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'll need to find one of these lower-priced options to squeeze everyone into your lineup.
Let's take a look at five guys -- prices according to FanDuel -- who can help fill the gaps in your lineup tonight. Of course, remember to check our projections closer to tip because so much can change in the NBA throughout the day.
Archie Goodwin, PG, Phoenix Suns
FanDuel Price: $5,400
Brandon Knight is not likely to play this evening, which should result in another night of logging heavy minutes for Archie Goodwin. He'll be taking on a Rockets team that has allowed the 10th-most FanDuel points to opposing point guards this season. He'll need only 27 FanDuel points -- a mark he's reached in three of his past five games -- to hit five times value (a mark we're generally looking for in cash games) at his current price.
In a matchup that has an over/under set at 214 between two of the faster paced teams in the league -- Phoenix plays at the eight-fastest pace, while Houston is fifth -- Goodwin should have ample opportunity to compile fantasy stats this evening.
Gerald Henderson, SG, Portland Trail Blazers
FanDuel Price: $4,300
Gerald Henderson is finally healthy and was playing at a fairly high level prior to the All-Star Break. Henderson racked up minutes in the three games prior to the break, averaging 31.46 per game. At his price, it's difficult to ignore a workload like that.
Henderson's matchup with the Warriors is nothing that should scare us off -- they're allowing the ninth-most FanDuel points per game to opposing shooting guards. The Trail Blazers' implied point total for tonight's game is four points higher than their season average, so there should be plenty of scoring opportunities to go around. Even if a blowout takes place, Henderson should see plenty of work with the second unit.
Devin Booker remains a solid low-cost option as well, if you can find the additional $1,100 to get up to him.
P.J. Tucker, SF, Phoenix Suns
FanDuel Price: $4,800
P.J. Tucker has been playing huge minutes of late. Like huge, huge.
Over the previous eight games, Tucker is averaging 39.12 minutes per game, with his lowest minute total being 31.35 over that stretch. The trade of Markieff Morris should do nothing to hinder this recent trend, and Tucker may even end up seeing an additional minute or two as a result of this.
Because of his role on this team, the playing time hasn't always correlated into production from a fantasy standpoint though. While Tucker does have three 30-plus FanDuel point games over this stretch, he also has two sub 10-point games.
The matchup with the Rockets is inviting enough -- they're third in FanDuel points allowed to opposing small forwards on the season -- that we're willing to pay down for Tucker and what should be a heavy allotment of minutes tonight.
Ryan Anderson, PF, New Orleans Pelicans
FanDuel Price: $5,300
Struggling with his shot before the break, Ryan Anderson has saw his price plummet to its lowest of the season. Anderson had shot 32% from the field and only 20% from beyond the arc over his last four games, which caused his price to drop $700.
With the 76ers allowing the fourth-most points to opposing power forwards, tonight seems like a prime spot to exploit this extreme price drop and utilize Anderson.
Robin Lopez, C, New York Knicks
FanDuel Price: $5,500
The Brothers Lopez are set to duel it out in what will assuredly be an ugly game only die-hard fans and their parents will be able to stomach. The over/under of 203 is one of the evening's lowest and limiting your exposure to this game seems like the correct strategy to employ. However, if you're looking for value at the center position, Robin Lopez's matchup with his brother should keep him in play.
Brooklyn allows a healthy amount of production to the center position in general -- they've allowed the fifth-most FanDuel to opposing centers this year -- and Brook Lopez has continued to struggle rebounding the ball throughout the year. While the Lopezes actually sit back-to-back in Rebound Rate with Robin at 43 and Brook at 44 percent, it's much easier to stomach the volatile Rebounding Rate of Robin at his bargain price tag.
Tim Duncan is in play against the Lakers, but the threat of a blowout is definitely a concern, which moves him closer to tournament territory.