This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
Point Guard
Patrick Beverley, $4,400 - Everyone will be flocking to get a piece of the Houston/Oklahoma City Thunder in what should be the fastest paced game of the night. With a healthy over/under of 222.5 there should be plenty of fantasy goodness on both sides. Beverley is a cheap way to get invested in this game and after battling a knee issue has been back to 100 percent. He's scored 24.8, 27.9 and 16.9 fantasy points in the three games since his return. The 16.9 fantasy point game was against the Spurs, a blowout in which he played only 26 minutes as opposed to the 31 and 35 minutes he played the other two games. Beverley should be back over 30 minutes tonight and easily make his value.
Archie Goodwin, $5,000 - Many will likely be off Goodwin tonight with plenty of other choices on the nine-game slate in addition to only a 20-fantasy point performance the other night. However, he's nearly a lock to play over 30 minutes without the presence of Brandon Knight. Goodwin is capable of over 40 fantasy points and has a good matchup against the Knicks who have given up the third-most fantasy points to opposing point guards over the last 10 days.
Shooting Guard
Langston Galloway, $4,100 - This pick is contingent on Jose Calderon missing another game with his groin injury. If Smokin' Jose is out, Galloway will be expected to be the Knicks main point guard and log plenty of court time. Galloway can be an effective point guard who can get to the rim as well as rack up rebounds and assists. The Suns are giving up the second most points to opposing point guards and Galloway has averaged over 28 fantasy points in the last three games he's played 30-plus minutes over the last two weeks. Dion Waiters ($3,900) would be an easy replacement if Calderon plays.
Rodney Hood, $5,800 - Hood has finally settled into his starting shooting guard role and averaged 23 actual points per game over his last four. Not surprisingly, he's averaged over 33 fantasy points over that stretch and his improvement in the rebounding and assist categories has helped his hot streak. After averaging 3.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists during the month of December, Hood has averaged 4.6 rebounds and 3.3 assists over the last six games. Lastly, he's shooting over 47 percent from three-point land for the month, a ridiculous number for 85 attempts.
Small Forward
Nicolas Batum, $6,300 - There are a few different reasons to like Batum tonight that have to do with more than his talent. First, his price has come down from the mid-$7000s from earlier this season making him a bargain. He was able to play 30 minutes the other night in his return to the court from a toe injury. While he finished with only 19 fantasy points, the more important stat was the 30 minutes. Tonight should be a competitive game on the road against the Trail Blazers and narrative street will be in effect as Batum returns to battle his old team. The attraction with Batum is that he doesn't need to score a ton to have a successful night considering how many fantasy points he can rack up in the other categories.
Chandler Parsons, $6,600 - Parsons minutes' restriction seems like ages ago and he's played at least 35 minutes in each of his last five games. The fantasy points have increased with the uptick in minutes and he has at least 33 fantasy points in each of his last six games. The offense is running through him more and he's found his scoring touch averaging 25.4 points over that five-game span.
Power Forward
Aaron Gordon, $4,400 - Gordon was moved into the starting lineup a week ago and quickly picked up two fouls in the first half. He appeared headed towards a dud but was able to salvage the second half and finished with 22.4 fantasy points. He's had 20.8 and 26.3 fantasy points in the two games since establishing a nice floor at the 20-point mark. He has the upside to get into the 30s and has a good matchup to do so tonight. The Celtics weak spot of the their defense is the frontcourt as they've surrendered the fifth most fantasy points to opposing power forwards.
Julius Randle, $5,800 - It was announced Wednesday that Randle would start both Thursday and Friday night with Larry Nance coming off the bench. Randle has been a model of consistency lately with nine straight games of at least 20 fantasy points. That's a solid floor for a player who has the ceiling of over 29, a feat he's accomplished in three of his last five contests. Keep in mind the Clippers four spot is no long as threatening without Blake Griffin.
Center
Spencer Hawes, $4,000 - Hawes finally had an off game against Utah on Wednesday but that shouldn't have been a big surprise given the matchup with Rudy Gobert and the slower pace the Jazz plays at. That should be different tonight for Hawes as they play the Trail Blazers who have a considerably weaker frontcourt. Hawes had 29.4, 25.4 and 34.5 over his previous three games before the 15.8 dud against the Jazz showing he has 7X upside considering his price. Don't be afraid to use your punt option here again and use your salary relief at other positions.
