Fantasy NBA FanDuel DFS Values (Jan. 21)

Earlier today, I posted my favorite DraftKings value plays for tonight's NBA games.

As I turn my attention to FanDuel contests, there will obviously be plenty of overlap in terms of the value plays I like. Even though DraftKings and FanDuel price players independently, their price points are generally in the same ball park.

The players listed in this post will have a maximum salary of $7,000, which is slightly above the average $6,667 salary on FanDuel's nine-men rosters.

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Here are some FanDuel values for Wednesday's NBA games:

PG - Elfrid Payton, Orlando Magic (at DET), $5,900: Payton has scored 30-plus fantasy points in three of the past four games with an average of 35 fantasy points per game over that span. Over his past four games, he is averaging 16.5 points, 7.8 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game. In those four games, Payton has double-digit points plus a minimum of four rebounds, four assists and two steals in each of those games.

PG - Jarrett Jack, Brooklyn Nets (at SAC), $6,800: With Deron Williams out for tonight's game, Jack remains a strong option among the mid-priced point guards. In his past eight games, Jack is averaging 29.76 fantasy points per game with 36-plus in half of those games including back-to-back games against the Wizards. During that eight-game span, Jack has averaged 15.63 points, 7.38 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 3.13 three-pointers in nearly 37 minutes per game. Meanwhile, the Kings have allowed the ninth-most fantasy points to opposing point guards this season.

PG - Mo Williams, Minnesota Timberwolves (vs. DAL), $6,100: Williams is coming off a disappointing performance (18 fantasy points in 29 minutes), but he had at least 25 fantasy points in the previous seven games with 42-plus points in three of them. Even though Kevin Martin is considered a game-time decision, the good news is that Ricky Rubio has been ruled out for tonight's game. This game has the second-highest over/under behind the Warriors-Rockets matchup and Williams price on FanDuel is actually $100 less than his salary on DraftKings even though the average salary per player in FanDuel is higher than it is on DraftKings ($6,250).


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SG - Wesley Matthews, Portland Trail Blazers (at PHO), $5,700: Matthews' minutes won't directly benefit from the injury to LaMarcus Aldridge, but his usage rate and shot attempts will. With Aldridge playing only 14 minutes before his injury on Monday, Matthews took a season-high 20 shot attempts including 12 three-point attempts. Dollar for dollar, Matthews is my favorite play among SGs tonight.

SG - Eric Gordon, New Orleans Pelicans (vs. LAL), $5,100: If Jrue Holiday (ankle) misses another game, that would benefit Gordon. Since returning from his own injury on Jan. 5th, Gordon has played 33-plus minutes in seven of eight games. In his past seven games, Gordon has scored a minimum of 22.5 fantasy points and he's averaged 27.57 per game over that span. Gordon has a solid floor, but his relatively low ceiling makes him a better play in cash games than tournaments.

SF - Nicolas Batum, Portland Trail Blazers (at PHO), $5,300: Things haven't gone so well for Batum (and his fantasy/DFS owners), but that has led to a more modest price tag. Although he has failed to reach 20 fantasy points in four consecutive games, Batum could shoulder a little more of the load with Aldridge out. In addition, the Suns play at the third-fastest pace and rank fifth in most turnovers per game (15.3) and Batum is less of a scorer and more of a player that contributes across multiple stat categories. And like Williams, Batum has a slightly lower salary on FanDuel than DraftKings, which makes him an even more appealing option on FanDuel.

SF - Jeff Green, Memphis Grizzlies (vs. TOR), $5,600: Excluding his debut with the Grizzlies, Green has scored 26.5-30 fantasy points with at least 30 minutes in his other three games with his new team. During that three-game span, he has at least 14 shot attempts each night and has posted an average of 16.3 points, 6.0 rebounds and a steal per game. The Raptors have allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to opposing small forwards this season.

PF - Nerlens Noel, Philadelphia 76ers (vs. NYK), $5,800: While he may lack some consistency, Noel has been getting consistent playing time with 30-plus minutes in six of his past seven games. Over his past four games, Noel has averaged 11.75 points, 8.25 rebounds, 2.5 steals and 2.25 blocks per game. Noel has scored at least 31.1 fantasy points in three of his past four games.

