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 that can help you build your lineups. The season is down to its last three games, and value abounds on Monday's nine-game slate. While some of the teams in action are still fighting for a playoff spot, the highest-scoring game of the night could well be one played between the lottery-bound Kings and Suns, a contest with several options that could offer a handsome return. We'll highlight several players priced no higher than $4,800, leaving plenty of room to fit in whichever elite players take the court Monday.
GUARD
Seth Curry, SAC at PHX ($3,500)- Whether it's been off the bench or with the first unit, Curry has thrived in the long-awaited opportunities he's received in the latter stages of the season. He's scored between 19.50 and 31.00 fantasy points in eight of the last 10 games, and will take aim Monday at a Suns defense that surrenders the third-most fantasy points (59.9), third-most points (22.5) and third-most three-pointers (2.6) to two-guards this season.
Darren Collison, SAC at PHX ($4,800)- With Rajon Rondo officially shut down for the rest of the season, Collison is getting plenty of run at the point and providing a nice return. His price has seen a corresponding bump, but Collison is worth the investment considering his matchup. The Suns have been bleeding production to point guards all season, giving up the second-most fantasy points (69.0) and most points (24.1) per game to the position, and ranking in the bottom 10 in several other categories against them as well.
Kobe Bryant, LAL at OKC ($4,450)- It's down to two games for the future Hall of Famer, and it's highly likely he'll have the ball in his hands plenty over the final eight quarters of his storied career. Such was the case Sunday, when Bryant scored 35 points against the Rockets. He'd also scored between 23.25 and 46.50 fantasy points in seven of the last 10 games, and he may not have to deal with Kevin Durant on Monday if the Thunder opt to rest their All-Star. OKC has also been a bit on the vulnerable side over the last five games to small forwards, giving up the 10-most fantasy points (41.6) per game to the position over that span.
Tim Frazier, NOP vs. CHI ($4,700)- Frazier has done nothing but produce since joining the Pelicans at the end of February. He's scored between 22.75 and 47.00 fantasy points in nine of the last 10 games and has received solid playing time whether starting or coming off the bench for an injury-ravaged New Orleans squad. He'll take aim Monday at a Bulls defense that's had trouble defending the point guard position, giving up the 10-most fantasy points (64.3) and most rebounds (6.1) per game to the position this season.
FORWARD
Mirza Teletovic, PHX vs. SAC ($4,800)- Teletovic has been receiving plenty of run off the bench for the Suns in the latter stages of the season, and he has provided an outstanding shot in the arm to the offense virtually every time he takes the court. He's certainly not shy about putting the ball up early and often, scoring between 19.75 and 39.50 fantasy points over his last 10 games. That stretch has notably included four games over the 30-fantasy point mark, despite the fact that Teletovic has not played more than 32 minutes in any one contest. As our third selection from what could be the highest scoring game of the night, Teletovic is an appealing option against a Kings defense that surrenders the sixth-most fantasy points (65.8) per game to power forwards this season, and the most (51.8) over the last five. Particularly important in the case of a stretch four like Teletovic, Sacramento has also yields the second-highest field-goal percentage (49.2) to the position this season.
Luke Babbitt, NOP vs. CHI ($4,400)- Babbitt has maximized the opportunity afforded him by the domino effect of various injuries to the Pelicans frontcourt in the last few weeks, and he continues to produce even when coming off the bench. He's scored between 24.00 and 42.00 fantasy points in eight of the last 10 games, despite playing with the second unit in several of those contests. He'll face off against a Bulls defense that's surrendering the ninth-most fantasy points (55.3) per game to the position this season.
Andrew Wiggins, MIN vs. HOU ($4,800)- Wiggins has been producing at a level of an over-$5K player, and draws the best all-around matchup for small forwards. He's been getting it done on both ends of the floor, as his defense has taken a major step forward in his sophomore season. Wiggins has scored over 40 fantasy points twice and over 50 once in the last seven games, providing a glimpse at his considerable ceiling. Meanwhile, despite Trevor Ariza's well-earned reputation as a stingy defensive presence, small forwards have thrived against the Rockets all season, with Kobe Bryant's 35-point explosion Sunday serving as the most recent example. Houston has surrendered the most fantasy points (60.3), second-most points (21.0), most assists (4.2), most steals (2.0), second-most three-pointers (2.6) and fifth-highest field-goal percentage (45.3) per game to the position this season.
CENTER
Frank Kaminsky, CHA at BOS ($3,850)- Kaminsky has quietly put together a nice late-season push for the Hornets, scoring between 20.00 and 27.50 fantasy points over his last three games. He's played over 20 minutes in the last four games as well, and has been more aggressive with both his shot and on the glass. Kaminsky will do battle Monday against a Celtics defense that has struggled against bigs all season, giving up the third-most fantasy points (66.9), third-most points (22.4) and most rebounds (11.9) per game to centers, providing Kaminsky with a solid chance of returning 5x-6x value on his sub-$4K price.
Nemanja Bjelica, MIN vs. HOU ($3,300)- Bjelica is another young player whose playing time has seen a nice boost in the latter stages of the season, and who's largely maximized the opportunity. He's even outpaced starter Gorgui Dieng on a couple of occasions in recent games, scoring between 23.25 and 34.00 fantasy points in four of the last six games. Monday, Bjelica will draw an appealing matchup against a Rockets defense that's been one of the league's worst against power forwards all season, allowing the most fantasy points (68.2), most points (23.2), seventh-most rebounds (11.0), fourth-most assists (3.5) and highest field-goal percentage (49.7) per game to the position this season.
