This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
Wednesday Value Plays
Point Guard
Zach LaVine, MIN, $5,100: LaVine should get plenty of run down the stretch as Minnesota plays it safe with Ricky Rubio and his troublesome ankles. LaVine has been able to contribute in multiple categories, and he's been forced into heavy minutes with the limited options his team has at point guard. He's averaged 27.6 fantasy points while starting over the last three games, and the Lakers have given up a ton of points to opposing point guards this season. LaVine has also established a nice floor, scoring at least 18 fantasy points in six of his last seven games (the other game being one in which Rubio started) showing he's a solid play in cash games.
Jeremy Lin, LAL, $5,500: Lin has been a completely different player since the All-Star break and was rewarded Tuesday night with a move into the starting lineup. Lin has worked the pick-and-roll to perfection of late finding open teammates off of it or draining open shots. He's been better defensively as well as he's averaged just under a block and two steals per game. The matchup against the Timberwolves is good as both teams can give up a ton of points. Don't worry about using two point guards going against each other; they'll offer some nice value in a game with a high over/under and allow you to spend elsewhere.
Shooting Guard
Jason Terry, HOU, $3,500: This is mainly a GPP recommendation given the potential low floor Terry has on a team loaded with offensive options. Still, Terry will draw the start at the point for the Rockets with Patrick Beverley (wrist) already ruled out, and Terry comes at the minimum price tag FanDuel has. He has averaged north of 35 minutes over the six starts he's made this season and should see both open looks and assist opportunities as the Rockets welcome Dwight Howard (knee) back to the lineup. If you spend at the other positions and are looking for some salary cap relief, Terry is a great option.
Randy Foye, DEN, $4,800: Foye is going to be very under-owned Wednesday after missing Sunday's contest with an illness. However, he was playing very well until that point, averaging just over 27 fantasy points over his last three games. The matchup is ideal going against the 76ers at home, and there's a chance Denver rests some starters, securing Foye 30-plus minutes. Check the Nuggets lineup to make sure Foye playing and to see if any of the regulars are rested.
Small Forward
Joe Ingles, UTA, $3,500: Considering his price tag, Ingles turned in a respectable 16.7-point performance Monday with Gordon Hayward (collarbone) out of the lineup. With Hayward and Rodney Hood (illness) both considered doubtful for Wednesday's game, Ingles will once again see serious minutes. It doesn't hurt either that Ingles will be matched up against the Trail Blazers backups since Nicolas Batum (back) and LaMarcus Aldridge (wrist) are expected to be sidelined with injuries. Take a look at Ingles' teammate Elijah Millsap (SG, $3,600) as another value play out of that game.
Lance Thomas, NYK, $3,800: The Knicks are full of fantasy value these days especially with Alexey Shved (calf) looking like he'll miss some time. Enter Thomas who has logged 38 minutes in each of the last two games and parlayed the extra time into games of 17.9 and 28.4 fantasy points. This game will likely be a blowout against the Clippers, but Thomas should see considerable minutes regardless of the circumstances.
Power Forward
Ryan Kelly, LAL, $3,500: Kelly is really a small forward trapped in a power forward's body, and like Lin, he is finally getting a shot at the starting five. Kelly responded with a nice game Tuesday, finishing with 31 fantasy points against the Thunder. He gets an even better matchup Wednesday against the Timberwolves, and he could be matched up against rookie Adreian Payne. Kelly's minutes Tuesday (29) were the most he's played in awhile, and he should see similar run again Wednesday.
Thomas Robinson, PHI, $4,600: What type of fantasy line would Robinson post on a nightly basis if he were ever to get a full complement of starter's minutes? Nerlens Noel is blocking his path to playing time, and Robinson continues to see minutes in the upper teens or lower 20s off the bench. However, he's been carving out a decent scoring role with the second unit and has games of 29.6, 25.6 and 26.2 fantasy points over his last three, exceeding his value in each of those games. Robinson gets a great matchup against the Nuggets' interior defense that has struggled to contain opposing big men. Even better for Robinson is that he'll likely go up against J.J. Hickson instead of Kenneth Faried. He's one of the few exceptions in daily that you can use despite his lack of playing time.
Center
Gorgui Dieng, MIN, $6,700: This price is by no means a steal, but Dieng is the 13th highest priced center, giving you an idea how valuable the position has been lately. The matchup is excellent with the Wolves welcoming the lowly Lakers into town, a team on the second half of a back-to-back set. Dieng has games of 47.7, 34, and 46.3 fantasy points over his last seven games and will continue to log heavy minutes with Minnesota dealing with a plethora of injuries to their big men. Of course, using Enes Kanter ($6,900) is just as good of an option although the matchup and playing the second of a back-to-back is a tad worrisome.
