This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
The NBA has three games on Tuesday, a pretty sparse slate after a full Monday. We get the Celtics, in the midst of a 12-game winning streak but playing without Kyrie Irving, in Brooklyn to face a Nets squad also missing its best player in D'Angelo Russell. The Raptors go into Houston to take on the scorching Rockets, while the Spurs and Mavericks renew their cross-state rivalry. There are a lot of injuries for such a few games, and on such a quiet night it will be the value plays that separate the teams. Let's explore.
GUARDS
James Harden, HOU vs TOR ($12,500): Harden is almost $4k more than the next most expensive player, and the gap to the next closest shooting guard is even larger. However, Harden will be on the vast majority of teams on Tuesday and, based on his recent history, is very likely to put a huge number on the board. In his last four games, he has averaged 67 fantasy points per game, and on such a sparse night it is difficult to recommend fading someone like that.
Terry Rozier, BOS at BKN ($6,000): Rozier has been productive all season long when he's gotten consistent minutes. In the last week, he's been up around 28 minutes per game, and has responded with right around 30 fantasy points per game. On Monday, with Kyrie Irving out, Rozier should continue to get at least this many minutes against a Nets squad that isn't set up to play much defense.
Spencer Dinwiddie, BKN vs BOS ($5,800): Dinwiddie is going to start at point guard on Tuesday with D'Angelo Russell out. He's had an up-and-down season in terms of opportunity, but has several explosive games when he's had the opportunity to play starter's minutes. The Nets' offense is completely driven by their lead guards, so Dinwiddie has a chance to produce though he will be facing a strong Celtics defense.
FORWARDS
LaMarcus Aldridge, SA at DAL ($8,700): Aldridge is the other positional player that is obviously better than anyone else in the category. His average of 40.3 fantasy points is 12 higher than second place, as no other power forward is even in the 30s of fantasy points this season. Aldridge is a known commodity, and the Mavericks don't really have anyone to slow him down.
Harrison Barnes, DAL vs SA ($6,900): Barnes has played very well of late, with three straight games between 35 and 47 fantasy points scored. He usually does most of his damage by scoring, but he is coming off two straight points/rebounds double-doubles and his work on the glass makes him much more formidable.
Allen Crabbe, BKN vs BOS ($4,900): Crabbe is a risky play. Over his last five games, he has two games with under 15 fantasy points but three with over 25 points, with a high of 31.7 fantasy points. He is getting starter minutes, and with D'Angelo Russell out it is possible that he could step a bit into the production vacuum and have a strong game.
CENTERS
Al Horford, BOS at BKN ($7,800): Horford returned from a two-game concussion absence and didn't miss a beat on Sunday, scoring 21 points with four assists, three boards and two steals against the Raptors. His all-around ability and athleticism make him a matchup problem for the Nets, and with Kyrie Irving out the Celtics could look to rely upon their big man even more than usual.
Clint Capela, HOU vs TOR ($7,500): Capela is the best prospect at center on Tuesday, coming off three straight dominant games in which he has averaged 15.3 points, 14.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 3.3 combined blocks/steals against some pretty strong competition. He is settling strongly into his role on the dominant Rockets and projects for another strong game on Tuesday.
Pau Gasol, SA at DAL ($6,600): Gasol is the third of the centers who are likely to be impact plays on Tuesday. He has been between solid and excellent all season and is coming off a 21 point, 10 rebound, four assist, three block/steal effort against the Bulls in his last outing.
For those looking for (much) riskier but lower cost plays at center: Jonas Valanciunas ($5,300) is up-and-down with some upside, Salah Mejri ($3,400) has two games over 33 fantasy points but three games under 16 in his last five efforts, and Tyler Zeller ($3,400) broke out from a string of games below 18 fantasy points with a 33 fantasy point effort in his last outing, only to miss the next two due to sickness.
