3 Daily Fantasy Basketball Value Plays for 4/18/17

Joe Johnson, SF, Utah Jazz

FanDuel Price: $4,600
Projected FanDuel Points: 15.4
Projected FanDuel Value: 3.35

When Rudy Gobert had to be helped off the court just seconds into the game, it seemed the Utah Jazz were doomed in a tough road matchup against a healthy Los Angeles Clippers team. Not on Joe Johnson's watch!

The wily veteran played the role of a hero in Game 1, putting up 21 points and 36.1 FanDuel points, hitting the game winner and playing some classic dad defense on Blake Griffin late in the game.

With Gobert sidelined, the Jazz opted to utilize more small-ball lineups, playing Derrick Favors and Boris Diaw at center and often playing Johnson at the power forward position. While the Clippers are a solid defensive team, the two positions they struggle to defend are the two spots Johnson plays. They have allowed more FanDuel points per game to opposing small forwards than any team on this slate, and they've given up the second-most to power forwards.

Johnson probably won't shoot 64.3% from the floor and 75% from three again, but his 31 minutes and 23.2% usage rate (second on the team) could be sustainable. Either way, he has clearly carved out a larger role for himself going forward with Gobert out. It shouldn't be too difficult for him to reach value at his price tag.