This article is part of our FantasyAces NBA series.
RotoWire aims to help you win on Fantasy Aces, as we break down a few value plays for a nine-game slate who can help you build your lineups.
With elite players likes James Harden, Stephen Curry and DeMarcus Cousins in action, we'll hone in on some of that value priced no higher than $4,400, leaving you plenty of room to fit in a few superstars.
Guards
Gary Harris, DEN vs. ATL ($4,100): Harris has tallied over 20 fantasy points in four of the last 10 games, including 30.00 in his most recent contest. He's also returned at least 4x value in three other games during that span and should be involved in a fairly fast-paced matchup against the Hawks. He'll likely see some beatable Kyle Korver defense to boot, further increasing his odds for a favorable outing.
Jeremy Lin, CHA at SAC ($4,000): Lin's selection is fairly dependent on Nicolas Batum (toe) missing another game, but the 27-year-old is a solid selection if he plays a reserve role as well. The matchup Monday is a big reason for that, as the Kings have allowed the second-most fantasy points per game to opposing two-guards this season, as well as the most actual points (23.3) and most three-pointers (3.1) to the position. Lin exploded for 36.75 fantasy points in his last outing, and he had scored over 20 fantasy points in four of his previous nine games as well.
Jared Dudley, WAS vs. BOS ($3,800): Dudley's price continues unchanged, but he remains in the starting lineup for the Wizards at power forward and has provided solid production relative to his price. He's posted three straight double-digit scoring outings, which have netted 28.75, 19.25 and 21.25 fantasy points, respectively. The first game of that span was notably against the Celtics, his Monday opponent, back on Jan. 16. Dudley also scored over 25 fantasy points in three of the seven games prior to that stretch, and he will be facing off against a Celtics defense giving up the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing fours this season.
Avery Bradley, BOS at WAS ($4,400): Bradley has now scored over 20 fantasy points in seven straight games, including more than 30 in three. The Wizards continue to rank in the bottom half of the league in fantasy points allowed to opposing shooting guards, and Bradley continues to serve as one of the Celtics' most dependable sources of fantasy production.
Forwards
Jared Sullinger, BOS at WAS ($4,200): Sullinger has exploded over the last two games, scoring 47.50 and 34.25 fantasy points, respectively. However, he also managed between 22.75 and 30.75 in five of last eight games prior to that run. The Wizards continue to rank in the bottom 10 in fantasy points allowed to power forwards, and are also the fourth-worst unit in most rebounds allowed to the position per game (11.7) this season. Meanwhile, Sullinger has been a force on the glass recently, posting six games with double-digit boards this month.
Willie Cauley-Stein, SAC vs. CHA ($4,400): Cauley-Stein seems to be hitting his stride over the last five games, scoring between 23.00 and 34.00 fantasy points in four of those contests. He's also managed three straight games with double-digit rebounds and has certainly received a boost from playing alongside the most dominant player in the NBA at the moment, DeMarcus Cousins. Monday, he'll have the added benefit of matching up against the vulnerable and depleted Hornets frontcourt, providing him with a solid opportunity to continue returning the 5x-8x value he's generated in recent outings.
Shabazz Muhammad, MIN at CLE ($3,800): Muhammad is one of the hottest bench players in the league right now, scoring 20.25, 24.25 and 27.75 fantasy points in the last three games, respectively. He's also been playing well the majority of January, scoring between 20.50 and 26.50 fantasy points in four of the previous seven games. He's tallied five straight double-digit scoring performances and has been averaging an abundant 27.9 minutes per game this month.
Centers
Nikola Jokic, DEN vs. ATL ($4,000): Jokic should receive a starter's share of minutes and has shown the ability to produce with that allotment of playing time. He scored an outstanding 37.75 fantasy points in his last game Saturday against the Pistons, and has scored between 22.75 and 32.00 fantasy points in five of the previous nine. Monday, he'll draw a Hawks' defense that's surrendered the fifth-most fantasy points (48.8), fourth-most rebounds (16.3) and eighth-most actual points (21.0) per game to opposing centers on the season.
Spencer Hawes, CHA at SAC ($3,700): Starting center Cody Zeller will miss several more games with a shoulder sprain, leaving Hawes the beneficiary of plenty of minutes. He scored 34.00 and 25.00 fantasy points in first two starts in Zeller's stead, and is always a threat to also step out and shoot from the perimeter in addition to his solid work near the basket. Hawes has already drained 22 three-pointers this season despite averaging only 17.8 minutes per game, and his ability to occasionally score from outside the paint may help reduce his encounters with the Kings' formidable frontcourt duo of Willie Cauley-Stein and DeMarcus Cousins.
