This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Saturday's NBA slate features only five games, but there should be plenty of explosive performances to go around with three of the league's five worst defensive teams in action. Expect members of the Thunder, Clippers and Hornets to be targeted heavily due to their cushy matchups against the Lakers, Rockets, and Wizards, respectively, but don't sleep on the other two games when searching for value. While opponents tend to play a large role in DFS, it's also important to consider other factors like injuries, role and momentum as you select your team. Taking all of those variables into account, these are some of the top values available:
GUARD
J.J. Redick, LAC at HOU ($15) - Redick's price hasn't returned to its pre-injury status, despite the sharpshooter seeing his full complement of minutes and thriving offensively over the last few games. He put up 24.9 fantasy points in a mundane performance against this same Houston team on Nov. 7, but it's safe to say that number should be looked at as closer to Redick's floor based on his recent production. The former Duke Blue Devil has feasted on weaker competition to the tune of a 31.2 fantasy-point average in three games against sub-.500 opponents since Dec. 9, making him an absolute steal at just $15 in this situation.
Gary Neal, WAS vs. CHA ($11) - Don't let Neal's struggles against the Spurs on Wednesday deter you, as San Antonio's vaunted defensive unit has been shutting guys down all season. The shooting guard is back in a much more reasonable matchup against the Hornets on Saturday and should see plenty of run as the team's starting shooting guard with Bradley Beal (leg) still out. Neal dropped 24 points en route to a 29.9 fantasy-point effort as a starter Monday in Memphis, and he could be asked to carry an even heavier scoring load from the perimeter with Otto Porter (thigh) listed as a game-time decision. Even if he doesn't go off, Neal should still be able to return good value at just a dollar above the minimum.
Guard to Avoid:
Jamal Crawford, LAC at HOU ($16) - Crawford's production has dropped precipitously with the returns of Chris Paul and J.J. Redick from injury, as the inefficient veteran simply isn't asked to do much with those two in the lineup. With games of 4.0 and 4.5 fantasy points among his last five appearances, Crawford has provided plenty of incentive for fantasy owners to follow in the tracks of Clippers head coach Doc Rivers and cut his playing time. The matchup against Houston is a good one, but you can get the much more productive Redick for less.
Others to Avoid: Mike Conley, MEM vs. IND ($27), Monta Ellis, IND at MEM ($25), Derrick Rose, CHI at NYK ($25), George Hill, IND at MEM ($24)
FORWARD
Carmelo Anthony, NYK vs. CHI ($37) - Anthony's newfound commitment to non-scoring stats following a disastrous performance in Utah has led to his most productive fantasy stretch of the season, though the veteran forward also proved his offensive touch is still there by dropping 37 against Portland last Saturday. Melo isn't used to flying under the radar in New York, but that's exactly where he finds himself with rookie phenom Kristaps Porzingis hogging all the media attention. Don't be surprised when Anthony continues to take advantage by posting yet another diverse box score against a Bulls team currently rolling out Doug McDermott at small forward.
Jared Dudley, WAS vs. CHA ($12) - As was alluded to in the Gary Neal segment, someone's gotta score the ball for the Wizards with Bradley Beal and Otto Porter both potentially out, and Dudley is criminally underpriced following a dud against San Antonio's top-ranked defense Wednesday. Head coach Randy Wittman limited Dudley's playing time in that game due to concerns over defending bully power forwards LaMarcus Aldridge and David West, but a matchup against stretch-four Marvin Williams is right up Dudley's alley. Dudley had averaged 22.6 fantasy points while reaching at least 18.9 in each of his previous five games prior to Wednesday, so he should once again make for a solid high-floor option at just $12.
Forward to Avoid
Kevin Durant, OKC vs. LAL ($52) - Durant is great, but it's going to be tough for him to live up to his price as the most expensive forward considering he hasn't topped 50.0 fantasy points in any of his last four appearances. While a date with the Lakers' abominable defense might seem like a good time for Durant to break that streak, there will most likely be too many possessions where point guard Russell Westbrook brings the ball up the floor and elects not to pass because he can just blow by his man with such ease. By the time Westbrook feels the need to share with Durant, the Thunder's lead will probably be big enough that the two will just be rested for the rest of the game, anyway. There are just too many red flags to justify spending so much on Durant on this particular occasion.
Others to Avoid: Kristaps Porzingis, NYK vs. CHI ($36), Zach Randolph, MEM v. IND ($26), Trevor Ariza, HOU vs. LAC ($21), Donatas Motiejunas, HOU vs. LAC ($16)
CENTER
Marc Gasol, MEM vs. IND ($33) - Gasol has long since found his footing following a slow start to the season, and he is averaging north of 36.0 fantasy points per game in December. That number would put him at the top of the scoring list as far as centers in action Saturday go, and the way he accrues those points makes the younger Gasol brother virtually matchup-proof. With averages of 7.8 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game, the versatile veteran is able to contribute even when his shot isn't falling, so there's no need to worry that counterpart Ian Mahinmi and Indiana's above-average defense have a puncher's chance of slowing down the big man's post game.
Center to Avoid
Joakim Noah, CHI at NYK ($17) - While he's generally trending up of late, the injury-prone Noah has been ineffective on the second day of back-to-backs, logging just 14.2 and 23.6 fantasy points on the two occasions when he's been faced with such situations. His recent resurgence could also partially be a product of playing in front of a charged-up home crowd, and his four single-digit fantasy-point performances in eight road games this season support that notion. The combination of the fatigue factor and his road struggles make Noah far from an ideal choice Saturday at Madison Square Garden.
Others to Avoid: Dwight Howard, HOU vs. LAC ($33), Ian Mahinmi, IND at MEM ($16), Enes Kanter, OKC vs. LAL ($14)
