DFS NBA: The Top Salary Value Plays – Ice in Brooklyn

DFS NBA – The Breakdown

So as usually, with any DFS NBA slate, we’re going to look at a players stats, usage rate, previous game stats, the opposing teams defensive stats versus the players position, and their salary. A big part of daily fantasy sports is a players salary.

We build our lineups around key players and if they are players like LeBron James, James Harden, Russell Westbrook, or even Paul George, then they come along with a hefty price tag.

We need a player to hit at least five times their value with their salary to make it “worth it” in a sense but what we really want and need is for it to be around six or possibly even seven times their value so we can find the Top Value Plays on both DraftKings and FanDuel!

For example, the other night  Paul George was priced at $9,600 versus the New Orleans Pelicans so we needed him to hit 48 fantasy points to return five times his value. Sure enough, Paul George returned value and exceeded it by scoring 54.8.

This is why we’re switching up this fantasy basketball article format and trying to dig even deeper with our NBA Slates. Now we might not always have multiple players (minimum two) discussed at every position on every article because the NBA has the weirdest schedule this season.

In addition to breaking down salary and a players value with their price tag, we are also going to add another section of pairing top-tier and low tier players together for your lineups. We can mix and match all we want with 150+ lineups (we don’t do that though) but in reality, there are usually two or three players we should throw in a lineup together.

Let’s not waste any more time and kick off the research for this 11 game Fantasy Basketball slate on DraftKings and FanDuel!

DFS NBA: Draftkings – The Top Tier Plays

Point Guard: D’Angelo Russell vs. Washington Wizards

Salary: $8,700 – Needs to score 43.5 fantasy points or more to exceed value (56.55 for 6.5x)

D’Angelo Russell has started out the second half of the NBA season on a high note besides the first game, scoring 31.5 fantasy points but has scored 58.8 and 48.8 fantasy points in the next two games. He now gets to face the Washington Wizards who are giving up the second most points to point guards with 50.90 fantasy points. In the last match-up, Russell was a non factor on December 19th, scoring just 8 points with 9 assist and 3 rebounds. But he has turned it up to a whole different level since then, averaging 20 points, 7 assist, and 4 rebounds per game. He’s also averaging 1.27 fantasy points per minute. Even though we have James Harden, Steph Curry, Kyrie Irving, and Luka Doncic on this slate, D’Angelo Russell is my top point guard play on Draftkings.

Shooting Guard: Bradley Beal vs. Brooklyn Nets

Salary: $8,900 – Needs to score 44.5 fantasy points or more to exceed value (57.85 for 6.5x)

Now the Brooklyn Nets may be one of the tougher match-ups for shooting guards as they only give up 20 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assist, and 37.70 fantasy points per game but it’s Bradley Beal! Beal has eclipsed his 5x value in 7 straight games now. Plus he started out the second half of the season with 67.5 and 52.3 fantasy points. He’s even pushing 40 minutes in his last four games. The Wizards have absolutely no one else to go to and Beal has made the best of this opportunity. He’s averaging 44.5 fantasy points per game and 1.20 fantasy points per minute. Beal is also almost at 30% usage rate on the season. Avoid the Harden plays as the Houston Rockets are finally healthy and roll with someone under $9k like Bradley Beal.

Small Forward: Giannis Antetokounmpo vs. Sacramento Kings

Salary: $11,000 – Needs to score 55 fantasy points or more to exceed value (71.5 for 6.5x)

I’m assuming the Greek Freak will be green lit to go for this nice match-up with the Sacramento Kings as they are preparing for the playoffs. Giannis started the second half of the season with 61.3 and 57.5 fantasy points, which isn’t near the 6.5x value that we actually need tonight. But the Sacramento Kings do give up 42.39 fantasy points to the small forward position, allowing them to average 22 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assist. Giannis recorded a triple double the last time they faced the Kings, recording 26 points, 15 rebounds, and 11 assist. The Greek Freak has broken 50+ fantasy points in 8 straight games also. Given that he is fully rested with a 3 day break, Giannis Antetokounmpo should be able to dominate the Sacramento Kings once again.

Power Forward: Julius Randle vs. Los Angeles Lakers

Salary: $7,800 – Needs to score 39 fantasy points or more to exceed value (50.7 for 6.5x) 

Julius Randle has now been priced higher then Anthony Davis in two straight games and he’s only priced at $7,800 which is sad. Randle hasn’t started the second half of the season that strong, scoring 24, 36.3, and finally 49.5 fantasy points. They get to face the Lakers once again, who are allowing opposing power forwards to average 18 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 assist, plus 46.63 fantasy points per game. We also got official news from the interim GM that Anthony Davis and Jrue Holiday would be on minute restrictions of just 25 minutes. Randle is averaging 38.3 fantasy points per game and 1.32 fantasy points per minute. Randle only recorded 24 points, 5 assist, and 3 rebounds on Saturday. Randle should have a better outing tonight then he did Saturday.

