This article is part of our FantasyDraft NBA series.
We're back to a robust 10-game slate Wednesday, and a number of defensively vulnerable teams on the schedule afford us multiple appealing matchups. Some of the night's priciest stars look worthy of the investment, but there's a nice array of value available that can help you fit them in. Let's dive in and see how best to allocate your resources:
GUARDS:
Premium Option
Russell Westbrook, OKC at ORL ($21,100): Westbrook has racked up between 60.00 and 68.50 fantasy points in his last four games, sporting a 35.0 percent usage rate and averaging a whopping 1.66 fantasy points per minute over that span. He's put up 25 shot attempts per game over the last three as well, and he should be firing away again Wednesday versus a Magic squad that's allowed the third most fantasy points (52.9) to point guards on the season -- including the second most (63.2) over the last five – and that's ranked in the bottom 10 against the position in all other major categories on the season as well.
Mid-Tier
Bradley Beal, WAS at PHI ($14,700): If DeMar DeRozan ($14,800) returns to the court Wednesday against the Hornets, he makes for an excellent pivot at this price point as well. However, Beal is intriguing in his own right, despite having disappointed many with an eight-point effort versus the Timberwolves Tuesday. He'll likely be lower-owned than usual in tournaments following that performance, but he's in a good spot for a bounce-back against a Sixers squad that's allowed the fifth most fantasy points (54.9) to two-guards on the season, along with the fourth most points (32.0), second most steals (2.7) and fifth most made three-pointers (4.2) per contest. Beal had scored between 33.50 and 50.00 fantasy points in the nine games prior to Tuesday, and he remains a major source of offense for the Wizards while John Wall remains out.
Affordable
Wesley Matthews, DAL vs. BKN ($8,800): Tyus Jones ($8,600) is a solid play once again if he draws another start, but Matthews could well check in as a lower-owned option for tournaments that will be in a highly favorable matchup. The Nets have allowed the second most fantasy points (58.1), points (32.5) and rebounds (9.4) to two-guards on the season, along with 3.9 made three-pointers per contest. Matthews can go through the occasional scoring downturn, but he's scored between 23.00 and 43.00 fantasy points in four of his last five games, solid-to-excellent returns at his current price.
FORWARDS/CENTERS:
Premium
Anthony Davis, NO vs. MIN ($19,900): Davis has gone off for over 50 fantasy points in three of his past four contests, and he draws an individual matchup Wednesday that he should be able to win on a majority of occasions. The Timberwolves have allowed 42.3 fantasy points per game to power forwards on the season, along with the most assists (3.7) and second most three-pointers (2.0) to the position per contest. Meanwhile, Davis is averaging a career-high 2.8 dimes and 2.1 three-point attempts per game while shooting a career-best 35.9 percent from behind the arc, and he's also turned in double-doubles in three of his past four games.
Mid-Tier
Andre Drummond, DET vs. PHO ($16,800): Drummond is averaging 21.5 points and 18.0 rebounds over the last two games, numbers that have helped lead to tallies of 41.50 and 70.50 fantasy points. He'll be in an enviable spot again Wednesday, considering the Suns have been vulnerable to centers all season. Phoenix checks in allowing the fifth most fantasy points (41.1) per contest to fives on the season, including the fifth most (41.9) over the last 10. They're also allowing the fourth most points (17.3) and second most rebounds (12.6) to the position on the season, with the latter figure having particular significance when it comes to Drummond and his considerable prowess on the glass.
Affordable
Kelly Oubre, Jr., WAS at PHI ($8,200): Oubre has been considerably outpacing his current price recently, as he's scored between 24.50 and 29.50 fantasy points in three of his past four games. He's posting a 23.1 percent usage rate over that span and an even better 25.0 percent figure over the last two games with John Wall (knee) out of action. He typically offers production across multiple categories, giving him a strong chance of generating strong returns if given the minutes. The Sixers have been increasingly vulnerable to small forwards recently as well, allowing 48.0 fantasy points to the position over the last five, more than six points over their season average of 41.8.
UTILITY:
Clint Capela, HOU vs. IND ($14,000): Capela has been about as steady as they come all season, scoring between 31.75 and 45.25 fantasy points in eight of his last nine games. He's been a double-double machine over that span as well, accomplishing the feat in six of those contests. The Pacers make for a soft target, considering they've allowed the most fantasy points to centers (43.4) on the season, including the most (55.6) over the last five and last 10 (53.9). They've also allowed the most blocks per game to the position (2.4), while Capela is averaging a career-high 1.8 stuffs per contest.
Tobias Harris, DET vs. PHO ($12,500): Harris is averaging 31.50 fantasy points per game and is coming off a 43.50 fantasy-point tally versus the Celtics in his most recent contest. The Suns have been particularly susceptible to power forwards as of late, as the 55.8 fantasy points per game they've allowed to the position over the last five ranks as the second most in the NBA over that span and checks in over 10 points higher than their season average of 45.6. Harris makes for a solid cash or tournament play, considering he's been over 20 fantasy points in all but two games and has eclipsed 40 in four contests overall.
