This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
Guards:
Ish Smith, DET vs. BRK ($6,400): Smith has always been a reliable option when he starts, as he is running the show in Detroit with Reggie Jackson (ankle) injured. It's Smith's reliability that makes him so valuable, as he has at least 22 fantasy points in 13 of his last 14 games. His last 11 outings have been especially good, with Smith averaging 29 fantasy points per game. The matchup is favorable as well considering Smith faces a Brooklyn defense that ranks first in pace while allowing the most fantasy points in the league to opposing point guards.
Tim Hardaway Jr., NYK at LAL ($5,900): Since Hardaway returned from injury, he's been an absolute beast. It's the fact that he just returned that's kept his price low, as FanDuel has been slow to react to his recent form. In fact, Hardaway is averaging 33 fantasy points per game since his return, It's evident in his increase in usage too, as Hardaway ranks second on the team with a 28.3 percent usage rate in the last four games. The icing on the cake is the matchup, with the Lakers allowing the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing shooting guards.
Jordan Clarkson, LAL vs. NYK ($4,800): Clarkson is coming off one of the best games of his career and he should be asked to take on a bigger load with so many injuries in the Lakers backcourt. It's not only Lonzo Ball (knee), as Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (Achilles) is dealing with an injury as well. That's 70 minutes and a huge amount of usage out of the lineup, as Clarkson's 48 fantasy points in his most recent game shows that he's ready to take on that monster load. Not to mention, he already leads this team in usage, so the bump in minutes is guaranteed production. What adds to his intrigue is the fact that the Knicks allow the third-most fantasy points to opposing point guards.
Forwards:
LaMarcus Aldridge, SAN vs. IND ($9,100): Aldridge has played extremely well this season when Kawhi Leonard (quad) has sat out, as he leads this team in minutes, shots taken, scoring and usage. The 39 fantasy points per game he averages furthers that point and he's been even better of late, with an average of 48 FanDuel points across his last three contests. Indiana is terrible against big men too, as they allow the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing PF's and the second-most to centers.
Jayson Tatum, BOS vs. ORL ($5,200): Tatum is mired in a bit of a slump since a majestic first month, but he's too good to be priced this cheaply. In fact, Tatum is averaging 26.4 fantasy points per game for the season, which is already over 5X value. Orlando is a great defense to exploit right now, as they allow the third-most fantasy points to opposing small forwards, while they rank 27th in defensive efficiency.
Jonathon Simmons, ORL at BOS ($4,800): With Nikola Vucevic (hand) injured, Simmons has had to take over as one of the primary offensive options in Orlando. That's evident in his usage, as Simmons sits with a 22.7 percent usage rate. That's a huge number from a $4,800 player, as he should be a near guarantee for 30 minutes of action in this shallow rotation. The fact that he posted 28.6 and 32. 6 fantasy points in two of his last three outings shows the sort of upside he provides too, as he stuffs the stat sheet at ease.
Centers:
Andre Drummond, DET vs. BRK ($10,500): With such a limited slate, getting a stud like Drummond into your lineup is key. Drummond is actually the highest priced player on the slate, as he leads all players with over 44 fantasy points per game. His recent form is hard to deny too, as he has at least 58 fantasy points in four of his last five games. Brooklyn just makes Drummond all the more enticing, as they rank first in pace while allowing the third-most fantasy points to opposing centers. That was on display when Drummond dropped 61.5 fantasy points in just 30 minutes of action against them two weeks ago.
Al Horford, BOS vs. ORL ($7,200): If you choose to fade Drummond, Horford is really the only other option. The main reason for that is the fact that all the other center's roles are in flux, as Julius Randle, Enes Kanter, Pau Gasol and Brook Lopez all come into their games as huge question marks. Horford is as reliable as they come too, as he's scored at least 25 fantasy points in all but three games this season while averaging 34 fantasy points per game for the year. Orlando has a terrible defense right now as well, ranking 27th in defensive efficiency.
