This article is part of our FantasyDraft NBA series.
The NBA offers a solid seven game evening slate that promises a bit of everything -- games with playoff position at stake, an inter-conference marquee matchup and a potential shootout in Phoenix to close out the night. FantasyDraft's unique roster construction offers the flexibility to work in many of the appealing options available, so let's dive in to how you might best allocate resources:
GUARDS
DeMar DeRozan, TOR vs. PHI ($16,300): You'd be hard pressed to go wrong with the quartet of James Harden ($22,400), John Wall ($18,100), Jimmy Butler ($17,900) and Stephen Curry ($17,700), who sit above DeRozan in price, but I believe the Raptors' two-guard could potentially offer the best bang for your buck. He's scored over 50 fantasy points twice and over 60 once in his last six, while also eclipsing the 40-point mark twice during that span. DeRozan also sports a massive 35.4 percent usage rate during Kyle Lowry's absence, and he has averaged 23.3 points (on 50.0 percent shooting), 4.7 assists and 4.3 rebounds per game in three appearances against the Sixers this season.
Jeff Teague, IND at CLE ($12,600):Devin Booker ($14,300) and Dennis Schroder ($14,000) are appealing choices at this price level if you can spend up, but Teague is relatively underpriced considering his upside, matchup and recent production. He's scored between 29.00 and 41.00 fantasy points in eight of his last nine games and has averaged 19.0 points, 11.0 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.0 steals in 35.0 minutes per game over three appearances against the Cavs this season. Meanwhile, the Cavs have allowed the sixth-most fantasy points per game (54.1) this season season, including the seventh-most (57.5) over the last five games, to point guards.
Nik Stauskas, PHI at TOR ($9,100): Stauskas seems to often go under-owned in tournaments but typically does a great job of filling out the stat sheet. He's scored between 21.50 and 34.25 fantasy points in seven of his last nine games, making solid contributions in scoring, rebounding and assists. The third-year guard is seeing plenty of playing time as well, as he's averaged 29.9 minutes (along with a 17.9 percent usage rate) per game over his last nine.
FORWARD/CENTER
Nikola Jokic, DEN at MIA ($17,300): Jokic has exploded for 42.00, 59.50 and 60.25 fantasy points in three of his last four games and faces a Heat squad that he amassed 17 points, 14 rebounds, three assists and one steal against over just 24 minutes in his one encounter with this season. Miami has also allowed 50.5 fantasy points and 15.0 rebounds per game to centers this season, while Jokic is sporting a 25.4 percent usage rate since the All-Star break.
Dwight Howard, ATL at BKN ($15,000):Paul George ($15,500) is also in a good spot and worth the extra $500 if you have it, but Howard should be primed for very good returns against a Nets squad that's surrendered the fifth-most fantasy points per game (52.2) to centers this season. Brooklyn also grades out in the bottom 10 in several other categories against fives, and Howard has scored between 42.00 and 56.00 fantasy points in four of his last five games. What's more, he's averaged 14.7 points, 15.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 28.3 minutes per game over three starts against the Nets this season.
Jonas Valanciunas, TOR vs. PHI ($11,600): For those in need of some serious savings, Tristan Thompson ($9,100) also makes for an appealing play in a matchup almost as good as Valanciunas'. Meanwhile, Toronto's big man represents the perfect storm of a player heating up and facing one of the most favorable matchups in the league to centers. He has scored 30.25, 42.25 and 45.25 fantasy points over the last three contests, respectively, including a double-double in each of the last two. The Sixers have also given up the most fantasy points per game (57.6) to centers this season, including over the last five (65.1) and 10 (63.1) games, along with the most points (24.0) and second-most rebounds (16.2).
UTILITY:
Kyrie Irving, CLE vs. IND ($14,700): Irving's price remains stuck in neutral, rendering him a strong play in a matchup he's thrived in previously this season. He has averaged 26.3 points, 7.0 assists, 1.3 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game in three appearances against the Pacers this season, while Indiana has allowed 50.2 fantasy points per game to point guards this season, including 52.0 over the last five.
Draymond Green, GS vs. WAS ($13,800): Green lit up the Wizards for a 14-point, 14-assist double-double that also included eight rebounds, two steals and one block in his one game against them this season, while Washington has allowed the fifth-most fantasy points per game (49.5) to the position, including the sixth-most (50.6) over the last five. They also yield the highest field-goal percentage (50.0) to fours, and rank in the bottom 10 in several other categories. Green can certainly be volatile with his production at times, but he's scored no fewer than 24.50 fantasy points and as many as 61.25 in 16 of his last 17 games.
