5 matchup-proof daily fantasy studs

Follow theScore's fantasy feed on Twitter (@theScoreFantasy) for the latest news, features and more.

Being truly matchup-proof is impossible. There will be nights when even the best superstars lay eggs and there are some players whose daily fantasy salaries rise so high that it is difficult to justify rostering them with regularity.

There were, however, a select few players who, even when they didn't deliver their best, consistently produced functional results. These are players who will still produce close to their averages against even the best defenses and are often cash game stalwarts throughout the entirety of the season.

Houston Rockets SG James Harden and Oklahoma City Thunder PG Russell Westbrook are very much matchup-proof. Few teams can keep them from scoring a ton of points on any given night. Salary plays a part, though, and because of their elite level of play, neither is universally worth rostering unless the matchup suggests he can reach his ceiling.

Beyond Harden and Westbrook, here are five worth targeting every time they hit the floor.

SF/PF Paul George, Indiana Pacers

George might be the very best there is when looking for a hired gun to do the job right at a relatively reasonable price. For example, the Utah Jazz allowed the second fewest points per game last season and George scored 48 points with eight rebounds, three assists and three steals in their Dec. 12 matchup.

George averaged 23 points per game but scored below 15 only 10 times in 81 games. He played top minutes, and while the roster around him has been bolstered, he's still the center of the show. A year removed from injury will only help. Expect more of the same.

PG Kyle Lowry, Toronto Raptors

For a player who gets as many minutes as Lowry, pricing algorithms never overcharged for him. He was second in the NBA with 37 minutes per game, behind only Rockets SG Harden. While he may have been less effective on a game-to-game basis in the postseason, Lowry was like clockwork in the regular season regardless of the opponent.

It wasn't always flashy, and his ceiling is somewhat low, but Lowry scored at least 15 points in 68 of 77 games last season and added at least seven assists in 38 contests. Consistency like this gives Lowry one of the most reliable DFS floors because of his consistent usage and the sheer volume of minutes he logs.

C DeAndre Jordan, Los Angeles Clippers

There wasn't much of a difference in Jordan's game when PF Blake Griffin played or was sidelined. He finished the season tied for fourth in double-doubles with 49. Detroit Pistons C Andre Drummond led the NBA with an astounding 66 double-doubles and though he had a demonstrably higher ceiling, Jordan didn't perform with as much volatility.

It helped that Jordan's DFS salary was consistently lower than Drummond and other top names. Jordan played some of his best games against top defenses like Atlanta and San Antonio. On nights where Drummond is going to get isolated, Jordan can be selected for less and still be counted on no matter who is guarding him.

SG Nicolas Batum, Charlotte Hornets

Batum will have his down games, but if you're ever looking for a cheap alternative to the explosive top names he's your man. Averaging 14.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 5.8 assists won't set the court on fire, but it is stable enough based on his DFS salary to be worth investing in him in cash games.

Similar to his steady production, Batum's DFS salary never dropped too low or rose too high. His numbers will rarely wow, but such professional certainty is hard to come by.

PF Paul Millsap, Atlanta Hawks

Millsap may be a known quantity, but he's quietly consistent and should remain so even with the Hawks swapping out Al Horford for Dwight Howard. Millsap is always a threat for a double-double even if he's rarely atop the scoresheet. He was never the most expensive PF on the slate but would be of use no matter what.

Millsap averaged 17.1 points and 9.0 rebounds while adding a career-best 1.7 blocks per game. His durability and propensity to play over 30 minutes while remaining more affordable than some of his peers makes him an everyday option. No team showed an ability to stifle his production with consistency.