NBA

5 Daily Fantasy Basketball Value Plays for 2/16/17

Jay Kim  —  @ThirtyDimes Feb 16th, 2017
Monta Ellis has recaptured our attention lately thanks to his hot hand. Which other low-cost options are in a good spot for tonight's two-game slate?

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.

Rajon Rondo, PG, Chicago Bulls

FanDuel Price: $4,700
Projected FanDuel Points: 16.2
Projected FanDuel Value: 3.45

Rajon Rondo is showing signs of life over his last four games, averaging 9.3 points, 4 rebounds, and 5.3 assists in 23.5 minutes off the bench in that span. However, during that stretch he is also committing 3.5 turnovers per game. Nevertheless, Rondo is trending towards recapturing a vital role in the Chicago Bulls rotation, and he could benefit from Dwyane Wade's absence.

Rondo is projected with the fourth-highest value among all point guards playing on tonight's two-game slate.

Monta Ellis, SG, Indiana Pacers

FanDuel Price: $4,200
Projected FanDuel Points: 18.6
Projected FanDuel Value: 4.42

Welcome back Monta Ellis. He's scored in double figures in four of his last five games while shooting an impressive 59% from the field in that timeframe. During that span, Ellis is averaging 12.6 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 4.6 assists in 29 minutes of play.

Ellis is projected to net the fourth-most FanDuel points among all shooting guards tonight.

Doug McDermott, SF, Chicago Bulls

FanDuel Price: $4,400
Projected FanDuel Points: 15.5
Projected FanDuel Value: 3.51

Doug McDermott is coming off a 20-point performance while playing 32.5 minutes off the bench. After a couple of forgettable games last week, he has strung together three straight games of double-figure scoring with averages of 15.7 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 2.3 three-pointers made over his last three contests.

The Bulls take on the Celtics tonight, who have the worst defensive efficiency among the four teams in action. With Wade out, McDermott could be asked to take on a larger role on the offensive end.

Jason Smith, PF, Washington Wizards

FanDuel Price: $3,600
Projected FanDuel Points: 9.8
Projected FanDuel Value: 2.71

Jason Smith has been seeing a lot more playing time recently, logging 20.5 minutes per night over his last three games. The nine-year veteran is putting up 10 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 0.7 blocks during that span.

According to our tools, Smith is trending as tonight's hottest power forward, and he is playing 60.15% above his season average in terms of fantasy points per night over the last five games. At near-minimum salary, Smith is worth considering as a punt option.

Kelly Olynyk, C, Boston Celtics

FanDuel Price: $4,600
Projected FanDuel Points: 18.4
Projected FanDuel Value: 4.0

Isaiah Thomas isn't the only Celtic who's been red-hot as teammate Kelly Olynyk has been doing a fine job, as well. Over his last five games, Olynyk is shooting 64% from the field and 57% from long range. In that span, he is putting up 14.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in just 24 minutes per night.

According to our tools, Olynyk is trending as tonight's hottest player overall, and he is playing 63.97% above his season average in terms of fantasy points per night over the last five games.