix Suns -- second in pace themselves. The 220.0-point total is the highest of the day, and Westbrook should be a massive part of the Lakers' contributions towards it.

Brandon Ingram, SF, New Orleans Pelicans ($8,700)

As Zion Williamson strays further from the court, Brandon Ingram is becoming the franchise leader the Pelicans needed.

Ingram has always been able to score the ball, and this season -- particularly in his recent hot stretch -- he has elevated his rebounding and facilitation skills. His 11.28 rebounds plus assists per 36 minutes this season would mark a new career-high, and his current usage rate (29.8%) would, as well.

That well-roundedness has led to a boon on FanDuel for BI. He's posted more than 50 FanDuel points in four of his last seven games, and unlike in previous seasons, he's almost a lock to flirt with 50-plus FanDuel points should he drop 25 real-life points.

Tuesday could be a great opportunity to add to this run. The Pels are hosting the Portland Trail Blazers. The Blazers' 112.3 defensive rating (fourth-worst in the NBA) isn't particularly menacing, and with New Orleans also averse to the defensive principles of basketball, this game has a solid 219.0-point total.

Ingram should lead the charge for the 1.0-point home favorites.