Center: Andre Drummond vs. San Antonio Spurs

Salary: $9,000 – Needs to score 45 fantasy points or more to exceed (58.5 for 6.5x)

One thing you don’t have to worry about with Andre Drummond is that he won’t foul out like the league leader in fouls and his teammate, Blake Griffin. Drummond is averaging 45.3 fantasy points per game and 1.37 fantasy points per minute. When Drummond last faced the San Antonio Spurs, he recorded 19 points and 14 rebounds with 2 assist. The Spurs are only giving up 21 points, 14 rebounds, and 3 assist, plus 52.16 fantasy points. Andre Drummond has scored 50+ fantasy points in 4 of his last five games, scoring 40 fantasy points on February 23. He’s at a very reasonable price when he has been exceeding value and nearing 6x value recently.

DFS NBA: Fanduel – The Top Tier Plays

Point Guard: Kyrie Irving vs. Portland Trailblazers

Salary: $9,800 – Needs to score 49 fantasy points or more to exceed value (63.7 for 6.5x)

Kyrie Irving royally screwed us last night on a 3 game slate but lets shoot back to him once again tonight versus the Portland Trailblazers as the Toronto Raptors are a good defensive team. Irving only played 26 minutes last night as he usually averages 32 minutes. The Trailblazers are allowing opposing point guards to average 44.78 fantasy points per game with 22 points, 7 assist, and 5 rebounds. Irving did record 21 points, 6 assist, 5 steals, and 2 rebounds in their last match-up. We went back to previous match-ups last night and we’re doing it once again but this should be a much better one for Kyrie Irving.

Shooting Guard: D’Angelo Russell vs. Washington Wizards

Salary: $9,100 – Needs to score 45.5 fantasy points or more to exceed value (59.15 for 6.5x)

We already covered D’Angelo Russell as the top point guard option on the previous slide for Draftkings and he’s also the top option on Fanduel. Check out the previous slide for his stats and the defensive stats that Washington Wizards allow.

Small Forward: Kevin Durant vs. Miami Heat

Salary: $9,600 – Needs to score 48 fantasy points or more to exceed value (62.4 for 6.5x)

We still can’t assess the situation with the Golden State Warriors and DeMarcus Cousins as he has affected all of the starters but Kevin Durant has a good match-up versus the Miami Heat. He’s averaging 47.43 fantasy points per game and 1.35 fantasy points per minute. He recorded 39 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assist, plus 52.2 fantasy points in their last match-up versus the Miami Heat. The Heat are allowing opposing small forwards to average 21 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assist, and 41.23 fantasy points. Durant only has a usage rate of 27% and now that DeMarcus Cousins has no minute restriction, we could see this hurting the rest of the Golden State Warriors.

Power Forward: Blake Griffin vs. San Antonio Spurs

Salary: $8,900 – Needs to score 44.5 fantasy points or more to exceed value (57.85 for 6.5x)

Now I know I said to go DeAndre Jordan over Blake Griffin in the Draftkings slide but on Fanduel, Blake Griffin is still good on paper. Griffin did foul out in the first game of the second half of the season, scoring just 30.8 fantasy points versus the Miami Heat but he bounced back versus the Indiana Pacers, scoring 48 fantasy points. He now gets to face the San Antonio Spurs who are allowing opposing power forward to average 22 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assist plus 45.37 fantasy points. Griffin also recorded 34 points, 8 assist, and 2 rebounds versus the Spurs on January 7th, scoring 45.4 fantasy points. He’s also averaging 42.83 fantasy points per game and 1.18 fantasy points per minute. When spending salary tonight on a top player, I wouldn’t go Griffin first but if you’re making multiple entries then throw Griffin in one.

Center: Rudy Gobert vs. Los Angeles Clippers

Salary: $9,700 – Needs to score 48.5 fantasy points or more to exceed value (63.05 for 6.5x)

I am not a fan of Rudy Gobert at all but he has a really good match-up versus the Los Angeles Clippers who are allowing opposing centers 62.20 fantasy points. The Clippers have absolutely no big man that can stop Gobert as he went off for 65.9 fantasy points on January 16th. He’s averaging 41.77 fantasy points per game and 1.34 fantasy points per minute. He also kicked off the second half of the season with 58.4 fantasy points versus the Oklahoma City Thunder, who arguably have a stronger defense then the Clippers. Like I said, Gobert isn’t one of my favorite players at all but tonight, he has a great match-up that we can’t avoid.

