This article is part of our FantasyDraft NBA series.
In the final day of the regular season, we're going to have to dig deep into these rosters to find some values. There will be more stars rested on this slate than any other, so reliability is key. That means playing players in games that matter is imperative, simply because they're the only players who are looking at consistent and reliable minutes. With that in mind, the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, Los Angeles Clippers and Utah Jazz are really the only teams in important games. Most of these teams should be playing their studs big minutes, so look to build around these players, as I'll look to offer up as many cheap options as I can find to pair with those reliable studs.
Guard
Jimmy Butler, CHI vs. BRK ($18,300): The Bulls are one of a few teams playing for their playoff lives, so let's get their best player into our lineups. Over his last 13 games, Butler has scored at least 40 fantasy points 12 times and has surpassed 47 fantasy points nine times in that stretch. This is a game they need, so he's a near guarantee for 40 minutes of action. Not to mention, this is the best matchup in basketball, with Brooklyn ranking dead-last in numerous defensive statistics.
Goran Dragic, MIA vs. WSH ($13,700): With Miami fighting for a playoff berth, they should be playing their star point guard heavy minutes. Dragic has been reliable as anyone this season, scoring at least 31 fantasy points in 15 of his last 19 games. The minutes are what make him such a good bet though, as he's played at least 33 minutes in nine-straight games. All that comes at a great price, with Dragic's season averages outperforming players around him like Andrew Wiggins, Dennis Schroder and Elfrid Payton.
Justin Holiday, NYK vs. PHI ($7,700): With most of the Knicks regular starters expected to sit here, Holiday should continue to see huge minutes. Not only does Holiday have at least 23 fantasy points in five of his last six games, he's averaging 33 minutes across his last three games. All that comes in a spectacular matchup, with Philadelphia ranking 27th in defensive efficiency over their last six games. At just $7,700, get those guaranteed 30 minutes into your lineup and add a stud to complement him.
Forward/Center
Hassan Whiteside, MIA vs. WSH ($15,100): Along with Dragic, Whiteside should be leaned on heavily in Miami's biggest game of the season. He's been a beast lately, scoring at least 47 fantasy points in three of his last four games, with at least 50 fantasy points in his last two. This is a frontline that is far from scary as well, with Washington resting several starters and limiting others. Just take the reliability of a double-double and 35 minutes here at a reasonably affordable price.
Caris LeVert, BRK at CHI ($8,400): LeVert has quietly been a nice rookie surprise for the Nets and he should see an increase in usage with all their veterans sitting out. Jeremy Lin, Randy Foye, Robin Lopez and Trevor Booker are all expected to sit in this finale and that makes an already productive LeVert even more attractive. LeVert has scored at least 21 fantasy points in four-straight games, while ranking top-four on the Nets in usage rate as well. Two of the three players ahead of him won't be playing here either, so look for a lot of their offense to be ran through the Michigan product.
Justin Hamilton, BRK at CHI ($6,000): With Booker and Lopez both sitting out, Hamilton should be looking at a huge role in this season finale. Hamilton has been solid in these circumstances this season, scoring at least 15 fantasy points in 13 of the 16 games that he played at least 23 minutes. That's all you can ask for from a minimum priced player and the fact that he surpassed at least 25 fantasy points six times in that stretch makes him all the more intriguing. Not to mention, Hamilton ranks second on the team in usage across his last six games.
Utility
Michael Beasley, MIL at BOS ($6,300): This is a bit of a shot in the dark, but there's reason to believe Beasley could lead his team in shots and usage in this meaningless game. Milwaukee have already secured a playoff berth and there are whispers that Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton and Tony Snell could all sit. That's pretty much all the wings on this roster aside from Beasley, so it's very possible he could start and play a heavy minutes load. This is a guy who can produce, as Beasley's per-36 minute averages are 23.1 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.9 blocks over the last two seasons. To further that point, in the 10 games where Beasley has played at least 23 minutes this season, he is averaging nearly 30 fantasy points per game.
Juancho Hernangomez, DEN at OKC ($6,000): With Danilo Gallinari, Will Barton, Emmanuel Mudiay and Wilson Chandler all expected to sit Wednesday, Hernangomez should start for Denver in their finale. That means he'll be looking at 20-plus minutes and he's been very good in those sort of games. In fact, in the eight games Hernangomez has played at least 27 minutes, he is averaging 11.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game. That's incredible value for a minimum priced player and it makes Hernangomez worth taking a shot on.
