We’re back for a modest six-game NBA slate, and as always, we’ll name values, studs, and fades for the day’s DFS festivities. Let’s get right to it!

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Most Value Per Dollar 

Tonight’s slate features two matchups with over/unders above 230, and they’re the games we’ll look to exploit most heavily. Those games are TOR/BKN and MIN/HOU. The former features mostly higher-priced studs, though we can find value in the frontcourt in a battle of budget centers. The latter however… now, that’s a treat! Houston’s roster is littered with value plays, and while Christian Wood ($7.7k) couldn’t be fit in below, he makes the cut in that regard as well.

As always, it’s of vital importance to check the injury report before locking in lineups. Houston should have Kevin Porter and the aforementioned Wood back in action, but they’re still not definites yet. Kristaps Porzingis may not play tonight, and if he sits, his absence could open up value for Dallas. Boston will miss Kemba Walker and Jayson Tatum, so the Celtics’ starters and role players should be in line for additional responsibilities on offense.

Tonight’s slate is noticeable for the vast amount of top-tier plays who could all be worth their salary. If you’re looking to stack studs, you’ve got a quality player pool tonight!

Below is a list of the top-10 players of the day expected to generate the most value relative to their salary. 

Damian Lillard (PG – POR): $8,300 at IND
It’s odd to see Dame in this spot, but his price has become so depressed that he’s got to be mentioned as a value. His recent games have been less than stellar, but this is a guy capable of posting 60-point performances. He’s not the safest cash-game option, but if you’re looking for a tournament play, Lillard has got to be on your radar. 

D’Angelo Russell (SG – MIN): $6,400 at HOU
D’Lo appears to be back in prime form, as he’s been lighting it up over the last week. Across his last four games, Russell has averaged 23.3 points, 7.0 assists, and 39.3 FanDuel points. Fresh off a 47.4-point performance (his second best of the season), Russell remains a value against a flailing Rockets team.

Kelly Olynyk (C – HOU): $6,000 vs. MIN
Despite the return of Christian Wood, Olynyk has major upside as the starting center of a perpetually shorthanded team. His matchup against Minnesota helps too. On the season, the T-Wolves have given up the fifth-most FanDuel points to opposing centers.

Devonte’ Graham (SG – CHA): $5,700 vs. MIL
Graham’s production has been all over the map this season, but his ceiling remains high. He posted one of his best games of the season Sunday in a win over Boston, going for 24 points, nine dimes, and 37.9 FD points. He’s a great tournament play tonight given the high upside.

Kevin Porter Jr. (SF – HOU): $5,600 vs. MIN
KPJ should be back in action here, and he makes for a nice salary-saving option with bigtime upside. With John Wall out the rest of the season, Porter Jr. should be asked to take on some point guard duties – an area in which he’s shined this season. As a primary scorer and facilitator for Houston in a favorable matchup, I love KPJ at this price.

Edmond Sumner (PG – IND): $5,500 vs. POR
Sumner has been on a tear recently, averaging 32.8 FD points and 35.5 minutes across his last two contests while scoring at least 21 points in both outings. He’s surely earned extended playing time given his current hot streak, and Portland’s defense is as lax as they come. Fire up Sumner confidently. 

Dorian Finney-Smith (SF – DAL): $5,300 vs. GSW
DFS has been a great DFS play recently, and that shouldn’t change in a great matchup with Golden State tonight. Finney-Smith has topped 30 FD points in three of his last five games and logged at least 30 minutes in six straight. Be sure to check the injury report, as he’ll be an even better play if Kristaps Porzingis sits for a third straight game.

DeAndre Jordan (C – BKN): $5,200 at TOR
Across his last three games (two starts), DJ has averaged 27.7 FD points and 25 minutes. He’s seen his playing time trend upward, and Jordan can still rack up fantasy points thanks to elite rebounding and blocking. He’s worth a shot tonight against Toronto. 

Khem Birch (PF – TOR): $4,900 vs. BKN
Birch has been in the starting lineup for the last six games, and he’s averaged 26.8 FD points in that span. That includes a 37.4-point performance against the Cavs last night. Despite that big game, his price has actually dropped $100 from Monday. To quote Wallace Shawn, that’s “Inconceivable!” With Chris Boucher still out of action, Birch should be in line for minutes in the high 20’s in what should be a high-scoring affair.

Armoni Brooks (PG – HOU): $4,100 vs. MIN
Houston should have Christian Wood and Kevin Porter available tonight, but John Wall‘s absence still leaves a gaping void in the backcourt. Brooks has started his last three games and averaged a 9/7/3 line in 36 minutes per contest. Houston’s tank job means that the team will likely give additional minutes to guys like Brooks to see what they have.

Studs Worth Their Salary

• Stephen Curry (GSW) $9,700: Curry’s MVP-level of play over the last month has been a sight to behold, and his price dropping below $10k is downright theft. He’s an easy play tonight at this discounted price.
• Jaylen Brown (BOS) $8,100: Brown gets a great draw with the Thunder tonight, and with the C’s down Kemba Walker and Jayson Tatum, the offense should run through Brown in this one. 

Notable Players to Fade

• Caris LeVert (IND) $8,300: LeVert’s price continues to be overinflated night-in and night-out. He’s more than capable of exceeding value at $8.3k, but he’s far too inconsistent to roll with tonight, especially with a litany of better options in the same price tier. Damian Lillard comes in with the same cost tonight.
• Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL) $11,000: Giannis has a great matchup with Charlotte, but as mentioned above, there are half a dozen cheaper options in the $9-10k price range that could hit his level of value while saving some coin. I’d also rather pay $300 more for Luka Doncic if Kristaps Porzingis sits.

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Zachary Hanshew is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Zachary, check out his archive and follow him @zakthemonster.