This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Saturday's nine-game slate offers plenty of lineup choices, though most eyes will be on the much-anticipated Warriors-Spurs showdown in San Antonio. While that game will get plenty of attention, it's important to expand your horizons when picking your fantasy lineups. The players listed below should help do just that.
GUARD
Tony Parker, SAS vs. GSW ($16) - The Spurs should have all hands on deck for their showdown with the Warriors, and Parker will be eager to show that Golden State's Stephen Curry isn't the only point guard on the floor capable of putting up gaudy numbers. At just $16, Parker makes for a terrific low-cost value play coming off a season-high 16 assists against the Trail Blazers on Thursday.
John Wall, WAS vs. NYK ($47) - Wall won't come cheaply, but he should be well worth the hefty $47 investment against the putrid Knicks. New York has struggled defending the point guard position all season, and Wall's versatility should allow him to rack up plenty of points, rebounds and assists as Jose Calderon hopelessly tries to stay in front of him on defense. The Wizards aren't world beaters themselves, so it's unlikely that they'll get up big enough that Wall will see fewer than his usual mid-30s minutes.
Guard to Avoid:
Briante Weber, MEM vs. LAC ($15) - Weber seemed like a logical bargain-bin option after the Grizzlies handed him the starting point guard job, but his ineptitude on the offensive end has forced the team to look in a different direction. If his 15 minutes of playing time Thursday are an accurate indicator of Weber's role, he has been relegated back to a fantasy non-factor.
Others to Avoid: Jimmy Butler ($43), Derrick Rose ($25), Emmanuel Mudiay ($25), Rodney Hood ($22)
FORWARD
Lance Stephenson, MEM vs. LAC ($14) - Weber's loss is Stephenson's gain, as the Grizzlies found success offensively with the latter at point guard after Weber disappointed on that end. The added scoring and distributing opportunities Stephenson will see in this new role should allow him to easily exceed his $14 valuation, which would be nothing new for him after scoring at least 35.0 fantasy points in each of his last four games. It'd be highly surprising if Stephenson didn't post solid numbers once again facing the team that discarded him earlier this season.
Luol Deng, MIA vs. CLE ($24) - Although Deng continues to excel with Chris Bosh out, he's still priced at a shockingly reasonable $24. Since the veteran hasn't scored fewer than 31.5 fantasy points in any of his last six appearances, it's safe to say he should once again outplay his price Saturday. With averages of 19.6 points and 7.8 rebounds per game over his last five, Deng would have to fall off dramatically not to return good value.
Forward to Avoid:
Kawhi Leonard, SAS vs. GSW ($43) - Golden State limited Leonard to just 16 points and five rebounds the first time these two powerhouses faced off, and he's going to have trouble living up to his massive price if the league's top team game plans the same way in their rematch. All eyes are going to be on this titanic showdown, but there are smarter plays available on a night with eight other games.
Others to Avoid: Paul George ($45), Will Barton ($25), Myles Turner ($22), Jeff Green ($19)
CENTER
Dwight Howard, HOU at ATL ($35) - Look for the Atlanta native to deliver a huge performance against his hometown team after recently demanding more touches on offense. He had 19 points and 11 rebounds against them in their lone meeting a season ago, and fantasy owners won't have to worry much about his motivation level Saturday despite that being cited as a potential drawback of Howard's in the past. Don't let his lackluster effort Wednesday against the Clippers deter you; Howard is a prime bounce-back candidate.
Center to Avoid:
Brook Lopez, BKN at DET ($37) - Lopez has been struggling over his last three outings, with an average of just 26.2 fantasy points per game over that span. A matchup against rebounding machine Andre Drummond doesn't figure to help him get back on track, as evidenced by the measly five boards Lopez pulled down the last time he faced the Pistons. With so many quality cheaper options available, there's no need to spend $37 on the Nets center.
Others to Avoid: Robin Lopez ($21), Al Jefferson ($19), Nene Hilario ($17)