[Update: Noel (sick) has been ruled out for tonight's game.]

PF - Donatas Motiejunas, Houston Rockets (at GS), $5,600: In a game with a 218.0 over/under, there should be plenty of fantasy points tonight. Motiejunas has now scored double-digit (real) points in 12 consecutive games and has now scored at least 23 fantasy points in seven consecutive games. Against the Warriors on Jan. 17th, Motiejunas scored 28.4 fantasy points in less than 22 minutes, a 12-game low in minutes. Over the past 12 games, he has averaged nearly 30 minutes per game.

PF - Channing Frye, Orlando Magic (at DET), $4,300: This play is contingent upon the status of Tobias Harris, who is considered a game-time decision for tonight's game. If Harris can't go, Frye should continue to benefit. In the five-game stretch that Harris has missed, Frye has averaged nearly 36 minutes and 25.44 fantasy points per game. Frye's shooting percentage (15-of-51, 29.4 percent) during that stretch has been awful, but he still has a minimum of 20.1 fantasy points in those games despite poor shooting. In addition, Frye's price on FanDuel is $700 than his DraftKings price.

[Update: Harris will play, but he may come off the bench.]

C - Alex Len, Phoenix Suns (vs. POR), $5,200: With injuries to Robin Lopez and LMA, Len gets a favorable matchup against a Blazers' front court that lacks depth. Len is coming off his worst performance (20.2 fantasy points in 19 minutes) over his past seven games, but he had an average of 28.68 in his previous six games.

C - Chris Kaman, Portland Trail Blazers (at PHO), $4,400: Kaman had just 12 fantasy points in 19 minutes on MLK Jr. Day and only 18 points on the 16th against the Spurs. With the injuries in the Blazers' front court, however, Kaman should see close to 30 minutes tonight and he has averaged close to one FanDuel point per minute this season.

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Fantasy NBA DraftKings DFS Values (Jan. 21st)

In order to fit studs like DeMarcus Cousins ($11,100), Kevin Durant ($10,700) or LeBron James ($10,700) into our DraftKings lineups tonight, finding values at other roster spots is imperative.

Like most Wednesdays, it's another large slate (12 games) today, which increases the odds of finding value at other spots.

For this post, I will focus on players with a salary of $6,500 or less to highlight the mid- and low-priced players that I like for tonight's games.

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With that said, here are some DraftKings values for Wednesday's NBA games:

PG - Jarrett Jack, Brooklyn Nets (at SAC), $6,300: With Deron Williams out, Jack remains a strong option among the mid-priced point guards. In his past eight games, Jack is averaging 32.19 fantasy points per game with 38.5 or more in half of those games including back-to-back games against the Wizards. During that eight-game span, Jack has averaged 15.63 points, 7.38 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 3.13 three-pointers in nearly 37 minutes per game. Meanwhile, the Kings have allowed the seventh-most fantasy points to opposing point guards this season.

PG - Mo Williams, Minnesota Timberwolves (vs. DAL), $6,200: Williams is coming off a disappointing performance (18 fantasy points in 29 minutes), but he had at least 25 fantasy points in the previous seven games with 42-plus points in three of them. Assuming that Ricky Rubio misses at least one more game, Williams has plenty of upside in what should be a fast-paced game. Both teams rank in the top-third of the league in terms of pace. (That said, I'll like Williams a little less if Kevin Martin (GTD) suits up tonight although he may be on a minutes restriction if he does.)

PG - Trey Burke, Utah Jazz (at CLE), $5,600: Burke has scored at least 22.75 fantasy points in 11 consecutive games and has averaged 30.68 points over that span. Burke is averaging 16.9 points, 5.1 assists and a steal per game during that span and gets a great matchup against Kyrie Irving and the Cavs, who have surrendered the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing point guards this season.

PG - Elfrid Payton, Orlando Magic (at DET), $5,400: Payton has now scored 40-plus fantasy points in back-to-back games and 30-plus fantasy points in four consecutive games. Arguably the best defender in last year's draft class, Payton has multiple steals in all four of those games, but he has surprisingly stepped up offensively with 22 and 19 points in his past two games, respectively. Over his past four games, he is averaging 16.5 points, 7.8 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game.

PG - Langston Galloway, New York Knicks (at PHI), $3,600: With three opportunities to start a point guard on DraftKings (PG, G and UTIL spots), that's typically a strategy that I use most nights and will do so again tonight in many of my lineups. There are plenty of great mid-priced options, as mentioned above, but Galloway is a much cheaper option that is likely to draw another start and no team allows more fantasy points to opposing point guards than the 76ers. Galloway has averaged 21.75 fantasy points in his five games with the Knicks including a pair of 30-point fantasy outings.

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SG - Wesley Matthews, Portland Trail Blazers (at PHO), $5,700: Matthews' minutes won't directly benefit from the injury to LaMarcus Aldridge, but his usage rate and shot attempts will. With Aldridge playing only 14 minutes before his injury on Monday, Matthews took a season-high 20 shot attempts including 12 three-point attempts. He now has 26 three-point attempts in his past two games. Dollar for dollar, Matthews may be my favorite play among SGs tonight. SG - Eric Gordon, New Orleans Pelicans (vs. LAL), $5,400: If Jrue Holiday (ankle) misses another game, that would benefit Gordon. Since returning from his own injury on Jan. 5th, Gordon has played 33-plus minutes in seven of eight games. In his past seven games, Gordon has scored a minimum of 22.5 fantasy points and he's averaged 27.57 per game over that span.

SG - J.R. Smith, Cleveland Cavaliers (vs. UTA), $4,900: Smith has averaged over 35 minutes per game in his past six outings with 17.0 points, 3.3 treys and 1.8 steals per game during that span. With at least 22.5 fantasy points in five of those six games, he has averaged 28.58 fantasy points over that stretch. Meanwhile, Utah has allowed the 10th-most fantasy points to opposing shooting guards this season.

SF - Nicolas Batum, Portland Trail Blazers (at PHO), $5,400: Things haven't gone so well for Batum (and his fantasy/DFS owners), but that has led to a more modest price tag. Although he has failed to reach 20 fantasy points in four consecutive games, Batum could shoulder a little more of the load with Aldridge out. In addition, the Suns play at the third-fastest pace and rank fifth in most turnovers per game (15.3) and Batum is less of a scorer and more of a player that contributes across multiple stat categories.

SF - Jeff Green, Memphis Grizzlies (vs. TOR), $5,000: Excluding his debut with the Grizzlies, Green has scored 28.25-31.25 fantasy points with at least 30 minutes in his other three games with his new team. During that three-game span, he has at least 14 shot attempts each night and has posted an average of 16.3 points, 6.0 rebounds and a steal per game. The Raptors have allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing small forwards this season.

PF - Donatas Motiejunas, Houston Rockets (at GS), $5,500: In a game with a 218.0 over/under, there should be plenty of fantasy points tonight. Motiejunas has now scored double-digit (real) points in 12 consecutive games and has now scored at least 24.75 fantasy points in seven consecutive games. Against the Warriors on Jan. 17th, Motiejunas scored 29.75 fantasy points in less than 22 minutes, a 12-game low in minutes. Over the past 12 games, he has averaged nearly 30 minutes per game.

PF - Nerlens Noel, Philadelphia 76ers (vs. NYK), $5,300: While he may lack some consistency, Noel has been getting consistent playing time with 30-plus minutes in six of his past seven games. Over his past four games, Noel has averaged 11.75 points, 8.25 rebounds, 2.5 steals and 2.25 blocks per game. Noel needs 31.8 fantasy points to reach six times his salary and he has scored 31.5 or more fantasy points in three of his past four games.

[Update: Noel (sick) has been ruled out for tonight's game.] 

PF - Channing Frye, Orlando Magic (at DET), $5,000: This play is contingent upon the status of Tobias Harris, who is considered a game-time decision for tonight's game. If Harris can't go, Frye should continue to benefit. In the five-game stretch that Harris has missed, Frye has averaged nearly 36 minutes and 27.95 fantasy points per game. Frye's shooting percentage (15-of-51, 29.4 percent) during that stretch has been awful, but 41 of his 51 attempts have been from behind the arc and he still has a minimum of 21.5 fantasy points in those games despite poor shooting.

