This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Saturday's slate provides some interesting matchups. In a battle of weaknesses, the Lakers' defense rates as one of the worst in the league, and they face off against the almost equally anemic Grizzlies offense. The best offense in action is the Warriors, and they face off against a very weak Suns defense.
GUARDS
Goran Dragic, MIA at POR ($30): Picking on the Blazers in fantasy is often a good idea. They have the worst defense in the league over the past 10 games, and they run at the fourth-fastest pace. Additionally, Dragic has been great since Dion Waiters (groin) has been out, averaging 42.7 fantasy points, 23.3 points, and 10.0 assists per game over the last three.
Nik Stauskas, PHI vs. BOS ($10): Stauskas has extended his streak of hitting at least two three pointers to eight games. If he continues his streak, then right there, in those two shots, he has already earned eight fantasy points. At that point, two more of anything – points, rebounds, assists, doesn't matter – and he is profitable in your lineup. He is averaging 10.3 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game, so he stands a pretty good chance of getting you at least those two more somethings you need. His streak with at least one three pointer extends 15 games, and he is averaging 11.3 points and 3.3 assists per game over his last four.
Other suggestions: Dennis Schroder, ATL at TOR ($23); Troy Daniels, MEM vs. LAL ($10); Cory Joseph, TOR vs. ATL ($10)
Guard to Avoid
Jamal Murray, DEN at UTA ($13): Murray was hot for about a week, scoring at least 18 points and 29 fantasy points in four straight games – an excellent profit for daily managers. He cooled off slightly in his last two, posting nine points in consecutive games, but e still managed to net a small daily profit with 16.3 and 18.6 fantasy points. On Saturday, however, there is a lot working against Murray, and therefore no reason to expect him to return to last week's form. With Will Barton (ankle) finally back in the lineup, Murray figures to see a cut in his workload. Additionally, the Jazz are slow-paced and sport an above-average defense.
FORWARDS
Gordon Hayward, UTA vs. DEN ($34): Typically speaking, I try to avoid players in their first game after one of the best outings of the season. However, while Hayward had an excellent Thursday – breaking 50 fantasy points for the first time while setting a season-high for points and matching his second-best assist total – it was within range for the numbers he has been producing all season. Saturday, he takes on a Nuggets squad that allows tons of points, rebounds and fantasy points, and Hayward's price is slightly better than fair.
Larry Nance, LAL at MEM ($12): For starters, it's rarely a bad idea to start a player whose average fantasy points per game, in this case 19.4, is 50 percent higher than his salary. That's a lot of profit. Before Friday's game, Nance had beaten his season average in points (7.7) and fantasy points four games in a row. The Grizzlies have played well this year, but the injuries are piling up, as they are now without Mike Conley, Zach Randolph, Chandler Parsons, James Ennis and Vince Carter. Due to all the injuries, Nance will probably spend most of his time matching up with Jarell Martin, which is not exactly an intimidating opponent. Though I expect Nance to get the better of Martin, Martin is also listed below as an "other suggestion" because of his low salary and expected large minutes due all of the Grizzlies' absences.
Other suggestions: Maurice Harkless, POR vs. MIA ($19); James Johnson, MIA at POR ($12); Jarell Martin, MEM vs. LAL ($10)
Forward to Avoid
Andrew Wiggins, MIN at CHA ($31): Wiggins is in a slump, scoring more than 20 points only once in his past six games while reaching 30 fantasy points twice in that span. He has played at least 30 minutes in every one of those games but he just isn't producing. The Hornets are a slightly better than average defense, and they allow the fourth-least rebounds per game to small forwards, and rebounds make up a meaningful portion of Wiggins' fantasy value.
CENTERS
Brook Lopez, BKN at MIL ($27): Lopez is unlikely to make a winning lineup on his own, but his floor is rock hard and he comes at an attractive price. Since the start of November, Lopez has only scored fewer than 26 fantasy points once, and that was Nov. 4. In that time, he also has at least one three-pointer in every game and is averaging 2.6 per outing. He also has at least two assists in nine straight games. He only has three games when he has scored more than 38 fantasy points, so there is not a ton of upside, but the stable baseline is high enough that he is a worthwhile addition to a lineup.
Mike Muscala, ATL at TOR ($10): Muscala struggled in his first start in place of Paul Millsap (hip), but I am not deterred – if Millsap is out again Saturday, and he missed Friday's game, then I'm going with Muscala. Any time you can have a minimum salary player receiving starter's minutes, the opportunity is almost too good to pass up. Though Muscala has had some off games, he is a capable scorer with a solid jump shot and the ability to chip in occasional assists, steals and blocks. The Raptors' defense has been dreadful lately, allowing the fourth-most points per possession in the league over the past 10 games.
Other suggestions: Tyson Chandler, PHO at GS ($15); Rudy Gobert, UTA vs. DEN ($27)
Center to Avoid
Jonas Valanciunas, TOR vs. ATL ($24): The Hawks have been one of the most efficient defenses in the league this season, allowing the fifth-fewest points per possession and the 10th-worst opponent field goal percentage over their past 10 games. The loss of Paul Millsap hurts a little, but Valanciunas will spend his time matched up with the still-healthy Dwight Howard. Valanciunas has not played well lately, failing to reach 20 fantasy points in three of his past four games. In that span, he is averaging only 9.0 points and 7.0 rebounds per game, both below his season averages of 13.6 and 9.8, respectively.
