This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
Point Guard:
Kyrie Irving, CLE vs. SAC ($7,200): Irving was struggling in his return from a knee injury, but he's found his groove recently. Not only has Irving scored 19-plus points in six-straight games, he's scored at least 30 fantasy points in all of those games as well. If that's not enough incentive, this matchup should be, as the Kings rank as the worst defense in the NBA. Look for this price to continue to rise as the season progresses, with Irving showcasing $9,000 potential.
Norris Cole, NOP at MIN ($5,100): Cole has been filling-in as the starting point guard in the absence of Tyreke Evans and performing very well. In fact, Cole has scored at least 32 fantasy points four times in his last six games, while playing well over 30 minutes in all four of those good outings. What makes this play so enticing is the price and matchup. Not only do the Timberwolves rank as one of the three-worst defenses against point guards this season, Cole's $5,100 price is dirt cheap.
Shooting Guard:
Andrew Wiggins, MIN vs. NOP ($6,700): I usually stay away from players like Wiggins because they provide value only in scoring, but that could be a positive here. Not only is Wiggins scorching hot recently, he faces a Pelicans team that allows scoring at will. Wiggins is averaging over 27 points a game across his last three games, while scoring 40-plus fantasy points in two of those three. New Orleans ranks dead-last in fantasy points allowed to shooting guards this season as well
E'Twaun Moore, CHI at CHA ($4,100): Moore has been seeing a major increase of minutes recently because of injuries to Jimmy Butler and Nikola Mirotic. Across his last six games, Moore is averaging over 33 minutes a game and putting up solid fantasy numbers. In fact, he is averaging 22 fantasy points a game in that span, while scoring 30-plus fantasy points twice in that six-game span. What makes this play even better is that the Hornets rank as the fifth-worst defense against shooting guards based on fantasy points allowed this season.
Small Forward:
Nicolas Batum, CHA vs. CHI ($6,700): Batum just returned from a toe injury last week and he's finally back to top-form. Over his last two games, he has scored over 91 fantasy points and has been approaching triple-doubles in both games. That was the Batum we became familiar with at the beginning of the season and it's clear he's the focal point of this Charlotte once again. Most people would be scared off by the Bulls defense, but their small forward defense is a weakness, as they rank 23rd in fantasy points allowed to small forwards this season.
Stanley Johnson, DET vs. TOR ($4,900): Johnson has taken over as the starting small forward/shooting guard with the injury to Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Since taking over, Johnson has been putting up some big numbers. Not only does he have 75 fantasy points across his last two games, Johnson is averaging over 26 fantasy points across his last seven games. Those are elite numbers for a player below $5,000 and he should continue to be relied on heavily in a tough matchup against Toronto.
Power Forward:
Markieff Morris, PHX vs. OKC ($5,600): If you looked up doghouse in the dictionary earlier in the season, there would be a big picture of Morris. Since a coaching change, Morris' role has changed infinitely, as well as his fantasy value. Morris is now the focal point of the Suns offense and it's indicative by his recent numbers. Over his last seven games, Morris is averaging nearly 30 fantasy points a game and has seen his usage rate sky rocket. He also has a 42-point and 54-point fantasy outing in two of his last three, so it's clear he's hot as well. This is simply a case of a price rising too slow and now's the time to jump on it before Morris inevitably gets back above the $6,000 mark.
Taj Gibson, CHI at CHA ($5,400): Gibson is never a guy that DFS owners get excited about, but production is production. Over his last 13 games, Gibson is averaging a near double-double with about two combined blocks and steals a game. What's most encouraging are the minutes, as he is averaging 32 minutes a game in that 13-game stretch. Gibson should be once again leaned on here for big minutes with the Bulls being as shorthanded as ever. This is a great matchup as well, with the Hornets ranking in the bottom-eight in fantasy points allowed to power forwards this season.
Center:
Gorgui Dieng, MIN vs. NOP ($6,100): Fantasy owners were waiting for the day that Dieng would receive regular starts and big minutes and we finally seem to be getting our wish. With the injury to Kevin Garnett, Dieng is now starting and playing even bigger minutes than expected. It's not just the minutes though, as Dieng is putting up elite numbers. Across his last six games, Dieng is averaging 18.2 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.5 blocks a game. That's close to 40 fantasy points a game, which is absurd value for a player barely cracking $6,000. What's even better here is the tasty matchup, as he faces a New Orleans team that ranks in the bottom-three in fantasy points allowed to centers this season.
