FanDuel NBA: Saturday Value Plays

Saturday has seven games on the slate, allowing more opportunities for owners to take advantage of without having to sift through an exhausting list of options. Additionally, there are a few vulnerable defenses playing that FanDuel players can take advantage of. Combine that with some individual hot streaks, and there are plenty of value plays this Saturday.

Saturday Value Plays

Point Guard

Ramon Sessions, SAC, $3,500 – Recent news that Darren Collison is ailing from a strained hip flexor creates a great opportunity for Ramon Sessions to step into the starting lineup. Utah has had an efficient season on the defensive side thus far; however, they are in the middle of experimenting with rookie Dante Exum in the starting lineup. Utah is allowing the second highest three-point percentage to opposing teams this season as well, creating some potential bonus value for Sessions. Plus, going with Sessions also allows you to spend more on other positions.

Damian Lillard, POR, $8,600 – Lillard finds himself with a very favorable matchup against Dallas, who's currently playing without Rajon Rondo (face). Dallas is also giving up the 10th most points to opposing teams and is tied for the second most three-pointers allowed this season. John Wall could've also easily been here, but Lillard is $600 cheaper. Additionally, he's averaging 36.8 FanDuel points over his last four games, a pace he should maintain this Saturday.

Shooting Guard

Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL, $6,400 – Antetokounmpo has been on fire lately. Fresh off a 50 FanDuel point trip to Houston, he's averaging a healthy 40.5 points over his last three games. Boston is allowing the sixth most points to opposing teams this season, while they're hanging around the middle of the pack in categorical defense. At an affordable price like this, he looks like a good play to bet that he stays hot.

Wesley Matthews, POR, $5,900 – Matthews is a player who can light up the scoreboard when his shot's connecting on any given night. It's a plus that Dallas is the type of team he normally feasts upon. As previously mentioned, Dallas is giving up the 10th most points to opposing teams and is tied for the second most three-pointers allowed this season. He's also playing solid ball right now, averaging 30 FanDuel points a game, putting him above his season average thus far this season. At only $5,900, there aren't many reasons to not like Matthews as an option for Saturday.

Small Forward

Gerald Henderson, CHA, $5,300 – Henderson is listed at small forward on FanDuel, but he'll likely be playing plenty of minutes at shooting guard with Lance Stephenson battling knee tendinitis. Philadelphia has been playing slightly better basketball lately, but they're still allowing the ninth most points to opposing teams this season. Henderson doesn't do much more than score the ball, but at a very affordable price, he's worth the cost to see if he can work around K.J McDaniels and Nerlens Noel to get to the rim.

Gordon Hayward, UTA, $8,100 – Hayward is on a roll right now, averaging 38.9 FanDuel points per game over the last four outings. He's also playing a Sacramento team that is allowing the fourth most points, the fourth most steals, and the sixth most three-pointers to opposing teams this season. Put simply, there are so many ways for Hayward to exploit Sacramento on Saturday that it makes him the closest thing to a lock among the available options. If you could take any piece of advice from this article, make sure Hayward is in your lineup on Saturday, and you won't be disappointed.

Power Forward

John Henson, MIL, $5,100 – Henson is in a great position to succeed on Saturday as the Celtics are tied for giving up the eighth most blocks to opposing teams this season. He's also averaging 27.3 FanDuel points since being moved into a bigger role due to injuries. He should be able to score double-digit points and effectively rebound, which when added with his block potential can make him a 25 point play, with upside to do more.

Derrick Favors, UTA, $7,200 – Favors comes into Saturday matched against Sacramento, who's allowing the fourth most points and the fourth most turnovers this season. He's averaging 30 FD points per game as well, which he's been able to do without putting up huge rebounding totals. Jared Sullinger is another interesting name here for his recent play after becoming the featured scorer in Boston. However, Milwaukee presents a matchup that isn't ideal. Although the Bucks may be vulnerable because they're thin at the moment. Favors seems like the safer option, but both are capable of paying off as long as Sullinger isn't slowed down by traffic.

Center

Al Jefferson, CHA, $8,000 – Jefferson is still listed below his normal value because it's only his eighth game back from injury. This creates an ideal opportunity for a player that has the advantage of playing a defense that is giving up the most rebounds to opposing teams and is tied for allowing the ninth most points this season. Jefferson may have some difficulties working against Nerlens Noel, but with Charlotte dealing with injuries to Lance Stephenson, Bismack Biyombo, and Kemba Walker, it looks like Jefferson is going to play a bigger role while his team recovers. Getting a player that is going to shoulder most of the offensive load with Jefferson's history is a bargain at this price.