This article is part of our FantasyDraft NBA series.
We're back down to a modest three-game slate Tuesday, but one that doesn't lack for star power. With the likes of LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Joel Embiid in action, let's see who's worthy of your dollars at each price tier:
GUARDS:
Premium Option
John Wall, WAS vs. NO ($16,800): Wall is progressively getting back up to speed after his extended absence due to a knee injury, as he's upped his fantasy-point totals and minutes in each of his last two games after posting a modest 25.75 over 27 minutes in his return contest last Wednesday. He managed 43.50 fantasy points on the strength of a 15-point, 10-rebound double-double against the Cavaliers on Sunday and has an opportunity to improve on that total versus a Pelicans squad that's allowed the sixth-most fantasy points (50.2) to point guards on the season, including 52.4 over the last 10. They also rank in the bottom five or 10 in points (24.5), rebounds (6.8), assists (8.9), steals (2.4) and made three-pointers (2.8) allowed to the position, affording Wall plenty of paths to a strong return on his price.
Mid-Tier
Khris Middleton, MIL vs. CLE ($12,900): Middleton has been outperforming his current price consistently, as he's scored between 34.25 and 53.50 fantasy points in the last seven games. The Cavaliers have been particularly vulnerable to small forwards recently, as they're allowing 46.2 fantasy points to the position over the last five games, nearly 10 fantasy points per game more than the 36.4 figure they've surrendered to threes on the campaign. Middleton is averaging 1.05 fantasy points per minute over the aforementioned seven-game span and shooting a stellar 52.1 percent over his last 10 games overall, with the latter figure dovetailing nicely with the 46.0 percent shooting that Cleveland has yielded to small forwards on the season.
Affordable
Bogdan Bogdanovic, SAC at PHI ($8,200): The affordable tier at guard is not without risk on Tuesday's short slate, but Bogdanovic qualifies as one of the safer options. The sharpshooter has scored between 20.75 and 32.25 fantasy points in six of his last eight games and has posted double-digit point totals in three of the last four contests. He's been especially proficient from long range over the last three -- posting a 50.0 percent success rate from behind the arc during that span -- and he's shooting an impressive 45.2 percent overall on the season over a solid 24.8 minutes per contest. The Sixers also present as an inviting target, as they've allowed the most fantasy points on the season (47.2) and over the last five (70.6) to small forwards, along with the third-highest shooting percentage (47.0). Moreover, they've allowed 47.1 fantasy points per game to Bogdanovic's other position, shooting guard, as well as the sixth-most made three-pointers (3.8) per contest.
FORWARDS/CENTERS:
Premium
Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL vs. CLE ($21,000): Antetokounmpo lit up the Cavs to the tune of 58.25 fantasy points on the strength of a 40-point, nine-rebound effort on Nov. 7, and he's scored at least 50.75 fantasy points in 10 of his last 11 games. That kind of consistently spectacular return is certainly worth paying up for, especially in a game that should be a back-and-forth affair throughout. Cleveland also continues to be highly vulnerable to fours, as they'll come into Tuesday's contest allowing the fifth-most fantasy points (45.0) to power forwards, including 55.7 over the last five games. Considering they also rank in the bottom 10 against the position in nearly every other major category, Antetokounmpo makes for one of the safest plays of the night.
Mid-Tier
Dario Saric, PHI vs. SAC ($13,200): Zach Randolph is also a viable option in this same game at $100 cheaper, but Saric is priced to move in a matchup against a Kings squad that's tied with the Pelicans for most fantasy points (48.9) allowed to power forwards on the season. They've been even more vulnerable lately, surrendering 52.3 to the position in the last 10 contests. Sacramento has also been the most generous in terms of points (23.9), rebounds (12.6) and made three-pointers (2.4) allowed to fours, while Saric has scored between 30.50 and 43.00 fantasy points in the last five games and sports a 22.3 percent usage rate during that stretch.
Affordable
Kosta Koufos, SAC at PHI ($6,400): Koufos received a start Sunday in place of the resting Randolph and produced 25.00 fantasy points in 25 minutes, but he's been impressive in his usual bench role recently as well. He'd scored 22.50 and 24.00 fantasy points over an average of 19 minutes in his two prior contests as well and draws an excellent matchup against the Sixers, which have allowed the sixth-most fantasy points (38.5) to centers on the campaign. At just $400 short of minimum, Koufos won't need many minutes to potentially offer a nice return.
UTILITY:
Joel Embiid, PHI vs. SAC ($18,900): Embiid should be back in the starting lineup Tuesday after receiving the night off for rest Monday. He'll encounter a Kings squad that's allowed the second-most fantasy points (41.7) to centers on the season, along with the most rebounds (13.1) and fourth-highest shooting percentage (57.0). Embiid has taken his production to another level over the last nine games, scoring between 44.00 and 61.75 fantasy points in eight of those contests while sporting a 35.2 percent usage rate and averaging 1.43 fantasy points per minute.
Bradley Beal, WAS vs. NO ($14,800): Beal gets a crack at a Pelicans team that's allowed 50.4 fantasy points per game to two-guards, including the third-most (63.7) over the last five. They're also yielding 3.8 made three-pointers per contest and the highest shooting percentage (46.0) to the position, numbers that spell trouble against Beal and his ability to score from anywhere on the court. Beal has been running hot as of late with or without John Wall in the lineup, as he's scored over 40 fantasy points on three occasions (including two straight) and over 50 in another game over his last seven contests.
