NBA

5 NBA FanDuel Value Plays to Target on 1/8/20

Thomas Vecchio  —  @DFS_Tom Jan 8th, 2020
Michael Porter is set to be in the starting lineup for the Nuggets tonight, and is one of the best value plays. What other cheap players can you roster?

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 three players who can help fill in the gaps in your lineup.

Daniel Gafford, PF, Chicago Bulls ($4,700)

With Wendell Carter Jr. OUT for the Chicago Bulls, Daniel Gafford should see an expanded role tonight.

Until this point, Gafford has been a bench player for the Bulls, only averaging 12 minutes a game. But, in their most recent contest when Carter got hurt and didn't return, Gafford played the entire fourth quarter and ended with 28 FanDuel points in 24 minutes. With Carter -- their starting center -- out, we should see Gafford or Thaddeus Young as the starter. Even if Gafford isn't the starter, the extra minutes will be there for him in a great matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans.

We have Gafford projected for 27 minutes, set to produce 26.4 FanDuel points. That has him exceeding 5x value tonight, and that shouldn't be too much of a surprise since the Pelicans are allowing 51.9 FanDuel points per game to centers this season. This is also a pace-up spot for the Bulls, allowing extra possessions to rack up fantasy points.

Michael Porter Jr, PF, Denver Nuggets ($3,900)

The highly-anticipated, former first-round pick is in for a new role tonight.

That player is Michael Porter Jr. -- drafted last year but the Denver Nuggets -- has been mostly a bench player for them this season, but with Will Barton OUT tonight, he should be the starter. Porter clocks in just under $4K and is projected to play 27 minutes against the Dallas Mavericks. Porter is listed as a power forward, but will be in the lineup as a small forward. Paul Millsap is listed as probable for this matchup, and if he plays, he will be in his normal role at power forward.

When Barton is off the court this season, Porter is carrying a 23.2% usage rate, producing 1.01 FanDuel points per minute. Once Barton returns to the starting lineup -- Porter will be back to his bench role -- so grab the value while you can.

Josh Hart, SG, New Orleans Pelicans ($4,100)

Josh Hart was in the starting lineup the other day with Jrue Holiday out, and that should be the case again tonight.

With Holiday being out for the Pelicans, there is plenty of offensive usage up for grabs along with the starting shooting guard role. Hart got the start on Monday against the Utah Jazz but was only able to produce 13.1 FanDuel points in 26 minutes. It was a significant pace-down spot for the Pelicans, along with it being a tougher defensive matchup. Truly not ideal, and hopefully, we can see Hart bounce-back tonight against the Bulls.

Now, it should be noted that is this is also a paced-down spot for the Pelicans, but not the same margin. Pelicans are the sixth-fastest team, the Jazz were 25th, and the Bulls are 15th. A bit better spot overall -- a 224-point over/under -- leads to Hart being projected for 27 minutes and 22 FanDuel points.

Damion Lee, SG, Golden State Warriors ($5,200)

Damion Lee is set to sign a multi-year extension with the Golden State Warriors, securing his spot on the roster.

Lee is carrying a 21.0% usage rate this season, producing 0.87 FanDuel points per minute. Modest numbers, in the grand scheme of things, but what is truly is important is that he is taking double-digit field goal attempts with D'Angelo Russell out with an injury. Consistent shot volume is always a good indication of potential fantasy production, and that is what Lee is bringing to the table.

The Warriors are playing up in pace tonight against the Milwaukee Bucks -- who are the second-fastest team in the league. We also see the Warriors coming in as 13-point home underdogs, which is honestly good for Lee. They are getting extra touches on the ball, and Lee will need to shoot a ton if they want to somehow keep this game close.

Donte DiVincenzo, SG, Milwaukee Bucks ($4,300)

The Bucks rotation is deep, and there is plenty of value there.

In the most recent game for the Bucks, 10 different players saw 14 minutes or more -- which is a lot. They have players rotate in and out, players who can play multiple positions, and be productive all at the same time. Donte DiVincenzo plays in the mid-'20s for minutes on a nightly basis and is producing 0.93 FanDuel points per minute. Solid production from a player under $5K -- who generally plays when Giannis Antetokounmpo is off the court.

DiVincenzo doesn't have to compete for offensive usage and is able to reach value on most nights. We have him projected for 28 minutes and 24.5 FanDuel points tonight, which make him the second-best value at shooting guard tonight.