If Goran Dragic is out, Richardson is a must play for tonight’s slate
Welcome to the Monday edition of the NBA FanDuel value plays. Tonight we have a mid-sized, seven-game slate. Right now there are some decent options at each position, but always check the starting lineups as they are released in case some other more attractive options do in fact pop up. Let’s go ahead and take a look at my favorite value options for tonight.
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Point Guard
Jerryd Bayless (PHI): $3,700 at TOR
Jerryd Bayless looked good last week, putting up 29.2 FanDuel points in 30 minutes of action last Wednesday night against the Grizzlies. He then entered the starting lineup on Friday night against the Bulls, but was limited due to a wrist injury which caused him to sit out yesterday against the Cavs. He is expected to return tonight and should be back in the starting lineup. If he does return, he makes for an excellent value option at this salary and should be able to exceed value against the Raptors tonight.
Dennis Schroder (ATL): $5,300 at GSW
I would not go the value route at both point guard spots tonight in cash games. However, if you want to be contrarian in GPP contests, consider using Dennis Schroder as well in your lineup. If the Hawks can keep this game close, Schroder is in a great spot to exceed value in an up-paced game against the Warriors. Also, Curry is not the greatest defender so the individual matchup should not worry you.
Shooting Guard
Josh Richardson (MIA): $4,200 vs. BOS
The matchup on paper does not look good against the Celtics, but the volume should definitely be there since Justise Winslow, Dion Waiters and Tyler Johnson have all been ruled out for tonight’s game. This makes him a strong value option and he should definitely be a lock in your lineup if Goran Dragic ends up sitting out as well too. Dragic has missed the past two games and in those two games Richardson put up 24.1 and 23.6 FanDuel points.
Kyle Korver (ATL): $3,700 at GSW
Kyle Korver is another value option from the Hawks, who you can consider using tonight. As I mentioned, the increased pace of this game should give a boost to the Hawks tonight and the Warriors have not been strong at defending opposing backcourts. Korver has averaged 28 minutes per game this season and does not have to do much at this salary to exceed value.
Small Forward
James Johnson (MIA): $4,200 vs. BOS
With all of the injuries to the Heat players that I mentioned above, James Johnson is another beneficiary if he makes the starting lineup tonight. Johnson has averaged 22 FanDuel points over his last five games. Assuming he starts, he should be able to exceed that number with a few more minutes and a bump in usage.
DeMarre Carroll (TOR): $4,200 vs. PHI
DeMarre Carroll has performed much better over the past week, averaging 27.0 FanDuel points in his last three starts. He’s in a great spot to keep that trend going tonight with an excellent matchup against the 76ers, who have struggled at defending opposing small forwards this season.
Power Forward
JaMychal Green (MEM): $4,600 vs. CHA
Zach Randolph has already been ruled out for tonight’s game, so JaMychal Green should continue to benefit from his absence. Green has scored double-digit points in each of his last four games and has also averaged 25.2 FanDuel points in his past five games. Although his upside is not great, he should be a safe cash game option against the Hornets, who have not been great at defending opposing power forwards this season.
Ersan Ilyasova (PHI): $4,600 at TOR
Ersan Ilyasova has quietly been a consistent option on FanDuel, averaging 26.55 FanDuel points and 31.25 minutes per game. If there is a weakness in the Raptors’ defense it is in their frontcourt and if the 76ers can keep this game close, Ilyasova will be a in a great spot to reach value again tonight.
Center
Kelly Olynyk (BOS): $3,500 at MIA
Al Horford has been ruled out for tonight’s game, so Kelly Olynyk will likely take his spot in the starting lineup. Olynyk has done a solid job in the past when filling in for Horford. If he does, in fact, draw the start again, he should have no problem exceeding value against the Heat, who have been pretty bad at defending opposing centers. If for some reason Tyler Zeller is named the starter tonight, you can pivot to him instead.
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Kaz is a correspondent at FantasyPros. To read more from Kaz, follow him @DraftStars_Kaz. You can find more of Kaz’s work at DraftStars.net.
