This article is part of our FantasyDraft NBA series.
The end of the season can be tough on fantasy owners, but it can really benefit experienced DFS players. What separates the good players from the amateurs is being able to spot value in these bizarre games. What makes this time of year so strange is all the random rotations and trying to judge motivation with playoff hopes on the line. That's why I love picking players from teams who are competing for something, as they should surpass their season averages in minutes at this important part of the season. I also like to take advantage of young players who are getting huge minutes, as value can open up through that as well.
Guards:
Dennis Schroder, ATL at PHI ($14,300): Schroder has taken over in the absence of Paul Millsap and it's evident through his gaudy numbers. In fact, Schroder has at least 44 fantasy points in three-straight games, as he's seeing a career-high in usage right now. This is not a matchup to be scared of either, with Philly ranking as a below-average defense.
Wesley Matthews, DAL at NOP ($10,200): Matthews has been inconsistent all season, but he's better than this price would indicate. What's made Matthews better recently is the fact that he's doing more in the offense, averaging 9.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.4 steals across his last five games. That means he has an extremely high floor at an affordable price, as he has at least 20 fantasy points in all those games, while playing at least 33 minutes in all five games as well.
Timothe Luwawu-Cabbarot, PHI vs. ATL ($6,700): Finding a player who costs just $6,700 who actually plays is hard enough, but one who produces is simply impossible to pass up. Over his last 10 games, TLC has scored at least 18 fantasy points six times and has scored at least 23 fantasy points in half of those. That's nothing to write home about, but it's fantastic value for a $6,7000 player. His last game is what's most promising though, as he collected 19 points, nine rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block in 32 minutes of action on Tuesday. Atlanta can't stop opposing shooting guards either, allowing the eighth-most fantasy points to them this season.
Forward/Center:
Kristaps Porzingis, NYK vs. MIA ($13,900): With Derrick Rose and Carmelo Anthony supposedly sitting this game out, that means Porzingis should be the go-to guy. Not only does that take out the two-highest usage players on this team, it should mean they run their offensive exclusively through KP. Porzingis has been great since returning from injury, averaging 18 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 2.2 blocks in the 13 games since. Power forward is one of the weak spots on Miami's roster, as they start Luke Babbitt at that position.
Nerlens Noel, DAL at NOP ($11,200): Noel has been starting recently for Dallas and it appears they're ready to ride him as the full-time center. Since taking over that role, Noel is averaging a near double-double, with three combined blocks and steals per game. That's fantastic value and he should be leaned on heavily here against this potent New Orleans frontcourt. It's not just that either, with the Pelicans allowing the eighth-most fantasy points to opposing centers this season.
Marcin Gortat, WSH at LAC ($8,400): It's hard to use a player struggling so badly, but this price is simply too cheap. Gortat is averaging 29 fantasy points a game for the season and that's one of the best rates in the league in fantasy points per dollar. It's not like he's been relegated to bench duties either, as he's still averaging over 24 minutes a game across his last 12 games. He'll need to approach 30 minutes Wednesday, as he's one of the only bigs on this team who can match up with DeAndre Jordan.
Utility:
DeMar DeRozan, TOR vs. CHA ($16,000): DeRozan has at least 38 real points in three of his last four games, as he's taking over this team. What's making him so effective for fantasy is the fact that he's averaging over 25 shots across his last four games, while ranking third in the league in usage. That means he should be able to do more than just score, as he has the ball in his hands on nearly every possession. The matchup is enticing as well, with Charlotte allowing the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing shooting guards this season.
Ersan Ilyasova, ATL at PHI ($11,900): Ilyasova is in the same boat as Schroder, as his role has increased immensely in the absence of Millsap. Over his last three games, Ilyasova is averaging 12 points, 13 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.0 steals per game, while playing at least 33 minutes in every outing. The Sixers have really struggled against opposing power forwards recently, allowing the sixth-most fantasy points against them across their last 10 games.
