FanDuel Economics: NBA Thursday, April 7th Picks

Welcome to FanDuel Economics! This is the NBA Thursday, April 7th Picks edition. FanDuel Economics is a daily fantasy column focused on FanDuel player salaries and FanDuel points-per-game (PPG) trends. The purpose of this column is to evaluate player salary and PPG averages over a seven day period to provide daily fantasy sports players with a vital tool in their lineup tool belt. Finding the best value options often leads to a big pay day!

With only five games on the NBA slate tonight, our options are limited. However, I always enjoy NBA nights like tonight because it’s usually easier to focus on a winning lineup. Also, there are some very good match-ups like Raptors at Atlanta, Bulls at Heat, and Spurs at Warriors. Those games should be competitive enough to drive some great fantasy results. The Wolves at Kings game is also intriguing, even without playoff prospects, as we’ve seen players rise from each of those teams throughout the year, providing great value options. The Suns at Rockets game would be intriguing for the Rockets guards, except there’s also blowout potential in that one as well leading to unpredictable FanDuel results. So let’s take a look at some solid value prospects for tonight’s FanDuel NBA action:

Next: Point Guards

Mar 30, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Darren Collison (7) passes the ball to guard Ben McLemore (23) against the Washington Wizards during the fourth quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Sacramento Kings defeated the Washington Wizards 120-111. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Point Guard (PG)

I’d love to talk about Rajon Rondo’s value tonight at 40.6 PPG over the last week and a salary of $7,500. However, as the Kings seek to lock in their top 10 draft pick and with the season coming to a close next Tuesday, it seems like Rajon could get a night off before the final game of the season. I’m also nervous about picking Rondo because Collison got to rest last game. Therefore, let’s focus on Darren Collison. Darren sat out last game, but he played when Rondo sat on Saturday. In Rajon’s absence, Collison was able to drop 28 points on a $5,800. That’s pretty decent value. Darren’s seven day average is 30.7, meaning he dropped a few 30+ point games on the same salary as well, which is very intriguing value. Collison should be a solid value play pairing with Curry (if he plays) or Lowry.

Patrick Beverley didn’t have an outstanding last game, 17.4 points, but his seven day trend is still hard to ignore. Over the last week, Beverly averaged 29.4 PPG. Tonight Beverley’s salary is $5,200 and at that salary, 30 points would be a great deal. Beverley is risky with his up and down play, but if he’s in the starting lineup against the Suns, he has wonderful upside tonight. Consider Beverley a decent lineup pick tonight if you can’t afford Collison.

Next: Shooting Guard

Mar 14, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) goes to the basket and scores against Chicago Bulls forward Nikola Mirotic (44) at Air Canada Centre. The Bulls beat the Raptors 109-107. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

Shooting Guard (SG)

After lunch with a friend the other day, we randomly started talking about the NBA. The first name my friend brought up was…DeMar DeRozan. It’s hard to know if DeRozan will play out the rest of the regular season with the Raptors a 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. It’s equally as hard to avoid playing DeRozan if he’s in the lineup tonight. DeMar averaged 43.2 PPG over the last week and his salary is $8,100 tonight. James Harden is the only SG averaging more PPG than DeRozan, but you’re paying $10,900 for Harden. If you look at the two SG’s below DeRozan in PPG over the last week, Jimmy Butler (40.0) and Victor Oladipo (38.2), you’re paying $400-$700 more for each. So DeRozan is by far the best value of the top SG’s tonight, if he’s in the lineup.

Seth Curry‘s seven day average is a little deceiving. Curry averaged 22.4 PPG over the last week, but one of those games was a 5 point game against Washington with reduced minutes as Collison and Rondo took over the back court. However, it’s likely Rondo (or Collison) is sitting tonight and Seth gets the start again. Without the Washington game, Curry would be averaging over 28 PPG. Karl also seems to be pushing for Seth to continue to get more playing time. Considering Seth’s output and his $4,200 salary, he’s clearly a very good value again tonight. Another Curry is rising!

Next: Small Forward

Mar 30, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Atlanta Hawks forward Kent Bazemore (24) goes up to make a basket as Toronto Raptors forward Patrick Patterson (54) defends at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated Atlanta 105-97 for their franchise record 50th win in a season. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Small Forward (SF)

Kent Bazemore is making a late season surge. Bazemore is averaging 32.3 PPG over the last week and tonight he only costs you $4,900, a 6.6X value. Kent started getting momentum in late March and has exploded with points in April. Bazemore is averaging 36 minutes per game over the last two games and dropped 34 and 44 points. Only spending $4,900 on a pick getting 30-40 points while also allowing affordability for Leonard or Wiggins is a great value opportunity, take it!

Nikola Mirotic had a couple of dud games here and there but his trend is fantastic. The Bulls continue to give Mirotic plenty of minutes riding his hot hand, averaging 32 minutes per game over the last week. On Saturday, Nikola had one of those rough games, 8 points against Detriot. However, he still averaged 30.6 PPG over the last week. On a $5,300 salary Mirotic is a good bet to get 30-40 points. That’s a good bargain.

Next: Power Forward

Mar 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) looks to pass the ball against Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Power Forward (PF)

The two options I like at PF are a little pricey, but certainly worth it. Paul Millsap has absolutely been on fire. It’s not certain he plays tonight, but the Hawks may want to wrap up the 3 seed and beating a good Raptors team is a great way to tune up for the playoffs. Millsap averaged 44.2 PPG over the last week and even with a salary of $8,500, that’s a decent investment. Keep your eyes on the lineup, but strongly consider Millsap tonight.

Luol Deng is another hot PF and is, by far, the cheapest of the top 5. Deng averaged 34.6 PPG over the last week and he’ll only set you back $6,300 tonight. A 5.5X value for a top 5 PF, over the last week, is always a great option. While playoffs are likely out of reach for the Bulls, they’re not giving up and it’s pretty likely Deng plays.

Next: Center

Jan 19, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns center Tyson Chandler (4) reacts in the court against the Indiana Pacers in the first half at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports

Center (C)

Ever since Tyson Chandler came back in late March for the Suns he has been fantastic. Over the last week, Chandler is averaging 35.0 PPG. With a salary of only $5,400 (6.6X value), Chandler is the cheapest option of the top 10 Center’s in PPG over the last week. Aside from Mason Plumlee (who isn’t playing tonight), the next most expensive Center is Jonas Valanciunas, who is averaging 33.3 PPG, at $6,200. Every other Center will cost you $8,000 or more. If you’re looking for a value pick at this position to ‘go big’ in another position, Chandler is a bargain and likely to get you 30-40 points tonight. Strongly consider Tyson as your Center value play!

Next: NBA FanDuel Picks For April 7

I wish you all well tonight FanDuelers! Spend smartly and enjoy the return on your savings!