DFS NBA: Draftkings – The Mid Tier Plays

Point Guard: Brandon Ingram vs. New Orleans Pelicans

Salary: $6,400 – Needs to score 32 fantasy points or more to exceed value (41.6 for 6.5x)

When your name gets turned in to every trade scenario before the trade deadline, you go off and that’s what Brandon Ingram is doing. He has turned in three strong performances since the start of the second half of the season, scoring 44.8, 38.8, and 49.5 fantasy points. But his salary still remains low. He gets to face the New Orleans Pelicans once again after turning in the 38.8 fantasy points on Saturday against them. The Pelicans are allowing opposing point guards to average 50.12 fantasy points per game with 24 points, 8 assist, and 5 rebounds. Bank on Ingram once again as the young Lakers core is stepping up to prove Lebron James wrong.

Shooting Guard: Klay Thompson vs. Miami Heat

Salary: $6,600 – Needs to score 33 fantasy points or more to exceed value (42.9 for 6.5x)

Klay Thompson has had only one bad streak of games since DeMarcus Cousins returned from injury and that was in January. He has scored 32.8, 39.5, and 36.5 fantasy points since the All Star break which gives us at least 5x value. I know we’re looking for 6.5x value and he almost did that in their previous match-up where he recorded 29 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assist, scoring 38.8 fantasy points. The Heat are a pretty good defensive team, only allowing them to average 20 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assist for 38.67 fantasy points. Thompson is averaging 34.5 fantasy points per game and 1 fantasy point per minute.

Small Forward: Kyle Kuzma vs. New Orleans Pelicans

Salary: $6,200 – Needs to score 31 fantasy points or more to exceed value (40.3 for 6.5x)

You could potentially stack the Los Angeles Lakers young core against this New Orleans team and they may go low owned due to the outcome from Saturday. Kuzma did record 16 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assist for 36.5 fantasy points versus the Pelicans. He’s averaging 31.9 fantasy points per game and .97 fantasy points per minute. The Pelicans give up the third most fantasy points to small forwards, allowing them 42.99 fantasy points. They also allow opposing small forwards to average 21 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assist per game. Kuzma and Ingram are the two young Lakers players that have really stepped up since the trade deadline and for some reason their price tags have yet to go up.

Power Forward: Marvin Bagley III vs. Milwaukee Bucks

Salary: $6,700 – Needs to score 33.5 fantasy points or more to exceed value (43.55 for 6.5x)

Marvin Bagley III is on top of his game right now since the All Star break, scoring 48.5, 47, and 48.3 fantasy points. He now gets another nice match-up facing the Milwaukee Bucks who are allowing opposing power forwards to average 21 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 assist, plus 47.33 fantasy points per game. One other bright side to Marvin Bagley, especially since Harrison Barnes joined the team, has played 34, 36, and 37 minutes in these last three games. Bagley has had some different type of match-ups and he gets one more.

Center: Hassan Whiteside vs. Golden State Warriors

Salary: $6,900 – Needs to score 34.5 fantasy points or more to exceed value (44.85 for 6.5x)

With Hassan Whiteside, we have to worry about his minutes at times as the Heat will roll with the big man with the hotter hand. Whiteside should still be in play versus the Golden State Warriors as he recently put up 13 points, 14 rebounds and 3 assist versus them with DeMarcus Cousins. He returned to the second half of the season scoring 19.3 fantasy points but then followed that performance up with 43.3 and 49.3 fantasy points. The Warriors do allow opposing centers to average 24 points, 16 rebounds, and 4 assist, plus 56.42 fantasy points. Whiteside will see majority of DeMarcus Cousins this time who he averages 12 points and 10 rebounds against, in 4 games.

DFS NBA: Fanduel – The Mid Tier Plays

Point Guard: Darren Collison vs. Dallas Mavericks

Salary: $6,800 – Needs to score 34 fantasy points or more to exceed value (44.2 for 6.5x)

Now Collison is a hit and miss type player as he has scored 31.2, 27.7, and 35.1 fantasy points to kick off the second half of the NBA season. He’s averaging 26.34 fantasy points per game and .94 fantasy points per minute. He does get to face a Dallas Mavericks team that is allowing opposing point guards to score 47.59 fantasy points per game. The Pacers do rotate a few guards through the rotation but Collison is the main focus and is averaging 28 minutes per game. Collison did record 16 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assist for 31.1 fantasy points in the previous match-up versus the Mavericks.

