This article is part of our FantasyDraft NBA series.
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 Friday's value plays for daily fantasy basketball on FantasyDraft.
Value Plays
Guard
Langston Galloway, New York Knicks $8,400
Galloway continues to be a value on FantasyDraft, as he has reached value in four straight games. In those four games, the Knicks guard has scored over 32 fantasy points three times, which equates to value four times his salary. His opponent, the Thunder, have allowed over 45 fantasy points per game to opposing point guards this season. Galloway has played over 30 minutes in each of his last four games, which is tough to find for a player at his price. Given his minutes and production, he is the top value play at guard Wednesday on FantasyDraft.
Greivis Vasquez, Toronto Raptors $8,000
Vasquez continues to be priced among the cheaper guards on FantasyDraft, which makes him a viable option in your lineups as long as he continues to start. In his last six games, Vasquez has reached value in three times, and he was just below value in his other three contests. This gives him a high floor as a starter, which makes him an attractive option Wednesday against the Kings. Sacramento has given up the second-most fantasy points to opposing shooting guards in the last week, and Vasquez will have a slight size advantage against Ben McLemore, who will likely be defending him. If you need more salary relief to add some top players in Wednesday's slate, Vasquez is an excellent target in cash games based on his minutes and ability to contribute in many facets of the game.
Brian Roberts, Charlotte Hornets $8,400
Roberts will continue to start for the Hornets, which makes him an attractive option in daily formats. In fact, his price is among the lowest for a starting point guard Wednesday night. In his previous start, Roberts registered a performance of 25.75 fantasy points against the Knicks. Roberts will face off against Tony Parker and the Spurs, who have defended the point guard well this season, but Roberts' price is tough to pass up. Target him in tournament games only, as his floor is too low in a bad matchup, which makes him hard to trust in cash games.
Forward/Center
Cody Zeller, Charlotte Hornets $9,300
Zeller has become a value play of late, with the injuries to other frontcourt players for the Hornets. Al Jefferson will make his return to the starting lineup for the Hornets on Wednesday, but with Bismack Biyombo (knee) out, don't let Big Al's return to the starting five affect your thinking on Zeller.
At his price, Zeller needs just over 23 fantasy points to reach value. Zeller has eclipsed that plateau in six of his last 10 games, most of them with Kemba Walker (knee) in the lineup. When Walker and Biyombo are not on the floor, as will be the case Wednesday, Zeller has a usage rate of 17.3 percent and has the second-highest rebounding percentage on the Hornets, which makes him a viable option tonight.
Zeller does have a tough matchup against the Spurs, which makes him a better tournament game target, but feel free to consider him for cash games, too.
Brandon Bass, Boston Celtics $9,600
Bass was a daily fantasy star last week, as he registered back-to-back games of 38 and 43.5 fantasy points, respectively. In his last two games, he has cooled off for 22.75 fantasy points in each contest. But those two games were against the Jazz and Warriors, who are two of the best defending teams at the rim in the NBA.
Bass faces the Timberwolves, who are more forgiving in terms of defense this season. Bass' price is still low enough to be a value, as he needs just below 25 fantasy points to warrant his current price tag. Bass' floor as a starter is 22 fantasy points in his last six games, which makes him an attractive option in cash and tournament games on FantasyDraft.
Notable Injuries
Bismack Biyombo (knee) is out. Al Jefferson will start and see big minutes against the Spurs.
Jrue Holiday (leg) remains sidelined, which means Tyreke Evans will continue to man the point for the Pelicans.
Kemba Walker (knee) is out. The aforementioned Brain Roberts will start at point guard for the Hornets.
Kevin Durant (toe) is questionable for Wednesday;s game. If he is unable to go, Russell Westbrook will be the focal point of the Thunder's offense, with a usage rate close to 50 percent while he is on the floor.
More injury information can be found here.
Good luck, and do not forget to join the fun at FantasyDraft and sign up now.