[Update: Harris will play, but he may come off the bench.]

C - Tyson Chandler, Dallas Mavericks (at MIN), $6,300: Typically Chandler isn't someone that finds his way into my lineups, but he now has three consecutive double-doubles with at least 35 fantasy points. Meanwhile, the T'Wolves have allowed the second-most fantasy points to opposing centers this season so Chandler has an excellent shot at reaching value once again.

C - Alex Len, Phoenix Suns (vs. POR), $4,800: With injuries to Robin Lopez and LMA, Len gets a favorable matchup against a Blazers' front court that lacks depth. Len is coming off his worst performance (21 fantasy points in 19 minutes) over his past seven games, but he had a minimum of 26 fantasy points with an average of 30.54 in his previous six games.

C - Chris Kaman, Portland Trail Blazers (at PHO), $4,400: Kaman had just 12 fantasy points in 19 minutes on MLK Jr. Day, but he averaged 28 minutes and 26.31 fantasy points in his previous four games. With the injuries in the Blazers' front court, Kaman should see close to 30 minutes tonight and he has averaged 1.05 DK points per minute this season.

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2013 NBA Mock Draft Updated (Baillargeon)

With the 2013 NBA Draft only three days away, Kyle Baillargeon has updated his mock draft.

Here is his updated mock:  

1. Cleveland Cavaliers: Nerlens Noel, PF/C, Kentucky

No signs of a trade by Cleveland, so expect Noel to go No. 1 as we have all expected.  

2. Orlando Magic: Ben McLemore, SG, Kansas

If the Magic trade Afflalo for Bledsoe, McLemore can slide in as the starting SG and the Magic will suddenly have their backcourt of the future.  

3. Washington Wizards: Anthony Bennett, PF, UNLV

High upside and potential superstar ability for a team that can afford to wait.  

4. Charlotte Bobcats: Alex Len, C, Maryland

Len gives the Bobcats the size that they desperately need.  

5. Phoenix Suns: Otto Porter Jr., SF, Georgetown

Some consider Porter the best player in the draft. He'd be a great building block for the Suns.  

6. New Orleans Pelicans: Victor Oladipo, SG, Indiana

Could instead go with Burke if the Pelicans feel Rivers isn't their man at the point.  

7. Sacramento Kings: Cody Zeller, PF/C, Indiana

Fills a hole at PF for the Kings.  

8. Detroit Pistons: Trey Burke, PG, Michigan

National Player of the Year will let the Pistons slide Knight to two-guard.

 9. Minnesota Timberwolves: C.J. McCollum, SG, Lehigh

Excellent shooter from long range goes to a team that desperately needs it.  

10. Portland Trail Blazers: Steven Adams, C, Pittsburgh

Great compliment to LaMarcus Aldridge's skills in the front court.

See rest of his first-round projection

More mocks: Kevin Hanson - Brendan Donahue - Mock Database

2013 NBA Mock Draft (Baillargeon)

We are less than four weeks away from the 2013 NBA Draft, which will be held on June 27th in Brooklyn.

From now until the draft, our contributors will either post their initial mock draft and then make updates, as necessary.

Here is the first-round projection from Kyle Baillargeon:

1. Cleveland Cavaliers: Nerlens Noel, PF/C, Kentucky

It really looks like the Cavaliers are looking to trade this pick.  But, we don't do trades in mock drafts, so the pick is Noel.  Ultimately, he's the best choice for the Cavs, assuming his knee injury doesn't limit him once he's fully healed.  The Cavaliers won't push Noel to come back until he's ready.  In a few years, he could anchor the defense, much like Marc Gasol does in Memphis.

And there's a good chance the Cavaliers will be just as bad next year, giving them the opportunity at Andrew Wiggins or one of the other potential studs in a loaded 2014 draft.

2. Orlando Magic: Trey Burke, PG, Michigan

The Magic need help everywhere, and though they have 31 year-old Jameer Nelson as the incumbent PG, it's expected that he'll be phased out of the Magic's long-term plans.  Other players in the draft may look like they have higher upside, but with a draft class as questionable as this one, it would make the most sense to go with the National Player of the Year.

