This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
There's no shortage of options to choose from in Saturday's nine-game evening slate. Exploiting weak defenses and avoiding tough ones is a proven strategy, which is implemented here. Add in some players in line for expanded opportunities due to injuries, and you get Saturday's top value plays.
GUARDS
Will Barton, DEN vs. LAC ($17): Barton has stepped up big time with Gary Harris (ankle) out for the past two games, averaging 22.0 points and 7.5 assists en route to 39.0 fantasy points per game. While a slight reduction in production can be expected against the seventh-ranked Clippers defense, Barton's usage should once again allow him to blow his $17 price out of the water.
Kemba Walker, CHA vs. BKN ($38): Walker's fantasy production stems mostly from points and assists, and there should be plenty to go around against the worst scoring defense in the NBA. Brooklyn is allowing a league-high 115 points per game, and that number jumps to an astounding 117.7 on the road. Walker has averaged just north of 33 minutes per game in his first two meetings with the Nets, so worries about a reduced workload against this inferior opponent appear to be overblown.
Guard to Avoid
Kyrie Irving, CLE vs. SA ($39): Irving has been struggling to live up to his lofty price of late, averaging just 29.6 fantasy points per game in his past six despite facing the 29th-ranked Suns defense twice over that span. Righting the ship won't be easy against a Spurs team that ranks second defensively with just 98.5 points allowed per game. With every other guard priced over $30 playing more productively of late and facing weaker opposition, it's hard to justify giving Irving a spot over any of the comparable alternatives.
FORWARDS
LaMarcus Aldridge, SA at CLE ($31): With Pau Gasol (hand) out long-term, Aldridge will be in line for more offensive opportunities. While he wasn't asked to do much in a comfortable win over Denver on Thursday, the veteran big man will almost certainly play his regular complement of minutes and then some in what should be a much more competitive game against the Eastern Conference leaders. Aldridge's usage rate has spiked whenever Gasol has been out previously, and this matchup with Cleveland's middling defense should allow him to take advantage of his extra chances.
James Johnson, MIA vs. MIL ($22): Johnson is averaging over 31 minutes per game since the calendar turned to 2017, so it's no surprise that he has stepped up production with 30.4 fantasy points per game in eight appearances. He has always enhanced his portfolio with secondary stats, but is also scoring like never before with double-digit points in 20 of his past 25 games. Johnson's $22 price hasn't caught up to his increase in role, so he's a safe bet to return strong bang for the buck regardless of opposition.
Forward to Avoid
Kristaps Porzingis, NY vs. PHO ($33): It's tempting to roll with Porzingis against the subpar Suns defense, but he'll likely still be on a minutes restriction in his second game back from an Achilles injury. Porzingis managed just 25.0 fantasy points in 29 minutes in his return Thursday against the Wizards, and he has come up short of 30.0 in three consecutive appearances. Until the talented big man shows that he's back to playing up to his usual capabilities, it's too risky to play him in even the best of matchups.
CENTERS
DeAndre Jordan, LAC at DEN ($27): Jordan has been on fire of late, scoring at least 52.0 fantasy points in each of his past three appearances. Point guard Chris Paul's thumb injury has created a scoring void, and the center was more than happy to fill it with a career-high 29 points Thursday against the Timberwolves. He's once again going to see extra offensive opportunities against the Nuggets, and likely won't have trouble converting them considering Denver's defense has allowed a league-worst 113.8 points per game at home.
Tyson Chandler, PHO at NY ($15): Chandler claims to have improved his mental state lately, and the effects of those improvements have clearly manifested themselves on the court. The veteran big man has averaged 33.3 fantasy points per game over his past six, thanks in large part to a robust 17.2 rebounds per outing. With Derrick Rose and Carmelo Anthony sure to chuck up plenty of ill-advised shots, you can expect Chandler to once again contribute heavily on the glass against his former team.
Center to Avoid
Myles Turner, IND at UTA ($28): Turner has been mired in a mini-slump over the past four games, topping 26.0 fantasy points just once in that span. Bucking that trend will be exceedingly difficult against what has been by far the best defense in the NBA. Utah's 94.9 points allowed per game are 3.6 better than second-place San Antonio, and that number shrinks below 93.0 when the Jazz are home at the Vivint Smart Home Arena.
