This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
Guards:
Jrue Holiday, NOP at NYK ($7,100): With such limited options at the shooting guard position, Holiday makes for a great pivot to avoid a major letdown. His recent form has been superb, as he has at least 36 fantasy points in four of his last five games. It's the matchup that makes him so intriguing though, as he faces a Knicks defense that allows the most fantasy points in the league to opposing point guards. That's yet another thing that makes Holiday attractive, as you get to use a true point guard at a weaker shooting guard position.
Darren Collison, IND at PHX ($5,100): It's strange to see Collison's price so cheap, as he's been a much better player this season than this price would indicate. Averaging 27 fantasy points per game is usually more indicative of a player closer to $6,000, as we get quite the bargain here at just $5,100. He comes into this game hot too, averaging nearly 30 fantasy points across his last eight games. The matchup is the icing on the cake, as Collison faces a Phoenix defense that ranks 28th in defensive efficiency and dead-last in points allowed.
Jarrett Jack, NYK vs. NOP ($5,100): Jack has been incredible over the last few weeks, as his price has yet to rise to where it should be. Not only is he averaging 35 fantasy points per game across his last three outings, he's averaging well over 30 minutes a game over his last six contests. A starting point guard playing over 30 minutes should never be $5,100, as Jack and Collison are both in the same boat with that in their favor. What's also key is the matchup, as he faces a New Orleans defense that allows the second-most fantasy points to opposing point guards.
Forwards:
Jimmy Butler, MIN vs. POR ($9,200): With such limited options at small forward, Butler is one of the safest bets on the board at this fair price. The recent form of Butler is what makes him most intriguing, as he's averaging 25.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 2.2 steals per game across his last 14 outings. The role is a huge plus too, as he's leading this team in usage while playing nearly 40 minutes a game. Butler had one of his best games of the season against Portland too, as he collected 37 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals on Dec. 18 against them.
Thaddeus Young, IND at PHX ($5,900): Young has been a frustrating player for season-long fantasy owners, but the injuries in Indiana make him a fascinating option on this slate. Not only has Myles Turner (elbow) already been ruled out, there's a chance Domantas Sabonis (shoulder) sits out as well. That means Young might be the only healthy big man left, thus giving him huge minutes and monster usage. The matchup is hard not to like too, with Phoenix ranking third in pace and dead-last in total defense.
Dragan Bender, PHX vs. IND ($4,100): Bender has been fantastic over the last few games, as he finally appears to be finding his rhythm in the NBA. The last two games have actually been career outings, as Bender collected 75.8 fantasy points in those two matchups combined, while playing 71 total minutes. Marquese Chriss being out of the lineup really opened up the door for Bender to succeed, as he's expected to sit yet again here with a hip issue. The matchup is enticing too, as he faces an Indiana defense that allows the second-most fantasy points to opposing power forwards.
Centers:
Jusuf Nurkic, POR at MIN ($6,700): Nurkic got off to a slow start this season, but he's been much better over recent weeks. In fact, Nurkic has at least 27 fantasy points in nine-straight games, as he's averaging over 36 fantasy points per game during that span. What's really risen in that span is his usage, as he's all the way up to second on the team in usage with a near 28 percent usage rate. That's monster usage and ridiculous production from a player south of $7,000, as he'll square off against Karl-Anthony Towns here, one of the worst defensive centers in the league.
Tyson Chandler, PHX vs. IND ($4,800): Chandler has been in and out of the lineup all season and it's kept his price at a very affordable number. Not only is he averaging 22 fantasy points per game for the season, Chandler also has at least 19 fantasy points in eight of his last nine games. That's plenty good from a player south of $5,000, as he should continue to provide great value in such a favorable matchup. Chandler actually faces a Pacers defense that allows the most fantasy points in the league to opposing centers.
