Week 17 of the NFL season will have many occupied but there’s still NBA games being played tonight with the FanDuel slate starting at 6pm and the DK slate starting at 8pm. Let’s take a look at the top value plays to build your lineups around for tonight.
FanDuel
Lonzo Ball , PG NO - Just $5,000 for Lonzo in this matchup against the Rockets is a price that we just have to consider. I know his production is not jumping off the page but the minutes are there and the Rockets are among the leagues worst defenses. This could also be a game where Houston is without both Harden and Westbrook with RWB already out and Harden questionable. This is a good GPP flier.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, SG OKC - So, I realize that $7,000 is not exactly your typical “value”but he had been playing some of his best basketball right now and the Thunder will be without usage monster Dennis Schroder tonight which should open up even more shots for SGA to take tonight against the Raptors.
Kyle Kuzma , PF LAL - Kuzma has been playing much better of late, going for 27, 32 and 30 FP over the last three games. We now get news that Anthony Davis has been downgraded to questionable which means Kuzma could see a big bump in production. Either way, he’s in a good spot here at this price tag.
DraftKings
Ben McLemore , SG HOU - No doubt he is going to be one of the highest owned players on the slate even with Eric Gordon returning as the Rockets are without Russell Westbrook . McLemore averages nearly a fantasy point per minute this season with Westbrook off the floor AND there is even a chance that Houston is without James Harden tonight as well which means there will be a ton of shots to go around this Rockets lineup. When playing at least 30 minutes this season McLemore is averaging 15.3 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.5 three-pointers per game.
Harrison Barnes , SF SAC - Barnes is playing a ton of mintues right now and with Bagley out and Fox questionable to play there are plenty of shots to go around. He only needs 25 FP to get us 5x value at his price tag and seeing as he is going to be playing 30+ minutes a night that should be doable in this spot for him tonight against the Nuggets. In two games against Denver this season Barnes is averaging 31 FP.
Dwight Howard , C LAL - This play is largely on the premise that Anthony Davis was downgraded to questionable and if he ends up sitting out there will be great value in both center options between Howard and McGee. Last time we saw AD sit out Howard played 25 minutes and went 10-for-10 from the floor against the Indiana Pacers. We need to get this AD news but I think on a small slate this is a prime value play with some upside.