This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
Point Guard
Tim Frazier, $3,500 - As this is written Thursday night, this seems to be a sneaky pick. There's also the realization that by this afternoon Friday, that could be a long lost thought. Frazier was signed by the New Orleans Wednesday and with Norris Cole likely out tonight he was reportedly penciled in as the starter for the Pelicans. In only 27 minutes Wednesday the Penn State product was able to produce 31. fantasy points and most importantly nine assists. He appears to have jumped ahead of Toney Douglas on the point guard depth chart and should see more playing time tonight if Cole is out. Steve Blake ($3,500) would also be on the radar as a punt play if Reggie Jackson's breathing issues hold him out of this one.
Brandon Knight, $6,500 - Of course a lot of sites will grab the low hanging fruit here and discuss Brandon Jennings ($4,700) who is an obvious choice if Elfrid Payton ($5,400) is out. Let's talk about Knight though who has come back and seen a ton of floor time in doing so (25, 37, and 41 minutes) in the three games leading into Thursday night. He's got a ridiculous matchup against the Lakers who have given up the second most fantasy points against opposing point guards. In the nature of full disclosure, the Suns have given up the most points to opposing point guards so D'Angelo Russell ($6,900) is in play as well.
Shooting Guard
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, $5,300 - The minutes for the Pistons shooting guard (like another teammate to be mentioned) have been very heavy as he has played at least 36 minutes in eight of his last nine games. The Kings are a terrible defense and they've given up the fifth most fantasy points to opposing shooting guards on the season. KCP (who coincidentally has the same initials as this writer) has had at least 20 fantasy points in each of his last eight games setting a nice floor for cash games.
C.J. McCollum, $6,400 - There hasn't been much to get excited about with C.J. as he's barely been able to surpass the 20 fantasy point mark over his last four games. However, three of those were tough matchups or the combo of that along with a blowout. Tonight he has a good matchup against the Pelicans who are on backups at the guard position and have given up the most fantasy points to opposing shooting guards. That and the decrease in his price is enough to roster him.
Small Forward
Trevor Ariza, $6,000 - Ariza has suddenly become a consistent force as a DFS selection as he's scored at least 19 fantasy points over his last 10 games. The game between the Rockets and TWolves should be one of the more high scoring affairs according to Vegas tonight and getting a mid-priced piece of this contest seems like a smart move. Minnesota also ranks favorably (10th) against opposing small forwards as far as giving up fantasy points.
Andrew Wiggins, $6,500 - It is a little odd to take players at the same position who are playing against each other. That being said, this situation makes a ton of sense. As already stated, this should be a high scoring affair and the matchup is right for both sides at the position. The Rockets and Ariza give up the most fantasy points to opposing small forwards and that might be attributed to Ariza helping out James Harden a lot on the defensive end. Throw in that Wiggins has topped 31 fantasy points in five of his last six (22.1being the other) and there seems to be a safe cash game here.
Power Forward
Tobias Harris, $6,000 - This is a great pick if you think there's the need to go with all mid-priced options tonight and avoid the "stars-and-scrubs" approach. Harris has logged heavy minutes since joining the Pistons and has had very few nights where he hasn't hit value. His worst game (11.2 fantasy points two games ago) was his worst in the 14 games since heading to Detroit and his worst game before that 11.2 effort was 23.9. He's often been in the 30s for a 5X value and the Kings give up the second most fantasy points to opposing forwards on the season.
Julius Randle, $6,200 - The Lakers have been a great source of value this season and often times is been by rostering Randle. He's dipped in price a little after scoring 15.1 fantasy points two games ago against the Knicks. However, don't let that keep him from any roster tonight as he has been very consistent. After that bump in the road he's hit at least 25 fantasy points in his last 10 games and should keep that going. The Suns have given up the fourth most fantasy points over their last ten games and hit the road on the second of a back-to-back game for this Friday night tile. Randle is a very safe play tonight.
Center
Enes Kanter, $5,200 - Other pundits will point out Tyson Chandler ($4,700) and are right for doing it considering the juicy matchup with the hapless Lakers. However, an under the radar play will be Kanter who is in a nice matchup as well. He's never a lock to play more than 28 minutes but gets the benefit of matching up with the second team and could be in line for the full 28 minutes in what should be a blowout. The 76ers are terrible against the center position and it doesn't hurt that Kanter comes into the game with at least 30 fantasy points in five of his last six and the other game was a 26.4 fantasy-point effort. Teammate Serge Ibaka ($5,300) is also priced way too low considering this matchup if you're looking a value power forward.
