This article is part of our FantasyDraft NBA series.
The Saturday evening slate features a marquee matchup in Cavs/Clippers and a potential shootout in Rockets/Nuggets. Is the best approach to hone in on and stack these contests or is there potentially under-owned value to be had elsewhere as well? FantasyDraft's unique roster construction offers you the flexibility to maximize your exposure, so let's dive in to where you might best allocate your resources:
GUARDS
Chris Paul, LAC vs. CLE ($15,100): James Harden ($22,100) continues to be the premium choice at guard for those that can afford him, especially against a Nuggets defense that's the most generous in the league to shooting guards. However, Paul is significantly discounted in a favorable matchup Saturday. Defending the point guard position is certainly not a strong suit of the defending champs, which have surrendered the sixth-most fantasy points (54.0) on the season to the position. Pau tallied 16 points, nine assists, six rebounds and one steal in just 25 minutes in the previous meeting with Cleveland this season and has scored over 40 fantasy twice and over 50 once in his last four contests.
Gary Harris, HOU at DEN ($11,600): Harris is in a favorable matchup himself against a Rockets defense that surrenders the fifth-most fantasy points (45.9), third-most rebounds (5.9), fourth-most assists (4.4) and fourth-most three-pointers (3.0) on the season to two-guards. He's also been playing extremely well, scoring over 30 fantasy points in four of his last five games and shooting a red-hot 53.5 percent from the field and 45.5 percent from three-point range over his last seven. With the Nuggets once again missing Wilson Chandler (groin) and Danilo Gallinari (knee) on Saturday, Harris' 21.9 percent usage rate when that pair is off the floor make his case even further.
Bojan Bogdanovic, WAS at CHA ($8,800): Bogdanovic has added a dynamic dimension to the Wizards second unit with his ability to score in a hurry, and he'll draw a solid matchup when he comes off the bench Saturday. The Hornets surrender the sixth-most fantasy points (48.5) on the season to small forwards, second-most (57.4) over the last five games, and fourth-most (56.7) over the last 10. They also give up the second-most three-pointers (1.9) to the position, which feeds right into Bojan's wheelhouse. Bogdanovic brings 40-fantasy point upside if he gets hot, and coach Scott Brooks has already shown a willingness to give him plenty of minutes if he gets going early.
FORWARDS/CENTERS
Nikola Jokic, DEN vs. HOU ($19,200): There's plenty to like fantasy-wise about the Nuggets-Rockets matchup, and Jokic may be the most explosive asset in that game outside of James Harden. He turned in another triple-double on Thursday night versus the Clippers and has scored over 50 fantasy points in three of his last six games and over 60 fantasy points once during that span as well. His price is certainly up there, but with the Nuggets once again missing Danilo Gallinari and Wilson Chandler and a matchup against a Rockets unit that surrenders the third-most fantasy points to centers (53.35) on the season on tap, another mammoth return could be in store.
DeAndre Jordan, LAC vs. CLE ($12,300): Rudy Gobert ($13,600) is one of the most consistent players for either cash or tournaments and therefore makes for a very strong play for those who have the cash to move up. However, Jordan comes at a discount against a Cavs team that Gobert just decimated for 20 points and 19 rebounds on Thursday, and that is giving up 54.8 fantasy points to centers over the last 10 games and the fourth-most rebounds (15.7) on the season to the position as well. That doesn't bode well against Jordan, who's posted double-digit boards in seven of his last eight games, with five of those outings double-doubles. He's also crossed 50 fantasy points in two of his last three, and with what should be a competitive and potentially high-scoring affair on tap, he should see a boatload of minutes.
Tony Allen, MEM at SA ($7,400): A number of affordable options abound at forward/center, starting with Michael Kidd-Gilchrist ($10,200) and going on to Juancho Hernangomez ($8,800), Kenneth Faried ($8,400), Warriors teammates Matt Barnes ($8,000) and Zaza Pachulia ($7,800) and if Markieff Morris misses again with an illness, Jason Smith ($6,000). However Allen checks in cheaper than all but Smith and is on a nice run lately, scoring over 20 fantasy points in three straight and shooting 45.7 percent from the field and 60 percent from long distance over the last seven overall. Despite Danny Green's well-earned reputation for solid defense, the Spurs have been uncharacteristically vulnerable to two-guards this season, as they surrender 44.6 fantasy points to the position on the season and the third-most (51.1) over the last five.
UTILITY
Bradley Beal, WAS at CHA ($15,000): Beal has been on an absolute tear since well before the All-Star break, as he's averaging 26.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.1 steals along with 51.6 percent shooting over the last 20 games. His recent numbers are even a tick higher and he's scored at least 34.75 fantasy points and as many as 63.50 in his last 11 contests. He'll draw a matchup ripe for more of the same Saturday, as the Hornets give up the fourth-most fantasy points (46.8) to two-guards, along with the fourth-most rebounds (5.8), most assists (4.9) and second-most three-pointers (3.3) to the position as well.
Robin Lopez, CHI vs. UTA ($7,100): Lopez exploded for a 25-point, 12-rebound double-double Friday night, and although that shouldn't be anywhere near the norm for him, it does provide a glimpse of the increased involvement on offense we might come to expect from him with Dwyane Wade (elbow) now out for the season. To be clear, there's a couple of big caveats here – third game in four nights, tough matchup versus Rudy Gobert down low – but the price puts you at very little risk. While he's definitely much more of a tournament play than in cash, Lopez's usage figures to once again be above his usual levels, giving him an opportunity to return solid value at his discounted price.
