This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Saturday's evening NBA slate features seven games. Many of the teams in action are still getting acclimated to rotation alterations following the trade deadline, highlighted by a battle of centers in new places between New Orleans' DeMarcus Cousins and Dallas' Nerlens Noel. Those two aren't the only players whose values were affected by recent moves, as is reflected in the value plays below.
GUARDS
Tyler Johnson, MIA vs. IND ($19): Johnson was putting up big numbers in heavy minutes heading into the All-Star break, averaging 28.7 fantasy points and 16.0 points in 33 minutes per game over his last four. Continuing that offensive success shouldn't be difficult against a Pacers defense that has surrendered 106.4 points per contest. Johnson's combination of role and ability justifies a higher price.
Dwyane Wade, CHI at CLE ($29): Wade's 4.1-point difference between average fantasy production and salary is tops among guards priced at least $25, and you can expect a strong performance out of him against LeBron James and the Cavaliers. Jimmy Butler will be expending much of his energy trying to limit James on the other end, which will leave Wade with plenty of offensive usage against a team that has allowed the seventh-most fantasy points to shooting guards. The former Heat star will also be well-rested in just his second game since Feb. 10, allowing for maximum explosiveness out of his 35-year-old legs.
Guard to Avoid
Jrue Holiday, NO at DAL ($36): One game isn't a convincing sample size, but Holiday failed to acclimate in Cousins' Pelicans debut with just 15.8 fantasy points in 35 minutes. Bouncing back will be difficult against a Mavericks team that has allowed the fewest fantasy points to point guards. This is about as bad a time to use Holiday as there has been all season.
FORWARDS
Robert Covington, PHI at NYK ($25):Ersan Ilyasova's move to Atlanta creates an opening at the power forward position for Covington to exploit in addition to his production at small forward. Covington's contributions in the hustle stats have already made him a strong fantasy asset, and those should only grow with more playing time available. The fourth-year forward has outplayed his $25 price with 36.9 fantasy points per game in his past eight appearances, and a date with a Knicks team that has allowed the eighth-most fantasy points per game to forwards presents a perfect opportunity for Covington to keep the good times rolling.
Nerlens Noel, DAL vs. NO ($16): Noel didn't play Friday, but he will be a tremendous value once he finally makes his Mavericks debut. The 22-year-old big man's price doesn't yet account for his new role, which is expected to bring plenty of playing time for a team that had been starting Dirk Nowitzki at the five. He averaged 31.6 fantasy points in 30 minutes per game over his final three appearances with the 76ers, and should have no problem carrying that momentum over to Dallas against a Pelicans team that has allowed the fifth-most fantasy points per game to both power forwards and centers.
Forward to Avoid
Kevin Durant, GS vs. BKN ($52): This may look like an amazing opportunity for Durant on paper, but he is likely to yield disappointing results in reality. His last eight meetings with teams currently not holding a playoff position have yielded an average of just 43.2 fantasy points per game without a single performance of at least 50.0. The reason for Durant's relative ineffectiveness in such games is Golden State's tendency to pull away from these opponents early and limit his usage and playing time for rest. A home game against the worst team in the league is the perfect candidate to be a lopsided affair that doesn't require many contributions from Durant.
CENTER
Myles Turner, IND at MIA ($22): Turner chipped in over 30.0 fantasy points in three of his last four appearances before the All-Star break, which is no surprise considering he has averaged 30.3 per contest this season. His $22 price represents a massive bargain for a player who has consistently achieved so much success, and another strong effort is likely against a Heat team that has surrendered above-average fantasy production to the center position. The second-year big man has been a perennially strong value this season, and he is worth a long look every time he faces any but the stingiest of defenses.
Nikola Vucevic, ORL vs. ATL ($28): Vucevic has averaged 36.4 fantasy points per game over his past six, including 32.7 per contest in two appearances since Serge Ibaka was dealt to Toronto. Ibaka's absence should create more space for Vucevic to operate inside, leading to better rebounding numbers. The Montenegrin big man has also seen his scoring average jump up to 20.5 points per game since the Ibaka deal, and he should be able to get his stats even if the sliding Magic are unable to pull out a victory.
Center to Avoid
Clint Capela, HOU vs. MIN ($19): Capela is going to have his work cut out for him against Karl-Anthony Towns and the Timberwolves. Much of his value comes from success on the boards for a perimeter-oriented offense, but Minnesota has been among the 10 most effective units in keeping centers off the glass. With under 19 minutes of playing time in each of his past three contests, Capela can't afford to have his value mitigated any more than it already is.
