This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
With just five teams in action, nailing down the best undervalued options should prove to be paramount on today's slate. With Sacramento, Denver and Philadelphia all on the slate, we are provided with a good group of bottom-tier defenses to help us find a solid mix of bargain options. Let's take a look at today's value plays.
Point Guard
Reggie Jackson, DET at CHI ($5,900): The Bulls come in shorthanded at the point, as Derek Rose is set to miss out due to an elbow injury. The Bulls are allowing the fourth-most fantasy points per game to point guards this season, mostly with Rose on the floor, so you can imagine how much better the spot for Jackson becomes with Aaron Brooks playing more in place of Rose. Jackson has been largely inconsistent this season, but he comes at an $1,100 discount from two weeks ago.
Darren Collison, SAC at DEN ($5,800): Collison is another beneficiary of the injury bug, with DeMarcus Cousins no longer traveling on road games due to foot issues. Collison filled the scoring void well Friday night against Miami, scoring 26 points off the bench. Keeping with our theme of targeting bad defensive play, we find that the Nuggets are also ranked fourth-worst in fantasy points allowed to two-guards, which is the position that Collison spends the most time playing.
Shooting Guard
Jimmy Butler, CHI vs. DET ($7,800):Derrick Rose left Thursday's game early due to injury and Butler showed what he's capable of, finishing with 28 points and eight rebounds for for 42.60 fantasy points. He's $900 cheaper than two weeks ago, and you have the top play of the day at shooting guard for a solid value.
Seth Curry, SAC at DEN ($3,700): Curry has stepped in to start with Marco Belinelli battling a foot injury, and the "other" Curry has been money, returning at least 5.5x his price in four of the past five games. He's taken advantage of the playing time, showcasing himself as Sacramento's best perimeter weapon, going 4-of-6 from deep on Friday. At near minimum salary and facing a bad perimeter defense, Curry is set to be in prime position to produce.
Small Forward
Nikola Mirotic, CHI vs. DET ($5,300): Since being elevated into the starting lineup, Mirotic has scored 28 points in back-to-back games, including a double-double on the road in Indiana. Both games came on the road, and now he'll be back at home to face a Pistons team that has been league average at defending frontcourt players this season. In his last game at home with a full compliment of minutes, he scored 35 points with six rebounds, good for almost 9.5x value on his price.
Power Forward
Luol Deng, MIA at POR ($6,300):Dwyane Wade missed Friday's game with a neck issue and is considered doubtful to play Saturday. This means Deng will be counted on for another expanded offensive role. He's produced at an effective rate as of late, posting a double-double twice in the past week, including 46 fantasy points on the road in L.A. Deng should have no problem meeting his price tag against a bottom-10 defensive frontcourt in Portland.
Center
Hassan Whiteside, MIA at POR ($8,700): Although his limited offensive role was a little bit puzzling minus DeMarcus Cousins, Whiteside still managed to pull down 13 boards and block three shots. Whiteside draws another plus matchup versus Portland, which has no semblance of rim protection with Mason Plumlee manning the paint.
