This article is part of our FantasyDraft NBA series.
Wednesday's eight-game slate gives us a host of appealing positional matchups, along with some potential value plays as a result of Kevin Love's hand injury Tuesday. There's enough cost-effect options to jam in at least a couple of high-priced selections, so let's break down who's most worthy of investing in:
GUARDS:
Premium Option
Kyrie Irving, BOS vs. NY ($16,400): Irving has averaged 26.0 points, 5.5 assists, 3.0 rebounds against the Knicks across two games this season, numbers that partly led to a 46.25 fantasy-point haul in his last game against them on Dec. 21. The All-Star point guard has particularly been on a tear over the last five contests, as he's averaged 31.4 points, 5.2 assists and 4.6 rebounds over that span while shooting an impressive 59.2 percent from the field. New York also continues to be as vulnerable as ever to ones, as they're allowing the ninth-most fantasy points (47.1) to the position on the season, along with the fifth-most assists (8.9).
Mid-Tier
Nicolas Batum, CHA at ATL ($12,000): Batum just lit up this same Hawks squad for 38.50 fantasy points three games ago, and he's scored over 30 fantasy points in three other instances over the last eight contests overall. Atlanta's struggles against two-guards haven't been limited to just Batum by any stretch, as they're allowing the seventh-most fantasy points (47.6) to the position on the season, along with the second-most made three-pointers (3.8). Batum has also seen a nice boost in usage over the last five contests in particular, as he's averaged 12.2 shot attempts during that span as compared to a 10.3 seasonal figure.
Affordable
Dwyane Wade, CLE vs. MIA ($9,200): For those looking for even more savings and a low-owned tournament-only option, the Hawks' Malcolm Delaney ($7,000) is also intriguing at a minuscule price. Meanwhile, Wade came back from a two-game absence Tuesday to rack up 37.00 fantasy points over 28 minutes against the Pistons, and he could be in for a boost in overall usage going forward in the wake of Kevin Love's hand injury. He's already sporting a 27.1 percent usage rate and averaging 1.19 fantasy points per minute without Love on the floor this season, and he logged his most minutes since Christmas Day after the latter's in-game injury versus Detroit. What's more, he's had the hot hand from the field as of late, shooting a blistering 65.6 percent over his last four contests. Factor in the extra motivation of facing his old squad and the fact the Heat come in allowing the second-most fantasy points to shooting guards on the season (50.2) – including 59.9 over the last five – and the stage is set for Wade to offer a handsome return on his very modest price.
FORWARDS/CENTERS:
Premium
Joel Embiid, PHI at BKN ($18,800): Naturally, LeBron James ($20,800) also makes for an excellent play at the top tier for those who can afford him, especially in the wake of Love's injury. However, Embiid isn't a bad consolation prize by any stretch, especially considering the matchup and the fact he'll be coming in with two full days of rest. He's averaging 25.6 points, 10.0 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.5 blocks over 33.8 minutes in the 11 games he's played under those conditions this season, and he'll face a Nets squad that's allowed the most fantasy points to centers on the campaign (39.9), including in the last 10 games (46.8). As those numbers imply, they're also ranked in the bottom 10 in multiple other categories against the position, while Embiid has eclipsed 40 fantasy points in six of his last eight contests.
Mid-Tier
T.J. Warren, PHO vs. DAL ($12,500): Warren compiled a solid 32.75 fantasy points over 32 minutes in his one previous meeting with the Mavs on Dec. 18, and he's scored over 35 fantasy points in four of his last six contests overall. He's shot a red-hot 56.1 percent overall during that span on 16.3 attempts per contest, and with Devin Booker potentially set to miss a second straight game due to a rib injury, he could be in line for a significant usage boost along the lines of the team-high 26.0 percent he sported in Monday's game against the Grizzlies. The Mavericks also come in allowing 40.8 fantasy points per contest to small forwards, along with the fourth-most rebounds (8.8) and third-most made three-pointers (2.6). Given the way that Warren has consistently outpaced his current price recently, he shapes up as an appealing option regardless of whether Booker suits up.
Affordable
Jahlil Okafor, BKN vs. PHI ($7,500): Frank Kaminsky ($8,900) is also a very viable option for either cash or tournaments given that he's in line for a start Wednesday in place of the sidelined Marvin Williams (ankle), while both Channing Frye ($6,200) and Justin Anderson ($6,900) are interesting as well for those that need even further savings. However, Okafor is an intriguing option at a significant discount, considering he'll be locked in a matchup against a team he should have a bit of extra motivation against. The former Sixers third overall pick has suddenly become relevant in the Nets' frontcourt rotation over the last two games, scoring 30.50 and 25.75 fantasy points, respectively, while seeing 23 and 24 minutes in those contests. Okafor got it done in considerably different fashion on each occasion, netting 21 points in the first game and hauling in 13 rebounds in the second. The Sixers also come in allowing 35.0 fantasy points to centers on the campaign, and with Okafor outpacing starter Jarrett Allen in the Nets' last game, his chances of exceeding his bargain price appear solid.
UTILITY
Damian Lillard, POR vs. CHI ($15,600): Lillard is now averaging 44.09 fantasy points after his latest outburst, a 53.00 fantasy-point haul against the Clippers on Tuesday evening. He'd also scored 40.00 to 52.25 fantasy points in eight of his previous nine contests, and he's sporting a 29.1 percent usage rate while averaging 1.26 fantasy points per minute over his last 10 overall. The Bulls have allowed the fifth-most fantasy points (48.7) to point guards on the season, including 55.3 over the last five. They're also yielding the third most made three-pointers (3.8) over the latter span, while Lillard is draining an impressive 54.3 percent of his whopping 9.2 three-point attempts in the last five contests.
Dario Saric, PHI at BKN ($12,700): Saric has scored 31.50 to 41.00 fantasy points in six of his last seven games, averaging 1.08 fantasy points per minute during that stretch. The Nets come in allowing 44.2 fantasy points per game to power forwards on the season, including the highest shooting percentage (50.0) to the position. The latter number particularly spells trouble against the floor-spacing Saric, who boasts a 52.5 percent success rate from the field over his last five games, including 46.2 percent from three-point range.
