This article is part of our FantasyDraft NBA series.
Friday nights in the NBA typically mean a sizable ledger, leaving us with plenty to consider across the pricing scale. Tonight's slate is no different, although the fact that there are no players priced at $20K or above does help narrow things down to an extent. With a host of appealing individual matchups on tap, let's dive into some of the best selections at each salary level:
GUARDS
Bradley Beal, WAS at MEM ($16,300): Beal is shooting a red-hot 60.0 percent over the last three games, including 52.2 percent from three-point range. He's also scored between 40.00 and 70.25 fantasy points in four of the last five contests, averaging a team-high 1.22 fantasy points per minute during that span. He'll be in a favorable position to extend that caliber of production Friday, as the Grizzlies come in allowing the most fantasy points (65.4) to shooting guards over the last 10, and the second-most made three-pointers (4.1) to the position on the season. The latter number particularly spells trouble against Beal, who's taken an average of 7.2 three-point attempts from behind the arc in the aforementioned 10-game span.
Kris Dunn, CHI at DAL ($13,100): Dunn scored between 36.25 and 52.00 fantasy points in the four games prior to a Wednesday tilt against the Raptors, a tough matchup where he put up only two points on six shot attempts. Dunn still managed a respectable 24.75 fantasy points in that contest, and he'll be poised for a much more prolific effort Friday. The Mavericks come in allowing the second-most fantasy points (51.2) to point guards on the season, including the most (70.2) over the last five. They've also allowed the most points (26.4) and made three-pointers (2.8) to the position on the campaign, while Dunn is still averaging an impressive 1.18 fantasy points per minute over the last 10 games despite Wednesday's outlier.
Courtney Lee, NY at MIA ($9,800): Lee has seen a considerable drop in price in recent days, despite the fact that he'd scored between 23.25 and 32.25 fantasy points in the seven games before generating a modest 17.00 against the Wizards on Wednesday, a contest in which he only took six shot attempts. However, Lee had put up at least 12 attempts in each of the six prior games, and he's likely to see an uptick in usage Friday against a Heat team that's allowed the second-most fantasy points (52.5) to two-guards on the season, including 65.8 over the last five. Lee also lit up this same squad for 34.75 fantasy points in just 28 minutes back on Nov. 29, furthering his case at a very reasonable price.
FORWARDS/CENTERS
Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL vs. TOR ($19,100): Antetokounmpo saw a slight three-game downturn in late December due to some reported knee issues, yet still scored between 38.50 and 45.25 fantasy points in those contests. He's bounced back in the subsequent trio of outings, scoring between 48.25 and 57.50 fantasy points. That sample includes a pair of double-doubles, along with a 33.3 percent usage rate and whopping 1.52 fantasy points per minute. The Greek Freak is primed to return similar caliber of value Friday, considering the Raptors were the team he posted the aforementioned 48.25 fantasy-point tally against on New Year's Day. Toronto is also allowing the third-most fantasy points (53.5) over the last 10 games to power forwards, along with bottom five or 10 figures in every other major category.
Michael Beasley, NY at MIA ($11,800): For those that have the cash to spend, both Dwight Howard ($15,400) and Jusuf Nurkic ($13,700) also stand out as appealing options in inviting matchups. However, Beasley makes for a nice cost-savings pivot, with his tallies of between 26.75 and 51.00 fantasy points in the last four games helping make that case. While there's always some playing time risk attached, Beasley has encouragingly logged between 20 and 32 minutes in five of his last six games. Meanwhile, the Heat come in allowing 42.9 fantasy points to power forwards over the last five games, along with the third-highest shooting percentage (48.0) to the position on the season.
Evan Turner, POR vs. ATL ($8,900): If Andre Drummond misses another contest with his rib injury, then Boban Marjanovic ($8,900) is also an enticing option certainly worthy of consideration in a strong matchup against the Sixers, as is teammate Reggie Bullock ($8,700) for those who need to save even further. However, Turner has quietly been impressive over the last three games, scoring between 20.00 and 38.00 fantasy points in those contests. The Hawks could well facilitate similar returns, as they've yielded the third-most fantasy points (46.4) to threes on the season, including 51.8 in the last 10. They're also surrendering the most points (25.1) and highest shooting percentage (50.0) to the position on the campaign, while Turner boasts a 55.4 percent success rate from the floor -- including 50.0 percent from three-point range -- over the last 10 games.
UTILITY
LaMarcus Aldridge, SA vs. PHO ($14,900): Aldridge has largely been producing whether or not Kawhi Leonard has been in the lineup, as he's scored between 35.75 and 46.00 fantasy points in the last six contests. Leonard is projected to be back on the court Friday, but Aldridge remains a strong option against a Suns squad that's allowed 51.7 fantasy points to power forwards over the last five, along with the second-highest shooting percentage (49.0) on the campaign. Aldridge also racked up 40.25 fantasy points in 35 minutes against Phoenix on Dec. 9, adding to his appeal in the home matchup.
Dennis Smith, Jr., DAL vs. CHI ($13,100): Smith and Dunn could be in for quite the showdown Friday, giving the former a chance to build on a current three-game stretch in which he's scored between 30.50 and 52.50 fantasy points. The rookie has been particularly hot from long distance, draining 3.3 three-pointers and shooting 50.0 percent from behind the arc in those games. The Bulls have been vulnerable to point guards all season as well, allowing the sixth-most fantasy points (48.1) to the position on the season, including the most (65.4) over the last 10 games. They've also surrendered bottom-five numbers in multiple other categories to the position during the latter span, including league-high figures of 31.6 points, 9.5 rebounds and 3.3 made three-pointers.
