This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Saturday's 10-game slate promises to be an exciting one, with a titanic Spurs-Thunder clash overshadowing a number of matchups with heavy playoff implications. While proven veterans pushing for postseason berths are sure to be giving it their all, many of the best values are actually youngsters getting big minutes on teams out of contention. A couple of rookie big men rediscovering the form that made them so enticing earlier this season highlight Saturday's top value plays, but all of the players listed below should be in for big games:
GUARD
Toney Douglas, NOP vs. TOR ($14) - Douglas' value continues to rise as more and more Pelicans succumb to injury. Jrue Holiday is questionable after missing the team's previous game with a left toe blister, but Douglas will be asked to carry the mail offensively regardless of Holiday's ability with Anthony Davis, Ryan Anderson and Norris Cole all sidelined. With at least 24.6 fantasy points in eight of his last nine appearances, the veteran guard should have no problem once again outplaying his modest $14 salary thanks to his high usage rate.
Zach LaVine, MIN vs. UTA ($24) - LaVine's strong play of late has earned him increased playing time, as he has outperformed his $24 value 11 times in his last 13 appearances while seeing at least 35 minutes in 12 of those contests. The UCLA product is proving that his offensive prowess reaches far beyond just dunking, as his 19.5 points per game average over that span has powered LaVine's surge in value. Don't expect him to slow down as the Timberwolves have every incentive to continue developing their young players down the stretch with the playoffs out of reach.
Guard to Avoid:
Reggie Jackson, DET vs. ATL ($25) - Jackson hasn't exactly been leading Detroit's late-season charge toward a playoff spot, as the team has gone 3-0 in their last three games despite the point guard averaging just 23.3 fantasy points per game over that span. While Pistons fans will take the wins any way they can get them, DFS owners should be weary of Jackson considering Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Tobias Harris and Andre Drummond have been the ones responsible for the team's uptick in performance.
Others to Avoid: Russell Westbrook ($54), Jimmy Butler ($39), Kyrie Irving ($32), Rodney Hood ($20), Marcus Smart ($16)
FORWARD
Myles Turner, IND at BKN ($18) - Turner has rediscovered his midseason form after enduring a prolonged slump, averaging 33.5 fantasy points per game over his last three thanks to impressive averages of 14.7 points, 10.0 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game. The rookie has an excellent chance of keeping the good times rolling against Brooklyn's 22nd-ranked defense, especially with the Pacers unwilling to take their foot off the gas as they cling to a two-game lead over the ninth-place Bulls.
Kristaps Porzingis, NYK vs. CLE ($23) - Much like Turner, Porzingis is starting to revert to the form that made him so revered earlier in his rookie season. The lanky Latvian's combination of skill and size has been on full display over the last four games, averaging 17.8 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game, representing modest upticks over his regular averages. Expect another strong effort against a Cavaliers team that just struggled to contain the similarly-sized Brook Lopez of the Nets.
Forward to Avoid:
Alex Len, PHO vs. BOS ($23) - Len has been terrible offensively this month, shooting just 34.9 percent from the field despite spending the vast majority of his time playing near the basket. The young big man is still pulling down rebounds at a decent rate, but he hasn't even been able to reach 25.0 fantasy points in any of his last five games due to his offensive ineptitude. It's going to be tough to trust Len until he snaps out of this offensive funk.
Others to Avoid: Thaddeus Young ($31), Gordon Hayward ($27), Kevin Love ($26), Jabari Parker ($23), Marvin Williams ($20)
CENTER
Jonas Valanciunas, TOR at NO ($18) - The injury-riddled Pelicans haven't been able to stay in front of many opponents, as their 106.3 points allowed per game are good for the sixth-worst mark in the NBA. Valanciunas is currently available at a reduced price after recently returning from a hand injury, but his valuation should climb in a hurry once he gets his chance to face New Orleans' frontcourt. The Lithuanian posted back-to-back double-doubles in his last two full games before getting injured, and his per-minute production Wednesday against Boston suggests he'll be right back at that level as soon as he's seeing regular minutes.
Center to Avoid:
Rudy Gobert, UTA at MIN ($21) - Gobert has been in free fall, failing to reach 15.0 fantasy points in three of his last four games. Whether it's foul trouble or just poor play, the Frenchman has consistently found ways to disappoint. With a handful of more productive options to choose from in his price range, Gobert isn't a smart investment Saturday.
Others to Avoid: Greg Monroe ($22), Jared Sullinger ($20), Al Jefferson ($17)
