This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Saturday's NBA slate features seven games. While Kevin Durant's third meeting with his former team will grab many of the headlines, the night's fantasy implications extend well beyond the Warriors-Thunder showdown. Whether it's due to matchup, opportunity or another reason, the guys below all are in strong positions to finish among the night's top values:
GUARDS
Wayne Ellington, MIA at PHI ($10): Ellington has exceeded 20.0 fantasy points in each of the last seven games when he's played at least 27 minutes. He topped both of those marks with Dion Waiters (ankle) out Wednesday against the Bucks, yet remains available for the minimum price. If Waiters remains sidelined, Ellington should once again have no problem piling up points and 3-pointers as the starting shooting guard against a 76ers defense that has surrendered 106.7 points per game.
Devin Booker, PHO vs. HOU ($30): Booker should have no problem piling up value against a Rockets team that has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points per game to shooting guards. The 20-year-old has poured in at least 20 points in 18 of the past 19 games en route to 25.4 points per game average while chipping in just enough secondary stats to comfortably outplay his $30 value over that span. Keeping the good times rolling shouldn't be difficult for the continually improving guard considering this game projects to be the highest-scoring of the night with an over/under of 231.5.
Guard to Avoid
Isaiah Thomas, BOS at UTA ($50): Even if George Hill (toe) can't play, Utah's stout defense is still likely to clamp down on Thomas. The diminutive guard's value lies primarily in points and assists, which will both be hard to come by against a defense that has been the stingiest in the league by over three points per game. Thomas has only managed to live up to his $50 value in five of the past 18 games, so his chances of doing so in the toughest possible matchup are minimal.
FORWARDS
Derrick Favors, UTA vs. BOS ($15): Favors has heated up over the past three games, playing 28 minutes and averaging 29.9 fantasy points per contest. He has underwhelmed for most of the season, but these recent increases in role and production could be the beginning of a turnaround. Boston ranks among the seven worst teams in both rebounding margin and rebounds allowed per game, plus the Celtics have allowed the seventh-most points to power forwards. Favors' recent success and enticing matchup make him hard to turn down at just $15.
Kevin Durant, GS at OKC ($51): Maybe Durant's 59.7 fantasy points per game through two meetings with the Thunder are a product of extra motivation against his old team, or maybe that production has more to do with facing a defense that has allowed small forwards to top league average in both fantasy points and points scored. Either way, the Golden State game plan has called for a lot of volume for the small forward in those two games, with fellow stars Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson averaging just 38.5 points per game combined while using much of their energy to defend Russell Westbrook on the perimeter. Durant's 14 made field goals per game against the Thunder are his most against any opponent this season, and his expected volume should have him firmly in the running for the night's top fantasy performer.
Forward to Avoid
Ersan Ilyasova, PHI vs. MIA ($24): There are multiple compelling reasons to stay away from Ilyasova: he was listed on the injury report with a hip problem before Thursday's win over the Magic, and took a hard fall on that same hip late in the game following a 4-16 shooting performance. He is averaging just 10.0 points per game in his last three, giving the 76ers even more reason to start allocating more of his minutes to promising rookie Dario Saric. Plus, this is a rough matchup with a Heat defense that has been the fifth-stingiest against power forwards this season and third-toughest over the past 10 games.
CENTERS
Dirk Nowitzki, DAL vs. ORL ($16): Orlando has allowed the ninth-most fantasy points to centers this season, and Dirk should be in for another strong performance after piling up 74.9 fantasy points in his past two games. The ageless German will be fresh coming off a day off, and thus capable of handling another heavy minutes load after averaging 33.5 during this scorching stretch.
Nikola Jokic, DEN at CLE ($38): Jokic has played at least 32 minutes five times in the past seven games while topping 50.0 fantasy points four times over that span. His upside is unmatched at the center position, especially now that he is back to seeing his full complement of minutes following a hip injury. Expect Jokic's range to play a key role against a Cavaliers defense that has allowed the fourth-most 3-pointers per game to centers.
Center to Avoid
Greg Monroe, MIL at IND ($17): Monroe has struggled over the past five games, averaging 18.6 fantasy points while playing fewer than 19 minutes per contest. It's best to holster Monroe until he starts trending in the right direction, especially against a Pacers team that has won four straight at home. The equally-priced Clint Capela is a significantly more appealing option at center.