Shooting Guard: Andrew Wiggins vs. Atlanta Hawks

Salary: $6,700 – Needs to score 33.5 fantasy points or more to exceed value (43.55 for 6.5x)

Andrew Wiggins finally came down to earth and was mediocre versus the Sacramento Kings, scoring just 19.1 fantasy points after two good performances of 36.7 and 33.8 fantasy points. He’s averaging 30.4 fantasy points per game and .89 fantasy points per minute. Wiggins is the player we hate to write up and then throw into our lineups because he usually chokes. But he gets to face the Atlanta Hawks now who give up the most fantasy points to shooting guards with 45.15 fantasy points. They also allow opposing shooting guards to average 24 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assist per game which still makes Wiggins a good play on this 11 game slate.

Small Forward: Bojan Bogdanovic vs. Dallas Mavericks

Salary: $6,000 – Needs to score 30 fantasy points or more to exceed value (39.5 for 6.5x)

Bojan Bogdanovic has had the green light non-stop since the injury happened to Victor Oladipo and it’s in the best way possible. He’s averaging 25.42 fantasy points per game and .82 fantasy points per minute. He has a pretty low ceiling of 30 fantasy points tonight which he has reached in three of the last four games that he has played. The Dallas Mavericks are allowing opposing small forwards to average 20 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assist, plus 39.41 fantasy points per game. Now, it’s hard to go from the Greek Freak tonight but if you do choose to do so, go with Bojan Bogdanovic as your main small forward.

Power Forward: Thaddeus Young vs. Dallas Mavericks

Salary: $6,500 – Needs to score 32.5 fantasy points or more to exceed value (42.25 for 6.5x)

Sticking in the same game and at the other forward position, Thaddeus Young is also in play and he has been on a roll lately. He has scored 38.9, 31.3, and 40.9 fantasy points since returning from the All-Star Break. The Pacers are also without Damontis Sabonis tonight once again. He;s averaging 28.58 fantasy points per game and .95 fantasy points per minute. The Dallas Mavericks are giving up 45.50 fantasy points to the power forward position, allowing them to average 21 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 assist per game. Without Sabonis, Young will see an uptick in minutes and usage which could make him a good play on this slate.

Center: Clint Capela vs. Charlotte Hornets

Salary: $7,700 – Needs to score 38.5 fantasy points or more to exceed value (50.05 for 6.5x)

It’s harder to go cheaper with Centers on fanduel unless you’re playing a backup that expects to see more usage but we can still go with Clint Capela who is $2k cheaper than our top play, Rudy Gobert. Capela has yet to return to true form since coming back from injury and the All Star break. He has only scored 26.2, 31, and 24.6 fantasy points while seeing around 30 minutes per game. He does get to face the Charlotte Hornets who are allowing opposing centers to average 21 points, 16 rebounds, and 3 assist, plus 56.41 fantasy points per game. I’m not saying he is as good of an option as Rudy Gobert but if you want to save on some salary, he’s the one to go with.

DFS NBA: Draftkings – The Low Tier Plays

Point Guard: Elfrid Payton vs. Los Angeles Lakers

Salary: $5,200 – Needs to score 26 fantasy points or more to exceed value (33.8 for 6.5x)

Payton has had two big games back to back and one was versus the Los Angeles Lakers who he scored 38.25 fantasy points against. Payton is averaging 27 minutes per game, 26.7 fantasy points per game and .98 fantasy points per minute. The Lakers are allowing opposing point gurds to average 23 points, 7 assist, 5 rebounds and 46.29 fantasy points per game. Payton still has a low ceiling for pushing 30 minutes per game and with Jrue Holiday now on a minute restriction, he should see even more opportunities.

Shooting Guard: Eric Gordon vs. Charlotte Hornets

Salary: $4,800 – Needs to score 24 fantasy points or more to exceed value (31.2 for 6.5x)

You would think with a full, healthy team like the Houston Rockets that Eric Gordon wouldn’t be in play but he is due to him being able to return value. He has scored 24.5, 37.75, and 28 fantasy points to kick off the second half of the season. He gets to face the Charlotte Hornets who are allowing opposing shooting guards to average 23 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assist, plus 44.11 fantasy points per game. Gordon is cheap and could provide salary relief for your lineup tonight.

Small Forward: Bojan Bogdanovic vs. Dallas Mavericks

Salary: $5,500 – Needs to score 27.5 fantasy points or more to exceed value (35.75 for 6.5x)

I just mentioned Bojan Bogdanovic on the previous slide as a Mid Tier play for Fanduel but he’s also a low tier play for Draftkings, being able to be used on either.

