This article is part of our FantasyDraft NBA series.
Saturday evening's compact four-game slate makes it particularly important to use your salary and roster flexibility wisely. While there are a few big names on the slate, the X-factor is LeBron James' eye injury, which could cause him to sit and also would have a domino effect on several other players. FantasyDraft's unique roster construction offers you the flexibility to maximize your exposure, so let's dive in to where you might best allocate your resources:
GUARDS
Damian Lillard, CLE at LAL ($16,800): John Wall ($17,800) is in an excellent matchup against the Cavs and Kyrie Irving, but is once again on a third game in four nights, and so there's a bit of hesitation as to whether that's eventually going to catch up to him. Meanwhile, Lillard has scored between 47.50 and 62.75 fantasy points in his last three games and faces a Timberwolves team on the second game of a back-to-back that just gave up 130 points to the Lakers on Friday night. They've also given up a robust 50.5 fantasy points per game to point guards on the season, along with the sixth-most assists (8.9).
Bradley Beal, WAS at CLE ($14,200): Ricky Rubio ($14,300) also makes for a solid pivot just $100 above Beal after another night of massive production against the Lakers on Friday, but Beal has been playing terrific basketball in his own right, scoring 52.75 fantasy points two games ago and between 34.75 and 62 fantasy points in a nine-game stretch to start March. He also lit up this same Cavs team for 41 points, eight assists and five rebounds in his one previous meeting against them this season, and Cleveland surrenders the third-most fantasy points (46.8) and ranks in the either the bottom five or 10 in points, rebounds, assists, field-goal percentage and particularly relevant in Beal's case, three-pointers per game surrendered to two-guards.
Evan Turner, POR vs. MIN ($7,700): Turner is likely to be significantly underowned Saturday, considering he's been slowly working back up to speed after a long layoff with a hand injury. After three modest-to-forgettable (0.25 fantasy points against the Bucks on Tuesday) performances in his first three games back, he finally generated a stat line more representative of his ability on Thursday versus the Knicks. Turner produced 10 points, six rebounds, one assist and one steal over 24 minutes, with the playing time especially relevant, considering it was his highest allotment since returning. He was solid in his one previous meeting against Minnesota this season as well, generating 11 points, three rebounds, one assist, four blocks and two steals over 30 minutes, and the T-Wolves give up the 10th-highest field-goal percentage (45.6) to small forwards as well.
FORWARDS/CENTERS
Kawhi Leonard, SA vs. NY ($17,900): I had LeBron James (18,600) firmly slotted as my top choice in this spot until concerns about his scratched cornea, which could cause him to miss Saturday's game, cropped up. If he's determined healthy enough to go, by all means deploy him in what will be favorable matchup against a Wizards team he's already lit up previously this season. Leonard becomes the second choice if James sits, although there's a bit of risk of a blowout and his price. He did dominate New York in his one previous matchup this season, going for 60.25 fantasy points on the strength of 36 points, nine rebounds, four assists and four steals, and the Knicks surrender the sixth-most fantasy points (47.9) to small forwards over the last 10 games.
For those with the cash to spend, Karl-Anthony Towns ($19,200) also makes for a solid choice in what should be a competitive matchup against the Trail Blazers. The two slight concerns with him is whether he'll be able to provide full value on his price following an exhausting track meet against the Lakers on Friday night.
Kevin Love, CLE vs. WAS ($13,700): If you need to save a few hundred, LaMarcus Aldridge ($13,000) also makes for a very viable play against the Knicks. Meanwhile, Love could find himself taking on extra scoring responsibility with LeBron James (cornea) potentially out, but he's a strong play regardless of circumstance. The Wizards have given up the fifth-most fantasy points (49.4) on the season to power forwards, along with the second-most points (21.5) and highest field-goal percentage (49.8) to the position. Love has been outstanding in two previous games against Washington this season as well, averaging 26.5 points, 14.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 2.0 steals.
Al-Farouq Aminu, POR vs. MIN ($8,100): There's the usual assortment of risky but cheap plays near minimum at forward/center Saturday, including Ian Mahinmi ($6,400), Patrick Patterson ($6,400), Omri Casspi ($6,400), Mindaugas Kuzminskas ($6,700) and if LeBron James sits with his eye injury, Richard Jefferson ($6,300). However, Aminu brings a bit more certainty, given his strong work on the glass even when his scoring isn't up to par. He's hauled in between seven and 12 rebounds in seven of his last eight games, and stepped it back up on the offensive end Thursday against the Knicks with 10 points. He could be in favorable conditions for more of the same Saturday, given that the T-Wolves surrender the seventh-highest field-goal percentage (46.8) to forwards, along with the seventh-most points (20.7).
UTILITY
Kyrie Irving, CLE vs. WAS ($14,700): Like Kevin Love, Irving is another player who stands to become even more appealing should LeBron James miss Saturday's game, but that is a great play irrespective of his teammate's status. Irving's price has remained very reasonable relative to his production, which most recently includes two games over 40 and one game over 50 fantasy points in his last three. Even though the Wizards have been solid against point guards this season, Irving hasn't had any trouble producing in the matchup, as he's averaged 26.0 points, 5.5 assists and 1.5 rebounds over two prior contests versus Washington.
Patty Mills, SA vs. NY ($7,700): Yogi Ferrell ($7,700) is an interesting same-price pivot from Mills, but it appears he'll be remaining on the second unit for the time being. That's a role that Mills has proven capable of providing solid fantasy production in, and one in which he might see extended run Saturday if the Spurs jump out to a big lead on the reeling Knicks. Mills has scored over 25 fantasy points in five of the last seven games as well, including two games over 30 during that stretch, and New York has surrendered the fifth-most fantasy points (55.1) to point guards over the last 10 games.
