This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
Guards
James Harden, HOU vs. NOP ($11,800): Harden is already leading the league in usage and is the frontrunner for MVP, and his role should only increase with Chris Paul (hamstring) expected to sit this game out. When Paul has been out this season, Harden is averaging nearly 60 fantasy points per game, as his usage rate is approaching 40 percent. That sort of role makes Harden intriguing no matter what his price is, but he also has a superb matchup. New Orleans allows the most fantasy points in the league to opposing guards, and Harden is averaging 27 points, 5.7 rebounds, 12 assists and 3.3 steals per game in three outings against the Pelicans this season.
Eric Gordon, HOU vs. NOP ($5,300): Gordon is another beneficiary of Paul being out, as he's had his best games of the season when Paul injured. Gordon is averaging over 30 fantasy points per game when Paul sits, and he ranks second on the team in usage in those games. While Gordon struggled the last time he faced New Orleans with Paul in the lineup, he'd scored 27 points in each of his two previous games against the Pelicans this season without Paul.
D.J. Augustin, ORL vs. PHX ($5,200): Augustin has been a nice fantasy asset since Elfrid Payton was traded It shows in his numbers, as Augustin is averaging 13 points, 2.4 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 0.6 steals across his last 19 games. That sort of production is already 5X value for a player barely cracking $5,000, and he has the matchups of all matchups here. The Suns currently rank dead-last in both points allowed and defensive efficiency, and Augustin's 29 minutes per game in this starting role should make him an easy bet to exceed 5X value yet again.
Forwards
Anthony Davis, NOP at HOU ($12,700): It's hard to fade Davis right now, as he's been the best player in the league since the All-Star break. Davis is averaging 32.8 points, 12.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 2.1 steals and 3.3 blocks per game in his last 18 outings -- that's nearly 70 fantasy points per game, and he's surpassed that 70-point threshold seven times in that stretch.
Jeremy Lamb, CHA at DAL ($6,300): Lamb has been starting recently for the injured Nicolas Batum (Achilles) and it's done wonders for his fantasy production. Not only is he averaging nearly 30 fantasy points per game as the starter, but Lamb has scored over 29 fantasy points in three straight outings. The usage and minutes back up those numbers, as he's averaging nearly 30 minutes per game and posting a usage rate of 20 percent in this role.
Jarrell Martin, MEM vs. LAL ($4,600): Martin has quietly been a nice weapon for the struggling Grizzlies. Prior to a minor, three-game slump, Martin was averaging 14.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 0.5 steals and 0.6 blocks in his previous eight games. That equates to nearly 30 fantasy points per game, strong production from a player south of $5,000. Not to mention, the Lakers allow the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing power forwards.
Centers
Andre Drummond, DET vs. CHI ($10,200): Drummond hasn't quite been the same player since Blake Griffin joined him Detroit, but his 45 fantasy points per game already makes him a good value at this price. What really makes Drummond an enticing option is his matchup, though, with the Bulls allowing the third-most fantasy points to opposing centers. Their 10.6 rebounds per game surrendered to centers is also the third-worst mark in the league and that only adds to the value of a rebounding monster like Drummond. In his two games against the Bulls this season, Drummond is averaging 50 fantasy points per game.
Alex Len, PHX at ORL ($4,500): With Tyson Chandler (neck) expected to miss the remainder of the season, Len makes for a nice value until he reaches $6,000. When Len has started this season, he's averaging nearly 30 fantasy points per game -- per-36, those numbers jump up to 14.5 points, 13.7 rebounds and 1.7 blocks. While he's unlikely to reach that 36-minute total, it shows the sort of upside he provides in an expanded role.
