This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
Guards:
Bradley Beal, WSH vs. PHI ($8,900): Beal has taken over since John Wall (knee) went down with injury and has really taken his game to another level. He leads the team in minutes, usage rate, shots taken and scoring in the 12 games since Wall went down. In fact, Beal is averaging 24.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 6.7 assists and 1.7 steals during that 12-game span and he's averaging 38.4 minutes, a 27.3 percent usage rate and 19.3 shots a game as well. That's a Russell Westbrook sort of role, but it comes from a player south of $9,000. Beal is essentially the new point guard for Washington and that only adds to his value considering Philly allows the third-most fantasy points to opposing PG's.
Jrue Holiday, NOP at MIL ($8,500): Holiday is in a similar situation as Beal, as he's taken on a much bigger role since the DeMarcus Cousins (Achilles) injury. In his last 18 games, Holiday is averaging over 42 fantasy points per game and he's playing 37 minutes a game while ranking second on the team in usage. His numbers have been even better recently, as he has at least 48.9 fantasy points in his last three games. Those are numbers more indicative of a five-figure player, but we get to use a high-usage guard at a shallow position for a $1,500 discount.
Dejounte Murray, SAN at CLE ($6,200): Since Murray took over starting point guard duties, he continues to stuff the stat sheet at ease. In fact, Murray is averaging 29.3 fantasy points a game across his last 12 outings. It's the matchup that really makes him an enticing option here though, as he faces a Cleveland defense that ranks 28th in defensive efficiency while allowing the second-most fantasy points to opposing point guards. That was evident when Murray dropped a career-best 52.5 fantasy points in his one game against them on Jan. 23.
Forwards:
LaMarcus Aldridge, SAN at CLE ($8,700): Aldridge has really turned it on in the absence of Kawhi Leonard (groin), as he's become the leader of this team. His most recent form really shows that, considering he has at least 50 fantasy points in three of his last four games. Aldridge has shown amazing consistency all season too, as he has at least 44 fantasy points in 11 of his last 22 games. All that pales into consideration with this favorable matchup, with Cleveland allowing the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing power forwards. Aldridge collected 51.1 fantasy points in his one game against them on Jan. 23 as well.
Markieff Morris, WSH vs. PHI ($6,000): Morris is the other big beneficiary of the Wall injury, as he's in the best stretch of his season right now. He's actually averaging 31 fantasy points per game since the Wall injury, as his shots and minutes have risen exponentially during that span. Morris has really become consistent since the injury too, considering he has at least 25 fantasy points in all 11 of those outings. One of those games happened to come against the Sixers, as he dropped an impressive 32.6 fantasy points in a measly 23 minutes of action.
Trevor Ariza, HOU at DEN ($4,400): Ariza missed nearly a month of action due to a hamstring issue and that missed time lowered his price to this attractive number. The reliable Ariza has been a consistent $6,000 player for the majority of his career, with his 24.3 fantasy points per game exemplifying that point. That alone is approaching six times his value and he very well could exploit a Denver defense here that is allowing the fifth-most fantasy points to small forwards over their last 10 games. Ariza really abused them in their prior meeting this season, providing 35.4 fantasy points in that matchup
Centers:
Nikola Jokic, DEN vs. HOU ($9,700): Jokic has recorded three-straight triple-doubles and it's a crime that he hasn't had his price surpass the $10,000 mark. His recent surge extends an already ridiculous stretch from Jokic, as he had averaged 54 fantasy points per game in his last eight outings. There's not another four-figure player on this slate even close to those averages and he should continue to run the show for this surging Denver offense.
Tristan Thompson, CLE vs. SAN ($4,100): Thompson is not the sort of player who's going to jump off the page, but he's as good of a bet as anyone to provide five times his value. That's evident by the fact that he has at least 27 fantasy points in three of his last six games, which is nearly seven times his value. The one true strength for Thompson is his rebounding and this undersized San Antonio team ranks in the bottom-10 by allowing over 10 rebounds per game to opposing centers.
