This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
With the season winding down, this is the most fun time of the year for DFS. What it really does is separate the experienced players from beginners. It's the crazy roster moves that make this time of year so different, as there are more players resting and teams playing random players big minutes. That leads to a ton of value and it's imperative to capitalize on those situations.
There's one game I want to key in on for this slate too, as the Nuggets and Rockets face off in an offensive showdown. Both of these teams rank top-three in scoring and offensive efficiency, with both of them also ranking as below-average defenses. The total of 239 just furthers that point, as fantasy points will be coming at ease in this matchup.
James Harden, HOU at DEN ($11,800): Harden is always a good choice to solidify your lineup, but this matchup makes him an even better play than usual. Not only does Denver allow the second-most fantasy points to guards this season, they rank 29th in defensive efficiency. Harden has been posting some monster numbers recently too, scoring at least 47 fantasy points in seven-straight games.
Klay Thompson, GS vs. MIL ($7,100): Thompson has been stepping up his game in the absence of Kevin Durant and it's evident through his fantasy numbers. Over his last six games, Thompson has surpassed 31 fantasy points five times. What's really noticeable about Thompson recently is the rise in shot attempts, as he's taken at least 20 shots in the nine-straight games without Durant and only did that three times in his previous 27 games.
Rajon Rondo, CHI vs. UTA ($5,800): Rondo has regained starting point guard duties in Chicago and he's posting vintage Rondo fantasy numbers right now. In his three games since taking back that role, Rondo is averaging 33 fantasy points per game in 34 minutes of action. That's fantastic production for a player south of $6,000 and he should continue to see a rise in usage with the absence of Dwyane Wade. This matchup against Utah is tough, but it could keep Rondo's ownership percentage low and tough defenses usually don't affect the fantasy production of stat stuffers like Rondo.
Nikola Jokic, DEN vs. HOU ($10,700): Jokic is in a similar boat as Harden, as he's too good to avoid right now. Not only does Jokic have at least 34 fantasy points in eight straight games, he's surpassed 42 fantasy points six times in that stretch. It's the matchup that truly makes Jokic a stud though, as he faces a Houston defense that allows the third-most fantasy points to opposing centers this season.
Trevor Ariza, HOU at DEN ($5,200): I have been hit-or-miss on Ariza all season, but he should be able to perform in this matchup. In his one game against Denver this season, Ariza piled up 16 points, seven rebounds, three assists and five steals en route to 39 fantasy points. It's not like Ariza's been a disaster this season either, as he's averaging 25 fantasy points a game for the season. That's 5X value on its own and Ariza could approach 8X, if he can just duplicate his numbers from the earlier meeting in the season.
Ryan Anderson, HOU at DEN ($4,600): Anderson has been a nightmare in his last few games, but it's lowered his price to an unbelievable number. At just $4,600, Anderson is one of the only players who has the ability to provide 10X value. I say that because he's scored at least 30 fantasy points 14 times this season and has scored below 18 fantasy points only 17 times this season. That's great value for a player who is only $4,600 and it comes in the best matchup possible. Not only is Denver second-worst in defensive efficiency, they allow opponents to post the third-highest three-point percentage against them, which is Anderson's specialty.
Rudy Gobert, UTA at CHI ($7,900): The center position is ugly on this slate, so Gobert makes for a nice, safe pivot. It's the other centers matchups that makes Gobert so likeable, as the other top-three centers face the San Antonio Spurs, Memphis Grizzlies and Golden State Warriors. Those are three of the best defenses in the league and Chicago is average at best. Gobert may be playing the best of the bunch anyway, as he's averaging 42 fantasy points across his last six games.
Robin Lopez, CHI vs. MEM ($4,500): Lopez has been outperforming his price tag all season, as $4,500 doesn't show just how solid he's been. Not only is he averaging 22 fantasy points a game for the season, Lopez is coming off a monster 42 fantasy points in his most recent game. This matchup is tough on the surface, but it's one where Lopez will have to take on extra minutes against a potent Grizzlies frontcourt. It's a risky play, but it could also open up the door to get more studs into your lineup by spending less than seven percent of your budget on your center position.
