FanDuel & DraftKings NBA Value Plays: 3-6-17

With guys like Russell Westbrook and James Harden dropping 60+ fantasy point games, they will be staples in the lineups for many of us. But... To grab those players, value is crucial in NBA, just like any other DFS sport. Value opens up through injuries, site pricing, and rotational changes. We are staying on top of the ever changing rotation, and injury news on a daily basis. Value plays will be given based on game type, and also mid-range options in comparison to the top-priced guys. Sometimes value doesn't mean a near punt price, but a few thousand dollar difference from a Stephen Curry.

Back Court

The Kings are coming off of a tough overtime loss against the Jazz, and their starters played a full dose of minutes. Tyreke Evans and Garrett Temple were out for rest, and it looks like just Evans will return for tonight. Their matchup against Denver presents a good opportunity for the guards, but they remain just tournament only options with the inconsistent minutes. Adding Evans in the mix puts another body in for minutes, and Buddy Hield should see more than the 18 minutes he saw last night. Darren Collison played 40 minutes, while Ty Lawson played 37. Those two and Evans are always the ones I have the most interest in. The Nuggets are allowing the second most fantasy points per game to opposing guards. Both Collison and Evans are reasonably priced on both sites, but note the risk.

Rajon Rondo and Dwyane Wade are both questionable tonight, which means we could have a value shakeup. Messing with Chicago guards has been a mess this season. First things first, if both sit, Jimmy Butler has seen a 38.6% usage rate in time where both Rondo and Wade are off the floor. Detroit has been a plus matchup for point guards all season, allowing the 11th most fantasy points per game to the position. With both Wade and Rondo possibly out, Jerian Grant, Cameron Payne, and Michael Carter-Williams will all see plenty of minutes. MCW is probably your safest bet, but the situation is still far from safe. If Wade plays, I am off the value here completely. They both need to be out for this situation to clear up. MCW has seen a 24% usage with those guys off the floor this season.

Dwyane Wade is OUT tonight.

Tyler Ulis sank the Celtics last night, and they will try and rebound against the Clippers. Avery Bradley sat out yesterday, but intends to play tonight. With Bradley's injury history, I am still keeping an eye on this one. I would not be surprised to see some post-lock voodoo, where Bradley is ruled out. If Bradley is in, he will unlikely see a full plate of minutes, resulting in a timeshare with the other guards. I rather take shots with the front court, given Al Horford is more likely to be out.

Derrick Rose has been above 30 fantasy points in each of the last four games, logging heavy minutes. Since Brandon Jennings was waived, he is averaging 37 minutes per game, to go with a 21-4-4 line. Orlando has allowed the fifth most fantasy points per game to opposing point guards this season, and the second most over the last ten games. Rose has averaged right around 30 fantasy points in three games against Orlando this season. His price is still value in comparison to the other point guards on the slate. Ricky Rubio and George Hill are other names in the mid-range in good spots.

The 76ers are a bruised and battered team, and that goes for tonight. Gerald Henderson is questionable, which would open up minutes for Nik Stauskas again, as well as Justin Anderson. Stauskas went 10-15 from the field last time out, and recorded two steals. I will not be expecting anything close to that type of production. This isn't the best matchup for Stauskas, but neither was Detroit, and if he is going to play 37 minutes, he will certainly hit value. Stauskas has shot better at home, but it hasn't shown in points per game. Anderson has seen 26, 24, and 30 minutes in the last three games, and is a cheaper tournament play at SG, or SF over on FanDuel.

Front Court

I have a lot of interest in the Timberwolves tonight, including the front court guys. Gorgui Dieng is one of them, averaging 8 and 8 over the last five games, with 2.4 blocks + steals per game. Portland has struggled against power forwards this season, and rank 22nd in rebounding. Dieng is a safe cash game cash game guy for me, but the upside probably isn't there for tournaments. Nemanja Bjelica has played well, and usually does when given the minutes. He has played 35, 32, and 21 minutes over the last three games. He has two double doubles in that span, and at his price is worth a shot in tournaments.

Nikola Vucevic is questionable tonight, so we can talk about the front court options with Orlando. Bismack Biyombo would see a bump in minutes, and has averaged 10 and 10 in four games Vucevic has missed this season. The Knicks allow the sixth most fantasy points per game to opposing centers, so we do get some deep value if he sits. Terrence Ross sees a big bump in usage with Vucevic off the floor as well, sporting a monster 32.4% usage. Aaron Gordon remains a viable option with or without Vucevic, averaging 14 and 7 over the last five games. The Knicks are allowing 109 points per game, putting Orlando in a good spot tonight.

Al Horford is likely to miss tonight's game, but nothing official has been reported. Jonas Jerebko drew a start yesterday, yet played just 21 minutes, and was very ineffective. In fact, everyone but Amir Johnson was ineffective. Kelly Olynyk played 22 minutes, but struggled to get anything going. Tyler Zeller didn't seem healthy, and is not an option anyway. Johnson and Olynyk are just GPP dart throws, and Brad Stevens will likely run with the hot hand. Biyombo, Jusuf Nurkic, or Pau Gasol are just safer options in comparison to the Celtics front court.

Back to the injury plagued 76ers, who have another questionable name in Jahlil Okafor. He missed Saturday's game, and is questionable for tonight. If he misses time, we know Richaun Holmes will see a big bump in minutes, and has been excellent since minutes opened up for him. The Bucks are allowing the eighth most fantasy points per game to opposing centers, and have allowed the second most over the last ten games.