NBA

5 Daily Fantasy Basketball Value Plays for 12/28/16

Jay Kim  —  @ThirtyDimes Dec 28th, 2016
Nikola Mirotic has an ideal matchup and will look to stay hot on Wednesday. Which other low-cost options are in a good spot?

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.

Isaiah Whitehead, PG, Brooklyn Nets

FanDuel Price: $3,600
Projected FanDuel Points: 15.7
Projected FanDuel Value: 4.35

Isaiah Whitehead will get the nod at point guard for the next few games, as Jeremy Lin is out after re-aggravating his hamstring. In 16 starts this season, Whitehead has put up numbers of 7.9 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in 26.6 minutes.

The Brooklyn Nets visit the Chicago Bulls, who are playing their third game in four nights. Believe it or not, the Nets are ranked first in pace, which could lead to decent production for Whitehead.

Allen Crabbe, SG, Portland Trail Blazers

FanDuel Price: $3,600
Projected FanDuel Points: 19.3
Projected FanDuel Value: 5.36

Allen Crabbe will look to be more aggressive on offense, as the Portland Trail Blazers will be without leading scorer Damian Lillard. Crabbe has produced 0.7 FanDuel points per minute in 328 total minutes played without Lillard on the floor this season, per nbawowy.

Crabbe is projected to have the second-highest value among shooting guards on Wednesday's slate given his opportunity.

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Charlotte Hornets

FanDuel Price: $4,700
Projected FanDuel Points: 26.9
Projected FanDuel Value: 5.72

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist has had an erratic season thus far, but may be showing signs of consistency. In his past three games, Kidd-Gilchrist is averaging 10 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 blocks in 32.5 minutes.

Since he's projected to score the 10th-highest FanDuel points at his position tonight, he's worth considering as a value play.

Nikola Mirotic, PF, Chicago Bulls

FanDuel Price: $4,500
Projected FanDuel Points: 21.9
Projected FanDuel Value: 4.87

After missing a couple games in mid-December, Nikola Mirotic is averaging 13.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.6 three-pointers in 24.9 minutes over his last five games. Mirotic is also coming off a season-high 20 points and will look to stay hot if Doug McDermott is unable to suit up.

The Bulls host the Nets, who offer the second-best matchup to opposing power forwards among teams playing on Wednesday night.

Robin Lopez, C, Chicago Bulls

FanDuel Price: $4,700
Projected FanDuel Points: 25.4
Projected FanDuel Value: 5.4

Robin Lopez may be putting in a little more effort tonight in a sibling rivalry matchup. Over his last three games, Lopez is averaging 8 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 1 block in 28.1 minutes.

The Nets have the second-worst defensive efficiency on Wednesday's slate, and Lopez is projected to have the third-highest value among centers tonight.