This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
With the NFL Playoffs kicking off on Saturday, there's no better time to get involved in the NBA with this fun slate. Much like most of the week, we have an eight-game schedule full of great matchups. There are only two games from which I don't have any recommendations, and I believe avoiding these games is key to having a successful day. Those are: Chicago-Toronto and San Antonio-Charlotte.
Aside from Jimmy Butler, DeMar DeRozan, Kyle Lowry and Kawhi Leonard, there are, in my opinion, no usable players in these games. Toronto is ran by those two guards, Jimmy Butler is single-handedly carrying a Bulls offense with an unreadable rotation and I can't trust a struggling Hornets team without Nicolas Batum against an elite Spurs defense. So while those four studs are viable options, the best strategy is to eliminate a quarter of the field and focus on the other six games.
Russell Westbrook, OKC vs. DEN ($12,200): Using Westbrook in DFS needs very little explanation, but let's just talk about how ridiculous he's been. Not only is he averaging a triple-double for the season, he's averaging just shy of 60 fantasy points per game. That's impossible production to match and he becomes even more valuable with Anthony Davis being the only other elite player on this slate. In addition, Westbrook accumulated 36 points, 11 rebounds and 17 assists the last time he faced the Nuggets. Denver's defense is even worse since then, allowing 124 points per game across its current four-game losing streak. The Nuggets allow the second-most fantasy points to point guards, as well.
Avery Bradley, BOS vs. NOP ($6,300): Bradley is not getting enough credit for the season he's having, as he's turned into one of the best two-way players in the NBA. Not only is Bradley averaging nearly 18 points per game, he's adding seven boards and doing that as a shooting guard. That's incredible production and it makes him even more valuable since he's proven to be a great contributor in assists and steals, as well. This matchup is spectacular, too, with New Orleans ranking 25th in fantasy points allowed to guards this season.
Shelvin Mack, UTA at MIN ($4,100): With George Hill already ruled out, that means it's Mack's show once again. While his fantasy production has been up and down because of his role, Mack has provided great value when given the minutes. In fact, Mack's per-36 numbers equate to 13.2 points, 3.3 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.3 steals per game. In his starts this season, Mack is playing about 30 minutes per game, so those averages are indicative of how good he's been when starting. This matchup is hard not to like, with Minnesota ranking 25th in defensive efficiency. At just $4,100, Mack is my bet of the day to exceed value.
Carmelo Anthony NYK at IND ($7,900): Anthony is scorching-hot right now and his price hasn't quite risen enough to fade him. Not only is he averaging nearly 50 fantasy points across his last three games, he's scored at least 39 fantasy points in five of his last seven games. He's alrady shown the ability to kill the Pacers, having dropped 50 fantasy points against them just a few weeks back. This is the simple case of riding the hot hand and Anthony is playing too well not to use at under $8,000.
Al-Farouq Aminu, POR vs. DET ($4,800): Aminu has seen his price drop this season because of numerous injury issues, but he's starting to recapture the form that made him a $6,000 player last season. What makes him so good is his versatility and guarantee for 30-plus minutes. Not only is Aminu averaging over 32 minutes a game across his last eight games, he's provided at least six rebounds and two assists in all of those games, except for one. His last two games have been especially strong, as Aminu has a combined 60 fantasy points in that span. This matchup looks tough on the surface against a strong Detroit defense, but the Pistons are allowing the most fantasy points in the NBA to power forwards over their last five games.
Kent Bazemore, ATL at DAL ($3,900): Bazemore drives me crazy for DFS purposes, but his potential and role are too friendly to pass up. Over his last 10 games, Bazemore is averaging 30 minutes per game and should pick up more minutes with the impending trade of Kyle Korver. While he's really struggled in many of those games, he's scored over 22 fantasy points in five of his last nine contests. That isn't huge fantasy production, but it makes Bazemore a great value at just $3,900. A key to winning a tournament is finding that near-minimum-priced player who can provide 10X value, and there aren't many options as capable of Bazemore to accomplish that feat.
Andre Drummond, DET at POR ($7,900): Big men have been killing the Blazers all season and this looks like a good time for Drummond to feast. What makes them such a good matchup is their up-tempo play and terrible defense, as they rank dead-last in the NBA in defensive efficiency. The rebounds are where Drummond could provide huge value, though, as Portland is allowing over 15 boards per game to centers this season. Drummond comes into this game hot, averaging 16.4 points and 13.8 rebounds across his last eight games.
Mason Plumlee, POR vs. DET ($6,500): Facing Drummond is a tough task for any big man, but Plumlee is not your traditional center. That's what makes him so enticing, as Drummond will not come out of the paint to guard Plumlee. That means much of the offense may be run through Plumlee at the top of the key and he could be in for five-plus assists. That along with his double-double potential makes him an intriguing option, as he's the only center on this slate with triple-double potential. Plumlee is in the best stretch of his season too, scoring at least 25 fantasy points in six-straight games and at least 32 fantasy points in his last three outings. In addition, the Pistons are allowing the third-most fantasy points to centers across their last 10 games.
