This article is part of our FantasyDraft NBA series.
A three-game slate like Tuesday's can sometimes steer us into some tough choices in order to fit in the best plays on the ledger. Luckily, there appear to be a number of value options that allow us to do just that on the abbreviated schedule. Without further ado, let's break down the landscape for Tuesday's action:
GUARDS:
Premium Option
James Harden, HOU vs. TOR ($21,700): There's literally no one else to pay up for on the short three-game slate, and Harden is worth the investment if you can find the dollars. Despite Kyle Lowry's defensive reputation, the Raptors have surrendered the sixth most fantasy points (49.4) on the season and third most (51.5) over the last 10 games to point guards. They're also ranked in the bottom five in points allowed (25.5) and Harden has scored no less than 58.25 and as many as 83.75 fantasy points over the last four contests. It's worth noting that this is also matchup that Harden has thrived in previously, as he averaged 34.5 points (on 51.3 percent shooting), 13.0 assists, 8.0 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 1.5 blocks across two games versus Toronto last season, and 36.0 points, 13.5 assists and 7.5 rebounds in a pair of contests two campaigns ago.
Mid-Tier
DeMar DeRozan, TOR at HOU ($15,000): DeRozan should be firing away in what projects to be an up-tempo matchup against the Rockets, giving him an opportunity to build on his recent stretch of between 34.50 and 49.50 fantasy points in the last five games. The All-Star two-guard rarely has an off night and will be facing a Houston squad that's allowed 54.2 fantasy points per game to shooting guards over the last five, along with the fourth highest shooting percentage (46.0) on the season. DeRozan is also taking more long-distance shots this season – upping his three-point attempts per game from 1.7 to 2.8 – and the Rockets have notably allowed just under 4.0 made three-pointers per game to twos.
Affordable
Spencer Dinwiddie, BKN vs. BOS ($9,400): Dinwiddie will draw the start at the point Tuesday in place of D'Angelo Russell (knee), putting him in play at his four-figure price despite the tough matchup against the Celtics. Boston's 43.0 fantasy points allowed per game to point guards places them in the top half of the league against the position, but they've been a tad more vulnerable lately (46.5 per game over the last five) and Dinwiddie doesn't need a spectacular output to pay off his modest price. Dinwiddie has shown some nice upside this season as well, reaching or eclipsing 20 fantasy points on seven occasions, including one game over 30 and another pair over 40.
FORWARDS/CENTERS:
Premium
LaMarcus Aldridge, SA at DAL ($15,600): Aldridge checks in as the most expensive forward/center option on the abbreviated schedule, but he's certainly worthwhile for cash or GPPs given his role and matchup. He continues to be the focal point of the offense with Kawhi Leonard and Tony Parker still sidelined, as evidenced by his team-high 28.5 percent usage rate. That volume has enabled him to average 1.20 fantasy points per minute thus far, and he'll be primed for more of the same against a Mavericks defense that's allowed the fourth most fantasy points (48.7) to power forwards over the last five. Aldridge has scored between 36.75 and 48.00 fantasy points over the last four contests and is averaging an impressive 40.2 fantasy points per contest on the season.
Mid-Tier
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, BKN vs. BOS ($12,500): RHJ has taken a significant step forward this season, upping his scoring average from 8.7 to 14.6 points per game and shooting percentage from 43.4 to 48.7. He's scored between 33.50 and 36.25 fantasy points in the last four games in which he's seen a full allotment of minutes, while also eclipsing the 30-mark in three other contests this season. Boston has been tough versus power forwards, but with Hollis-Jefferson averaging just under a fantasy point per minute (0.97) and having seen between 30 and 39 minutes in his last five games in which he hasn't exited early, he's worthy of consideration at a reasonable cost.
Affordable
Dirk Nowitzki, DAL vs. SA ($7,600): Speaking of value plays, Nowitzki's price is bargain-basement worthy, even with the tough matchup against the Spurs. San Antonio is allowing a fairly stingy 39.2 fantasy points per game to power forwards over the last 10, but Dirk could pay off his price with 20-22 fantasy points, certainly a plausible number. He scored 25.25 fantasy points versus the Cavs two games ago and had also put together a six-game stretch of between 23.25 and 28.25 fantasy points earlier in the season, so the upside is there for him as a cost-saving tournament option.
UTILITY:
Al Horford, BOS at BKN ($14,400): Horford draws a matchup versus a Nets team that's allowed the second most fantasy points per game to centers (45.1) on the season, along with the most points (20.9) and third most rebounds (13.6). They're also notably allowing the most made three-pointers (1.5) to fives, while Horford is notably averaging career highs in made threes (1.6) and sports a 48.7 percent success rate from behind the arc through his first 12 games.
Pau Gasol, SA at DAL ($11,400): The Mavericks have had trouble defending big men all season, as they've allowed the fourth most fantasy points per game (42.3), third most points (18.7) and seventh most rebounds (12.3) to fives on the season, along with the highest field-goal percentage (63.0). Gasol is coming off a season-high 48.0 fantasy points versus his old Bulls squad on Saturday, and he'd scored no less than 23.75 fantasy points in the prior four games. He's averaging an impressive 1.18 fantasy points per minute over 25.0 minutes per contest, making him a solid value at his price.
