*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
We’ll have our first busy slate of 2019 in the NBA on Wednesday with nine games. There is an abundance of excellent cheap value play options, so here are a couple at each position that could provide significant returns. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.
POINT GUARDS
T.J. McConnell, PHI at PHO
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $3,600
McConnell doesn’t take many shots, but that hasn’t stopped him from being a valuable contributor. He scored 11 points to go along with two rebounds, three assists, four steals, and one block in Tuesday’s battle with the Sixers. The key is he logged 28 minutes in that game, which was up significantly from his season average of 20 minutes per contest. Expect him to continue to have an expanded role with Markelle Fultz (shoulder) out, especially in this contest since the Sixers will be playing in the second game of a back-to-back set.
Terry Rozier, BOS vs. MIN
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $5,300
The key here is the status of Kyrie Irving (eye). After suffering a scratched cornea against the Spurs on Monday, he’s listed as questionable for this contest against the Timberwolves. If he can’t play, Rozier would likely move into a starting role. Rozier has only made two starts this season, but he averaged 16 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 4.5 assists in those games. He thrived filling in for Irving last season, as well, so don’t hesitate to add him to your entry if Irving sits.
SHOOTING GUARDS
Kevin Huerter, ATL at WAS
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $4,400
The Hawks are going to be extremely thin Wednesday with Taurean Prince (ankle) and Kent Bazemore (ankle) both out. They are two of the Hawks’ top offensive players, so expect them to lean on Huerter to be more productive. With both players out Monday, Huerter set season-highs in both shot attempts (15) and points scored (22), which is even more impressive when you consider it came against a great defensive team in the Pacers. Don’t count on him for much outside of scoring, but he could still provide value.
Malik Monk, CHA vs. DAL
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $3,600
Injuries continue to be the common theme Wednesday with the Hornets unlikely to have the services of Jeremy Lamb (hamstring). Losing Lamb would be significant since he is averaging a career-high 15.3 points per game. Scoring is certainly Monk’s strength, leaving him with the potential for extra playing time and shot attempts. Across 19 games in which Monk has logged at least 20 minutes this season, he’s averaged 14.1 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 2.3 assists.
SMALL FORWARDS
DeAndre’ Bembry, ATL at WAS
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $4,200
Bembry has found himself with a more prominent role lately, logging at least 27 minutes in five of his last six games. His numbers might not jump off the page, but he’s been productive, overall, with averages of 7.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, three assists, 1.4 steals and one block during that five-game stretch. Both the Hawks and the Wizards are in the top-nine in the league in pace of play, leaving Bembry with some appeal in tournament play.
DeMarre Carroll, BKN vs. NO
FanDuel = $5,100
DraftKings = $4,000
The Nets find themselves shorthanded for this game with Allen Crabbe (knee) and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (hip) both ruled out. Carroll hasn’t received a ton of playing time this season, but that shouldn’t be a problem Wednesday. After Hollis-Jefferson left early Saturday, Carroll logged 35 minutes and finished with 18 points, five rebounds, and four assists. This could be another productive outing for him against the Pelicans, who play at the fifth-fastest pace (103.3 possessions per game) in the league.
POWER FORWARDS
Marcus Morris, BOS vs. MIN
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $6,000
They don’t play the same position, but Morris could also see a bump in production if Irving sits out this contest. Irving has the highest usage rate on the team (29.5), so his absence would create a huge offensive void. Morris has the fourth-highest usage rate (21.2 percent), so he would likely be one of the players they look to in order to take some of Irving’s shot attempts. Considering Morris is already averaging career-highs in points (15.5) and rebounds (6.1), he makes a lot of sense despite not being overly cheap on either site.
Rodions Kurucs, BKN vs. NO
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $5,200
Kurucs has had a couple of off games for the Nets, combining for seven points and four rebounds against the Hornets and Bucks. However, before those two duds, he had averaged 17.7 points and 8.3 rebounds across three contests. With the Nets lacking depth and the Pelicans playing at such a fast pace, it might make sense to take a chance on this being a bounce-back performance for Kurucs.
CENTERS
Thomas Bryant, WAS vs. ATL
FanDuel = $6,600
DraftKings = $4,700
Markieff Morris (back) will miss his third straight game for the Wizards, leaving them even thinner at center. Bryant has logged at least 30 minutes in both of the last two games and hasn’t wasted his opportunity with averages of 16.5 points, nine rebounds, and two blocks. The Hawks allow the fourth-most Yahoo points per game (52) to opposing centers, so this could be another spot for him to thrive. He’s not that cheap on FanDuel, but his price on DraftKings is especially enticing.
Willy Hernangomez, CHA vs. DAL
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $3,800
Cody Zeller fractured his hand against the Magic on Monday, which should pave the way for Hernangomez to enter the starting five. Playing time has been hard to come by for Hernangomez, who is only averaging 13 minutes per contest. However, across the three games in which he has logged at least 20 minutes, he’s averaged 14.7 points, seven rebounds, and two blocks. He should reach that threshold with the Hornets needing his size to battle with DeAndre Jordan, making him one of the top cheap options for the evening at any position.
Author Bio:
Mike has been covering fantasy sports since 2007, joining Lineup Lab in 2017. An avid player of both season-long fantasy leagues and DFS, Mike’s work has appeared on numerous sites, including RotoWire, SportsLine and Sports Illustrated. He’s also been featured on ESPN Radio and DraftKings’ nightly show, The Sweat.