NBA

5 Daily Fantasy Basketball Value Plays for 12/29/16

Jay Kim  —  @ThirtyDimes Dec 29th, 2016
Seth Curry will look to pick up the offense on a hampered Mavs squad. Which other low-cost options are in a good spot?

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.

Marcus Smart, PG, Boston Celtics

FanDuel Price: $4,100
Projected FanDuel Points: 21.8
Projected FanDuel Value: 4.45

Marcus Smart is currently on pace to set career marks in minutes (29.7), points (9.7), and assists (4.3). In his last two games, Smart is averaging 14 points, 3 rebounds, 6.5 assists, and 1.5 steals in 28.5 minutes.

The Boston Celtics visit the Cleveland Cavaliers, who offer the third-best matchup to opposing point guards among teams playing on Thursday night.

Seth Curry, SG, Dallas Mavericks

FanDuel Price: $4,300
Projected FanDuel Points: 18.3
Projected FanDuel Value: 4.27

With J.J. Barea set to be out for an extended period of time, Seth Curry will once again see a lot more minutes in the backcourt. In his last two games, Curry is averaging 13.5 points, 5 assists, and 2.5 three-pointers made in 26.6 minutes.

The Dallas Mavericks play the Los Angeles Lakers, who have the worst defensive efficiency on Thursday's slate, and Curry is projected to produce 18.3 FanDuel points in roughly 24 minutes.

Terrence Ross, SF, Toronto Raptors

FanDuel Price: $3,500
Projected FanDuel Points: 17.9
Projected FanDuel Value: 5.13

Terrence Ross has the hot hand, as he is coming off a season-high 33.7 minutes played in which he exploded for 24 points on 23 field goal attempts. When Ross logs 20-plus minutes this season, he is averaging 14.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.5 three-pointers made.

The Toronto Raptors have the highest implied total tonight versus the Phoenix Suns, who have the highest pace among teams playing tonight. Ross is projected to have the third-highest value among small forwards on Thursday's slate given his opportunity.

Dwight Powell PF, Dallas Mavericks

FanDuel Price: $4,200
Projected FanDuel Points: 18.5
Projected FanDuel Value: 4.4

Dwight Powell could see a big boost in production with both Andrew Bogut and Dirk Nowitzki being questionable tonight. In 19 games this season in which Powell has logged 20-plus minutes, he has averaged 9.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.5 steals.

According to our tools, Powell is trending as the third-hottest power forward on tonight's slate -- over his last five games, he is playing 19.9% above his season average in terms of fantasy points per night.

Jahlil Okafor, C, Philadelphia 76ers

FanDuel Price: $4,600
Projected FanDuel Points: 25.7
Projected FanDuel Value: 5.58

Jahlil Okafor will take the reins among the Philadelphia 76ers big men, as the team will be without Joel Embiid due to rest purposes. As Okafor figures to see an uptick in minutes, it's worth noting that he is averaging 12.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks in 21 games of 20-plus minutes played.

Despite having the second-worst matchup for centers against a tough Utah Jazz frontcourt, Okafor is projected to have the highest value among centers tonight.