This article is part of our FantasyDraft NBA series.
Wednesday's 12-game slate gives us plenty of options to consider all across the pricing scale. While there are still plenty of $20K-plus superstars in action, including James Harden and Lebron James, there are still several players who have been outperforming their current price tags as well. Without further delay, let's dive into the biggest NBA night in some time:
GUARDS:
Premium Option
John Wall, WAS vs. PHO ($19,200): Even while playing just 26 minutes in a blowout win over the Kings on Sunday, Wall still amassed 38.50 fantasy points. He'd also scored between 44.75 and 49.25 fantasy points in four of his other five games and draws a matchup versus a Suns defense allowing the second-most fantasy points (57.1), most points (29.6), third-most made three-pointers (3.3) and third-highest shooting percentage (47.0) per game to point guards. Wall also sports a team-high 31.3 percent usage rate and is averaging 1.24 fantasy points per minute, furthering his already strong case.
Mid-Tier
Kemba Walker, CHA vs. MIL ($14,400): Walker has already outperformed his price on multiple occasions this season, with the most recent example coming two games ago when he compiled 63.50 fantasy points versus the Magic. He also scored 42.75 and 40.00 fantasy points, respectively, in two other games within the past week and takes on a Bucks defense that's surrendered the sixth-most fantasy points (53.8), fourth-most points (26.4), fourth-most rebounds (7.6), second-most steals (3.3), fourth-most made three-pointers (3.0) and fourth-highest shooting percentage (46.0) per game to point guards.
Affordable
Rodney Hood, UTA vs. POR ($10,200): Hood is starting to find his shot, as he's scored between 20 and 25 points in three of his last four games. The high end of that range came in his most recent contest, a Monday night tilt against the Mavericks when he drained 60.0 percent of his 15 shots and compiled a season-best 32.25 fantasy points. He'll be in a potentially good spot versus the Trail Blazers, a team that's allowed 50.0 fantasy points per game to shooting guards over the last five contests, along with 30.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.9 assists and a 45.0 percent success rate from the field to the position on the season.
FORWARDS/CENTERS:
Premium
Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL at CHA ($20,900): Antetokounmpo saw a season-low 28 minutes against the Thunder on Tuesday due to some foul trouble, which led to a low-water mark of 43.50 fantasy points. That figure would represent an excellent night for most, but for a player that had posted no less than 55.75 fantasy points in any of his prior games, it results in a price drop of more than $2,000. That sets the Greek Freak up well for a rebound versus a Hornets squad that already allowed him 63.00 fantasy points on Oct. 23. As is usually the case, Antetokounmpo should be able to frequently exploit a height advantage Tuesday, as he has two inches on primary defender Marvin Williams.
Mid-Tier
Dwight Howard, CHA vs. MIL ($14,900): That said, Howard is in an appealing matchup in his own right against a Bucks squad that he already lit up for 44.0 fantasy points in that Oct. 23 contest on the strength of a season-high 22 rebounds. Milwaukee checks in allowing the sixth-most fantasy points (41.5), fourth-most points (18.1), seventh-most rebounds (12.9) and third-highest shooting percentage (63.0) per game to centers. Meanwhile, Howard had scored between 36.25 and 46.50 fantasy points in his first six games before an 11.75 fantasy-point clunker versus the Grizzlies in his last contest. That outlier performance could well push his ownership down some Wednesday, making him even more appealing as a tournament play.
Affordable
Jimmy Butler, MIN at NO ($13,100): Butler has started to find his way in the Timberwolves' offense, scoring between 31.25 and 41.25 fantasy points in his last four games. While he may not quite approach the same level of usage that he enjoyed in Chicago over the last couple of seasons, his reasonable price certainly affords him the opportunity to return strong value, particularly in a matchup against a Pelicans defense that's allowed 52.7 fantasy points per game to two-guards over the last five games, along with 30.4 points, 4.3 made three-pointers and the second-highest field-goal percentage (52.7) to the position on the season.
UTILITY:
Kristaps Porzingis, NY vs. HOU ($16,700): Porzingis has been a dominant force in the Knicks frontcourt, posting over 50 fantasy points in three of his first six games and coming within just .25 of accomplishing it in a fourth contest. Moreover, he's posting 1.34 fantasy points per minute on a team-high 36.4 percent usage rate overall. Those types of numbers make his current price all the more appealing, as does a matchup against Ryan Anderson, who Porzingis will enjoy a five-inch height advantage on.
Tyreke Evans, MEM vs. ORL ($9,900): Evans continues to be priced under five figures despite having scored over 30 fantasy points in three straight games. He's seen his minutes climb in each of those contests as well, topping out at 30 versus the Hornets on Monday night. The Magic are also allowing 52.7 fantasy points per game over the last five to shooting guards, along with the fifth-most rebounds (8.9) and third most assists (6.7) to the position on the season.
