After a busy start to the week, we’ve got a quiet, four-game NBA slate with plenty of avenues to maneuver. As always, we’ll name values, studs, and fades for the day’s DFS festivities. Let’s get right to it!

Most Value Per Dollar 

For any small slate, the buzz word of choice should be: differentiate. If you’re playing in cash games, get chalky, play it safe, and double your money. If you’re looking for a bigger payday and want to take down a tournament? Well, that will require you to separate from the pack a bit. Tonight’s player pool is understandably small, and as such, you’ll need to look for some hidden gems to round out your lineup, save some cash, and spend up where it matters.

The Charlotte/Washington game comes in with the highest over/under (230) of the night, and – no surprise – it’s not close. I hit hard on this game in the values section, but there are other options to consider as well. I’m not opposed to playing a member of Orlando’s frontcourt, but guys like Wendell Carter, Khem Birch, and Chuma Okeke are not my favorite plays on the slate. We’re still not sure how the usage is going to shake out once WCJ sees his minutes normalize. Washington and Los Angeles are each on the second night of back-to-backs, so keep an eye on the final injury report for names like Russell Westbrook, Kawhi Leonard, Bradley Beal, and Paul George. If any of these guys miss time, additional opportunities should be available for their teammates.

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

For a full list of over/unders and point spreads, visit BettingPros.

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Dwayne Bacon (SG – ORL): $6,000 at LAC
Terrence Ross is set to return from a six-game absence, but he’s priced all the way up at $6,900. Bacon’s usage could take a hit, but I’m not fading him tonight. He went for 26/8 Sunday, and he’s been a big part of Orlando’s offense across his last two games. Bacon is a great tournament option who is likely to see his popularity wane with Ross back in the fold. 

Rui Hachimura (SF – WAS): $5,700 vs. CHA
Hachimura has averaged 37.5 minutes across his last eight games, and he’ll be needed for plenty of court time tonight with the Wizards so undermanned in the frontcourt. Daniel Gafford suffered a nasty injury last night, neither Alex Len nor Robin Lopez are huge playmakers on offense. Hachimura offers a ton of upside tonight. 

P.J. Washington (PF – CHA): $5,600 at WAS
Washington’s frontcourt is a mess, and Washington has a great opportunity to take full advantage. His price is friendly, and he should be all systems go against a seriously outmatched Wizards squad.

Devonte’ Graham (SG – CHA): $5,300 at WAS
Malik Monk should return for this one, but Graham has averaged 28.3 FD points across his last three while averaging 31 minutes in the process. This game is projected to be high-scoring, and Graham should see enough usage to hit value and then some.

Terance Mann (SG – LAC): $4,700 vs. ORL
Terance has been the Mann recently, averaging 31 FD points in 31 minutes across his last three games. On the second night of a back-to-back, one or both of Paul George (who sat Monday) or Kawhi Leonard could sit, opening up additional opportunities for Mann. Even if both play, Mann should get enough run off the bench to be a worthy play. The Clippers are favored by 11.5, so a blowout could also be beneficial to his court time.

Seth Curry (SG – LAC): $4,400 at DEN
Since returning from a three-game absence, Curry has played 27 minutes in back-to-back contests, and while the returns haven’t been phenomenal, the price and the playing time make him a worthwhile flier for tonight’s slate.

Alex Len (C – WAS): $3,900 vs. CHA
Unfortunately for Washington, new addition Daniel Gafford left Capitol One Arena in a wheelchair after a scary ankle injury, so he’s not likely to take the court. That leaves Len and Robin Lopez to handle center duties in an excellent matchup. Len’s worth a look at just $3.9K.

Bismack Biyombo (C – CHA): $3,800 at WAS
Charlotte’s frontcourt rotation is one of the most frustrating in the league, but for now, it appears Biyombo has a grip on starting duties or at least a 60/40 minutes split with Cody Zeller. Biyombo isn’t a guy to target in cash games, but if you want to pivot from some of the more expensive options in tournaments, he makes an interesting play against Washington’s bottom-of-the-barrel frontcourt defense.

Mike Scott (PF – PHI): $3,600 at DEN
While Joel Embiid remains on the mend, Scott should be in line for quality minutes alongside Dwight Howard in Philly’s frontcourt. The matchup is favorable, and Scott is worth a look at $3.6K after averaging 28.5 minutes across his last two contests.

Chandler Hutchison (SF – WAS): $3,500 vs. CHA
Hutchison went for 16/5 in last night’s debut for the Wiz, and he’ll likely be needed to produce similarly in tonight’s favorable matchup with the Hornets. With Daniel Gafford surely out, Washington playing on the second night of a back-to-back, and the squad seriously undermanned, Hutchison makes a fine value.

Studs Worth Their Salary

• Nikola Jokic (DEN) $11,300: He’s the most expensive player on the board tonight, but center is a mess, and I’m happy to shell out the exorbitant fees needed to roster the Joker. I’ll be looking at values across the board, but Jokic will be a cornerstone in a lot of my lineups tonight.
• Tobias Harris (PHI) $8,600: Across his last eight games, Tobi has averaged 45.6 FD points, and he gets a favorable draw with the Nuggets tonight, where he should be relied on to carry the offensive load for Philly once again/

Notable Players to Fade

• Mo Bamba (ORL) $5,000: After a strong performance Sunday, Bamba appears to be a hot ticket now, but I’m not confidence rolling him out tonight in what’s become a crowded frontcourt. If this one turns into a blowout, Bamba could get some run off the bench, but I’m not willing to pony up the $5K for him here.
• Trae Young (ATL) $8,700: Young just hasn’t been worth his price tag as of late, and while the upside is still there, I’d rather spend my money somewhere else, especially in a pace-down spot for Atlanta.

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