This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
Wednesday brings an eight-game slate that much like Tuesday, offers plenty of value. With the likes of LeBron James, James Harden, Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant in action, here's a look at some value plays priced no higher than $6,200 that will offer you the room to roster some of the elite.
Point Guards
Reggie Jackson, DET at ORL ($5,900) - Jackson has scored between 20.0 and 35.9 fantasy points over his last nine games. He's scored 30.0, 28.8 and 29.9 fantasy points, respectively, in his last three, and draws a Magic defense on Wednesday that's surrendered the third-most rebounds (5.9), fourth-most three-pointers (2.3) and sixth-highest field-goal percentage (44.0) to point guards per game this season. With a sub-$6k price and playing in a game the Pistons need to win to further insure playoff position, Jackson becomes a premium value play Wednesday.
Patrick Beverley, HOU at DAL ($5,200)- Beverley represents a likely under-owned value play Wednesday, considering the must-win situation the Rockets find themselves in, and his track record of exploiting favorable matchups. While his offense is always a tad on the inconsistent side, Beverley has scored 32.4 and 38.5 fantasy points, respectively, in two of his last three against the Cavs and Bulls. He should be able to tee off against J.J. Barea and whoever else is put in front of him Wednesday, as the Mavs check in surrendering the eighth-most fantasy points (52.5) to opposing point guards over the last 10 games
Shooting Guards
Bradley Beal, WAS vs. BKN ($5,800)- The Wizards are in must-win mode, trying to keep their faint playoff hopes alive. While they are depending on other teams knocking off others in front of them, they naturally need to take care of business themselves, meaning Beal should be heavily involved on offense. He's picked it up in recent games, scoring between 24.4 and 33.8 fantasy points in his last four, and over 30 fantasy points in two others over his last 10. The Nets have also been willing facilitators to two-guard production this season, having the second-most fantasy points (43.4), most assists (4.7), second-most steals (2.0) and third-highest field-goal percentage (45.5) per game to the position.
Avery Bradley, BOS vs. NO ($5,800) - Bradley has seen a nice boost in his fantasy production over his last seven games, scoring between 27.6 and 39.6 fantasy points in five of those contests. He's been getting it done by contributing across the stat sheet, and draws a matchup in his return to the starting lineup that offers the potential for another nice return on his very reasonable price. The decimated Pelicans backcourt has had trouble with opposing guards all season, even when at full health. They've surrendered the sixth-most fantasy points (36.7), the fourth-most points (22.1), the fifth-most three-pointers (2.6) and fifth-highest field-goal percentage (44.0) per game to two-guards on the season.
Small Forwards
Luke Babbitt, NO at BOS ($5,000) - Babbitt continues to thrive as a starter at the three for the Pelicans, and draws one of the more exploitable parts of the Celtics defense. He's scored 41.5, 30.2 and 28.1 fantasy points, respectively, over his last three, as well as between 21.6 and 29.3 fantasy points in four others over his last ten. Boston has surrendered the ninth-most fantasy points per game to opposing threes this season (35.7), fourth-most (44.7) over the last five and the most over the last 10 (43.5). They've also yielded the fourth-most points (20.2) and the fourth-most rebounds (7.5) per game to the position this season, and considering Boston's proficiency against opposing backcourts, some extra action could be funneled Babbitt's way.
Marcus Morris, DET at ORL ($6,200) - A good part of the field might be a tad disgusted with Morris on Wednesday, considering he generated a grand total of one point and 6.8 fantasy points versus the Heat on Tuesday. Short memories are essential in DFS, especially when a player's track record and matchup point toward a quick resurgence. Such is the case with Morris, who had scored between 25.4 and 57.4 fantasy points in eight of the nine games prior to Tuesday's outlier, including five games at 30 fantasy points or higher. Meanwhile, the Magic have surrendered the most fantasy points to opposing threes (46.8) over the last five, and are tied with several other clubs for fourth-most three-pointers (2.4) surrendered per game to the position on the season. The Pistons need to keep winning to insure the postseason, and Morris should certainly be playing with a little extra motivation.
Power Forwards
Markieff Morris, WAS vs. BKN ($5,600)- Morris' production has seen a notable uptick over the last two games, but his price is lagging behind. He scored 43.3 fantasy points against his former Suns teammates last Friday, before following it up with a 34.1-fantasy point performance versus the Clippers on Sunday. He also tallied between 27.3 and 30.3 fantasy points in three other games over his last eight, and draws an exploitable matchup Wednesday. While Thomas Robinson has stepped in at the four for the resting Thaddeus Young for the rest of the season, the Nets continue to be vulnerable to opposing power forwards, surrendering the second-most fantasy points (49.2) to the position over the last five. Average offensive talents Dante Cunningham and Derrick Williams have managed double-digit scoring efforts against Robinson the last two games, and Morris' offensive ability exceeds both of those players by an appreciable margin.
Derrick Williams, NY vs. CHA ($3,700)- Williams will draw another start for Kristaps Porzingis (shoulder) on Wednesday, and has an opportunity for a 7x-8x return on his near-minimum price. He's had some explosive outings in previous starting opportunities this season, and the Hornets are ranked in the bottom half of the league in virtually every defensive category versus opposing fours this season. While Williams scored a modest 21.2 fantasy points in his start versus the Pacers on Wednesday, even that represents nearly a 6x return, and he stands a solid chance of exceeding that total against Charlotte.
Center
Enes Kanter, OKC vs. POR ($5,300)- Kanter's price always seems to hover around his current range, regardless of his extended stretches of solid production. He's scored over 30 fantasy points twice in the last 10, and over 20 fantasy points in six other games during that span as well. That stretch also includes five games with double-digit rebounds, as he continues to contribute nicely on the glass as well. While his playing time typically tops out at about 25 minutes, Kanter has more than proven capable of generating a solid 5x-6x return on his usual price during that period of time. He'll draw a highly favorable matchup as well, as the Trail Blazers are ranked in the bottom 10 in multiple categories with respect to their defense versus centers this season.
