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 this weekend that can help you build your lineups. Injuries have opened up some starting opportunities across the league recently, which in turn present us with some appealing value propositions to consider in DFS.
With a smorgasbord of the elite in action over the weekend, we will highlight some selections that come in no higher than $4300, leaving you plenty of room to fit in a few superstars. We also throw in a "bonus" higher-priced selection that has to be considered given his outstanding recent stretch of play.
Guards
J.J. Redick, LAC vs. PHI (Sat.) ($4,300):Redick has been one of the Clippers veterans that's stepped up during Blake Griffin's (quadriceps) absence, scoring 32.50, 26.25 and 29.50 fantasy points in three of the four contests the latter has missed. He's also shot an excellent 54.8 from the field over his last two, scoring 26 points in each game. Redick will draw a Sixers squad Saturday that has given up 41.0 fantasy points per game to shooting guards over their last 10, and that's playing across the country on the second game of a back-to-back.
Rodney Hood, UTA vs. MEM (Sat.) ($4,000): Hood has undeniably gone through stretches of inconsistencies not uncommon for a young two-guard, but he offers the potential to return significant value when his shot starts dropping. That was the case in his New Year's Eve matchup versus the Blazers when he exploded for 39.75 fantasy points in 29 minutes. When backup Alec Burks, who was averaging just over 27 minutes per game, went down with a fractured fibula in December, Hood's playing time received a boost. He's played between 26 and 37 minutes over his last seven games, and will match up against a Grizzlies defense that is surrendering 21.3 points per game to opposing shooting guards on 45.5 percent shooting (ranking them fourth-worst league-wide).
Shaun Livingston, GSW vs. DEN (Sat.) ($3,500): Livingston gets the call largely on the assumption that Stephen Curry will sit out one more contest with his lower leg bruise, though he's a decent play off the bench as well considering his near-minimum price. Curry remains questionable, and Livingston would draw a tantalizing matchup if he starts. The Nuggets surrender a league-worst 45.9 shooting percentage to opposing point guards, along with 23.6 points per game, ranking them as the fourth-most generous unit in that category. Livingston played 33 minutes in the Warriors' victory over the Rockets on Thursday, tallying 29.50 fantasy points. With an even better matchup on tap Saturday, Livingston could pay off handsomely.
Allen Crabbe, POR at DEN (Sun.) (Price TBD): Crabbe has been highly productive during Damian Lillard's (foot) six-game absence, averaging 17.0 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game. He's also drained at least one three-pointer in each, and multiple treys in his last four, giving a nice boost to his fantasy totals. Just like Livingston, Crabbe will enjoy the benefit of going up against the Nuggets' highly permeable point guard defense, and will catch them on the second half of a back-to-back following a game against the reigning NBA champs.
Forwards
P.J. Tucker, PHO at LAL (Sun.) (Price TBD): Tucker has stepped up his game offensively in recent days and will be in a particularly advantageous position if he happens to draw another start at power forward in place of Jon Leuer (ankle) on Sunday. That will match Tucker up against one of the weaker frontcourts in the league, as the Lakers have given up 42.4 fantasy points per game to opposing fours over the last 10. Notably, they've also surrendered 11.4 rebounds per game to the position, while Tucker has averaged seven boards per game over the last five. He's tallied double-digit scoring in three of the last four and displayed his ability to pour in the points in his New Year's Eve matchup against the Thunder when he scored a season-high 22 points. With a price point that is likely to be in the low-$4K range, Tucker should have plenty of opportunity to return solid value.
Taj Gibson, CHI at TOR (Sun.) (Price TBD): Gibson continues to be the beneficiary of a healthy heaping of minutes at the four with Joakim Noah (shoulder) sidelined, and he's been returning above-average value on a price that's been in the low-$4K range. The Bulls' power forward was at it again Friday, scoring 24.25 fantasy points in just 25 minutes against the Knicks. He also managed 25.75 fantasy points against this same Raptors frontcourt in their last meeting, which is surrendering 20.9 points and 11.6 rebounds per game to opposing fours. Gibson won't give you much in the way of scoring, but is averaging 10.4 rebounds per game over his last five.
T.J. Warren, PHO at LAL (Sun.) (Price TBD): Warren was fantastic in his start at small forward Thursday, an opportunity he received as part of the domino effect of Jon Leuer's sprained ankle. The second-year pro scored an outstanding 52.75 fantasy points on the strength of a 29-point, 11-rebound double-double effort against the Thunder. Leuer could be in line to miss multiple games, potentially paving the way for additional starts for Warren. He'll be in a prime position to return value handsomely once again if he gets the call, as the Lakers have surrendered 41.6 fantasy points per game to small forwards over the last 10.
Khris Middleton, MIL at MIN (Sat.) ($4,850): is a bit higher on the pricing scale than the rest of our selections, but he has smashed value by scoring between 40.25 and 49.25 fantasy points in four of his last five games. He's undoubtedly worthy of consideration, particularly given the considerably hot hand he's had from the field in his last several games.
Center
Frank Kaminsky, CHA vs. OKC (Sat.) ($3,600): Now that Al Jefferson (torn meniscus) is once again set to miss extended time, Kaminsky should continue receiving plenty of opportunities. He's played 28 and 27 minutes in the last two games, respectively, scoring 23.50 and 26.00 fantasy points in those contests. He's managed double-digit scoring games in five of his last six as well, and he will draw a Thunder defense that has been increasingly generous to opposing fours over the last five games, allowing 47.3 fantasy points per game.
Jeff Withey UTA vs. MEM (Sat.) ($3,000): Withey continues to be minimum priced while drawing starts in Rudy Gobert's (knee) stead, and has been highly productive with the opportunities, scoring 20.75, 32.50, 30.75 and 24.25 fantasy points over his last four, while averaging 25.7 minutes in those contests. He's also managed double-digit scoring in three straight.
