This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
This Saturday slate is one of the largest of the season, as there are 12 games in total. We'll focusing on the final nine games of the night, as the three day games will not be a part of the main FanDuel schedule.
What's especially interesting about this schedule are the abundance of teams playing in back-to-backs. Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas, Denver, Golden State, Milwaukee, Minnesota, Orlando Sacramento, Toronto and Washington are playing the second of back-to-back sets. That helps experienced DFS players, as there will be numerous developments in terms of minute allocations, rotations and resting players. Keeping an eye on those things is so big in these circumstances, and that will be the difference in this slate.
Bradley Beal, WSH at POR ($7,600): Beal has brought his game to another level in this long run by the Wizards, as he's established himself as one of the best scorers in the NBA. Not only does Beal have at least 32 fantasy points in nine consecutive games, he's averaging that same number for the season. It's the matchup that makes Beal especially attractive with Portland ranking 26th in defensive efficiency. Look for these two dominant backcourts to go off on one another, as John Wall, Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum should all have big games as well.
Darren Collison, SAC vs. DEN ($5,400): Collison hasn't quite been as dominant as fantasy owners hoped when DeMarcus Cousins was traded, but he still has a great opportunity. In his last 13 games, Collison averaged 28 fantasy points a game, a great value for a $5,400 player. It's his role that's really changed, as he regularly plays 35 minutes and should lead the team in usage more often than not. The matchup is the icing on the cake, as Denver allows the second-most fantasy points to point guards this season, ranking last in defensive efficiency.
Yogi Ferrell, DAL vs PHX ($5,200): Ferrell has been great since taking over starting point guard in Dallas, as he continues to be a DFS value. The Indiana product is averages 25 fantasy points a game as the starter and should benefit from this matchup. Phoenix allows the third-most fantasy points to point guards, while ranking 27th in defensive efficiency. This is also a back-to-back, so it's possible Dirk Nowitzki or Wesley Matthews rests, which would only give Ferrell more usage in such a promising matchup.
Al-Farouq Aminu, POR vs. WSH ($5,200): This price really doesn't make any sense, as Aminu has played great ball since returning from injury a few weeks ago. He has scored at least 26 fantasy points in seven of his last nine games, despite struggling to shoot. That's what makes him so good, as he provides value through rebounds, steals and blocks more than most. This is a matchup Aminu can exploit too, with Washington allowing the fifth-most fantasy points to power forwards this season.
Marquese Chriss, PHX at DAL ($4,600): Chriss is one of the league's best rookies and is finally becoming useful for DFS. In his last nine games, Chriss posted at least 18 fantasy points eight times, while scoring at least 28 fantasy points four times in that stretch. That's not monster production, but it's huge upside for a player less than $5,000. Power forward is also a weak spot for Dallas, as it likely will play an undersized Harrison Barnes at the position.
Terrence Ross, ORL vs. CLE ($4,500): It's clear Orlando wants to use Ross as much as possible since the Serge Ibaka trade, and he's playing some of the best ball of his career for his new team. While the last three games have been disappointing, he's shown his potential. Ross averaged 28 fantasy points a game in his first five games with Orlando prior to his poor three-game stretch, and that sort of upside is hard to pass up at this price. Cleveland have really struggled covering small forwards too, allowing the fourth-most fantasy points against them this season.
Jusuf Nurkic, POR vs. WSH ($6,800): Nurkic has been a freak since being traded to Portland and he's hard to fade now. Since being acquired by the Blazers, Nurkic is averaging nearly 38 fantasy points a game, as he dropped an incredible 77 fantasy points in his most recent game. That likely won't happen again, but that's way too much upside to pass up for a player south of $7,000. Washington has struggled against centers recently too, allowing the sixth-most fantasy points against them in heir last 10 games.
Bismack Biyombo, ORL vs. CLE ($4,900): Biyombo has been a nice fill-in for Nikola Vucevic and continues to be a great option as long as Vucevic misses games. Not only has Biyombo surpassed 20 fantasy points in four of his last six games, he's playing big minutes. Biyombo averaged 35 minutes in his last four games, as he's the only reliable center on this roster with Vucevic out. Cleveland is a great matchup too, ranking last in defensive efficiency in their last 10 games. All that said, Biyombo is off-limits if Vucevic returns from injury.
Kosta Koufos, SAC vs. DEN ($4,400): Koufos has quietly been putting in work in the absence of DeMarcus Cousins, as he's playing some inspired ball. Not only does he have at least 21 fantasy points in four straight games, Koufos is averaging nearly 30 minutes a game in that span. This matchup may be the most intriguing part of this play, though, with Denver ranking last in defensive efficiency. At just $4,400, there may be no better bet for a double-double from a player less than $5,000 than Koufos.
