This article is part of our FantasyDraft NBA series.
Tonight's six-game ledger includes a Cavaliers squad that's looking for redemption after an embarrassing loss and a couple of potential shootouts in Timberwolves-Pacers and Blazers-Pelicans. With a number of intriguing matchups across the board, particularly for big men, let's dive in to where the best value is Tuesday:
GUARDS:
Premium Option
Kyrie Irving, BOS vs. NY ($16,000): Irving has scored between 32.00 and 50.50 fantasy points in his first three games, sporting a team-high 38.6 percent usage rate in the process. The Knicks have given up the fourth-most fantasy points (60.2) to point guards, along with 24.2 points (on 48.6 percent shooting) and a league-high 14.4 assists. Despite being the highest-price guard on the slate, the matchup and role justify the investment.
Mid-Tier
C.J. McCollum, POR vs. NO ($13,300): The Pelicans have unsurprisingly been tough against point guards with Jrue Holiday providing his typically solid defense, but it's been a different story versus twos. New Orleans ranks only behind the Mavericks in fantasy points allowed to two-guards, surrendering 56.4 per contest, along with a league-high 28.1 points (on 55.1 percent shooting). McCollum has scored 43.75 and 35.75 fantasy points, respectively, in his first two games, shooting a blistering 58.3 percent from the field, including 60.0 percent from three-point range.
Affordable
Jeff Teague, MIN vs. IND ($12,300): Teague faces off against the team whose uniform he donned last season, and the matchup lines up well for him. The Pacers have allowed the fifth-most fantasy points (58.4) and most points (32.1) to point guards on the season. Teague bounced back from a quiet first two games to post 41.00 fantasy points in 39 minutes against the Thunder on Sunday.
FORWARDS/CENTERS:
Premium
Anthony Davis, NO at POR ($19,500): Davis has taken it to another level in the early going, which is saying something considering the bar he's already set. He's posted between 57.00 and 70.75 fantasy points in his first three games, scoring no less than 27 points and hauling in no less than 17 rebounds. The Trail Blazers check in allowing 48.2 fantasy points and 23.7 points (on 52.5 percent shooting) to power forwards thus far this season, making them an appealing target for Davis' robust 31.5 percent usage rate.
Mid-Tier
Nikola Vucevic, ORL vs. BKN ($15,300): Vucevic trampled the Nets to the tune of 63.00 fantasy points just two games ago in Brooklyn and has scored no less than 45.75 fantasy points in any contest this season. He's sporting a 27.2 percent usage rate thus far with Elfrid Payton (hamstring) off the floor, and the latter has already been ruled out for Tuesday's contest. Therefore, he should be in line for excellent returns against a Nets squad that's allowed 65.0 fantasy points and 30.4 points (on 66.0 percent shooting) to centers -- numbers that Vucevic naturally had a role in generating.
Affordable
Al Horford, BOS vs. NY ($12,600): Horford has scored between 27.25 and 35.50 fantasy points in his first three games and faces a Knicks team that's allowed the fourth-most fantasy points (58.1) and sixth-most points (25.0) on league-high 77.3 percent shooting to centers. With neither Enes Kanter nor Willy Hernangomez particularly known for their defense, Horford should have plenty of opportunities to return strong value on a reasonable price.
UTILITY:
Kevin Love, CLE vs. CHI ($14,000): The Bulls check in allowing 22.6 points, 18.6 rebounds and 54.1 fantasy points per game to centers, while Love has scored between 29.75 and 44.50 fantasy points in his first three games. He's been impressive on the boards as well, hauling no fewer than nine rebounds and as many as 12 -- numbers that bode well against a Chicago squad that's clearly had trouble defending the glass in the early going.
Rudy Gobert, UTA at LAC ($13,900): Gobert is off to another strong and consistent start, scoring between 32.50 and 38.25 fantasy points in his first three games -- all double-doubles. He sports one of the safest fantasy floors of any big man and is in line for his fair share of production against DeAndre Jordan and company, who've allowed 52.5 fantasy points, 22.4 points, 15.8 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game to centers.
