This article is part of our FantasyAces NBA series.
RotoWire aims to help you win on Fantasy Aces, as we will break down a few value plays for the coming days that can help you build your lineups.
There is value to be had, and identifying it will allow you to spend on top-tier players to round out your lineup.
Guard: Ish Smith, NOP vs. LAC (Fri.), vs. MIN (Sun.) ($4,800): Despite coming off the bench, Smith has been the point guard to own for the Pelicans. At just $4,800 he needs close to 28 fantasy points for good value, which he has exceeded in five straight games. Not only has Smith exceeded, he has annihilated value in the last few games, scoring 39, 46, and 42 fantasy points in his last three contests, respectively. He is averaging 18 points, 11 assists and six rebounds per game over that stretch.
Guard: Isaiah Canaan, PHI vs. HOU (Fri.), vs. MEM (Sun.) ($4,150): Canaan has come out of nowhere to be the leading shooter for the Sixers. His minutes have increased in the last three games, playing 27, 29 and 32, respectively. When on the floor, Canaan's usage rate is approaching 20 percent, and he has been higher in the last three games. At his price, he needs just over 24 fantasy points, which he has averaged in each of his last three games.
Guard: Jason Terry, HOU vs. PHI (Fri.), vs. NYK (Sun.) ($3,500): Terry has taken over the starting point guard job since Kevin McHale was fired as head coach. He has played at least 28 minutes in three of four games and has scored at least 14.5 fantasy points in three of those. His price is near the minimum, needing around 18 fantasy points for value. Considering Terry's next two matchups against the Sixers and the Knicks, he is worth playing if he continues to start. The Sixers and Knicks have both struggled against point guards this season, and with the Rockets' fast-paced offense and his expected minutes, he is an excellent bet to reach value.
Forward: Darrell Arthur, DEN vs. SAS (Fri.), vs. DAL (Sat.) ($3,800): Kenneth Faried and Joffrey Lauvergne are banged up and expected to miss at least one game. With those two off the floor, Arthur has played the second-most minutes on the team. He has a 15.9 percent usage rate and a rebound rate of over 11 percent, making him a secondary fantasy option while on the floor. Arthur's price will need a return of over 22 fantasy points, but given his minutes and ability to contribute in a few scoring categories, he makes for an interesting play as long as he continues to start.
Forward: Robert Covington, PHI vs. HOU (Fri.), vs. MEM (Sun.) ($4,400): Covington's return to fantasy relevance could not have come at a better time considering the lack of depth at forward in NBA DFS. Covington's price is far too low, as it requires a yield of just 25 fantasy points to reach value. In the last three games since his minutes limit was lifted, Covington has 33, 29, and 40 fantasy points, respectively. He has averaged 17 points, nine rebounds, a block and nearly four steals per game in that stretch.
Forward: Jae Crowder, BOS vs. WAS (Fri.), vs. ORL (Sun.) ($4,600): Crowder has been up and down of late, but he has remained a staple in Brad Stevens' rotation. He is averaging 23.8 fantasy points per game this season, which is just below what he needs at his current price to return value. His matchup with the Wizards on Friday presents a top opportunity for him to exceed value, as the Wizards rank near the bottom of the NBA in defending small forwards. If Crowder starts, be sure to consider him as a safe option in an excellent matchup. Crowder also faces the Magic on Sunday in a game that should be very fast-paced, which will heavily benefit the former Marquette forward.
Center: Nikola Jokic, DEN vs. SAS (Fri.), vs. DAL (Sat.) ($4,100): Jokic has been one of the most efficient players in the NBA this season, scoring over a fantasy point per minute and shooting over 56 percent from the field. With Lauvergne and Faried out injured, Jokic leads the Nuggets in rebounding rate and has a usage rate of over 20 percent. This gives him value as a cheap center, considering his price is just over $4K on Fantasy Aces. A return of over 24 fantasy points would be good value, and Jokic has exceeded that in three of his last four games. In addition, he has shown excellent upside, with a 48-point game against the Spurs just nine days ago. His next opponent is those Spurs on Friday, who will be without Tim Duncan in the middle.