Power Forward: Thaddeus Young vs. Dallas Mavericks

Salary: $5,900 – Needs to score 29.5 fantasy points or more to exceed value (38.35 for 6.5x)

I’m still using Thaddeus Young on Draftkings as I like his chances with Damontis Sabonis out. He has an even lower ceiling on Draftkings of just 29,5 fantasy points for 5x value. For any other stats, check the previous slide as he is on there also.

Center: Joakim Noah vs. Chicago Bulls

Salary: $4,800 – Needs to score 24 fantasy points or more to exceed value (31.2 for 6.5x)

Maybe all Joakim Noah needed was just a season off to do whatever he wanted to come back this season on a whole new level. He has scored 47.25, 36.23, and 37.5 fantasy points in his past three games. He now gets to face his former team, the Chicago Bulls who give up 58.52 fantasy points to the center position. They allow them to average 23 points, 16 rebounds, and 3 assist per game. Noah is a great salary relief option if you are going to stack two top salary priced players on tonight’s slate.

DFS NBA – Fanduel: The Low Tier Plays

Point Guard: Landry Shamet vs. Utah Jazz

Salary: $3,900 – Needs to score 19.5 fantasy points or more to exceed value (25.35 for 6.5x)

As usual, I do not like playing Landry Shamet as the guy can’t perform when averaging 21 minutes per game but he’s a low-cost player and when rostering the Greek Freak, we need that. He has only scored 9.2, 17.5, and 7.5 fantasy points since starting the second half of the season. He gets to face a Utah Jazz team that is giving up 44.16 fantasy points to the point guard position, allowing them to average 23 points, 7 assist, and 6 rebounds. Like I said, Shamet is a great play only due to his salary as there is risk here.

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Shooting Guard: Eric Gordon vs. Charlotte Hornets

Salary: $5,500 – Needs to score 27.5 fantasy points or more to exceed value (35.75 for 6.5x)

Eric Gordon was already mentioned on the previous slide as a Draftkings low tier play but he’s also a Fanduel Low Tier play. Play him on either site and he should be able to reach his 5x value (or even 6.5x value) with a healthy Houston Rockets squad.

Small Forward: Maurice Harkless vs. Boston Celtics

Salary: $4,700 – Needs to score 23.5 fantasy points or more to exceed value (30.55 for 6.5x)

Maurice Harkless has been getting things done very quietly lately, scoring 30.6, 36, and 28.1 fantasy points while averaging around 25 minutes between the three games. He goes unnoticed and low owned. He does have to face a very tough Boston Celtics team that is allowing small forwards to average just 38.66 fantasy points. They also just allow small forwards to average 19 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assist. We may not see Harkless get the minutes we want as he just sat out the entire fourth quarter in his last game but he knows how to make the most of them when he does receive them.

Power Forward: Ed Davis vs. Washington Wizards

Salary: $4,400 – Needs to score 22 fantasy points or more to exceed value (28.6 for 6.5x)

Ed Davis can go completely under the radar tonight facing a poor Washington Wizards team which is what we need on an 11 game slate. He’s averaging 19.6 fantasy points per game and 1.08 fantasy points per minute. He also started out the second half of the season with 26.5, 20.5, and 16.3 fantasy points. He also gets to face the Wizards tonight who allow power forwards to average 48.49 fantasy points per game plus 23 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 assist. Davis isn’t talked about like the other low tier players which could make him a good, sneaky one tonight.

Center: Willie Cauley-Stein vs. Milwaukee Bucks

Salary: $5,500 – Needs to score 27.5 fantasy points or more to exceed value (35.75 for 6.5x)

Willie Cauley-Stein hasn’t been the best form of himself lately. In his last game against the Timberwolves, he got into early foul trouble, scoring just 4.2 fantasy points but 25.5 and 29.2 fantasy points in the previous two games. Now you probably think I’m crazy for even suggesting Cauley-Stein as an option tonight against the Greek Freak when they have already faced off before. In that meeting, Cauley-Stein wasn’t a factor either, scoring just 6 points, 4 rebounds and 1 assist. But this will be a “revenge” type game for him and he’ll be wanting to bounce back. So at a price tag of just $5,500, Willie Cauley-Stein may go low owned also. The Bucks do just give up 45.07 fantasy points to opposing centers, allowing them to average 21 points and 11 rebounds.

Stay tuned to Fantasy CPR for all the latest NBA DFS news and analysis each and every day!