This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
This is one of the rare slates where we get both Russell Westbrook and James Harden in the player pool. What makes it even more fun is the fact that they both have spectacular matchups. Getting one of those guys into your lineup will be key, as it seems inevitable that one of them will go off for a 60-point game. That's why all my recommendations are going to be players south of $8,500, so there's more opportunity to get those studs into your lineup.
Chris Paul, LAC vs. NYK ($8,400): Paul has been a bit disappointing since he returned from injury but is starting to become a nice value at this price. When Paul is playing his best, he's a five-figure player and we get him at $8,400 on this slate. Even with his recent struggles, Paul's upside is still huge, as he's surpassed 43 fantasy points in three of his last five games. The icing on the cake is the matchup though, with the Knicks ranking 25th in defensive efficiency.
Dennis Schroeder, ATL at CHA ($7,200): With Paul Millsap missing this game, Schroeder should be leaned on as the go-to player for Atlanta. Despite having two down games in his two most recent outings, Schroeder has been awesome recently, scoring at least 33 fantasy points in his previous seven games. Charlotte has faltered covering point guards too, allowing opposing point guards to score the 10th most fantasy points against them this season.
Jameer Nelson, DEN at HOU ($5,500): With Nelson gaining access as the primary point guard in Denver, he's proven to be a nice value at this price. Nelson just did damage against Houston as well, scoring 40 fantasy points Saturday. His role is just too hard to fade, as he's averaged over 33 minutes across his last five games. At just $5,500, there's no better bet for a player to exceed 5X value.
Kristaps Porzingis, NYK at LAC ($6,500): Porzingis practiced Monday and looks ready to return from his thigh injury for this matchup. It's his price that truly makes Porzingis an attractive option, as he's an $8,000 talent when healthy. That's evident through his recent numbers too, since he averaged 35 fantasy points across his previous seven games before being shelved. The Clippers are no longer a scary defense either, ranking 22nd in defensive efficiency across their last 15 games.
Trevor Ariza, HOU vs. DEN ($5,000): I failed in a recommendation of Ariza on Saturday in this same matchup, but going back to the well could prove fruitful. Many people will be fading him too, as they were surely disappointed by his 16 fantasy points last time out. Ariza is just too good of a player to be this cheap though, as he's averaged 25 fantasy points a game for the season. The matchup is still enticing as it was Saturday, with Denver ranking 29th in defensive efficiency.
Richaun Holmes, PHI at ORL ($4,800): With Jahlil Okafor looking unlikely for this game, that leaves Holmes as the only true center on the Sixers' roster. Ersan Ilyasova, Joel Embiid and Nerlens Noel are also out of the picture, so everything is lined up for Holmes to play 30 minutes and potentially approach a career high in points. Holmes has been doing work recently too, averaging 30 fantasy points across his last five games. Orlando has been terrible on defense recently, ranking 29th in defensive efficiency across its last 10 games. At just $4,800, Holmes is easily the value of the day.
Al Horford, BOS vs. WSH ($6,600): Horford is finally turning things around after a terrible January and February, averaging 44 fantasy points across his last three games. That's the Horford that we're all familiar with and his recent struggles have made him a heck of a value at this price. Washington's frontcourt is nothing to be scared of either, with the Wizards allowing the sixth most fantasy points to centers over their last 10 games.
Clint Capela, HOU vs. DEN ($5,300): Capela has outperformed this price all season long, as he's averaging over 25 fantasy points per game. He's been hot recently too, scoring at least 26 fantasy points in five of his last six games. That included a 30 fantasy-point game against these Nuggets, and he did that damage in just 24 minutes of action.
