One of the keys to finding success in daily fantasy basketball is uncovering potential value plays. If you're looking to roster a stud player or two, you need to consider squeezing in one of these lower-salaried options into your lineup.
Let's take a look at three players who can help fill in the gaps in your lineup.
Chris Chiozza, PG, Brooklyn Nets ($3,700)
The Brooklyn Nets' starting lineup is going to be a bit different tonight and it offers plenty of value.
Both Kyrie Irving and James Harden are out tonight versus the Minnesota Timberwolves, which should put Chris Chiozza in a spot to either start or see plenty of minutes off the bench. Not only are Irving and Harden out, but the Nets will also be without Tyler Johnson and LaMarcus Aldridge, shortening their rotation further. This is a part of the reason Chiozza is projected for 24.02 minutes and 28.1 FanDuel points, which makes him the highest-projected value option on the slate.
Truthfully, that shouldn't come as a surprise since the Timberwolves are allowing the fifth-most (50.07) FanDuel points per game to opposing points guards this season. We also see both teams sitting in the top 10 of the league when it comes to the fastest-paced offensive teams, which is why we have a slate-high 236.0-point over/under. Take the value with Chiozza and attack a favorable matchup.
Kevon Looney, C, Golden State Warriors ($3,700)
With Golden State Warriors rookie James Wiseman likely out for the year, Kevon Looney is in a spot to see plenty of minutes.
Wiseman suffered a knee injury the other day and while we wait to see how long he is out, we can look towards Looney for some value. The Warriors have been without Eric Paschall in recent games due to a hip injury, which should put Looney in a spot for the starting role. That has him projected for 23.19 minutes and 22.4 FanDuel points, making him the second-best value option on the slate and the best overall value option among centers.
Looney won't have an easy matchup tonight since he is taking on the Denver Nuggets, who are allowing the fewest (44.79) FanDuel points per game to opposing centers. However, the game has a solid 226-point over/under, and with Looney being only $3,700, he has the chance to reach or exceed value despite the tough matchup.
Nicolas Claxton, PF, Brooklyn Nets ($4,000)
As noted above, the Nets are dealing with a number of injuries tonight and it opens up some value options.
The point guard situation for the Nets is one thing tonight, but when it comes to their frontcourt, it's another whole situation to monitor. LaMarcus Aldridge is out tonight, Blake Griffin hasn't played more than 22 minutes since joining the team, and DeAndre Jordan hasn't played in a game since March 31st. It's certainly possible that Jordan is back in the rotation tonight, but this also leaves an opening for Nicolas Claxton, who could provide some size for the Nets.
Claxton has seen his minutes decrease in recent games due to Aldridge and Griffin being added to the rotation, but that could all change tonight. Claxton is projected for 20.21 minutes and 22.6 FanDuel points, making him the second-best value among power forwards tonight. While he is listed as a power forward, Claxton would play the center position for the Nets, putting him in a great spot since he is up against the Timberwolves, who are allowing the second-most (57.49) FanDuel points per game to opposing centers.