This article is part of our FantasyDraft NBA series.
GUARDS
Kyrie Irving, CLE at HOU ($16,900):James Harden ($21,100) is at the top of the scale Sunday for those who can fit him in, but Irving provides an impressive ceiling for $4,100 less. He exploded for 70 fantasy points against the Hawks four games ago and has also eclipsed 40 fantasy points 10 times in the last 13. The Rockets also surrendered the eighth-most fantasy points (51.9) to point guards over the last five games, and Irving sports a 33.4 percent usage rate this season with Kevin Love off the floor.
Dion Waiters, MIA at IND ($12,300):Derrick Rose ($12,600) is also an appealing option at this level in his matchup against the Nets' worst-ranked defense against point guards, but Waiters has bounced back from a couple of games in which he was bothered by an ankle injury to score at least 20 points in three straight games. Additionally, he poured in 22 points in his only previous meeting against the Pacers this season, and Indiana gives up a robust 3.0 three-pointers per game to shooting guards, along with 43.5 fantasy points per contest.
Jeremy Lin, BKN vs. NY ($10,200): There are a number of appealing options under $8,000 who carry some risk, such as Allen Crabbe ($7,700), Sergio Rodriguez ($6,400) and Isaiah Whitehead ($6,000). For those seeking a bit more certainty and with the cash to spend, Lin checks in as a solid value at his price, as he's eclipsed 30 fantasy points in three of the last four contests and is back up to minutes in the high 20s. The Knicks have also surrendered the sixth-most fantasy points (52.5) to the position over the last five games.
FORWARDS/CENTERS
LeBron James, CLE at HOU ($20,100): James is expensive but worth the investment in what should be a competitive, fast-paced matchup. He's rattled off consecutive triple-doubles and has eclipsed 60 fantasy points in five straight contests, justifying his price. The Rockets have also struggled all season against small forwards despite Trevor Ariza's defensive reputation, as they've given up the fourth-most fantasy points per game (45.4) this season, including the fourth-most (51.7) over the last five games.
Hassan Whiteside, MIA at IND ($14,300): Whiteside has averaged a whopping 24.0 points and 19.5 rebounds per game over two starts against the Pacers this season, and he has scored no fewer than 34.75 fantasy points in the last nine games. The Pacers have struggled against big men throughout the season, giving up 50.4 fantasy points per contest to centers, along with the third-most rebounds (15.7).
Brandon Ingram, LAL vs. PHI ($9,700): Ingram is seeing a boatload of minutes and producing with them, as he's scored at least 24.50 fantasy points in five of the last seven games. He seems to finally be hitting his stride with this shot, as he's posted a stellar 50 percent success rate from the field over the last six. Meanwhile, the Sixers have given up the sixth-most fantasy points per game (46.8) to small forwards over the last five.
UTILITY
Dario Saric, PHI at ATL ($14,700): Saric brings a formidable ceiling and draws the best matchup for power forwards in the NBA in the form of the Lakers, who have surrendered the most fantasy points per game (51.0) this season and over the last five games (63.3) to the position. They've also yielded the most rebounds (12.7) to fours, along with the third-highest field-goal percentage (48.5), while Saric has scored at least 36 fantasy points in four of the last five.
Trevor Ariza, HOU vs. CLE ($8,800): Ariza makes for an intriguing value play at his price and in a matchup against a Cavs defense that's yielded the fifth-most fantasy points per game (45.3) to small forwards this season, along with the fourth-most rebounds (8.4) and most assists (3.9), despite LeBron James' presence. Ariza has his share of inconsistent outings to be sure, but he's scored at least 20.75 fantasy points, and as many as 34.25, in seven of his last eight contests.
