This article is part of our FantasyDraft NBA series.
Sunday brings a smaller-than-usual three-game slate that features four teams with losing records. That means there aren't too many elite options to pay up for, but plenty of mid-tier and value considerations. Honing in on the right plays is particularly critical on a short slate, so let's dive into where the best points-per-dollar value can be found across the salary scale:
GUARDS:
Premium Option
Spencer Dinwiddie, BKN at MEM ($14,500): The Grizzlies' point guard defense has gone progressively downhill since Mike Conley (Achilles) was sidelined, as they've given up the seventh most fantasy points (56.6) to the position over the last five, 15.8 fantasy points over their season average. Dinwiddie has been thriving in the starting point guard role in D'Angelo Russell's absence due to a knee injury, scoring between 35.75 and 50.25 fantasy points in four of the last five contests and averaging 1.27 fantasy points per minute during that stretch.
Mid-Tier
Mario Chalmers, MEM vs. BKN ($12,400): Like Dinwiddie, Chalmers is seeing an extended stint as a starter due to an injury, as he's manning the point in Memphis in Conley's stead. He's been a bit up and down thus far, scoring between 21.50 and 40.00 fantasy points in the last six games. However, he's seeing plenty of minutes, making him a viable play on a short slate despite a rising price tag. The Nets make for a relatively soft target as well, as they've allowed 48.6 fantasy points per game to point guards over the last 10 and the second highest shooting percentage (46.0) to the position on the season.
Affordable
Dion Waiters, MIA at CHI ($11,800): Waiters faces off against a Bulls defense that's been the most porous in the league against two-guards over the last five games (71.1 fantasy points allowed). He's been aggressive all season with the ball in hand, averaging a career high 15.4 shot attempts (including 6.3 three-point attempts) per game and generating a 26.1 percent usage rate. With fantasy-point tallies between 27.00 and 39.00 fantasy points in five of the last six contests, he makes for a strong cash or GPP play at a very reasonable price.
FORWARDS/CENTERS:
Premium
Karl-Anthony Towns, MIN vs. PHX ($17,800): KAT is a particularly strong play on a three-game slate, and his matchup Sunday enhances his value even further. The Suns have surrendered the fifth most fantasy points per game to centers this season (41.0), while also allowing the seventh most points (16.9) and second most rebounds (12.9) on the season to the position. Towns has double-doubles in eight of his last nine contests, and although his fantasy-point totals have been down in the 30s over the last five contests, he's about as reliable a cash game play as there is at the position.
Mid-Tier
Marc Gasol, MEM vs. BKN ($15,300): Gasol boasts a team-high 27.4 percent usage rate and is averaging 1.28 fantasy points per minute in the five games since Mike Conley went down with an Achilles injury, scoring between 34.50 and 70.75 fantasy points in those contests. He could be in for one of his more explosive outings Sunday, considering the Nets check in allowing the most fantasy points (43.6) per game to centers on the season, along with the most points (19.2), second most rebounds (12.9) and most made three-pointers (1.3).
Affordable
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, BKN at MEM ($11,900): The Grizzlies haven't exactly validated their defensive reputation in the frontcourt this season, as they've been exceedingly vulnerable to power forwards throughout the season. Memphis has allowed the second most fantasy points (49.3), most rebounds (14.8) and fourth highest shooting percentage (49.0) to fours, while Hollis-Jefferson checks in averaging a career-best 14.8 points on a career-high 49.4 percent shooting. He's boasted plenty of upside relative to his price as well, scoring 30 fantasy points or more in four of his last seven, and on nine occasions overall this season.
UTILITY:
Goran Dragic, MIA at CHI ($13,700): Dragic goes through his fair share of scoring fluctuations, but he's flashed a ceiling north of 40 fantasy points on multiple occasions this season. He makes for an intriguing tournament play on Sunday's short slate, considering the Bulls have allowed the sixth most fantasy points (53.8) to point guards over the last 10, as well as the most rebounds (8.6) and fifth most assists (9.6) to the position on the season. It's also worth noting that Hassan Whiteside is questionable for Sunday's game with knee soreness, and Dragic is sporting a robust 26.0 percent usage rate when the latter is off the floor this season.
Lauri Markkanen, CHI vs. MIA ($12,600): Markkanen has been a bright spot in an otherwise dismal season for the Bulls thus far, averaging an impressive 30.27 fantasy points per contest. He's been notably consistent for a rookie, scoring over 20 fantasy points in 15 of his 17 games. While the Heat have been relatively tough on power forwards throughout the season, they've allowed the third highest shooting percentage to the position. Markkanen has found success against virtually all comers as well and is averaging just under a fantasy point per minute while logging 30.3 minutes per contest.
