This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
DraftKings.com Value Plays for the Week
If you've never played on DraftKings.com before, we recommend reading our Daily Fantasy Basketball 101: How to Win on DraftKings strategy article.
GUARD
D.J. Augustin, PG, CHI ($4,500): We might be looking at Wednesday's best overall value play on DraftKings tonight with Augustin squaring off against the historically bad Sixers, who set a franchise high (or low) with their 21st consecutive loss on Monday. Augustin has been logging healthy minutes off the bench, and despite some erratic production of late, he should easily exploit a Philadelphia defense that's surrendering the most fantasy points (45.2 FPPG), assists (10.3 APG), steals (2.3 SPG) and third most rebounds (2.4 RPG) to opposing point guards. In his only other meeting with the Sixers this season, Augustin totaled 42 DKPTs (DraftKings Points) on 19 points (7-10 FG/2-4 3PM), eight assists, four rebounds, three steals and two turnovers in 28 minutes of work. He should follow that up with another impressive outing Wednesday night, and he possesses additional appeal in what's likely to be a blowout, as his minutes should be unaffected by the circumstances.
NOTE: Kirk Hinrich (PG/SG - $4,100) should also yield favorable results this week, but isn't nearly as attractive as Augustin, whose disparity in salary is negligible.
A Look Ahead: Augustin will face both Philadelphia and Indiana twice this week. Two meetings with the 76ers is far more than any daily fantasy basketball enthusiast could dream of, however, the Pacers have struggled to contain point guards of late, making Augustin an appealing option at his current price in each of his four matchups this week.
Kendall Marshall, PG, LAL ($4,800): Marshall's fantasy totals have plummeted over the past month, as the Lakers have acquired new bodies while their existing players got healthy in the meantime. Los Angeles will be without Jordan Farmar on Wednesday which should afford Marshall ample opportunity to produce against a San Antonio squad that's coughing up the most made field goals (8.3 FGM/G) and third most points (21.7 PPG) to opposing point guards on the season. He's averaging just shy of 11 assists per game at home (10.9 APG), and should log approximately 30-33 minutes of floor time, despite being on the business end of a certain blowout against the Spurs.
A Look Ahead: Marshall thrived as the Lakers' starting point guard when logging big minutes as one of the only healthy bodies in the Los Angeles backcourt. He'll enjoy some exploitable matchups this week (WAS, ORL, NYK) and should be thrust into a larger role with Famar on the shelf.
Rodney Stuckey, PG/SG, DET ($4,100): Stuckey continues to be a high risk/reward player who is just as liable to catch fire as he is to disappear. He'll oppose the Nuggets on Wednesday night in what should be a track meet at the Pepsi Center (219 O/U), and he should thrive in this fast-paced matchup where Detroit will require all hands on deck in order to top Denver in their own house. $4,100 is a more than reasonable asking price for someone who's tallied 19-plus points and 31-plus DKPTs in two of his last three outings.
A Look Ahead: Stuckey will continue to warrant consideration on DraftKings, as his price tag will rarely rise above $4,500. He's an ideal fit for GPPs (Guaranteed Prize Pool), but carries considerable risk in cash games, where targeting consistency takes precedence over potential upside.
FORWARD
Taj Gibson, PF/C, CHI ($5,500): Much like D.J. Augustin, Gibson owns plenty of appeal against the Sixers on Wednesday, as his minutes will remain stable in the event of a blowout. He's averaging 17.5 points, eight rebounds, 2.5 blocks and 33.5 fantasy points over his last two contests, and should build on those numbers in Philadelphia, as the 76ers are surrendering 47.3 FPPG (29th), 22.6 PPG (28th), 1.7 SPG (28th) and 2.2 BPG (30th) to opposing power forwards. Moreover, no team is allowing a higher shooting percentage (53.2 FG%) to the position than Philadelphia this season, making Gibson an appetizing value forward at only $5,500.
NOTE: Carlos Boozer (PF/C - $5,900) will also make for an appealing fantasy option against the 76ers, being that he is averaging 18.5 points, 11.5 rebounds and 37.6 DKPPG through their only two meetings this season.
A Look Ahead: Gibson will play Philadelphia again on Saturday, and shouldn't see his price tag fluctuate much in the time between, as DraftKings typically updates their salaries at a much slower pace than most other sites. He continues to post consistently serviceable fantasy totals, and won't face much adversity in doing so over the weekend against a deplorable Sixers frontcourt.
Amir Johnson (TOR), PF/C ($6,000): Johnson would typically be no more than a pedestrian option at his current salary, yet Wednesday's circumstances paint an entirely different picture. Patrick Patterson will miss his seventh straight game, and Jonas Valanciunas' status is in question following a strained back injury suffered in Tuesday night's overtime loss to the Hawks. Johnson had already been performing at an elevated level, averaging 31.7 DKPPG over his last five starts, however, he should see his minutes and subsequent production rise if Valanciunas misses any time. Wednesday's tilt with the Pelicans should remain close throughout, and Johnson should make an impact on the glass and on the scoreboard, paying his $6,000 price tag off in double-double fashion at the Smoothie King Center.
A Look Ahead: Johnson's fantasy value is contingent upon the health of Patrick Patterson and Jonas Valanciunas. The thinner Toronto's frontcourt remains, the more enticing Johnson becomes.
CENTER
Gorgui Dieng, C, MIN ($3,700): Dieng shocked daily fantasy basketball world on Sunday, as he totaled 12 points, 11 rebounds, two steals and five blocks through 37 minutes against the Kings. The rookie center started in place of an injured Nikola Pekovic and made the most of the opportunity, posting career highs in points, rebounds, blocks and minutes played. His stellar performance should open the door to extended floor time on Wednesday against the Mavericks, who have been mediocre at defending opposing centers through nearly five months of the 2013-14 season. Dieng is no lock to produce serviceable fantasy totals, and a repeat of Sunday's performance is highly unlikely, but he remains one of the most intriguing value plays available on a night where the center position is devoid of low-end talent.
A Look Ahead: The sample size isn't nearly large enough to gauge Dieng's fantasy value going forward (especially when Pekovic returns), but he's done enough in limited minutes to warrant consideration as a bottom barrel punt play. He should continue to meet value (21 DKPTs) at his current salary so long as Pekovic remains sidelined.
