There are 8 games on the FanDuel main slate tonight with only five players priced at $9,000 or above. Lebron James is the highest priced player at $11,900. The Chicago-Portland game has a projected total of 214 and the Cleveland-Miami game has a 213 total.

Tonight’s lineup construction will probably lead you to more of a balanced-lineup and your value will be more in the 5-6k range. There are not a lot of studs on the slate tonight but if you are going to load up on the ones that are playing, then you will need to find some salary relief.

Here are 9 plays that are worth considering as you set your lineup for tonight’s slate of games. Remember to check the news and injury reports, especially in the 30 minutes prior to lock. Use all the information available to you to make the best decision possible for your lineup. Good luck and have fun!

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Point Guard

Terry Rozier (BOS): $5,100 vs. NY

There is a lack of cheap plays on the slate tonight. Three of the eight highest priced players tonight are Point Guards. I will probably be paying up at the position but if roster construction leads me to a cheaper play then I don’t plan on going below 5k for a Point Guard. Rozier is a nice “safe” play at $5,100. He has averaged 28.2 FD points in his last three games. Marcus Smart is out with a hand injury (interesting story that you might want to google today) so Rozier should continue to see additional minutes.

Tyler Johnson (MIA): $5,000 at CLE

Johnson is the other interesting Point Guard play in the 5k range. He is not a big scorer nor will he probably put up huge numbers but he is a solid cash game play going against a bad Cleveland defense. Since returning from injury, he has started both games. He hasn’t put up big numbers but Cleveland is an opponent (especially on a back-to-back) that could give a player confidence. Cleveland is 23^rd in DVOA. As I said earlier, I will be paying up at this position, but I don’t mind Johnson if you have to save money.

Shooting Guard

Wesley Matthews (DAL): $5,400 at PHO

This is a pace up game and Matthews is playing well. This is a good matchup. Matthews has gone over 30+ FD points in three of his last six games. During that stretch, he has averaged 30.2 FD points. Matthews had 28.4 FD points against Phoenix back in mid-January.

Wayne Selden (MEM): $3,600 at IND

This is a scary pick but Memphis has a lot of injuries and there is a good chance that Tyreke Evans could also sit. Watch the news and if Tyreke sits then you can roll the dice with Selden. At near min-price, he could exceed value if the majority of players sit for the Grizzlies. He has had games of 26.4 and 34.4 FD points during the last five games. Before you get too excited, realize that he has gone 10.1, 5.0 and 9.7 in the other three games. He is cheap and should play a bunch of minutes.

Small Forward

Denzel Valentine (CHI): $4,900 at POR

In the month of January, Valentine has averaged 25.8 FD points (including five games of 30+ FD points). In the last four games, he has played 30+ minutes three times. He had 33.4 FD points against Portland in early January.

Mario Hezonja (ORL): $4,100 vs. LAL

Orlando looks to have a lot of guys sitting tonight so Hezonja should get some additional minutes. He has played 24 and 26 minutes in his last two games, earning 25.6 and 24.3 FD points. The Lakers are not very good defensively as they are the 24^th ranked team in DVOA. He should be a good floor play tonight and he does have 30+ upside. 

Power Forward

Bobby Portis (CHI): $4,500 at POR

In the last 10 games that Portis has played 20+ minutes, he is averaging 32.1 FD points. Mirotic may not play because of all the trade rumors and Markkanen has already been ruled out. If Mirotic plays, Portis is a good option. If Mirotic sits, Portis should be a lock in your lineups. This is also a good matchup with Portland ranked 22^nd in DVOA.

Frank Kaminsky (CHA): $4,000 at ATL

Frank the Tank has averaged 26.2 FD points in the last seven games that he has played 25+ minutes. Marvin Williams got hurt in Monday’s game and has already been ruled out. Kaminsky has a good chance to put up some numbers and should be relatively low-owned. Overall, he is averaging 18.8 FD points on the year and now doesn’t have Marvin Williams to share minutes.

Center

Jahlil Okafor (BKN): $3,600 vs. PHI

Narrative street alert. Talented player against his former team. Okafor plays for the Nets which means that you never truly know how many minutes players will play. In the last two games, Okafor has only played 23 and 24 minutes, but he has earned 26.1 and 31.2 FD points. The Center position is weaker than normal tonight. This is a position that you might be able to save some salary and still get some upside.

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Jamy Bechler is an NBA fantasy contributor for FantasyPros. His DFS twitter is @WinningDFS101 and his website is www.FantasyFocusFootball.com. Even though he offers his advice on players and contests, after additional information and consideration, he may end up using different players and strategies than what he recommends.