This article is part of our FantasyDraft NBA series.
Each week, RotoWire will provide value plays for your daily fantasy basketball lineups on FantasyDraft. You have a salary cap of $100,000 to select a lineup comprised of eight players. Of those eight players, you must select three guards, three forwards/centers and two utility players. The scoring is as follows:
Points Scored – 1.0 point for each point scored
3-Point Basket – 0.5 bonus points for each three-pointer made
Assist – 1.5 points for each assist
Rebound – 1.25 points for each rebound
Steal – 2.0 points for each steal
Block – 2.0 points for each blocked shot
Turnover – minus 0.5 points for each turnover
Double-Double – 1.5 bonus points for double-double
Triple-Double – 3.0 bonus points triple-double
FantasyDraft is running contests in beta stage, but full capabilities for their users are available. There are 50/50s, guaranteed tournaments, and more available options in the lobby, so be sure to check it out.
The target for each player to reach value is 2.5x the player's salary. If a player costs $10,000 against the cap, expected value is 25 fantasy points.
It's the middle of the first round in the NBA Playoffs, and FantasyDraft is still offering NBA contests. The rundown below will help you get ready for the upcoming slate of games.
Value Plays
Guard
Derrick Rose, CHI, $14,700 – Seeing a player close to $15,000 in a value position doesn't happen often, but in Rose's case it's an exception. His price warrants a return of 36.75 fantasy points, which is a lot. But keep in mind what Rose has done in the first two games of the series. In Game 1, he scored 39 fantasy points in just 27 minutes of work. In Game 2, he scored 40.75 fantasy points while shooting just 29 percent from the field.
Rose seems to be handling the minutes well, and if he is able to return to his normal shooting percentage of over 40 percent, he should total over 40 fantasy points.
Through the first two playoff games, Rose has averaged 19.0 points, eight assists, 3.5 rebounds, 1.5 steals and one block, making him a threat to score in every possible way.
With his minutes limit lifted, he looks like the "old version" of Rose, which makes $14,700 a bargain.
Forward/Center
Jae Crowder, BOS, $8,400 – Crowder's price on FantasyDraft warrants a return of 21 fantasy points to achieve value. In the first two games of the series against the Cavaliers, he has returned 20.75 and 22.25 fantasy points, respectively. While that may not seem like much, it is hard to find cheap players who can produce in the playoffs, as the starters play larger roles.
Crowder is one of the few cheaper options who has a large role, simply because of his defensive ability. He has the daunting task of defending LeBron James, which could limit Crowder's ability to stay on the floor should he get into foul trouble. But this means that Crowder will continue to play a lot of minutes, giving him the ability to contribute offensively as well.
In the first two games, Crowder took 19 shots combined. Add that in with his rebounding ability (five in each game) and his ability to rack up defensive stats and there is ample opportunity for Crowder to reach value. So far this series, he is just 8-for-19 from the field, and he has still managed to essentially reach value in both games. All Crowder needs to do is sink one more shot per game to exceed value, which can go a long way for a cheap player in a playoff daily fantasy basketball lineup on FantasyDraft.
Notables
During the NBA playoffs, rotations are shortened. Most teams will play their starters over 35 minutes with key reserve players playing 15-20 minutes off the bench. There isn't much value to be found, because most of the players worth taking are highly priced, so be sure to keep a balanced approach for the NBA's playoff matchups. That said, a few injuries will free up some cheap options, but those player's prices are sure to rise on FantasyDraft.
Nikola Mirotic (quad) is out for Thursday's game, and he is day-to-day going forward. Mirotic's absence means Taj Gibson's minutes will trend upwards, but not much. Expect Pau Gasol, Joakim Noah, and even Mike Dunleavy's minutes to see a slight uptick, too. Mirotic is a scorer off the bench, so expect some of his points to be distributed between Rose and Jimmy Butler as well.
Rajon Rondo (back) is likely out for the remainder of the series, and possibly the playoffs should the Mavs advance. There are some rumors speculating that Rondo was benched, but either way he is not a factor in daily fantasy basketball for the time being, as he is unlikely to play. Devin Harris and J.J. Barea will see an uptick in minutes and are both good cheap options to use on FantasyDraft.
Chandler Parsons (knee) is out for the remainder of the season. In his absence, Richard Jefferson and Al-Farouq Aminu will see more minutes at small forward. Jefferson will continue to start and is a nice cheap option, but Aminu has the higher upside given his ability to score and rebound the basketball. Keep an eye on the two forwards' prices, as that will determine whom is the better choice going forward.
Here are the current round matchups:
Western Conference
(1) Golden State Warriors vs. (8) New Orleans Pelicans (Golden State leads 2-0)
(2) Houston Rockets vs. (7) Dallas Mavericks (Houston leads 2-0)
(3) Los Angeles Clippers vs. (6) San Antonio Spurs (Series tied 1-1)
(4) Portland Trail Blazers vs. (5) Memphis Grizzlies (Memphis leads 2-0)
Eastern Conference
(1) Atlanta Hawks vs. (8) Brooklyn Nets (Atlanta leads 2-0)
(2) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (7) Boston Celtics (Cleveland leads 2-0)
(3) Chicago Bulls vs. (6) Milwaukee Bucks (Chicago leads 2-0)
(4) Toronto Raptors vs. (5) Washington Wizards (Wizards lead 2-0)
The NBA playoff schedule is structured, so there will be 2-3 per day in the first round, and the number will decrease as teams are eliminated.
Good luck, and do not forget to join the fun at FantasyDraft.
