This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Saturday's medium-sized NBA slate consists of seven games. Injuries have led to some players gaining value due to changes in rotation, and it's important to capitalize on those changes before prices adjust accordingly. Read on to find out who those players are, as well as the rest of the night's top plays:
GUARDS
Cory Joseph, TOR at MIL ($14): Joseph has played 33 minutes per game over the past five while averaging 22.6 fantasy points per outing over that span. Continuing to easily outperform his $14 price shouldn't be an issue for Toronto's new starting point guard in the wake of Kyle Lowry's right wrist injury. Milwaukee's strong defense at the point guard position will deter some owners, but Joseph's combination of role and affordability makes him a strong play nonetheless.
C.J. McCollum, POR vs. BKN ($31): Brooklyn has allowed the most fantasy points to shooting guards, and McCollum is primed to take advantage of this matchup after pouring in at least 17 points in 15 consecutive games. His usage will continue to stay high given the lack of alternatives besides Damian Lillard, and this game is unlikely to be a blowout with the Trail Blazers sporting an unimpressive 25-35 record. This is a straightforward case of capitalizing on a terrific matchup when it presents itself.
Guard to Avoid
Nicolas Batum, CHA at DEN ($33): Batum has struggled with his shot all season, and a recent slump has resulted in him topping 30.2 fantasy points just once in his past seven games. Even with a subpar Nuggets defense next on tap, his 39.6 percent mark from the field suggests Batum simply can't be trusted when he's going through a valley. Wait until he climbs back up to a shooting peak, then scoop the Frenchman up at the same price.
FORWARD
LeBron James, CLE at MIA ($54): James has topped 60.0 fantasy points in each of the first two games of Cleveland's road trip, and he will be motivated to continue that streak against the only other NBA team to have experienced his services. He costs just $1 more than Giannis Antetokounmpo and $6 above Jimmy Butler despite outscoring the two by 3.1 and 7.4 fantasy points per contest, respectively. James has offered the best bang for the buck among this group of elite small forwards all season, and that's unlikely to change now.
Marvin Williams, CHA at DEN ($15): Williams was already outperforming his value with ease even without the incoming additional minutes following Frank Kaminsky's shoulder injury. He has averaged 26.1 fantasy points per game over his past six while topping 36 minutes four times. Expect Williams' prominent role against a subpar Nuggets defense to carry him to another strong performance at a bargain price.
Forward to Avoid
Andrew Wiggins, MIN at SA ($38): Wiggins has depended mostly on scoring for his fantasy value, but that one-dimensional approach is unlikely to find success against defensive player of the year candidate Kawhi Leonard and the second-ranked Spurs defense. While his price has climbed due to recent success, Wiggins' play from throughout the season and tough matchup suggests he will fall well short of the increased expectations that come with the bump to $38.
CENTERS
Cody Zeller, CHA at DEN ($14):Frank Kaminsky's (shoulder) absence creates an opening for Zeller to play more minutes. The affordable big man posted 23.1 fantasy points in 24 minutes Thursday, and he is expected to get a playing time bump above 30 in the aftermath of Kaminsky going down. Denver allowing the third-most points to centers at 22.3 per game only further contributes to Zeller's strong value.
Marc Gasol, MEM at HOU ($34): Gasol has scored at least 43.8 fantasy points in half of his past six games and the offensively gifted center should be able to maintain that elite production against a Rockets team that has surrendered the third-most fantasy points to his position. His high usage rate suggests he's be given every opportunity to take advantage of this favorable matchup, as he has outplayed his price by 3.5 fantasy points per game this season.
Center to Avoid
DeAndre Jordan, LAC at CHI ($27): Jordan has come up short of 30.0 fantasy points in three of his past four games, and turning things around won't be easy against a Bulls team that has allowed the fourth-fewest rebounds per game to centers. Both Marc Gasol and Brook Lopez have much better matchups to exploit and can be had for just $2 and $7 more, respectively.
