This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
DraftKings.com Value Plays for the Week
If you've never played on DraftKings.com before, we recommend reading our Daily Fantasy Basketball 101: How to Win on DraftKings strategy article.
POINT GUARD
Chris Paul, PG, LAC ($8,800): DraftKings has been notorious for delaying salary updates on players who have recently returned from lengthy hiatuses, and Paul is no different Wednesday. At $8,800, CP3 is nearly impossible to overlook, as he'll face the defensively uninterested Damian Lillard and the Blazers in what should be a closely contested, yet high scoring, affair at the Staples Center. Paul was limited to only 23 minutes in his return to action against the Sixers over the weekend; however, the Clippers took a commanding 46-15 lead after one quarter of play, which rendered his services virtually meaningless by halftime. Expect him to log his typical heavy workload Wednesday evening against a Portland team that he trounced for 34 points (16-29 FG), 3 rebounds, 16 assists, 6 steals and 75.75 DKPTs back in late December. Paul may not be a value play from a literal perspective, yet his $8,800 price tag leaves a significant amount of room for error.
Rajon Rondo, PG, BOS ($6,500): For reasons unbeknownst to me, Rondo's salary has plummeted since he last played on Sunday. Despite averaging 14.0 points, 7.6 rebounds, 11.0 assists, 2.0 steals and 44.5 DraftKings points per game (DKPPG) over his last three contests, he is priced at an incomprehensible $6,500 for a meeting with the Spurs, who have surrendered more points (22.3) to opposing point guards than any team this season. Rondo isn't necessarily known for his explosive scoring; however, a matchup with San Antonio only further elevates his fantasy status Wednesday evening. A newly healthy Rondo has displayed his versatility, as he's has totaled 10-plus assists and six-plus rebounds in each of his last three starts, while shooting a healthy 61% (19-31 FG) from the field in that span. There is definite triple-double potential here Wednesday in a home tilt with the injury ravaged Spurs.
Trey Burke, PG, UTA ($5,700): Burke has crashed landed back to earth following an impressive start to the season, with less than 20 points in 10 straight contests. With that being said, he has an excellent matchup with the dreadful 76ers, who have lost by a combined 88 points over their last two contests, while allowing 123 points to both the Warriors and Clippers in that span. Philadelphia has coughed up the most fantasy points (45.3) and assists (10.3) to opposing point guards this season, and are seven-point underdogs on the road Wednesday. Look for the rookie Michigan product to round back into form against fellow first-year point guard Michael Carter-Williams Wednesday evening in Utah.
Patty Mills, PG/G, SAS ($4,100): Mills has been ultra-productive this season when given the minutes and should be afforded another opportunity to post favorable fantasy totals with Tony Parker already ruled out of Wednesday's contest in Boston. Save for a forgettable six point performance Monday in Detroit, Mills is averaging 24 points in 23 minutes per game over his last three outings. He should see ample run off the bench Wednesday evening, as nearly half of San Antonio's roster is in the infirmary, and will stand to attempt double digit field goals with some of their best scorers inactive. A matchup against the defensive prowess of Rajon Rondo is less than favorable; however, $4,100 is a fair price to pay for Mills, who has exhibited considerable upside in recent weeks.
SHOOTING GUARD
Alec Burks, PG/SG, $4,800: Burks has come on strong of late, with 15-plus points in nine of his last 14 contests. He should be chomping at the bit to take the court Wednesday night, as he'll oppose a Sixers team that's allowing the second most fantasy points (38.3) and most three-pointers (2.8) to opposing shooting guards this season. Burks tends to roll once he finds his rhythm, and there haven't been many players who've had difficulty heating up against a Philadelphia club that plays the fastest pace in basketball and surrenders the most made field goals per game (40.6) to their opposition. He makes for a fine lower tier guard option in front of a home crowd Wednesday evening.
Chase Budinger, SG/SF, MIN ($3,300): The injury to Kevin Martin's hand has opened the doors to ample playing time for Budinger, who's logged 28-plus minutes in each of his last two starts, while tallying 15-plus points and five-plus rebounds in each of those contests. He'll face the Nuggets on Wednesday, who play at the third fastest pace in the league and allow the third most points (104.2) to their opposition this season. Budinger's $3,300 price tag will require him to produce a mere 19 DKPTs in a game that owns a healthy 210.5 over under on the evening. He should meet little resistance in his attempts to produce serviceable fantasy totals through approximately 30 minutes as the Timberwolves' starting shooting guard.
SMALL FORWARD
Marvin Williams, SF/PF, UTA ($4,500): Williams was highly disappointing Tuesday in Los Angeles, with only nine points and seven assists in 22 minutes of work against the league's worst team at defending the power forward position. He'll have an opportunity to redeem himself Wednesday; however, as the Sixers, who've coughed up the most fantasy points (53.9) to power forwards over the last two weeks, invade Utah after enduring consecutive 43-plus point losses on the west coast. Prior to Tuesday's dud, Marvin was averaging north of 33 DKPPG over his last five contests, while shooting 51% (34-67 FG) from the field with only one turnover in that span. The Sixers are playing with zero enthusiasm lately, and it's probably safe to say they've thrown the towel in on their 2013-14 campaign. Fortunately, Williams should exploit their lethargy Wednesday in what should easily amount to a 30 DKPT performance inside Energy Solutions Arena.
POWER FORWARD
Ersan Ilyasova, SF/PF, MIL ($4,900): Ilyasova's season has been a disaster as a whole, but that isn't to say he can't be of service to us Wednesday. Milwaukee's frontcourt is in disarray once again, with Larry Sanders, John Henson, and Ekpe Udoh already ruled inactive for Wednesday's home tilt with the Pelicans. Given that Ilyasova is healthy enough himself, he should receive the lion's share of minutes at power forward while Zaza Pachulia and Miroslav Raduljica combine to fill the void at center. Despite his overwhelmingly pedestrian 2013-14 campaign, Ilyasova is no stranger to big games and is more than capable of piecing together an impressive line Wednesday. Coach Larry Drew is the prototypical anti-fantasy coach, but he'll have no other options but to ride Ilyasova hard, regardless of a blowout.
CENTER
Patrick Patterson, PF/C, TOR ($4,300): Patterson has quietly played some impressive basketball since being shipped out of the states, and he'll have an opportunity to pad his stats Wednesday if Amir Johnson misses his second consecutive contest with an ailing ankle. Patterson tallied 33.5 DKPTs on Monday as the Raptors' starting power forward, finishing with 22 points on 7-of-11 shooting and 3-of-5 from beyond the arc, while chipping in six rebounds and two assists in 33 minutes of work. Atlanta is allowing the second most fantasy points (48.9) and third most points (25.9) to opposing power forwards over the last two weeks, so look for Patterson to record favorable fantasy totals Wednesday evening in a home tilt with the Hawks if Johnson is inactive.
