This article is part of our FantasyDraft NBA series.
Tuesday's seven-game slate is replete with appealing individual matchups at each price tier, making it a fun night for lineup construction. Let's hone in on where some of the best potential values lie on a night that shapes up as an intriguing one for both cash games and GPPs:
GUARDS:
Premium Option
Bradley Beal, WAS at BKN ($16,600): Beal bounced back from a couple of poor outings to open December by scoring between 36.00 and 59.25 fantasy points in the next three games. The potential return of John Wall (knee) Tuesday could certainly eat into Beal's usage somewhat, but he'll still be in a good matchup against a Nets defense that's allowed the fourth most fantasy points (52.2) to shooting guards on the season. Notably, Beal still sports a 27.7 percent usage rate and averages 1.04 fantasy points per minute when Wall is on the floor with him, so he remains a solid play regardless of the latter's status.
Mid-Tier
Spencer Dinwiddie, BKN vs. WASH ($11,800): Dinwiddie has scored between 29.75 and 42.00 fantasy points in five of his last six games and has dished out at least six assists in 12 straight contests. He'll face off against a Wizards squad that's allowed 46.6 fantasy points per game to point guards, and he'll potentially see some of Wall, who would be in his first game back after a multi-week absence due to a knee injury.
Affordable
Patty Mills, SA at DAL ($8,200): Mills has flashed some nice upside whether on the first unit or coming off the bench, as he's scored over 20 fantasy points in three of his past four, as well as on eight other occasions dating back to the beginning of November. He continues to see well over 20 minutes on a consistent basis as well, while the Mavericks have allowed the fourth most fantasy points (52.2) to point guards on the campaign, along with the second most points (26.5), and, particularly notable when considering Mills' prowess from behind the arc, the most made three-pointers (2.9) to the position.
FORWARDS/CENTERS:
Premium
LeBron James, CLE vs. ATL ($21,300): James' designation as a top play requires little explanation, considering he's scored between 60.00 and 72.75 fantasy points in the last three games and under 55.00 just once in the last 10. One of those games came against this same Hawks squad, which he touched up for 59.00 fantasy points on Nov. 30, and for 56.25 in his first meeting of the season with them on Nov. 5. The Hawks continue to be vulnerable to both point guards and small forwards, the two positions LeBron has been filling. Atlanta has allowed 48.4 fantasy points per game to ones, as well as the sixth most (48.9) to threes over the last five games.
Mid-Tier
Karl-Anthony Towns, MIN vs. PHI ($16,000): Towns has exploited favorable center matchups against the Clippers and Mavericks in his last two games, posting 53.50 and 54.00 fantasy points in those contests. He'll be in an excellent spot again Tuesday, considering the Sixers check in allowing the sixth most fantasy points (39.4) to centers on the season, along with the most steals (1.6) and second most blocks (2.0) to the position. Joel Embiid is also questionable for Tuesday's contest with a back injury, which would further clear the path to success for Towns.
Affordable
Dario Saric, PHI at MIN ($11,200): Saric has scored over 30 fantasy points in four of the last six games, shooting 45.8 percent, posting a 22.1 percent usage rate and averaging 1.06 fantasy points per minute during that stretch. He's putting up an average of 13.8 shot attempts as well over that span, a notably higher figure than his season average of 10.7. He'll find himself in an appealing matchup Tuesday as well, as the Timberwolves have allowed 40.8 fantasy points per contest to power forwards, along with the fourth most three-pointers (2.0) and a 45.0 percent success rate from the field.
UTILITY:
Kristaps Porzingis, NY vs. LAL ($17,300): Ben Simmons ($19,300) is certainly under consideration as well if you can spend up, especially if Embiid sits. However, Porzingis is highly appealing in his own right after exploding for 52.50 fantasy points against the Hawks on Sunday night, his best tally since way back on Nov. 5. He'd also scored between 32.50 and 46.00 fantasy points in five of his previous seven as well, and he'll be poised for another fruitful night Tuesday against a Lakers squad that has struggled against bigs throughout the season. Los Angeles has allowed the fifth most fantasy points (46.0) to fours, along with the second most rebounds (12.4) and third most blocks (1.7), two areas in which Porzingis derives significant fantasy production from.
Zach Randolph, SAC vs. PHO ($13,900): Randolph has taken on the mantle of clear-cut offensive leader for the Kings, and he's scored between 33.25 and 58.75 fantasy points in the last five games. The veteran big man has shot 60.9 percent, averaged 17.4 shot attempts, posted a 27.7 percent usage rate and averaged 1.37 fantasy points per minute during that stretch, and the matchup Tuesday could hardly be more favorable. The Suns have allowed the sixth most fantasy points (45.7) to power forwards, including 49.1 over the last 10. They're also surrendering the third most points (22.5) and fifth most made three-pointers (1.9), setting Randolph up for another potentially spectacular return.
