This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Saturday's seven-game NBA slate kicks off with a 3:30 p.m. EST tilt between the Hornets and Clippers, and lasts until the conclusion of the 10:00 p.m. Warriors-Kings contest. The Raptors are in prime position to take advantage against the lesser 76ers defense, as are the aforementioned Warriors in Sacramento, but don't sleep on some of the other top individual talents in action.
GUARD
Jimmy Butler, CHI at ATL ($41) - Butler has followed a recent scoring binge by putting up a career-high 10 assists in back-to-back contests, demonstrating his ability to provide fantasy value in a variety of ways. Overall, Chicago's starting shooting guard is averaging 28.8 points and 7.0 assists per game over his last five. Considering he has 91.9 fantasy points in two games since point guard Derrick Rose rejoined the lineup, there's no indication that Butler is going to slow down any time soon.
Garrett Temple, WAS at ORL ($12) - Temple has seen a major increase in role since Bradley Beal went down with a leg injury in December, topping 19.0 fantasy points seven times in his last nine games. With four performances over 28.0 fantasy points in that span, Temple is an excellent upside option for the very reasonable price of $12.
Guard to Avoid
Rajon Rondo, SAC vs. GS ($41) - Rondo has just 31.4 fantasy points in his last two meetings with the Warriors, as Golden State's elite defense has limited him to just 11 total points and nine assists in those games. While he should be able to top those numbers Saturday, Rondo's recent results against the Warriors indicate that living up to his $41 price will be an uphill climb. Add in the fact that Rondo missed Wednesday's game with a mysterious back injury, and he's far from an appetizing option.
Others to Avoid: Dwyane Wade ($30), Trey Burke ($21), Darren Collison ($21), Derrick Rose ($21)
FORWARD
Thaddeus Young, BKN at DET ($36) - Young averaged a robust 17.0 points and 11.0 rebounds per game in his first two appearances since Jarrett Jack went down for the season with an ACL injury, as less ball-dominant point guards Shane Larkin and Donald Sloan have given the forward a slightly more involved role in the offense. Scoring and rebounding are far from the only fantasy-friendly qualities Young brings to the table, though, as he has recorded at least one steal in every game since Dec. 6. It's hard to go wrong with the well-rounded veteran, especially facing a Detroit team that he had a double-double against on Nov. 29.
Taj Gibson, CHI at ATL ($18) - Since Gibson took over for an injured Joakim Noah (shoulder) nine games ago, the Bulls' offense has scored at least 100 points every time. The seventh-year forward out of USC has been an integral part of that offensive resurgence, averaging 9.1 points, 9.4 boards and 1.7 blocks per game in that span. While Gibson's value could be diminished if Noah is able to play Saturday, he's an absolute no-brainer if the latter isn't ready to reenter the lineup.
Forward to Avoid
Marvin Williams, CHA at LAC ($20) - While teammate Frank Kaminsky has been struggling even more mightily, Williams has hardly impressed recently with just two games over 20.0 fantasy points in his last eight appearances. With an average of just 8.5 points per game since center Al Jefferson went down with a knee injury, the stretch-four appears to be missing the space provided by the offensively-gifted big man. Although his playing time is safe, Williams hasn't been doing enough with it to earn a spot in lineups lately.
Others to Avoid: Tobias Harris ($28), Harrison Barnes ($23), Andre Iguodala ($21), Luis Scola ($18), Frank Kaminsky ($13)
CENTER
Cody Zeller, CHA at LAC ($13) - Zeller has quietly impressed since Al Jefferson went down with a knee injury on Dec. 28, averaging 11.8 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game in six appearances. The third-year center is locked into north of 30 minutes per game with Jefferson out for roughly six more weeks, and he should continue to put up solid stats with nothing standing between him and continued extensive playing time. At just $3 above the minimum, Zeller makes for an excellent value play in his current role.
Center to Avoid:
Hassan Whiteside, MIA at UTA ($33) - Whiteside intends to play through right knee tendinitis, but the center's reduced effectiveness isn't reflected in his lofty price. He managed just 17.1 fantasy points Wednesday against the Knicks, showing that he's clearly limited by the injury. Avoid Whiteside until he shows a return to pre-injury form.
Others to Avoid: Rudy Gobert ($27), Jahlil Okafor ($26), Bismack Biyombo ($16)
