This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Saturday's eight-game NBA slate should have plenty of implications for the draft lottery down the road, as 10 of the 16 teams in action find themselves outside the playoff picture. While many of those teams still have a chance to change their fate as the season progresses, the Trail Blazers and Jazz have especially juicy opportunities to gain in the standings as they face off against the bottom-dwelling 76ers and Lakers, respectively. While players from the two favorites have a high likelihood of success, there are good value plays to be found all across the NBA. The players listed below all fall under that category.
GUARD
Mario Chalmers, MEM vs. NYK ($14) - Fresh off a game-winning desperation heave against the Pistons, Chalmers is a can't-miss value facing the Knicks. Mike Conley (Achilles) still isn't practicing, which means more playing time for Chalmers, who has averaged 36.0 fantasy points while playing 39 minutes per game in five starts since Conley got hurt. Knicks starting point guard Jose Calderon exemplifies Walt "Clyde" Frazier's term "matador defense," so expect his Grizzlies counterpart to blow by him with ease all night. At $14, Chalmers could deliver just two-thirds of the fantasy points he has been over the last five games and would still be an excellent investment.
Damian Lillard, POR at PHI ($41) - Lillard has a number of factors working to his advantage. First off, he'll be facing the league's worst team and 26th-ranked defense. Secondly, he has been on a tear of late with averages of 28.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 9.5 assists, 2.0 steals, 1.0 blocks and 5.0 3-pointers per game over his last four heading into this weekend's back-to-back set. Add in the fact that he has topped 40.0 fantasy points in each of his six previous appearances in second games of a back-to-back this season, and all signs point to Lillard delivering great value even at his lofty price tag.
Guard to Avoid:
Klay Thompson, GS at DET ($36) - Thompson is a terrific overall shooter, but he is known to be a bit streaky. After being held below 20 points for the fourth straight game Thursday following five straight performances over 25, it's safe to say Thompson is in the midst of a cold spell. Considering he's averaging just 3.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 0.5 steals and 0.8 blocks per game this season, Thompson doesn't bring much to the table when his shot isn't falling. Detroit's defense allows the third-fewest three-pointers per game (say that three times fast), so chances are the long-range sniper won't rediscover his stroke Saturday.
Others to Avoid: Rajon Rondo ($41), Nicolas Batum ($32), Avery Bradley ($24), Darren Collison ($21), Brandon Jennings ($21)
FORWARD
Derrick Williams, NYK at MEM ($11) - Williams took advantage of Carmelo Anthony's (ankle) absence Wednesday, tying a career-high with 31 points in 32 minutes against the Nets. While Anthony says he'll probably be ready to play Saturday, power forward Kristaps Porzingis (shoulder) is questionable for the contest, and New York's 21st-ranked offense will be in major need of Williams' scoring ability should either end up out or limited. The second overall pick from the 2011 draft has been defined by inconsistency in his career, but the tantalizing upside of big minutes and a heavy offensive burden is too much to pass up for just $11.
Trey Lyles, UTA vs. LAL ($10) - There are a lot of players priced at or near the minimum listed, but ignore them at your own peril. Lyles scored a career-high 19 points Thursday against the Kings, and he should see even more playing time with Derrick Favors (back, hip) still not ready to return, and now Trevor Booker also out after suffering a concussion. The rookie had already been showing major progress with an average of 22.2 fantasy points per game over his last five, and more minutes will only lead to even better results.
Forward to Avoid:
Kobe Bryant, LAL at UTA ($27) - Bryant (Achilles) looked far from healthy Thursday against Golden State, scoring just eight points in 27 minutes. The Jazz allow almost six fewer points per game than the defending champs, meaning Kobe will have his work cut out for him even if he's slightly healthier. He has only managed to top 30.0 fantasy points twice in his last nine appearances, so odds are Bryant won't outplay his price tag significantly, if at all.
Others to Avoid: Omri Casspi ($28), Kent Bazemore ($27), Andre Iguodala ($21), Marvin Williams ($18)
CENTER
Greg Monroe, MIL vs. CHA ($28) - Monroe has recorded double-digit boards in nine of his last 11 games heading into the weekend, and he now gets to face a Charlotte team that allows opponents to grab the 10th-most rebounds per game and is missing starting center Al Jefferson. Since he's managed to outproduce his salary in fantasy points during seven of the last eight games despite facing stiffer competition, it's not hard to imagine Monroe once again doing so against the 12th-place Hornets. His 17-point, 10-rebound double-double against them on Nov. 29 set a good precedent for what to expect out of the big man Saturday.
Center to Avoid:
Jared Sullinger, BOS at WAS ($20) - Sullinger scored just four points and once again played only 20 minutes despite drawing a start against the Pacers on Wednesday. His 20-minute average in January matches his salary, while his 5.9 rebounds per game in that span mark a distinct drop-off from his season mark of 8.7. This man has resorted to spewing utter gibberish of late, blaming analytics and an increase in 3-pointers for his inability to put the ball in the basket, even though his scoring average has plummeted from 13.3 over the last two years to single digits despite actually attempting 1.5 fewer threes per game and making them at an identical rate. It doesn't take extensive analytics knowledge to see that the disgruntled Sullinger isn't worth $20 in his current state.
Others to Avoid: DeAndre Jordan ($37), Rudy Gobert ($25), Kelly Olynyk ($16)
