This article is part of our FantasyDraft NBA series.
A compact four-game Sunday evening slate offers plenty of star power, as Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, James Harden and Russell Westbrook will all take the floor. With some solid mid-tier and bargain-priced options out there as well, let's break down the best budget allocation strategy on the abbreviated ledger:
GUARDS:
Premium Option
James Harden, HOU at LAL ($22,100): Harden has compiled between 59.00 and 73.00 fantasy points in the last three games, posting double-doubles in all of those contests. The Lakers have been one of the more porous defenses versus shooting guards all season, allowing 53.0 fantasy points per game to the position, including the fourth most (63.4) over the last five games. Meanwhile, Harden is boasting a 33.9 percent usage rate and averaging 1.62 fantasy points per minute since Chris Paul's return on Nov. 16, unequivocally corroborating that he's able to maintain elite-level fantasy production with his All-Star backcourt mate alongside him.
Mid-Tier
Klay Thompson, GS at MIA ($12,500): Thompson faces a Heat squad that's been among the weakest against two-guards all season, a label justified by the fact that they've given up the fifth most fantasy points (53.8) per game to shooting guards, including 56.2 over the last five. Thompson has scored between 36.25 and 42.00 fantasy points in four of his last five games, a stretch during which he's shooting 54.9 percent overall, including 51.2 percent from behind the arc. With a very reasonable price for his 40-fantasy-point upside and hot hand, he makes for an appealing mid-tier value play on the short slate.
Affordable
Tyler Johnson, MIA vs. GS ($7,900): Johnson makes for a prototypical tournament play, given his bargain price, yo-yo production and solid upside. The versatile guard has eclipsed 20 fantasy points in three of his past six games, and he's accomplished the feat in six other contests this season as well. Meanwhile, the Warriors have been vulnerable in the backcourt, allowing 50.5 fantasy points to point guards on the season (including 65.2 fantasy points over the last five) and 48.3 fantasy points to shooting guards over the last 10, a notably higher figure than the 42.8 they've allowed to twos on the season. While there's some risk involved, Johnson comes inexpensive enough to be worthy of the investment in GPP lineups.
FORWARDS/CENTERS:
Premium
LaMarcus Aldridge, SA at OKC ($15,000): Aldridge has scored 61.50 and 53.00 fantasy points in two of his last three contests, and he's scored under 30 fantasy points on only three occasions this season. The Thunder have allowed 44.3 fantasy points per contest to power forwards, including 47.7 over the last 10. They're also allowing the fourth most points (22.0) on the season to fours, while Aldridge has been shooting especially well over the last four contests, as evidenced by his 58.9 percent success rate from the field (including 66.7 percent from three-point range) during that span.
Mid-Tier
Andrew Wiggins, MIN vs. LAC ($12,900): Wiggins has scored between 32.25 and 48.00 fantasy points in five of his last six games, posting a 23.1 percent usage rate in the process. The former first overall pick could hardly ask for a better matchup Sunday, as the Clippers check in allowing the second most fantasy points (45.8) per game to small forwards, along with the third most points (23.8), sixth most rebounds (8.7), second most assists (4.4) and third highest shooting percentage (48.0) to the position. Wiggins continues to play a pivotal role in the Timberwolves' offense despite several notable offseason additions and is averaging a career-high 4.4 three-point attempts per contest.
Affordable
Ryan Anderson, HOU at LAL ($9,200): Anderson represents some low-cost exposure to a vulnerable Lakers frontcourt defense that's allowed the third most fantasy points (48.0) to power forwards on the season, including the most (60.2) over the last five. They're also yielding the second most rebounds (13.1), fifth most assists (3.4) and third most blocks (1.8) to the position, while Anderson has scored between 29.75 and 34.25 fantasy points in three of the past five games and has eclipsed 20 fantasy points on 11 occasions overall.
UTILITY:
Clint Capela, HOU at LAL ($14,300): Capela is a third option on the Rockets that's worthy of consideration, considering the Lakers check in allowing the sixth most fantasy points (40.1) to centers on the season, along with bottom-10 figures in multiple other categories. Capela is averaging an impressive 34.89 fantasy points per contest and has scored over 30 fantasy points in all but five games. He's eclipsed the 40-mark in two of his last three outings as well, and has six double-doubles in his last eight contests.
Josh Richardson, MIA vs. GS ($8,800): Richardson has picked it up on the offensive end as of late, scoring between 23.00 and 35.50 fantasy points in the last three games. He's also shot an impressive 52.4 percent from the field in the last four contests, a notable improvement over the 39.7 percent figure he's generated for the season. Additionally, Richardson has flashed some nice upside for tournaments relative to his price, as he's scored over 20 fantasy points in seven games overall, and has eclipsed 30 in another three contests. The Warriors have allowed the third most fantasy points (45.2) to small forwards on the season, along with the second most points (23.9), seventh most rebounds (8.6), eighth most assists (3.7), third most steals (2.2) and second most three pointers (3.4).
