This article is part of our FantasyDraft NBA series.
It's Friday, which typically means a super-sized NBA slate with plenty of options across the price scale. This 11-game schedule is no exception, and FantasyDraft's unique roster construction offers the flexibility to work in many appealing options. Without further ado, let's dive in to how you might best spread your cash around Friday.
GUARD
Premium
Stephen Curry, GS vs. HOU ($17,600): If you're not paying up for Russell Westbrook ($23,000) or James Harden ($21,800), Curry is a good value among the elite guards. He scored 68.25, 59.00 and 53.75 and 48.25 fantasy points in his last four games. He's had no trouble with Patrick Beverley and the Rockets either, averaging 28.0 points (on 45.2 percent shooting), 6.3 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 2.0 steals in three games against Houston this season. He also shoots 49.8 percent from the field and 45.9 percent from three-point range at home. The Rockets have allowed the second-most fantasy points to point guards in the last five games (63.4), as well as the last 10 (58.6).
Mid-Tier
DeMar DeRozan, TOR vs. IND ($15,700): DeRozan has scored 42.50 to 68.25 fantasy points in four of the last five games, and the Pacers have given up the 10th-most fantasy points (44.4) to two-guards this season. He's sporting a 34.8 percent usage rate since Kyle Lowry's wrist injury, as well, and took 21 to 38 shots in the aforementioned four-game sample. DeRozan posted 22 points (on 47.4 percent shooting), four assists and three rebounds in 29 minutes in his one previous game against the Pacers, and without Lowry, those numbers should only go up.
Affordable
Marco Belinelli, CHA vs. DEN ($8,000): Belinelli has scored 28.75 to 33.00 fantasy points in three of the last five games, and although his point totals fluctuate, he's definitely worth the tournament flyer given his upside and matchup. The Nuggets give up the most fantasy points (47.5) to shooting guards, along with the most points (23.2), second-most assists (4.6), highest field-goal percentage (46.3) and three made three-pointers per game.
FORWARD/CENTER
Premium
DeMarcus Cousins, NO vs. SAC ($17,700): While there's a trio of fine plays alongside Cousins in the forward/center pool in Anthony Davis ($18,300), LeBron James ($18,000) and Kawhi Leonard ($17,300), the narrative for Cousins facing his former team is strong enough to give him the nod. Perhaps the only concern is that his aggressiveness gets him into early foul trouble, but if he can keep his emotions in check, he'll be in a good spot to clean up against a Kings squad that's given up the second-most fantasy points (58.8) the last five games to power forwards and sixth most (48.6) this season. They've also yielded the most assists (3.6) and steals (1.7) to the position, and Cousins has scored 53.50 to 75.00 fantasy points in the last three games.
Mid-Tier
Gordon Hayward, UTA vs. WAS ($13,700): Hayward's teammate Rudy Gobert ($15,100) is an excellent option for those who have the cash, but Hayward notably lit up the Wizards for 30 points, nine rebounds and two assists in 40 minutes in his one previous game against them this season. Washington has also given up 44.3 fantasy points per game to small forwards, and Hayward has scored 32.00 to 50.75 fantasy points in four of the last five games.
Affordable
Kenneth Faried, DEN at CHA ($8,300): Frank Kaminsky ($10,100) serves as an appealing option for those who can spend up at this price level, but Faried could rack up rebounds in particular against a Hornets squad that's surrendered 50.1 fantasy points per game to power forwards over the last 10. The Hornets also have yielded the fourth-most boards (11.9) to the position this season while ranking in the bottom 10 in several other categories. Faried's price makes him worth the dice roll for tournaments, as he's scored 21.00 to 33.75 fantasy points in four of the last seven games.
UTILITY
Nikola Jokic, DEN at CHA ($16,800): Hassan Whiteside ($14,600) is another big man in a great position, but Jokic faces a Hornets defense that's surrendered the fifth-most fantasy points (58.6) to centers over the last five games, along with the fifth-most rebounds (15.4) and most blocks (2.6) this season. Jokic already steamrolled Charlotte for 31 points, 14 rebounds, four assists and one steal in 33 minutes in his one game against them this season, and he's scored 39.0 to 59.50 fantasy points in four of the last five games.
Greg Monroe, MIL vs. DET ($10,500): Jonas Valanciunas ($10,200) makes for an excellent pivot at $300 cheaper, but Monroe merits consideration as he faces his former Pistons squad. Monroe averaged 35.4 fantasy points in three games against Detroit this season, and he's scored 23.50 to 32.50 fantasy points in eight of the last nine games. He's boasting a 27.3 percent usage rate, averaging 1.18 fantasy points per minute over that span, which makes him an appealing value at his price.
