This article is part of our FantasyAces NBA series.
With the NBA regular season concluding, some may think it is the end of daily fantasy basketball. The truth is, it is a new beginning. Playoff fantasy basketball on FantasyAces is just as fun as the regular season, and in some cases it's more fun.
Since it is the playoffs, there is less frustration on injuries, less movement with rested players, and the rotations are more predicable. Factor that in with 14 fewer teams, and daily fantasy basketball during the playoffs is one of the better games available.
There are four games Saturday and four Sunday, making two smaller slates available to play on FantasyAces. But it is not your average smaller slates, because every game is likely to be close and the best teams in the NBA are all playing to win, which cannot be said for the regular season. Be sure to set your lineups for this weekend's NBA contests on FantasyAces.
RotoWire aims to help you win on FantasyAces, as we will break down a few value plays, some players who are currently trending up and others who are trending down for the given slate.
There is value to be had on FantasyAces, and identifying that value will allow you to spend on top-tier players to round out your lineup.
Without further ado, here is this weekend's breakdown for NBA playoff games on FantasyAces:
Value Plays
Derrick Rose, G, CHI ($5,550) – Players that were rested, or who had their minutes limited, will always see a boost in the playoffs. Rose is certainly one of those players, and at his price, he will need to score 33.3 fantasy points to reach value. This seems like a reach, but remember that Rose was limited during the regular season.
Rose's per 36-minute statistics this season show that he is very capable of meeting and exceeding value at his price. His per 36-minute stats were 21 points, four rebounds, six assists and one steal per game. On average, that adds up to 35 fantasy points per 36-minutes, which is actually over value.
In his career, Rose has averaged 41.8 minutes per game in the playoffs (29 games). Yes some of that was before his injuries, but in the playoffs, it is all hands on deck. Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau is not afraid to play his players for long stretches, giving Rose ample opportunity to reach value.
James Johnson, F, TOR ($4,000) – Johnson's value is tentative on if he starts, or what his role is for the Raptors during the playoffs, but he could be a value play depending on playing time. He is one of the better on-ball defenders in the NBA, which is an invaluable skill in the playoffs. Johnson could be called on to guard the best player on the floor, which would give him more than enough minutes to reach value at 24 fantasy points. Keep an eye on any news from the Raptors, because if Johnson's role increases, he makes for an excellent value play.
Dwight Howard, C, HOU ($5,800) – Like Rose, Howard was limited during the regular season and was never fully "unleashed," which hurt his fantasy value. Howard is still one of the more productive big men in the NBA, as he averaged 19 points and 13 rebounds per 36 minutes this season. Add in 1.6 blocks and 0.8 steals per 36 minutes and Howard is a 40-fantasy points per game player if he should play big minutes.
In his career, he is averaging 39 minutes per game in the postseason, which would bring his production close to 20 points and 14 rebounds per game, based on his pace from this season. His price is far too low at $5,800, and if he is able to consistently play over 35 minutes, Howard will be one of the top bargains on FantasyAces. Be sure to take advantage before his price inevitably rises.
Trending Up
Tim Duncan, F and Tony Parker, G, SAS – Every year the Spurs are able to get into the playoffs despite being "old" and "past their prime." This is the time of year when Duncan and Parker become different players.
During the regular season, Parker and Duncan each played just 29 minutes per game. In those minutes, Duncan averaged 14 points and nine rebounds and Parker averaged 14 points and five assists. Both are underwhelming and are not enough for them to collectively reach value.
But as mentioned, these two are different players in the playoffs in terms of production. In their careers, each are averaging at least 36 minutes per game, giving them an extra seven minutes to accrue fantasy points.
You will likely be able to pair the two together for just over $10,000 on FantasyAces, meaning a combined 60 fantasy points will be needed between the two to reach value.
In their playoff careers, Duncan averages 21 points and 12 rebounds per game, while Parker averages 19 points and five assists. Without any additional stats, this is more than enough to reach value, so be sure to consider Parker and Duncan in your lineups for the Spurs' playoff run.
Trending Down
Aaron Brooks, G, CHI, ($4,500) – Brooks was a fantasy darling this season while Rose was out, and even when he returned to play limited minutes. But Brooks will be relegated to backup point guard minutes in the playoffs, which may only be a handful depending on game flow.
At $4,500, he will need 27 fantasy points to reach value. Considering Brooks is likely to come off the bench, that is very unlikely. Be sure to resist the urge of looking at Brooks' recent success, because all signs indicate he will not be playing much in the playoffs, unless Rose is unable to go. Stay away from Brooks until further notice.
