NBA

3 NBA FanDuel Value Plays to Target on 2/23/21

Thomas Vecchio  —  @DFS_Tom Feb 23rd, 2021

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-salaried options into your lineup.

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

Dorian Finney-Smith, SF, Dallas Mavericks ($4,300)

The Dallas Mavericks have a few injuries worth noting, and that can open up some value options in their lineup.

Last night, the Mavericks were without Kristaps Porzingis and saw Maxi Kleber leave the game early with an ankle injury. This led to Dorian Finney-Smith playing nearly the entire fourth quarter, and he could be needed for huge minutes tonight. Since the Mavericks are on the second night of a back-to-back, it's unlikely that we see Kleber in action, while Porzingis is still questionable.

We give Finney-Smith a projection of 34.45 minutes and 24.6 FanDuel points, making him the top value play on the slate. This game against the Boston Celtics has a very solid 227.0-point total with a 1.5-point spread, which is a solid game environment for fantasy production. Finney-Smith checks all the boxes tonight, though Porzingis' status is worth monitoring.

Cedi Osman, SF, Cleveland Cavaliers ($5,400)

Cedi Osman plays plenty of minutes for the Cleveland Cavaliers and produces a good amount of FanDuel points -- it's as simple as that.

Osman comes in with 26 or more FanDuel points in four straight games, and that should continue tonight against the Cleveland Cavaliers, who are allowing the sixth-most (46.10) FanDuel points per game to opposing power forwards. Although Osman is listed as a small forward, he is playing power forward for the Cavaliers since Kevin Love, Taurean Prince, and Andre Drummond are all out. Osman is currently producing 1.01 FanDuel points per minute within the Cavaliers' starting lineup.

This is also a decent pace-up spot for the Cavs (24th) since they are going up against the Atlanta Hawks (14th), which should enable plenty of touches and plenty of fantasy points for Cedi. With a 228-point over/under, we can expect plenty of scoring on both sides, and Osman will have a great shot to exceed his salary-implied total.

Immanuel Quickley, SG, New York Knicks ($5,000)

In a massive pace-up spot, the New York Knicks could be a team to target tonight.

The Knicks are dead last in the league in pace, and they get to face the Golden State Warriors, who are the second-fastest team in the league. This should lead to extra opportunities for the Knicks' players. Immanuel Quickley is one guy who can take advantage. He comes off the bench for the Knicks and holds a 28.2% usage rate while producing 1.04 FanDuel points per minute.

Quickley is known for his pure scoring, which is where the Warriors are struggling this season. The Dubs come into this game allowing 24.08 real points per game to opposing shooting guards, the sixth-most in the league. Quickley should have the usage and scoring chances to put up big numbers tonight.