This article is part of our FantasyDraft NBA series.
Saturday's 11-game slate gives us plenty to consider, and there are some contests that present particularly appealing individual matchups. With an abundance of options across the pricing scale, let's pinpoint where some of the best values might be at each tier.
GUARD
John Wall, WAS vs. ATL ($17,600): Wall has been particularly hot over the last four games, scoring between 42.75 and 51.25 fantasy points and contributing a pair of double-doubles over that span. He's sporting a 28.8 percent usage rate overall and faces a familiar foe in the Hawks, who've surrendered 47.1 fantasy points per game to point guards, along with the fifth most points (25.0). Wall comes at a nice discount over James Harden ($20,600), who finds himself in a tough matchup against the Grizzlies.
Tim Hardaway, Jr. NY vs. SAC ($14,300): Eric Bledsoe ($14,300) is an intriguing same-price pivot against the Lakers after a solid Bucks debut Friday, but it's still uncertain if he'll see a full allotment of minutes on the second game of a back-to-back after being out for almost three weeks. Meanwhile, Hardaway continues to be a solid option for cash games or tournaments, as evidenced by the fact he's scored between 28.25 and 57.00 fantasy points in seven straight games after a slow start to the season. The Kings also check in allowing the third most fantasy points (63.2) to small forwards over the last five, along with the fourth most rebounds (9.6) and third most made three-pointers (3.6) to the position on the season.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, LAL at MIL ($8,600): KCP is underpriced for a player that's scored between 22.50 and 29.25 fantasy points in six consecutive contests, and that's despite seeing just under 33 minutes per game this season. While he hasn't been optimally efficient, he's shooting a career-best 42.3 percent from the field and draws a matchup versus a Bucks squad that's allowed the ninth most fantasy points (54.9) per game to shooting guards over the last five, along with 26.5 points and 3.6 made three-pointers per game on the season.
FORWARD/CENTER
Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL vs. LAL ($21,200): Antetokounmpo appeared to work well in tandem with new arrival Bledsoe on Friday, benefiting from multiple assists on his way to posting a 28-point, 12-rebound double-double. He'll be in a prime spot for another explosive outing against a Lakers squad that's struggled to defend big men consistently for multiple seasons, and that's currently allowing the eight most fantasy points (45.7), eight most rebounds (12.1) and the third highest shooting percentage (50.0) per game to power forwards. Antetokounmpo is sporting a massive 34.8 percent usage rate and averaging 1.49 fantasy points per minute, making him perhaps the top play on the night for cash or tournaments.
Otto Porter, WAS vs. ATL ($13,500): Porter has taken on an even bigger role in the Wizards' offense this season despite the presence of the prolific duo of Wall and Bradley Beal, as he's averaging career highs in shot attempts (12.6), scoring (17.9), shooting percentage (57.1) and three-point percentage (51.1). The Hawks' defense could well facilitate more of the same, as they've allowed the second most fantasy points (66.4) to small forwards over the last five games, along with the third highest shooting percentage (50.0) to the position on the season.
Dario Saric, PHI at GS ($8,800): Saric has scored between 25.00 and 42.50 fantasy points in his last three games, double-doubling in two of those contests. He figures to draw another start at power forward Saturday while Ben Simmons once again mans the point in place of Jerryd Bayless (wrist), making Saric an excellent value at his current price. The Warriors have allowed the fourth most fantasy points (49.4) per game to power forwards on the season, along with the second most points (24.7), sixth most rebounds (12.4) and most steals (2.1) to the position.
UTILITY
Mike Conley, MEM at HOU ($13,900): Conley makes for an appealing mid-priced option in a game during which he should be playing more up-tempo than usual. He should also draw a healthy dose of James Harden defense, which has contributed to the Rockets allowing the fifth most fantasy points (50.3), third most points (26.0) and most made three-pointers (3.2) per game to point guards. Conley has been steady as of late except for one clunker, scoring between 30.75 and 38.25 fantasy points in six of his last seven and sporting a team-high 27.8 percent usage rate over that span.
Taurean Prince, ATL at WAS ($10,400): Much like Porter on the other side of this matchup, Prince will be in a good position to exploit a vulnerability in the opponent's defense Saturday. The Wizards have been generous to small forwards all season, allowing the most fantasy points on the season (55.2) to the position, including the fourth most (62.6) over the last five. They've also allowed the most points (30.9) per game on a league-high 53.0 shooting percentage, while Prince has scored between 22.25 and 42.75 fantasy points in five of his last six and has eclipsed 30 fantasy points in four games already, giving him nice GPP upside at his current price.
