This article is part of our FantasyAces NBA series.
RotoWire aims to help you win on Fantasy Aces, as we will break down a few value plays for the coming days that can help you build your lineups.
There is value to be had, and identifying it will allow you to spend on top-tier players to round out your lineup.
Guards:
Thabo Sefolosha, ATL vs. LAL (Fri.), $3,800: Since being named as the full-time starter, Sefolosha has been excellent in terms of play and fantasy production. In the last six games, he has at least 22.75 fantasy points four times. He has reached value in two straight and has seen his minutes increase significantly. At his price of just $3,800 against a Lakers team that has struggled immensely against nearly every position, he is an excellent bargain play on Friday night and any other days at his current price. Sefolosha's defensive ability will allow him to play a ton of minutes, and with minutes comes production.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, DET vs. MIL (Fri.), vs. LAL (Sun.), $4,200: Caldwell-Pope is among the NBA leaders in minutes but is priced at only $4,200. He has two good matchups coming up against the Bucks and Lakers on Friday and Sunday, respectively, which bodes well for his value. The Bucks and Lakers both rank near the bottom of the NBA defensively, and with the Pistons' pace that should equal plenty of opportunities for Caldwell-Pope to score. He has played over 33 minutes in nine of the last 10 games, and considering he is averaging over 0.6 fantasy points per minute this season, it bodes well for his floor.
Wesley Matthews, DAL vs. HOU (Fri.), vs. WAS (Sun.), $4,100: Matthews' price has yet to be adjusted since his minutes have increased to a normal starter's amount, so be sure to take advantage in the near future. He has played at least 30 minutes in eight of the last 10 games, reaching value in five of them. His usage has increased of late, scoring at least 15 real points in four of the last eight games. With two excellent matchups on the horizon against the Rockets and Wizards, both teams that play at very fast paces, it is a promising future for the Mavericks' shooting guard in terms of fantasy value at his current price.
Forwards:
Jon Leuer, PHX vs. WAS (Fri.), vs. MEM (Sun.), $3,500: Leuer's value is solely based on the injuries to Markieff Morris (knee) and Tyson Chandler (hamstring), but since both missed Thursday's game there is a chance each will be unavailable on Friday and/or Sunday as well. At just $3,500, Leuer would need to return over 18 fantasy points for solid value. In three games with expanded minutes and role, Leuer has 41, 26, and 36.5 fantasy points, respectively. If Morris and/or Chandler is out and Leuer has an expanded role, be sure to give him a thought for your lineups, as he has exceeded 10 times his salary twice, and eight times once in three games in an expanded role.
Ersan Ilyasova, DET vs. MIL (Fri.), vs. LAL (Sun.), $4,000: Ilyasova has been a tournament option for years in DFS because of his ability to score at times, but he has become a solid value play in tournaments with Detroit. While playing second (or third) fiddle in terms of shots in that offense, there are games when he takes over. On Wednesday, he scored 23 points against the Suns en route to nearly seven times his salary. Ilyasova's issue this season is his lack of rebounds, and for obvious reasons with Andre Drummond grabbing them all. That being said, it's one reason why his price is down to just $4,000. He has two excellent matchups on Friday and Sunday against the Bucks and Lakers, two teams that rank in the bottom third in defending power forwards. Considering his best games have come in plus matchups, his upcoming schedule bodes well for his value.
Marcus Morris, DET vs. MIL (Fri.), vs. LAL (Sun.), $4,550: Morris is one of the most underpriced players on Fantasy Aces, so be sure to take advantage of it as it is sure to rise. At just $4,550, anything over 23 fantasy points is decent value for the Pistons' small forward. He has reached and/or exceeded that number in all but three of his last 10 games. Morris also has a high ceiling, as he has scored over 33 fantasy points three times in his last nine, which is nearly eight times his salary. Given his matchups on Friday and Sunday against the Bucks and Lakers, his salary makes him a top value play on both days.
Center:
Kristaps Porzingis, NYK vs. BKN (Fri.), vs. MIL (Sat.), $5,650: It is not often that a player with a salary of $5,650 can make his way into a value column, but that is exactly what Porzingis' production has been of late. Excellent value at his price is considered at least 33 fantasy points, and Porzingis has exceeded that in five of his last six games, including four games of over 38. His price should be over $6,000, so be sure to consider him for your lineups until his price rises. His next two opponents (Nets and Bucks) struggle against big men, which is just a cherry on top for Porzingis' value. The only thing that hindered him earlier in the season was minutes, but he has played at least 35 in four of his last six. If you weren't convinced yet, Porzingis is averaging over 1.1 fantasy points per minute, which translates to 38.5 fantasy points in 35 minutes of work.
