NBA

3 NBA FanDuel Value Plays to Target on Monday 12/6/21

Thomas Vecchio  —  @Tom_Vecchio1 Dec 6th, 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.

Ish Smith, PG, Charlotte Hornets ($4,500)

With so many players still out for the Charlotte Hornets, Ish Smith is going to be a chalky value option tonight.

The Hornets are going to be without LaMelo Ball, Jalen McDaniels, Terry Rozier, and Mason Plumlee for the second game in a row. This leaves them with a number of changes in their starting lineup, which is where we should see Smith for the second straight game. When those players are off the court, Smith is holding a 22.3% offensive usage rate while producing 0.90 FanDuel points per minute.

We saw that on display yesterday when Smith was the starting point guard, going for 36.5 FanDuel points in 32 minutes. Given the fact the Hornets' rotation is far thinner tonight, Smith is projected for 32.40 minutes and 29.8 FanDuel points, making him the top value play on the entire slate.

Dennis Smith, PG, Portland Trail Blazers ($5,000)

Another team and another set of injuries that opens up some value options.

The Portland Trail Blazers are without Damian Lillard, Anfernee Simons, and Nassir Little, which has pushed Dennis Smith into the starting lineup. He played over 30 minutes in their most recent game for the first time all season and was able to post 43.8 FanDuel points. That is a significant increase from the 16 and 18 minutes he played in the two games prior. If this is his new role, we want to jump on board now, before his salary increases any further.

When those players are off the court, Smith is producing a very solid 1.15 FanDuel points per minute on a 24.0% offensive usage rate. Tonight, he will be up against the Los Angeles Clippers, who are allowing 47.02 FanDuel points per game to opposing point guards, which is the 11th most in the league. Smith has a very strong projection tonight with 33.03 minutes and 31.9 FanDuel points, making him the third-best value option on the slate.

Cameron Payne, PG/SG, Phoenix Suns ($4,600)

Cameron Payne gets buckets, it's really that simple.

Payne comes off the bench for the Phoenix Suns and has been getting a bit more involved in the offensive because Devin Booker is out with a hamstring injury. This has led to Payne taking double-digit field goal attempts in five of his last seven games, with four or more three-point attempts in five of those same seven games. His scoring upside is very clear, and if he is able to get the shot going from downtown, his ability to exceed value is very strong.

He will be up against the San Antonio Spurs, who are allowing opponents to make 12.5 three-pointers per game, which is 17th in the league. This game features a 216.5-point over/under and has both teams in the top 10 of the league in offensive pace. If a back and forth game is what we are in for, Payne should have plenty of chances to knock down some shots and reach value.