This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Saturday's moderate NBA slate features seven games, including a couple of potential major mismatches in Nets-Cavaliers and Kings-Warriors. It's tempting to utilize players from the heavy favorites in these games, but possible reductions in playing time if they end up being blowouts loom as a limiting factor. Even though many of the NBA's high-profile teams are in action, it's important to pay just as much attention to the less glamorous matchups when searching out the night's best values.
GUARD
Tony Parker, SAS vs. ATL ($20) - Parker's ability to generate assists without turning the ball over as part of San Antonio's well-oiled offensive machine maximizes his value in this DFS format. Parker has surpassed 20.0 fantasy points in every game since Nov. 11 after topping that mark just twice in his first seven contests, and he has an excellent chance of continuing that streak considering Atlanta counterpart Jeff Teague may still not be 100 percent healthy after returning from an ankle injury a week ago.
Gary Harris, DEN at DAL ($14) - Harris is averaging 23 fantasy points per game over his last five appearances, thanks in large part to his recent uptick in three-point shooting. Denver's starting shooting guard has taken his game behind the arc to a new level, as 10 of his 20 makes from distance this season have come in the last five games. Dallas' middle-of-the-road defense allows teams to jack up the fifth-most three-point attempts in the league, and the hot-shooting Harris should can his fair share.
Guard to Avoid:
Jarrett Jack, BKN at CLE ($28) - Jack has scored 15.4 points or less in two of his last three games, and Cleveland's top-10 defense promises to make it hard for the veteran to get back on track. He has failed to supplement his scoring output with secondary stats, as Jack's 2.7 rebounds and 4.0 assist per game averages over the last three are both well under his season averages. With so many other guards performing at a high level in recent games, it's hard to justify including Jack in your lineup Saturday.
Others to Avoid: John Wall ($42), Will Barton ($25), Jordan Clarkson ($25), Lou Williams ($18), Darren Collison ($17)
FORWARD
Luis Scola, TOR at WAS ($18) - In the two games since Jonas Valanciunas hurt his hand, Scola put up 29.6 and 25.9 fantasy points. Scola saw at least 30 minutes in each of those two games, so it's not surprising he managed to raise his production after seeing just 24.4 minutes per game prior to Valanciunas' injury. The Argentinian won't pick up a lot of hustle stats, but he has a great chance to reach the 17.0 points and 6.3 rebounds he's averaged the last four games as he faces the fourth-worst scoring defense in the league Saturday.
Gordon Hayward, UTA vs NOP ($33) - The Pelicans have played better lately, but they still rank as the worst defensive team in the NBA, which means members of the Jazz make for good plays Saturday. Hayward stands out as the most exceptional value among Utah's roster, as the team's leading scorer is available for $5 less than fellow forward Derrick Favors. He's red-hot after scoring a season-high 33 points Wednesday, and chances are Pelicans starter Dante Cunningham won't slow Hayward at small forward.
Forward to Avoid:
Dwight Powell, DAL vs. DEN ($18) - Powell is averaging less than 14.0 fantasy points per game over the last three games, as his production has taken a noticeable nosedive since JaVale McGee made his season debut Nov. 22. Powell hasn't seen more than 13 minutes of playing time in either of the two games McGee has suited up for this year, meaning his value is pretty much nullified as long as the Mavericks frontcourt stays healthy.
Others to Avoid: LaMarcus Aldridge ($30), Thaddeus Young ($28), Kobe Bryant ($27), Julius Randle ($25)
CENTER
Mason Plumlee, POR vs. LAL ($21) - Plumlee has been significantly outperforming his $21 valuation for a while now, as he has topped 30.0 fantasy points in four straight games and six of his last nine. A matchup against the putrid Lakers offers an excellent chance for the center to continue his recent dominant play, as anything short of a fourth consecutive double-double should be seen as a major disappointment. Plumlee has been playing effectively while seeing 30 minutes per game after a slow start to the season, but his price somehow still hasn't caught up to his production.
Center to Avoid:
Tristan Thompson, CLE vs. BKN ($24) - The matchup is tantalizing, but Thompson will struggle to live up to his price tag if Timofey Mozgov (shoulder) is ready to return. Even if Mozgov can't go, Thompson runs the risk of getting into foul trouble while trying to guard the Nets center Brook Lopez. All the other centers in Thompson's price range don't have nearly as many questions, making him a very risky option.
Others to Avoid: Al Horford ($31), Rudy Gobert ($27), Festus Ezeli ($15)
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