This article is part of our FantasyDraft NBA series.
Fresh off an exciting Christmas Day ledger, the NBA offers a solid eight-game slate on Tuesday night. Many of the elite options were in play Monday and thus have the night off Tuesday, giving us more flexibility in putting together a solid top-to-bottom lineup. With plenty of value in the mid-tier and affordable levels, let's hone in some of the best options for your cash games and tournaments:
GUARDS:
Premium Option
Victor Oladipo, IND at DET ($17,200): Oladipo lit up the Pistons for 48.00 fantasy points on Dec. 15, and he'd compiled 51.75 against them in a prior meeting Nov. 17 as well. The more recent tally came with Avery Bradley (groin) out of the lineup for Detroit, and the lock-down defender will remain sidelined Tuesday. His absence has led to the Pistons allowing 48.3 fantasy points to two-guards over the last five games (four of which Bradley has missed), a notable bump up from their 43.0 season figure. Meanwhile, Oladipo has scored over 50 fantasy points in two of his last three games, averaging 1.25 fantasy points per minute during that span.
Mid-Tier
Tyreke Evans, MEM at PHO ($15,700): Evans exploded for 64.75 fantasy points against the Clippers in his most recent contest, and he posted 43.75 versus the Suns two games ago as well. In addition to his solid scoring contributions, Evans has been providing strong production in rebounds and assists in recent games as well, averaging 6.0 dimes and 5.4 boards over the last five contests. The Suns have actually been better versus shooting guards while Devin Booker has been out with a groin injury, but the latter is scheduled to return Tuesday, which should actually work in Evans' favor.
Affordable
Delon Wright, TOR at DAL ($7,000): For those who can afford to spend up to the higher end of the affordable tier, Tyler Johnson ($11,200) makes for a viable option as he draws another start for Dion Waiters (ankle). However, Wright has impressively outproduced his very reasonable price in the last two games, posting respective totals of 25.00 and 24.75 fantasy points in those contests while seeing well over 20 minutes in each. He's logged double-digit minute totals in five straight games overall and will be in position to provide a strong return again with enough playing time. The Mavericks come into Tuesday allowing the fifth-most fantasy points (48.4) to point guards, along with the second-most points (24.9) and most made three-pointers (2.7).
FORWARDS/CENTERS:
Premium
Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL vs. CHI ($21,300): Antetokounmpo is listed as probable for Tuesday's game after receiving the night off against the Hornets on Saturday due to knee soreness. He'll face a Bulls squad that he just lit up for 58.50 fantasy points on the strength of a 29-point, 16-rebound double-double on Dec. 15, and that's allowed the second-highest shooting percentage (49.0) to power forwards. Antetokounmpo has provided elite production all season and has scored between 52.75 and 68.75 fantasy points in six of his last seven games, a stretch during which he's posting a team-high 29.2 percent usage rate and averaging 1.42 fantasy points per minute.
Mid-Tier
Marc Gasol, MEM at PHO ($14,600): Along with Evans, Gasol continues to serve as a focal point of the Grizzlies' offense in the absence of Mike Conley (Achilles). He just compiled 41.25 fantasy points against this same Suns squad last Wednesday and followed that up with a 47.25 tally versus the Clippers on Saturday night, his fourth straight game eclipsing the 40-mark. He's managed an impressive 30.1 percent usage rate and averaged 1.28 fantasy points per minute during that sample, while the Suns come into Tuesday allowing the second-most fantasy points (41.9), points (17.6) and rebounds (12.5) to centers.
Affordable
Dirk Nowitzki, DAL vs. TOR ($8,600): Nowitzki has outpaced his current price in the last two games, posting 31.50 and 34.50 fantasy points in those contests against the Heat and Hawks. The ageless veteran is averaging a career-best 42.4 percent from three-point range this season as well, while the Raptors are allowing the fifth-most fantasy points (39.4) to centers, including the second-most (46.2) over the last 10. They're also ranked in the bottom 10 in points (16.6), rebounds (11.1) and assists (3.3) surrendered to the position, allowing Nowitzki plenty of paths through which to pay off his bargain price.
UTILITY
Andre Drummond, DET vs. IND ($17,100): Drummond has already enjoyed a fair share of success against Myles Turner and the Pacers this season, posting over 40 fantasy points and over 50 once in three games on the strength of averages of 16.0 points, 16.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.3 blocks across 33.7 minutes per contest. Indiana also comes in allowing the most fantasy points (42.1) and points (18.1) to centers on the campaign, along with the fourth-most rebounds (11.6), fifth-most assists (2.9), most blocks (2.0) and fourth-highest shooting percentage (57.0). Drummond has scored between 31.25 and 53.75 fantasy points in four of his last five games, furthering his case in a matchup he's dominated.
Zach Randolph, SAC at LAC ($11,800): Randolph saw a downturn in production against a tough Spurs frontcourt on Saturday night, although he still tallied a solid 25.50 fantasy points overall. However, he'd scored between 33.25 and 58.75 fantasy points in eight of the nine prior games, with his 32.2 percent usage rate and 1.35 fantasy points per minute during that stretch a testament to his pivotal role in the Kings' offense. He'll be in a favorable spot to bounce back to that type of production Tuesday, considering the Clippers allow the seventh-most fantasy points (45.5) to power forwards, as well as bottom-10 figures in virtually every other major category against the position.
