3 Daily Fantasy Basketball Value Plays for 4/18/17

Robin Lopez, C, Chicago Bulls

FanDuel Price: $5,100
Projected FanDuel Points: 21.9
Projected FanDuel Value: 4.3

If you were worried Robin Lopez might see less playing time in Round 1 against the more mobile, floor-stretching Al Horford, the Chicago Bulls quelled those worries, giving the big fella 34 minutes. Lopez took advantage of his additional playing time, posting a double-double and putting up 27.2 FanDuel points.

He has averaged 25.4 FanDuel points and 29 minutes over his past five games for Chicago, a team that has been in playoff mode for the past couple weeks. Their rotation should continue to resemble what they deployed down the homestretch of the regular season, so Lopez should again see near 30 minutes tonight.

The matchup against the Boston Celtics should help Lopez be productive. Boston is the only team on this slate ranked in the bottom half of the league in terms of FanDuel points allowed to opposing centers, and they have been beaten up on the glass, ranking 27th in rebounding rate. Only two teams posted a worse defensive rebounding rate than Boston this season, which could explain Lopez's eight offensive rebounds in Game 1. He should continue to be a handful on the glass for Boston's undersized frontcourt.

Lopez might not have the upside of some of the more expensive center options on the slate, but he should have no problem producing value at his price tag. He is a viable option in all formats tonight.