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 this weekend. There's an abundance of value plays as we reach the latter stages of the season, and we'll highlight several priced no higher than $4,850, leaving plenty of room to fit in a few superstars.
Guards
Lou Williams, LAL vs. PHX (Fri.) ($4,100): Williams has returned re-energized from a five-game absence due to a hamstring strain, scoring 24.75 and 27.00 fantasy points in the first two games back. He's outperformed starting two-guard Jordan Clarkson over that span, and though he'll continue coming off the bench, he's receiving consistent minutes in the mid-20s. He'll get a chance to tee off against one of the worst units in the league against shooting guards, as the Suns surrender the fourth-most fantasy points (59.4) and points (22.1) per game to the position, and the fifth-most three-pointers (2.5) per contest as well.
Isaiah Canaan, PHI vs. OKC (Fri.), vs. BOS (Sun.) ($3,800): Canaan has served as a nice source of value at his sub-$4K price for an extended stretch, scoring between 16.25 and 26.75 fantasy points in nine of his last 10. That includes respective totals of 25.75, 23.00 and 26.00 fantasy points in his last three, a span in which he's also drained 10 three-pointers. Friday's fast-paced matchup versus the Thunder should particularly be right up the free-wheeling Canaan's alley, and if recent games are any indication, he should continue seeing a solid number of minutes even if/when the contest degenerates into a blowout.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, DET vs. SAC (Fri.), vs. BKN (Sat.) ($4,500): KCP has largely put his notoriously inconsistent fantasy production behind him over the second half of the season, scoring between 20.25 and 33.00 fantasy points in nine of his last 10. He's scored 38.00 and 33.00 fantasy points in two of his last three as well, and has also been providing solid numbers on the glass for a two-guard in recent contests. Friday, he'll tee off against a Kings defense giving up the fifth-most fantasy points (58.9), fifth-most points (22.0) and most three-pointers (2.9) per game to shooting guards this season. Saturday will bring a similarly appealing matchup, as the Nets are surrendering the seventh-most fantasy points (57.7), eighth-most points (21.1) and fourth-highest field-goal percentage (44.3) per game to the position this season.
Zach LaVine, MIN at HOU (Fri.) ($4,600): LaVine's price continues to be parked at $4,600, which is an invitation to go back to the well in an appealing matchup Friday. The sharpshooting two-guard has scored 32.25 and 33.25 fantasy points (including a combined nine three-pointers), respectively, after a pair of tough outings versus the Spurs and Thunder, and was also between 21.00 and 32.75 fantasy points in six other games during the last 10. Meanwhile, Houston surrenders the eighth-most fantasy points (57.2), seventh-most points (21.2), second-most three-pointers (2.8) and fourth-highest field-goal percentage (44.3) per game to shooting guards on the season.
Forwards
Marvin Williams, CHA vs. DEN (Sat.) ($4,850): Williams has consistently outperformed value this season, yet his price remains in that sub-$5K range that I typically use as the dividing line to define a value play. He's scored between 23.75 and 44.25 fantasy points in eight of his last 10 games, and as usual, is getting it done across multiple stat categories. He's drained 26 three-pointers in his last 10, while also averaging a solid 6.4 rebounds per game over that span. He'll draw a premium matchup Saturday versus the Nuggets as well, as Denver surrenders the third-most fantasy points (66.3) and points (22.1) per game to power forwards. Particularly relevant in the sharpshooting Williams' case is the fact they also yield the third-highest field-goal percentage (49.0) and most three-pointers (1.8) per game to the position.
Michael Beasley, HOU vs. MIN (Fri.), at ATL (Sat.) ($3,300): Beasley has been a revelation since joining the Rockets in early March after a highly successful season in China, and his near-minimum price this weekend certainly makes him worthy of consideration. He's scored between 14.25 and 31.25 fantasy points in five of his six games with Houston, but has particularly heated up of late. Beasley has 31.25 and 27.50 fantasy points in his last two games, respectively, and has been highly aggressive on offense when he's been on the court. The Timberwolves, his Friday opponent, rank in the bottom 10 against power forwards in fantasy points (63.0), points (21.3) and field-goal percentage (48.0) allowed per game, while the Hawks check in surrendering the third-most rebounds (11.4) per contest to the position.
Channing Frye, CLE at ORL (Fri.), at MIA (Sat.) ($3,500): Frye has received steady minutes over the last three outings, and has totaled 33.25 (in a starting opportunity), 19.00 and 18.75 fantasy points, respectively. His deft shooting touch from long range has been on display as well, as he's drained nine three-pointers over that span. Friday, he'll face a Magic defense giving up the sixth-most fantasy points (65.2), fifth-most points (21.9) and second-most three-pointers (1.7) per game to power forwards this season. The Heat figure to provide more resistance Saturday, but they have proven increasingly vulnerable to power forwards since Chris Bosh (clots) has been sidelined. They also rank in the bottom half of the league in points surrendered per game to power forwards (20.9).
Centers
Enes Kanter, OKC at PHI (Fri.) ($4,700): Kanter is simply one of the hottest bench players in the league right now, scoring between 26.75 and 37.25 fantasy points in the last six games. He's also hauled in double-digit boards in four of those contests, and has encouragingly played at least 20 minutes in four straight. He couldn't ask for a better matchup Friday, as the Sixers rank last against centers in fantasy points (52.7) and points (22.6) allowed per game, and also surrender the second-most rebounds (16.1) to the position. While the blowout risk is certainly there, Kanter has generally received his share of minutes regardless of score.
Ryan Anderson, NOP vs. POR (Fri.) ($4,500): Anderson's been hot over the last several games, scoring between 23.50 and 43.00 fantasy points over that span, while scoring over 20 points twice. His playing time has been plentiful, as Anderson has received over 30 minutes in three of those contests. The Pelicans' pace of play in what should be a high-scoring affair against a Trail Blazers squad on the back end of a back-to-back should facilitate some solid fantasy production for Anderson on Friday.
