This article is part of our FantasyDraft NBA series.
After a rare night off, the NBA makes a grand return Tuesday. FantasyDraft's nine-game slate features a number of playoff-contending teams in action -- a key factor when constructing lineups considering how much of a factor motivation can be at this time of year. Accordingly, it's usually wise to focus on players who check off all the boxes – i.e. something to play for, strong individual matchup and a fair-to-bargain price tag. That said, there can be exceptions with young players on losing squads that are finally getting some significant run at the end of the season. With plenty to consider, let's get down to the business of scoping out where the best value lies at each tier:
GUARDS:
Premium
Russell Westbrook, OKC vs. GS ($21,000): Westbrook has averaged 27.7 points, 10.3 rebounds, 8.3 assists and 2.0 steals across three games versus the Warriors this season, and Golden State is allowing more than 10 fantasy points per game to point guards in their last 10 over their season figure (49.6, as compared to 39.4). The Thunder have ongoing incentive to keep winning in a tight Western Conference playoff picture, and the Warriors come in playing at the third-fastest pace in the NBA (104.5 possessions per game), which should only help Westbrook's case. Moreover, Westbrook's tallies over the last two games – 72.25 and 67.75 fantasy points against the Nuggets and Pelicans, respectively – have come in similarly favorable matchups and competitive games, which bodes well for another potentially explosive return Tuesday.
Mid-Tier
Ricky Rubio, UTA vs. LAL ($12,700): Rubio has blown his current price out of the water in seven of the last eight games, scoring 36.75 to 46.00 fantasy points in those contests, and is more involved offensively than ever before this season. Plus, he'll be in a matchup against a Lakers squad that he already touched up for 21 points, seven rebounds, four assists and one steal in one prior meeting this season. Los Angeles is also allowing the ninth-most fantasy points (52.5) to point guards over the last 10 games, which is a sharp jump up from their 42.8 season figure. They're also allowing the third-highest shooting percentage (47.0) to the position over that span, while Rubio is shooting an impressive 48.4 percent over the last five, including 56.0 percent from distance. Additionally, the Lakers' second-highest pace of play (104.7 possessions per game) should serve Rubio well in a game the Jazz need to win.
Affordable
De'Aaron Fox, SAC at PHO ($9,700): Fox continues to be a quintessential tournament-only value play, as his production still sees its fair share of variance. However, he's been on an upswing recently, scoring 36.25 and 28.25 fantasy points in his last two games. He also had a strong mid-March stretch in which he scored 24.25 to 32.25 fantasy points in five of six contests, providing another glimpse at his upside. The Suns could facilitate one of his better outings, considering they've allowed 55.4 fantasy points to point guards over the last 10 -- a notable uptick over their 42.1 season figure. They're also yielding the third-highest offensive efficiency rating (27.1) to the position on the campaign and playing at the third-fastest pace in the league (103.7 possessions per game). Both factors could work in Fox's favor at his bargain price.
FORWARDS/CENTERS:
Premium
Nikola Jokic, DEN vs. IND ($18,300): Jokic draws a matchup against a Pacers squad that's allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to centers on the season (37.2), including 42.6 over the last 10, as well as the fifth-highest offensive efficiency rating (31.4) to the position on the campaign. Jokic has been on an absolute tear over the last three games as well, scoring 58.00 to 68.50 fantasy points in those pivotal contests while playing at least 40 minutes in each. It's another must-win scenario for the Nuggets on Tuesday considering they're one game out of the eighth seed in the Western Conference, which should bode well for another potentially massive workload and explosive outing for Jokic.
Mid-Tier
Marcus Morris, BOS at MIL ($12,500): Morris is priced right for a player who's scored 26.75 to 44.75 fantasy points in seven straight. The Celtics surprisingly still find themselves with a very realistic chance at recapturing the top spot in the Eastern Conference, as they're only two games out with six games left. He'll be poised for another strong return Tuesday, considering Boston's must-win mentality and the Bucks' recent vulnerability to power forwards (59.0 fantasy points allowed to the position over the last 10, including 78.6 in the last five). Furthermore, given his second-unit role, Morris should be able to avoid the length of Giannis Antetokounmpo at times and instead draw a more favorable one-on-one matchup with Jabari Parker, furthering his case.
Affordable
Willy Hernangomez, CHA at CHI ($7,300): There's plenty to consider in the affordable tier, including Marquese Chriss ($11,400) and Derrick Favors ($10,400) on the higher end, and the likes of Nerlens Noel ($8,800) and Kosta Koufos ($8,200) in the more affordable end of the spectrum. However, Hernangomez holds plenty of intrigue at an even better price, considering the Hornets have now been officially eliminated from postseason contention and he'd already been seeing increased opportunity since mid-March. Hernangomez has scored over 20 fantasy points on four occasions and eclipsed 30 in two other instances over the last nine contests, topping out at 34.25 fantasy points over 22 minutes against the Sixers on Sunday. Starter Dwight Howard could see his minutes curtailed or perhaps even see a rest day Tuesday, which would leave Hernangomez in prime position to exploit a Bulls squad that's allowed the second-most fantasy points to centers on the season (39.6), including 46.3 over the last five, and the sixth-highest offensive efficiency rating (31.1) to the position on the campaign as well.
UTILITY
Buddy Hield, SAC at PHO ($12,500): Despite Hield continuing to come off the bench, given that he's seeing minutes in the upper 20s and low 30s regularly, that designation has essentially been rendered irrelevant. He's parlayed his extended opportunities into fantasy-point tallies of 25.50 to 43.00 over the last 10 -- a stretch during which he's scored more than 30 fantasy points on five occasions and eclipsed 40 in another three instances. Hield is shooting a blistering 52.4 percent on 14.3 shot attempts over that span, including 50.0 percent from distance on an average of 6.6 tries from behind the arc. Meanwhile, the Suns come in allowing the third-most fantasy points to shooting guards on the season (44.8), including 60.2 over the last five, and highest offensive efficiency rating (23.1) to the position on the campaign.
Lauri Markkanen, CHI vs. CHA ($10,100): Markkanen is in the midst of an encouraging late-season surge, one that's seen him score 30.00 to 33.00 fantasy points in four of the last five games. The rookie is sporting a 26.1 percent usage rate and averaging 1.10 fantasy points per minute over that span, and a matchup against a potentially unmotivated Hornets team that was laying out the welcome mat for power forwards even when they were still in playoff contention could be a recipe for another impressive return. Charlotte comes in allowing the eighth-most fantasy points to power forwards on the season (40.3), including 45.0 over the last 10, along with the sixth-highest offensive efficiency rating (26.9) to the position on the campaign. It's also worth noting that Markkanen already brings an impressive track record versus the Hornets into Tuesday's contest, having averaged 17.0 points (on 48.6 percent shooting), 8.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.3 steals across 32.3 minutes in three prior meetings.
