FantasyDraft NBA: Value Picks

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Updated on February 4, 2015 12:33PM EST

Each week, RotoWire will provide value plays for your daily fantasy basketball lineups on FantasyDraft. Users have a salary cap of $100,000 to select a lineup comprised of eight players. Of these 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.

Without further ado, here are Wednesday's value plays for daily fantasy basketball on FantasyDraft.

Value Plays

Guard

J.J. Barea, Dallas, $6,600 - With Rajon Rondo (orbital fracture) out, Barea started Monday's game for the Mavericks and he was able to reach value by scoring over 26 fantasy points. Assuming Barea starts again Wednesday, he will have a favorable matchup against the Warriors in the highest over/under (218 points) of the night.

Marcus Smart, Boston, $7,200 - Smart started for the Celtics in Tuesday's game with Jae Crowder returning to the bench. The rookie guard registered 26 fantasy points against the Knicks in 37 minutes, despite leaving for a brief time due to injury. On Wednesday, Boston faces the Nuggets, who have given up just 30.2 fantasy points per game to opposing point guards in the last week, but still struggle against the position, allowing over 44 fantasy points per game in the last three weeks.

Jerryd Bayless, Milwaukee, $8,400 - Bayless' value is contingent on Brandon Knight (quad) missing Wednesday's game, as he is questionable. If Knight sits, Bayless would become the primary point guard for Milwaukee, despite the fact that he came off the bench Monday. The Bucks face the Lakers, who are allowing the fourth-most fantasy points per game to opposing point guards in Wednesday's slate. Should Knight rest tonight, Bayless would be one of the top plays on FantasyDraft.

Forward/Center

Tarik Black, Los Angeles Lakers, $6,000 - With Jordan Hill (hip) out, Black was named one of the starters in the Lakers' frontcourt. At his salary, Black only needs 15 fantasy points to reach value, which is the same number he has averaged in 12 starts this season. The Lakers matchup against the Bucks, who are 20th in the NBA in rebounding, giving Black a plus matchup at the minimum price.

DeMarre Carroll, Atlanta, $8,400 - Carroll is criminally underpriced on FantasyDraft, likely because of him being "sore" in the last few games. If he is able to start Wednesday, Carroll is a steal at just $8,400, as he averages 23.8 fantasy points per game. The Wizards are an excellent defensive team, but Washington is an above-average matchup for opposing small forwards, as they allow almost 39 fantasy points per game in the last three weeks to the position.

Notable Injuries

Kevin Durant (toe) is questionable for Wednesday's game against the Pelicans. If he is unable to go, Russell Westbrook will once again be the focal point of the Thunder offense, as hinted by his insane usage rate with Durant off the floor.

Jordan Hill (hip) is out. Tarik Black is expected to start for the Lakers, but Carlos Boozer receives a boost in value. When Hill is off the floor, Boozer has a usage rate of 26.3 percent/

Dwyane Wade (hamstring) is out. Chris Bosh and Hassan Whiteside will continue to benefit in Wade's absence.

Jrue Holiday (ankle) is out. Tyreke Evans will continue to start at point guard for the Pelicans, with Eric Gordon handling the ball at times as well.

Brandon Knight (quadriceps) is questionable for Wednesday's game. If he is unable to go, Jerryd Bayless will be the primary beneficiary, with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, and O.J. Mayo also receiving boosts.

More injury information can be found here.

Good luck, and do not forget to join the fun at FantasyDraft and sign up now.

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire.