This article is part of our FantasyDraft NBA series.
Tuesday's compact five-game slate has only a handful of elite options to pay up for, but there's plenty to be had below that level. A potential game-stack opportunity exists with a Bulls-Suns showdown in the Windy City, while the Heat-Cavaliers renew their always intriguing rivalry. With plenty to break down, let's dive into some of the best plays across the salary cap:
GUARDS:
Premium Option
Bradley Beal, WAS at MIN ($15,400): Beal racked up 45.75 fantasy points in his first full game without John Wall last Saturday, and he sports a 36.1 percent usage rate and averages 1.20 fantasy points per minute without his All-Star backcourt mate on the floor this season. A matchup against Jimmy Butler isn't typically conducive to fantasy production, but the Timberwolves have notably surrendered 55.0 fantasy points to two-guards over the last 10, almost a full seven points over their season average of 48.3. They're also surrendering a 3.7 made three-pointers and a 45.0 percent success rate from the field on the season to the position, while Beal has scored under 30 fantasy points just twice in 19 games.
Mid-Tier
Denzel Valentine, CHI vs. PHO ($11,300): Valentine has flashed some nice tournament upside in recent games, scoring over 40 fantasy points in two of his last four contests. The Suns have given up 44.4 fantasy points per game to small forwards over the last 10, along with 22.8 points, 8.6 rebounds and a 45.0 percent success rate from the field to the position on the season. Valentine is averaging just under a fantasy point per minute over the aforementioned four-game stretch while also shooting a blistering 52.4 percent from three-point range.
Affordable
Mike James, PHO at CHI ($9,300): If Jeff Teague isn't able to return for Tuesday's contest, then Tyus Jones ($8,200) becomes an excellent value play as well. However, James deserves consideration after exploding for 42.75 fantasy points in his most recent contest and also scoring between 20.00 and 26.75 fantasy points in three of his previous four games as well. He's seen between 20 and 30 minutes in four of the past five as well, while the Bulls have allowed the eighth most fantasy points (51.1) to point guards over the last 10 games.
FORWARDS/CENTERS:
Premium
Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL at SAC ($21,200): Antetokounmpo proved the fitness of his knee last Saturday night against the Jazz after a one-game absence, compiling 50.75 fantasy points on the strength of a 27-point, 13-rebound double-double. He could be primed for even better results Tuesday in a matchup against a Kings squad that's allowed the third most fantasy points (48.1) per game to power forwards on the season, along with the most points (23.5), the second most rebounds (13.0), most made three-pointers (2.7) and third highest shooting percentage (49.0) to the position. Antetokounmpo has yet to score under 40 fantasy points this season, making him an excellent cash or GPP play in any matchup.
Mid-Tier
Karl-Anthony Towns, MIN vs. WAS ($17,000): After a five-game streak of sub-40 fantasy-point efforts, Towns offered a vivid reminder of his upside against the Suns with a 32-point, 12-rebound effort that netted 54.00 fantasy points. Meanwhile, the Wizards have made for an increasingly soft target for centers recently, as they're allowing 44.2 fantasy points to the position over the last five, over 10 points higher than their 34.1 season average. Moreover, it's worth noting that this was a matchup Towns dominated in last season, as he averaged 28.5 points (on 55.8 percent shooting), 11.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.0 steals across two games.
Affordable
Robin Lopez, CHI vs. PHO ($9,600): Lopez's teammate Lauri Markkanen ($12,500) is also viable if you have the cash to spend, considering the Suns' increasing vulnerabilities to power forwards. However, Lopez comes at a nice discount and has a good matchup in his own right, considering Phoenix has allowed the fourth most fantasy points (41.6) and points (17.6) per game to centers, along with the second most rebound (12.8) and fourth most blocks (1.9). Lopez is averaging a solid 24.22 fantasy points per game and has eclipsed 20 fantasy points in four of his last five contests.
UTILITY:
LeBron James, CLE vs. MIA ($20,500): James continues to dominate anyone put in front of him during what is now an eight-game win streak for the Cavs, with the most recent example coming in a 58.00 fantasy-point outing against the Sixers on Monday night. He now draws a matchup against Heat squad that he always has a bit of extra motivation against, and that he tore through with 28.5 points, 12.5 rebounds, 7.0 assists and 2.0 steals across two games last season. James is also sporting a 31.0 percent usage rate and averaging 1.50 fantasy points per minute over Cleveland's aforementioned eight consecutive victories.
Ricky Rubio, UTA vs. DEN ($11,000): Rubio draws a matchup against a Nuggets defense that's struggled against point guards all season, and that's allowed the third most fantasy points (62.6) to the position over the last five, more than 11 fantasy points per game than their season average. While Rubio's counting stats have been down a bit recently, he's still scored between 20.50 and 24.75 fantasy points in the last five, posting double-digit scoring in three of those contests. Denver has also allowed the most assists on the season (10.1) to ones, a fact that could help get Rubio's typically strong numbers in that category back on track.
