NBA

5 Daily Fantasy Basketball Value Plays for 12/22/16

Jay Kim  —  @ThirtyDimes Dec 22nd, 2016
Justise Winslow looks to exploit a weak Lakers defense. 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.

Austin Rivers, PG, Los Angeles Clippers

FanDuel Price: $4,000
Projected FanDuel Points: 15.7
Projected FanDuel Value: 3.93

Austin Rivers has been up and down all year but is expected to take on a larger role on offense with Blake Griffin out due to knee surgery. In Griffin's first game out, Rivers only managed to score 9 points to go along with 6 assists in 21.5 minutes, so there is room for improvement.

According to our tools, Rivers is trending as the third-hottest point guard on tonight's slate -- over his last five games, he is playing 26.23% above his season average in terms of fantasy points per night.

Nick Young, SG, Los Angeles Lakers

FanDuel Price: $4,600
Projected FanDuel Points: 19.7
Projected FanDuel Value: 4.29

Nick Young is sizzling over his past three games, with averages of 23.7 points and 5 three-pointers made in 28.9 minutes. During that span, Young is converting 57% from the field and 52% from deep range.

Young is projected to net the seventh-highest FanDuel points among shooting guards tonight. The Los Angeles Lakers play the Miami Heat, who may be fatigued after playing in a double overtime on Tuesday.

Justise Winslow, SF, Miami Heat

FanDuel Price: $4,700
Projected FanDuel Points: 23.9
Projected FanDuel Value: 5.08

Justise Winslow has seen his minutes per game steadily rise since coming back from a long-term wrist injury. In his past two games, Winslow is averaging 10.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals in 38.9 minutes.

Winslow is projected to have the highest value among small forwards. The Heat match up versus the Lakers, who have the worst defensive efficiency among teams playing tonight.

Thaddeus Young, PF, Indiana Pacers

FanDuel Price: $5,000
Projected FanDuel Points: 25.6
Projected FanDuel Value: 5.12

Thaddeus Young has had a nice recent three-game stretch with averages of 15 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.7 steals in 35.7 minutes. Young has had to step up due to the injuries to Monta Ellis and Rodney Stuckey.

Young is projected to total the seventh-highest FanDuel points among power forwards playing on tonight's slate.

Bismack Biyombo, C, Orlando Magic

FanDuel Price: $4,700
Projected FanDuel Points: 24.5
Projected FanDuel Value: 5.20

Bismack Biyombo is enjoying a productive year thus far, setting career marks of 6.1 points and 8.3 rebounds per game. Over his last five games, Biyombo is averaging 7.2 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 2 blocks in 29.9 minutes.

Biyombo boasts the highest projected value among all centers playing tonight.