3. Washington Wizards: Anthony Bennett, PF, UNLV

With his scoring ability, Bennett has the chance to be the best player in the draft.  His position is undefined due to his size, but he could slide to the three or play the four in smaller lineups.  The Wizards aren't expected to contend next year, so they should take a shot on the player that has possibly the highest upside, with the hopes that in a few years they'll have a superstar on their hands.

4. Charlotte Bobcats: Ben McLemore, SG, Kansas

McLemore does one thing in the draft better than just about anyone else: Shoot.  He's also a great athlete who can run the floor.  Considering the dearth of top-tier shooting guards in the league, we could be talking about him as a top five or six two-guard if he expands his game over the next few years.  He's the smart pick.

5. Phoenix Suns: Otto Porter Jr., SF, Georgetown

The Suns would have a steal if Porter falls to them.  He doesn't necessarily have the upside of those taken before him, but he can contribute right away and would be a good young piece for the organization to build off of as they try to start fresh.

6. New Orleans Pelicans: Alex Len, C, Maryland

Len is a tough call, as he has all the tangibles but needs to put it all together.  It would give New Orleans a potentially great young front court, not unlike Utah and Detroit. If the Pelicans think that they can trade Eric Gordon (with they may want to), Victor Oladipo could be the pick instead.

7. Sacramento Kings: Cody Zeller, PF/C, Indiana

The Kings have a hole at power forward.  Zeller is very athletic and doesn't need the ball in his hands to make an impact on the court.  Sacramento doesn't have enough players like that.  He could be a good compliment to Boogie Cousins.

8. Detroit Pistons: Victor Oladipo, SG, Indiana

Oladipo is an excellent defender and would help the Pistons right away. He's also shown himself to have the makings of a tremendous leader. There's a good chance that he won't slip this far, but if he does, Detroit will have found themselves another good young player at value. 

9. Minnesota Timberwolves: C.J. McCollum, SG, Lehigh

One of the reasons Kevin Love gets so many rebounds is because the Wolves throw up a ton of bricks.  McCollum is an excellent shooter from long range. He was a point guard in college, but some guy named Rubio will push him to shooting guard.  This is one of the most obvious picks in the draft, but also one of the smartest.

10. Portland Trail Blazers: Steven Adams, C, Pittsburgh

Adams is a name that's become hot of late, with his great showing at the combine.  He's definitely raw, however.  However, he wouldn't be called on to contribute much offensively if he goes to Portland.  Let him bang down-low, play defense and rebound, and he could be a good compliment to LaMarcus Aldridge.

11. Philadelphia 76ers: Dario Saric, SF, Croatia

Saric is considered the top foreign player in the draft.  Is he more Dirk Nowitzki or Jan Vesely?  That's the risk.  But the 76ers have shown that they're willing to take risks (see: Andrew Bynum trade) if they think it will make them a better team.

12. Oklahoma City Thunder: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SG, Georgia

Trading James Harden was a terrible move.  And Kevin Martin really isn't good anymore.  Caldwell-Pope falls somewhere in the middle of these two on the basketball spectrum.  He's a good shooter and a smart ball player.  

13. Dallas Mavericks: Michael Carter-Williams, PG, Syracuse

Darren Collison is a nice player, but Carter-Williams could be the Mavericks' Rajon Rondo.  He has the chance to make an impact right away. 

14. Utah Jazz: Dennis Schroeder, PG, Germany

Another player who brings Rondo comparisons, rumors are that Schroeder has an early-round promise from someone.  The Jazz have a need at point guard and may very well be that team. 

15. Milwaukee Bucks: Tony Mitchell, SF, North Texas

The depth of the draft shows with this pick, as Mitchell could go here, or he could fall out of the first round.  With so many players having roughly the same risk, the Bucks should go with the athletic Mitchell whom some (including Mitchell himself) compare to Kenneth Faried.

- Continue to Picks 16-30

- 2013 NBA Mock Draft from Kevin Hanson
- Our NBA Mock Draft Database

- Also, check out: 2014 NFL Mock Draft | NFL Mock Draft Database

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