This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
Point Guards
Reggie Jackson, DET at WSH ($7,000): Jackson is playing some fantastic ball right now and this sort of game is the perfect time to use him. This will be a battle between two teams fighting to get into the playoffs and that means Jackson should play well over 30 minutes. He's been especially good lately too, as he is averaging 37 fantasy points over his last four games. The Wizards play at one of the fastest paces in the league and that also benefits an active player like Action Jackson.
Shelvin Mack, UTA vs. CLE ($4,300): Mack has been a go-to fantasy option for me recently and he continues to produce. Mack has scored at least 22 fantasy points six times in his last eight games and is averaging over 31 fantasy points across his last three games. The Cavaliers do have a great defense, but Kyrie Irving is the lone weak spot, as his defense is subpar compared to the rest of the team. It's the price that makes him can't miss though, as Mack's floor seems to be 5X value at the $4,300 price.
Shooting Guards
Lance Stephenson, MEM at HOU ($5,600): Stephenson was barely playing early in the season, but he's found himself a nice role in Memphis. The main reason why his role has increased so much is the injury situation, with Marc Gasol, Mike Conley, Mario Chalmers and Zach Randolph all injured. Over his last 10 games, Stephenson is averaging 14.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game. What's most encouraging is the usage, as he is essentially playing point guard for the majority of the game. The matchup is the icing on the cake though, as he'll be squared off against a poor defender in James Harden.
Wesley Matthews, DAL at CHA ($4,100): I've had mixed results in my past recommendations of Matthews, but he continues to be underpriced. Not only has Matthews surpassed 24 fantasy points seven times in his last 10 games, he's playing over 34 minutes a game in that span. That usage alone should give him value at his $4,100 price, but the matchup is promising as well, with the Hornets allowing the sixth-most fantasy points to shooting guards for the season. This is a better head-to-head play than a tournament play, but there may be no better option to reach 5X value at the shooting guard position.
Small Forwards
Nicolas Batum, CHA vs. DAL ($7,400): Batum has established himself as one of the primary ball handlers for the Hornets and may be the best assisting small forward in the NBA. Not only has Batum dished out at least four assists in seven-straight games, he has been regularly flirting with triple-doubles. In fact, Batum is averaging 16.4 points, 6.3 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 2.0 blocks/steals a game in that span. The matchup isn't scary either, with the Mavericks playing their worst basketball of the season right now.
Matt Barnes, MEM at HOU ($5,400): Much like Stephenson, Barnes has found himself a prominent role in the Grizzlies offense. All of the injuries have made Barnes a go-to guy in this offense and he's been responding well. Not only has he surpassed 23 fantasy points five times in his last nine games, he even recorded his first career triple-double en route to a 58 fantasy point performance last week. This is a fantastic matchup as well, with the Rockets ranking dead-last in the NBA in fantasy points allowed to small forwards on the season.
Power Forwards
Marvin Williams, CHA vs. DAL ($5,900): Williams might be the most underrated player in the NBA this season. The former top-pick not only ranks top-50 in year-long fantasy, but has been playing great recently. In fact, Williams is averaging 14.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.2 steals per game across his last 11 games. That means that he has scored at least 27 fantasy points in nine of his last 11 games, which is great value for a player below $6,000. A matchup with Dirk Nowitzki also makes this an intriguing play.
Taj Gibson, CHI at TOR ($5,100): With Jokim Noah, Pau Gasol, and Derrick Rose expected to miss this game, Gibson should be leaned on heavily. Since being inserted into the starting lineup, Gibson is nearly averaging a double-double and that seems like a good bet here. The Toronto defense can be stingy at times, but their lone weak spot is at the power forward position and Gibson should be able to abuse Luis Scola or Patrick Patterson. With all of the frontcourt players injured, Gibson may be asked to play 40-plus minutes, which alone would make him the value of the day at power forward.
Center
Hassan Whiteside, MIA vs. DEN ($8,600): If you've read my recent articles, you know I will continue to recommend Whiteside until he cools off or gets in the five-figure range. Neither of those have happened yet and this matchup is spectacular. The lengthy center is averaging 17.6 points, 14.8 rebounds and 3.9 blocks across his last 12 games and destroyed the Nuggets in their previous meeting. In fact, he triple-doubled in a 19-point, 17-rebound, 11-block showcase. As a Denver fan, I can tell you that the Nuggets simply can't matchup with lengthy guys like Whiteside and this has block party potential written all over it once again.
