FanDuel & DraftKings NBA Value Plays: 3-9-17

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

Some news about Eric Bledsoe came out overnight, which would put Tyler Ulis in play big time. Ulis' price on DraftKings isn't quite the steal, but on FanDuel it is. He is $4,500, compared to $5,000 on DraftKings. The $500 difference doesn't seem like much, but it is. Either way, he would be an elite value if Bledsoe sits out. The Lakers allow the third most fantasy points per game to opposing point guards, and there would be a lot of usage to get picked up. Devin Booker would see a seismic boost in usage without Bledsoe, and with shooting guard being a weak selection, Booker would become even more of a must-play. The Suns-Lakers game has a 299 total, and is my favorite game of the night.

In that same game, Jordan Clarkson continues to see heavier minutes than he has all season. One, because of the trade of Lou Williams, but also because he has been playing very well. His shot has been falling, shooting 47% over the last five games. He is averaging 18-2-2 in that span, and gets an up-pace matchup against the Suns. D'Angelo Russell isn't a bad price either, and is cheaper from the elite names. Over the last ten games, the Suns have allowed the most fantasy points per game to opposing point guards.

The only other cheap guards reside in the Cavs-Pistons game, which has a 216 total, and the Cavs are just five point favorites on the road. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope can go missing at times, but on FanDuel, where you need to play two shooting guards, I will look his way. He is averaging 36 minutes per game over the last five, but is only shooting 42% from the field. The Cavs do struggle against defending shooting guards, allowing the third most fantasy points per game this season. They also struggle against point guards, allowing the seventh most fantasy points per game. The issue is, Reggie Jackson and Ish Smith are both flipping on and off. We have seen back-to-back solid outings by Jackson, shooting into the 60% range in both games. He is by no means a cash game play, but I wouldn't mind taking a shot with Jackson for a low-owned tournament play.

Front Court

Looking at the front-court in Portland, we have a few options. I do believe Maurice Harkless is the odd man out for me on DraftKings. With T.J. Warren right there, who is averaging 30 fantasy points per game over the last five, I prefer him for just $600 more. On FanDuel, it is an $1,100 difference, so that value holds more if you need it. Al-Farouq Aminu is one of the cheaper more stabler options right now. He has been above 25 fantasy points in four of the last five games. Over the last ten games, Philly is allowing the eighth most fantasy points per game to opposing power forwards. Aminu has shot 10% better at home, and is a solid rebounder. Expect Jusuf Nurkic to suck up a lot of ownership in this slate, especially on FanDuel. The 76ers have allowed the most fantasy points per game to opposing centers this season, and rank 25th in rebound differential. Over seven games in Portland, Nurkic has a 23.4% usage rate, to go with an average line of 14-8-4. He is also averaging 2.9 blocks + steals per game.

Alan Williams and Richaun Holmes are the pivots away from Nurkic, but Williams isn't at a discount anymore. Williams will still carry some ownership in a friendly matchup against the Lakers. They rank 21st in rebounding, and have allowed the second most fantasy points per game to opposing centers. Over the last six games, Williams is averaging 14-11-1, with 2.5 blocks + steals per game. He is averaging 27 minutes in that span, and should see 25-28 minutes tonight, as the Phoenix Suns give their youth more of a shot. We have seen Tyson Chandler hit the pine, while Marquese Chriss and Alex Len play more as well. Chriss and Len are solely just GPP plays. Holmes on the other side is a cheaper front court guy, and in a decent spot as well. Jahlil Okafor is questionable, and always foul prone when he plays. Holmes has some reasonable upside, and will fly under the radar in tournaments.