3 NBA FanDuel Value Plays to Target on 12/27/19
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.
Aron Baynes, C, Phoenix Suns ($4,100)
With Deandre Ayton ruled out for the Phoenix Suns, Aron Baynes should be getting the start at center.
The Suns are on the road to take on the Golden State Warriors, and the over/under is set at 224.0 points, which should create a fantasy-friendly game environment. We also see both teams sitting at 16th or higher when it comes to pace, allowing for plenty of possessions in this one. The Warriors are currently giving up 51.3 FanDuel points per game to centers this season, putting Baynes in a favorable matchup.
Our projections have Baynes going for 31.5 FanDuel points in 31.10 minutes, and he comes in as our top point-per-dollar value play on the slate. He should popular in all formats tonight because of his modest price tag and path to fantasy points.
George Hill, PG, Milwaukee Bucks ($4,200)
The Milwaukee Bucks-Atlanta Hawks game is the ideal spot to target for fantasy points.
With a 237.0-point total and both teams sitting in the top-three for offensive pace, we are looking at a scoring environment that cannot be matched tonight. George Hill has played 21 minutes or more in seven of his last eight games and is projected for 24 tonight. The Bucks' rotation at the guard positions has been changed up recently due to Eric Bledsoe being out with an injury, opening up plenty of minutes for their bench players.
Hill is one of those players and often plays when Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton are off the court, allowing him to produce while not fighting for offensive usage. Speaking of producing, Hill posts 1.24 FanDuel points per minute when he is on the court and those players are off. That's strong production for a player who is only $4.2K and is projected for over 20 minutes.
De'Andre Hunter, SF, Atlanta Hawks ($4,800)
De'Andre Hunter is the third-best value at small forward, per our models. Let's take a look at why.
The Hawks are 12.0-point home underdogs against the Bucks, and if they want to keep this game close, Atlanta is going to need plenty of scoring. Hunter is projected to play 34 minutes and produce 24.0 FanDuel points. It's under one fantasy point per minute, but we have to expect that, especially with John Collins coming back into the lineup for the Hawks.
As mentioned above with Hill, these two teams are in the top-three in pace this season, giving us a fantastic fantasy environment. The Bucks are allowing 37.8 FanDuel points per game to small forwards this season -- the sixth-fewest in the league -- but with Giannis Antetokounmpo now listed as doubtful, Hunter's matchup could be getting a bit easier. This should allow him to reach and exceed value tonight, making him a popular play on this five-game slate.
