This article is part of our FantasyDraft NBA series.
Thursday's four-game slate is packed at the high end with some of the most appealing names in NBA DFS, while also offering a host of productive mid-tier options. There are a number of ways to put together effective lineups despite the relatively low amount of games, so Iet's break down where some of the best value may lie:
GUARDS:
Premium Option
Russell Westbrook, OKC at BKN ($22,300): Westbrook's fantasy-point average is up to 53.7 after having scored between 60.00 and 75.75 fantasy points in six of his last eight games. He's sporting a team-high 37.6 percent usage rate and averaging a whopping 1.61 fantasy points per minute over that stretch and now draws a matchup against a Nets squad that's been vulnerable to point guards throughout the season. Brooklyn has allowed 47.6 fantasy points per contest to ones, and without an elite rim protector down low, Westbrook could find himself in the paint on a frequent basis without much resistance Thursday.
Mid-Tier
Bradley Beal, WAS at PHO ($15,200): Beal snapped out of a two-game shooting funk against the Trail Blazers on Tuesday, exploding for 59.25 fantasy points on the strength of a 51-point effort. He'll be in a favorable position to keep it going Thursday, considering the Suns will be even thinner in the backcourt without Devin Booker (groin) and already check in allowing 51.6 fantasy points per contest to shooting guards, along with 29.1 points and 3.7 made three-pointers per contest. Beal is sporting a 31.0 percent usage rate without John Wall (knee) on the floor over the last six games, and he should be the focal point of the offense again Thursday.
Affordable
Tim Frazier, WAS at PHO ($7,600):J.J. Redick ($11,300) and Caris LeVert ($9,000) project as safer affordable options at guard, but Frazier makes for a bargain-priced tournament-only play that could be in line for one of his more productive efforts against a Suns squad that's allowed the most fantasy points (57.1) and points (27.1) per game to point guards on the season, including 67.1 over the last five games. Frazier has scored over 20 fantasy points in three of his six starts since Wall's injury, and the fact that Phoenix has allowed the third most assists (9.7) to ones could certainly play a part in Frazier maximizing his fantasy production.
FORWARDS/CENTERS:
Premium
Joel Embiid, PHI vs. LAL ($18,900): Embiid decimated the Lakers to the tune of 90.75 fantasy points in his one prior encounter with them, and matters haven't gotten any better down low for Los Angeles since that point. They've actually surrendered 43.0 fantasy points to centers over the last 10, just over three fantasy points per game over their season average. Embiid hasn't quite replicated his career-best effort, but he's scored over 40 fantasy points on four occasions and over 50 once in the subsequent eight contests while also compiling seven double-doubles over that span.
Mid-Tier
Steven Adams, OKC at BKN ($11,500): Adams seems underpriced for a player who's scored between 33.75 and 41.50 fantasy points in his last three contests, and who had cleared the 30-mark on two other occasions over the previous four games as well. The Nets have plugged some of the leaks in their defense against bigs recently, but they still check in allowing 38.7 fantasy points per game to fives, along with the fifth most points (17.2) and fourth most blocks (1.7).
Affordable
Trevor Booker, BKN vs. OKC ($9,000): Booker has been frequently offering solid returns on his current price, as he's scored between 21.25 and 40.75 fantasy points in seven of his last 10 games. He's seen at least 20 minutes in half of those contests and could be in for another solid workload Thursday against a Thunder squad that's been accommodating to power forwards this season. OKC checks in allowing 46.9 fantasy points per contest to power forwards over the last 10 games, along with the eighth most points (21.4) on the campaign.
UTILITY:
Ben Simmons, PHI vs. LAL ($18,400): Simmons went off for 57.25 fantasy points against the Lakers in their previous meeting on the strength of a near triple-double consisting of 18 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds. He's been back at point guard recently as well, which has helped produce totals of 66.00 and 51.00 fantasy points in two of his last four contests and a 26.2 percent usage rate. He could be looking at similar returns Thursday, considering his prior game against Los Angeles and the fact that the Lakers come in allowing the seventh most fantasy points (49.7) to point guards on the season.
Donovan Mitchell, UTA vs. HOU ($13,900): Mitchell's spectacular rookie season continued Tuesday with a tally of 48.25 fantasy points against the Thunder, a total partly comprised of 31 points in 36 minutes. He's eclipsed 40 fantasy points in three of his past six games overall and is averaging 19.0 shot attempts over his last four. He'll draw a solid matchup against the Rockets, which have allowed 52.7 fantasy points to two-guards over the last 10 games, along with 44.0 percent shooting and 3.7 made three-pointers to the position on the season.
