This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
Wednesday Value Plays
Point Guard
Nick Calathes, $3,800: Given that Beno Udrih ($3,800) is less than 100 percent, the Grizzlies will likely stick with Calathes as their starting point guard. Calathes has performed nicely the last two games, scoring 24.1 and 24.3 fantasy points. Calathes and Udrih should come close to splitting time, and it would be an interesting idea to try playing both in GPPs while loading up at the other positions.
Damian Lillard, $7,700: Both Deron Williams ($7,100) and Jeff Teague ($6,500) are coming off good fantasy games, but Lillard would seem to be the safer choice here. The difference in cost isn't significant, and Williams and Teague were stuck in games in the 20s as far as fantasy points go before last game. It's probably not a coincidence that Lillard is coming off his best game of the series with Udrih and Calathes now guarding him, and he gets the same matchup Wednesday.
Shooting Guard
C.J. McCollum, $4,700: It took a couple of games, but it appears McCollum has gained some confidence. He has put up back-to-back solid fantasy games with 28 and 34.8 points. Even with his confidence riding high, it would be safer to pay up for Kyle Korver and Joe Johnson Wednesday and use McCollumn in GPPs.
Kyle Korver, $5,400: The bad news with Korver is that he's capable of only having a 15 point fantasy performance as he did two games ago. The good news is that Korver has eclipsed 32 fantasy points in the other three games. Korver has been playing all the minutes he can handle, and it would be wise to roster a few Atlanta players given Vegas expects them to be the highest scoring team Wednesday.
Joe Johnson, $6,700: While it appears Johnson has turned back the clock with some monster fantasy performances so far in these playoffs, the fact is that it's his increase in playing time that is fueling his production. Johnson has averaged over 42 minutes during the playoffs and scored double-digit points with at least 11 combined rebounds and assists in every game.
Small Forward
Bojan Bogdanovic, $4,400: Like McCollum, Bogdanovic has picked up his production over the last two games, scoring 30.1 and 25.7 fantasy points. After scoring only 13 real points combined the first two games, Bojan has scored 15 and 17 in each of his last two games. This is another situation where playing DeMarre Carroll ($6,100) and Nicolas Batum ($6,700) is going to be the safer option, but Bogdanovic is in play if this is the position you decide to punt.
DeMarre Carroll, $6,100: Carroll is working himself into a big payday during the offseason, and he's been a surprise source of points on the offensive end. His three-pointers have been hitting, and he's scored 20 and 22 points from the field in each of his last two games. Carroll's ability to fill up the other stats besides points sets his floor high, and while his price is the highest of the season, he's still very affordable.
Power Forward
Thaddeus Young, $6,000: If you're choosing between Young and Zach Randolph ($6,700), Young is probably the way to go and save the $700. Randolph has had his hands full on the defensive end and has averaged under 26 fantasy points for the series. Young on the other hand has a 16 fantasy point dud in the series, but that can be directly attributed to foul trouble. Over his other three games of the series, he's had games of 29.5, 33.7 and 26.9 points. Using cheaper options at the other positions means the opportunity is there to match Young up with LaMarcus Aldridge ($9,500) or Paul Millsap ($8,300).
Center
Marc Gasol, $8,400: There are only three options worth considering at center Wednesday with Al Horford ($7,100), Brook Lopez ($8,800), and Gasol being the only options. Horford has put up three games in the mid-20s over his last four games while Gasol (for $1,300 more) has scored at least 38 fantasy points in each of his last five games. While it's arguable and totally disregarding any price, Gasol should be considered the top play on the small two-game slate Wednesday.
