This article is part of our FantasyAces NBA series.
RotoWire aims to help you win on Fantasy Aces, as we break down a few value plays for a heavy MLK Day slate. Injuries continue to create starting opportunities across the league, which in turn present us with some appealing value propositions to consider in DFS.
With a heaping selection of the elite in action, we'll hone in on some of that value priced no higher than $4,650, leaving you plenty of room to fit in a few superstars.
Guards
J.J. Redick, HOU at LAC ($4,400): Redick continues to be very reasonably priced and provides you with upside not usually found in players at his cost. He tallied 30.75 fantasy points in his last game, and he has scored between 21.00 and 32.50 fantasy points in six of the previous nine. Monday, he'll face off against James Harden and a Rockets defense that continues to be in the bottom 10 of the league against shooting guards, surrendering an average of 38.1 fantasy points per game to the position. Considering the opponent, the game should be both fast-paced and competitive, requiring Redick to remain aggressive throughout all four quarters.
Rodney Hood, UTA at CHA ($4,550): Hood has scored between 22.25 and 29.50 fantasy points in three of his last four games. Meanwhile, the Hornets have surrendered an average of 37 fantasy points per game to opposing two-guards over the last 10 games, and are also ranked as the sixth-most generous defense against the position for the season season. With no indication that Derrick Favors (back) will be returning Monday, we can expect Hood to continue serving as one of the Jazz's primary sources of offensive production alongside Gordon Hayward.
Mario Chalmers, MEM vs. NOP ($4,500): This recommendation is heavily dependent on whether Mike Conley sits out another game with his Achilles injury. If Conley can't go, Chalmers continues to provide very solid value while playing starter's minutes, and he is worth serious consideration against a Pelicans squad that ranks as one of the most generous in the league against point guards. Chalmers has scored more than 21.50 fantasy points in every game during his string of starts, and he provides considerable upside, scoring 45.75 and 49.50 fantasy points in two of those contests.
Jared Dudley, WAS vs. POR ($3,800): Listed as a guard on Fantasy Aces yet currently drawing starts at power forward, Dudley continues to be priced under $4K despite providing solid production of late. Despite his occasional struggles, he's scored between 25.25 and 28.75 fantasy points in four of his last seven games and will face off against a considerably beatable Portland frontcourt that's allowed 46.0 fantasy points per game to opposing fours over the last five games. If Otto Porter misses out yet again with his hip injury, Dudley should also be in line for additional opportunity.
Forwards
Marvin Williams, CHA vs. UTA ($3,950): Williams typically flies under the radar, yet continues to rack up productive fantasy outings. He has scored between 20.75 and 28.75 fantasy points in six of his last 10 games, and generated between 17.00-19.50 fantasy points in three other contests over that span, certainly respectable returns on a sub-$4K price. The Jazz frontcourt is not one that you would typically look to exploit, but Williams is likely to find himself matched up against rookie Trey Lyles, as opposed to Derrick Favors (back). Production in the range that Williams has provided in the last 10 games will constitute a nice return and provide solid roster flexibility elsewhere.
Taj Gibson, CHI at DET ($4,400):Joakim Noah (shoulder) is officially out for the season, leaving Gibson to continue to log heavy minutes. He's scored 25.75 and 23.25 fantasy points in his last two games, respectively, while playing at least 30 minutes in both. He should be in for a similar workload Monday and will finally be playing with two consecutive days of rest after enduring five games in seven nights last week.
Trey Lyles, UTA at CHA ($3,550): Lyles is seemingly improving with every game he starts in place of Derrick Favors (back), scoring 28.75 and 31.25 fantasy points over his last two games, respectively. What's been particularly encouraging to see for fantasy purposes is his increased confidence on offense, taking double-digit shot attempts in those two contests, including multiple attempts from beyond the arc. Lyles offers a deft shooting touch in addition to his solid rebounding, and his price is particularly appealing considering he'll face off against a Hornets defense that's surrendered a robust 44.9 fantasy points per game to opposing fours over their last 10 games.
Centers
Ryan Anderson, NOP at MEM ($4,650): Anderson continues to offer huge upside every time he takes the floor, regardless of his reserve role. He continues to essentially log a starter's allotment of minutes, and he scored 42.00 fantasy points in his most recent game. He'd also scored between 22.0 and 38.50 fantasy points in seven of the previous nine games, offering the potential for a 5x or greater return on what remains a reasonable price.
Jonas Valanciunas, BKN at TOR ($4,550): Valanciunas typically flies under the radar at a center position that usually offers plenty of shiny and pricy options. Luckily, the cost to acquire him hasn't come back up to where it was prior to his long layoff due to a broken hand. Valanciunas is starting to produce again now that he has nine games under his belt, and he posted an impressive 36.25 fantasy points in his last game. He'd also scored between 17.50 and 38.75 fantasy points in the six contests prior, while playing 30 minutes in three of his last four. To top it off, he'll draw the notoriously generous Nets defense against centers, which continues to give up the most actual points to the position per game this season (22.5).
