This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Saturday's NBA slate promises to be exciting as always with eight games on tap. The Bulls-Raptors and Pistons-Trail Blazers matchups both feature a pair of the night's top value plays, but there are other strong options available as well.
GUARDS
Isaiah Thomas, BOS vs. NO ($39): Thomas topped 50.0 fantasy points in three consecutive contests heading into the weekend, and he should be able to maintain that high level against a Pelicans team that has allowed 105.3 points per game. The diminutive guard's proficiency from outside should allow him to thrive without having to overcome Anthony Davis' inside presence, and he'll have the green light at all times after averaging 37.3 points and 5.3 made 3-pointers per contest during this three-game hot streak.
Michael Carter-Williams, CHI vs. TOR ($14): Carter-Williams has averaged 28 minutes per game over the past four, and he should continue to handle a heavy load with former starting point guard Rajon Rondo riding the pine. The 2014 rookie of the year won't blow you away with his shooting, but his newfound playing time allows MCW to easily rack up enough assists and rebounds to earn a look at $14. He has topped 23.0 fantasy points three times since Rondo's benching four games ago, and he has a clear path to continued value given the current rotation.
Guard to Avoid
Zach LaVine, MIN at UTA ($29): LaVine has struggled to live up to his $29 price of late, scoring fewer than 29.0 fantasy points in five of his past seven appearances. Turning things around will be difficult against the league's top defense, especially since Utah gets even stingier at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Jazz have allowed just 93.1 points per game at home, making them a nightmare matchup for the scuffling guard.
FORWARDS
Tobias Harris, DET at POR ($25): Harris has scored at least 21 points in five of his past seven games while averaging 33.3 fantasy points per contest over that span. His value is primarily tied to scoring, which should be easy to do against a Trail Blazers team that ranks 28th with 111.2 points allowed per game. This combination of momentum and matchup makes Harris tough to turn down at just $25.
Al-Farouq Aminu, POR vs. DET ($13): Aminu finally looks healthy and has played at least 33 minutes in three consecutive games. He has averaged 30.8 fantasy points per game over the past two and should continue to provide value thanks to his combination of rebounding and defense. Aminu's price won't stay at $13 for long given his recent increase in playing time.
Forward to Avoid
Tyreke Evans, NO at BOS ($17): Evans may seem like a great deal at just $17, but injury issues have once again cut into his value. This time the problem is back spasms, which have limited him to 15.1 or fewer fantasy points in three of his past five appearances. A healthy Evans would likely be able to play well against a middling Celtics defense, but it's too risky to expect him to perform at a high level given his current state of health.
CENTERS
Lucas Nogueira, TOR at CHI ($10): Nogueira played 26 minutes Thursday as the starting power forward with Patrick Patterson (knee) out, registering 20.7 fantasy points. The 24-year-old big man will reprise that role if the questionable Patterson is unable to play, and he should once again be able to finish with north of 20.0 fantasy points due to the increased opportunity. Nogueira makes for an excellent play at the minimum price as long as Patterson is out.
Myles Turner, IND vs. NY ($27): Turner should continue to outplay his modest price against a New York team playing the second game of a road back-to-back. The second-year big man is averaging 21.7 points and 11.3 rebounds per game over his past three games, and is once again poised to exploit the same Knicks he burned for 21 points, nine boards and four blocks on Dec. 20. His combination of strength inside and outside shooting makes him a matchup nightmare, especially against a tired team that has lost six of its past seven games.
Center to Avoid
Jonas Valanciunas, TOR at CHI ($18): Valanciunas has been too inconsistent to trust of late, especially against one of the league's best rebounding teams. The Bulls lead the league with 47.5 boards per game, and have allowed the opposition just 42.8. Valanciunas has scored 19.0 or fewer fantasy points in three of his past five appearances despite pulling down 8.8 rebounds per contest over that span, so a cap on his rebounding further reduces his already low stock.
