Geoff Lambert breaks down value plays for Friday’s slate of FanDuel NBA contests.
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Welcome again to the Friday edition of my FanDuel values column. Every Friday here at FantasyPros.com I will give my tops plays under $5,500. Let’s get started…
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Point Guard
Mike James (PHO) $5,500 vs ORL
There isn’t a lot of value at the point guard spot tonight, but James makes it just under my value cut line at $5,500. He has seen his minutes go up in each of the last three games, as has his scoring output. The Magic are the ninth-worst team in defending the point guard on the year, however, that stat is a little misleading. Elfrid Payton, a plus defender, has missed a good chunk of games but will play tonight, however, I still expect James to put up good fantasy numbers despite the return of Payton.
Shooting Guard
Lou Williams (LAC) $5,500 @ OKC
Starting PG Patrick Beverley has already been ruled out for this game, and even though I expect Austin Rivers to get the start, Williams will likely see an uptick in minutes as well. Williams has always been instant offense off the bench, and now that he is with the Clippers, he has been drawing comparisons to another former Clipper, three-time Sixth Man of the year award winner Jamal Crawford.
Coming off the bench at shooting guard will limit his exposure to plus defender Andre Roberson, and Williams has never been shy when it comes to shooting the basketball. Volume alone makes him an excellent value.
Danny Green (SAS) $5,000 vs MIL
Danny Green has benefited statistically by the continued absence of Kawhi Leonard. In fact, he is currently averaging 11.7 points per game, which equals his career high for a season. The Bucks are a tough matchup for him but at $5,000 he should have no issues putting up 25-plus FanDuel points.
Small Forward
DeMarre Carroll (BKN) $5,300 @ POR
Carroll had a tough game in Denver a few nights ago, but I expect him to get back on track in this game against the Blazers. On paper, the Blazers represent a tough matchup as the seventh best team defending the small forward position, however, Carroll is a great rebounder which is something the Blazers struggle with, giving up nearly eight rebounds a game to small forwards.
Joe Harris (BKN) $3,200 @ POR
If you want to really reach deep into the value bin, you won’t find a better sub-$4,000 player at small forward on the slate. Harris has logged at least 21 minutes in in five of his last six games, and in those game, he has three games over 18 FanDuel points — including a 27.1 outburst against the Suns on November 6.
Power Forward
Jared Dudley (PHO) $3,300 vs ORL
After missing basically the first nine games of the season (he played four minutes October 23), Dudely appears to be healthy now, logging over 20 minutes in each of the last two games. Dudley does a little bit of everything, he can score, rebound and he is a decent passer as well. The Magic struggle defending power forwards giving up 52.02 FanDuel points per game on the season, at $3,300, Dudley is a steal.
Center
Al Jefferson (IND) $4,300 @CHI
Center is not a place with a lot of value, however, if Domantas Sabonis misses his third straight game, Jefferson has shown he can step in and play well. Playing a season-high 22 minutes in Detriot last game, Jefferson put up 31.2 FanDuel points, and while I don’t expect that level production tonight, I think 25-to-30 is doable.
