5 Daily Fantasy Basketball Value Plays for 12/27/16

One of the keys to finding success in daily fantasy basketball is uncovering potential value plays. If you're looking to roster a stud player or two, you need to consider squeezing in one of these lower-priced options into your lineup.

Let's take a look at five players who can help fill in the gaps in your lineup.

Shelvin Mack, PG, Utah Jazz

FanDuel Price: $4,700
Projected FanDuel Points: 25
Projected FanDuel Value: 5.31

Shelvin Mack has become the undisputed point man for the Utah Jazz after Dante Exum sustained an injury last week. In a leading role the past two games, Mack is averaging 15 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 2 three-pointers in 34 minutes of play.

Mack is projected to have the highest value among point guards on Tuesday's slate. The Jazz play at the Los Angeles Lakers, who have the second-worst defensive efficiency in the league.

Rodney Hood, SG, Utah Jazz

FanDuel Price: $4,800
Projected FanDuel Points: 25.2
Projected FanDuel Value: 5.25

After a brief setback, Rodney Hood is reportedly back to full-strength and is expected to resume his usual workload. When logging 20-plus minutes this season, Hood is putting up 16.1 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.2 three-pointers per game.

Since he's projected to score the third-highest FanDuel points at his position tonight, he's worth considering as a value play. The Jazz have the second-highest implied total and the Lakers have the fastest pace among teams playing tonight.

James Johnson, SF, Miami Heat

FanDuel Price: $5,000
Projected FanDuel Points: 17.8
Projected FanDuel Value: 3.56

After missing four straight games earlier in the month, James Johnson has come back without a hiccup. In his last seven games, Johnson is averaging 12.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 3.9 assists in just 24.6 minutes of play.

According to our tools, Johnson is trending as the third-hottest small forward on tonight's slate -- over his last five games, he is playing 19.54% above his season average in terms of fantasy points per night.

Amir Johnson PF, Boston Celtics

FanDuel Price: $4,300
Projected FanDuel Points: 17.6
Projected FanDuel Value: 4.5

Amir Johnson has been very active on offense lately. In his past three games, Johnson is attempting 7.7 field goal attempts and 3.7 shots from the free-throw line, a bump compared to his season-long averages of 4.9 shots and 1.4 free-throw attempts. Over that span, Johnson is averaging 12.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1.3 steals in 24.5 minutes.

Johnson is projected to have the sixth-highest value among power forwards on Tuesday's slate. The Celtics match up versus the Memphis Grizzlies, who are playing the second game of a back-to-back set.

Timofey Mozgov, C, Los Angeles Lakers

FanDuel Price: $3,600
Projected FanDuel Points: 16.9
Projected FanDuel Value: 4.7

Timofey Mozgov is coming off his second-highest scoring output of the season, totaling 19 points in just over 25 minutes. With very little to no relief in the big man department, the Lakers may rely heavily on Mozgov tonight versus the front court of Rudy Gobert and Derrick Favors of the Jazz.

Mozgov is projected to have the second-highest value among centers on Tuesday's slate. At a near-minimum salary, Mozgov may be worth a flier.