This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Saturday's evening NBA slate consists of five games. While all eyes will be on Kevin Durant in his return, one of his teammates is more likely to achieve fantasy stardom against an exploitable Pelicans defense. Read on to find out who that is, along with the rest of the night's top value plays.
GUARD
Klay Thompson, GS vs. NO ($34): There's a perfect storm of factors working in Thompson's favor: with Stephen Curry (knee) doubtful and Kevin Durant unlikely to match his usual usage in his first game since Feb. 28, the sharpshooting splash brother will likely be asked to take on additional offensive duties. That shouldn't be a problem against a dreadful Pelicans perimeter defense that has allowed the third-most made 3-pointers to shooting guards while surrendering the seventh-most fantasy points to the position. Even if Thompson just matches his 26.4 points and 4.7 made 3-pointers per game average from the past seven games, he'll easily outperform his $34 price.
Josh Richardson, MIA at WAS ($14): Richardson is taking full advantage of Dion Waiters' (ankle) absence with averages of 35 minutes and 24.9 fantasy points per contest as the starting shooting guard over the past 10 games. His price still hasn't caught up to his increased role, making Richardson a strong play. This matchup against a Wizards team that ranks in the middle of the pack at defending shooting guards is no exception.
Guard to Avoid
T.J. McConnell, PHI vs. MIL ($20): Expect Giannis Antetokounmpo to add insult to injury by shutting McConnell down in this one. The Greek Freak's hounding defense has allowed Milwaukee to surrender the seventh-fewest fantasy points to point guards, while McConnell will be playing through a sprained ankle. Owners have been able to rely on McConnell's high floor of late, but his streak of eight consecutive performances over 23.0 fantasy points is in serious jeopardy.
FORWARD
Al-Farouq Aminu, POR vs. UTA ($13): With Jusuf Nurkic (leg) sidelined at least through the end of the regular season, Aminu has been tasked with eating a ton of minutes inside. He's averaging over 35 minutes per game over the past three, and has unsurprisingly managed 31.5 fantasy points per contest in that span. Scoring won't come easy against the top-ranked Jazz defense, but Aminu's averages of 7.4 rebounds, 1.2 made 3-pointers, 1.0 steals and 0.7 blocks per game show that he's able to contribute across the board without having to rely on putting the ball in the basket. With his current workload, it's almost impossible not to outplay a $13 price regardless of opponent.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL at PHI ($51): With four performances over 60.0 fantasy points in his last nine games, Antatekounmpo has the upside to substantially outperform his hefty price. He won't get a much better opportunity to do so than a matchup against a lowly 76ers team that once again finds itself near the bottom of the league standings thanks in large part to a porous defense that's surrendering 108.1 points per game. Things have gotten even worse for Philadelphia on that end of late, with the team's past four opponents averaging 119.5 per game. Expect Antatekounmpo to pour in production across the board, especially since he can't afford to take it easy with his Bucks still battling for a playoff spot.
Forward to Avoid
Dario Saric, PHI vs. MIL ($34): The 76ers continue to find a way to ruin all the fun for fantasy owners. Just as Saric was emerging as an exciting young asset to use for the stretch run, Philadelphia put him on a 24-minute restriction for the season's final five games in order to out-tank the Magic. He's averaging just 20.9 fantasy points in fewer than 22 minutes per game through three April appearances, and has almost no chance of living up to his $34 price with so little playing time.
CENTER
Rudy Gobert, UTA vs. POR ($39): Gobert has found a new gear offensively, averaging 20.1 points en route to 47.1 fantasy points per game over his past 10. Picking up an 11th consecutive double-double should be a breeze for the towering Frenchman against a Trail Blazers team that has been the fourth-worst at defending centers over the last five games. Nurkic's absence has been the reason for that decline in defensive ability, and Gobert's combination of size, strength and skill is head and shoulders above anyone Portland has left to throw at him.
Pau Gasol, SA vs. LAC ($19): Gasol has played over 25 minutes five times in the past seven games, averaging 35.1 fantasy points per contest in those five. Clearing that playing time benchmark shouldn't be difficult following a strategic rest day Friday, so expect another strong performance against an opponent he has exploited previously. Playing against the sharpshooting Spaniard forces Clippers center DeAndre Jordan to choose between protecting the rim and respecting Gasol's long-range game, and Gasol has taken advantage of that matchup to the tune of 36.5 fantasy points per game in his last two meetings. A similar result can be expected Saturday given his scorching shooting form (33-of-55 from 3-point range) in 22 games since returning from a hand injury.
Center to Avoid
Greg Monroe, MIL at PHI ($18): Monroe's playing time and effectiveness are on the decline again. The big man has played fewer than 24 minutes in four consecutive games while averaging just 12.1 fantasy points per contest over that stretch. Coach Jason Kidd has removed Monroe from the rotation altogether before, and things could be heading in that direction again given his lack of usage in these pivotal moments of the season.
