This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Saturday offers an 11-game slate with depth at every position, but, as usual, several teams are on the second game of a back-to-back. The Bucks travel home from San Antonio, the Bulls head straight to the Alamo Dome and the Clippers fly to the Big Easy after a bad loss to the Thunder. First let's touch on high-salary players before we go to our general format.
You did well if you managed to find space for Giannis Antetokounmpo and Paul George in your lineups Friday night, as that combo came in for the best values at this level. Giannis ($60) plays the Lakers, and even though he's playing with no rest he should have a big game at home. The Clippers were humbled at home Friday with Blake Griffin looking a bit lost with his stroke, and even though DeMarcus Cousins ($58) and Anthony Davis ($58) are coming off average games in Toronto, they are both as safe as you can get Saturday, with a nod to Cousins, who is my $50-plus start of the night.
GUARD
Klay Thompson, GS vs. PHI ($28): I know I passed up a lot of talent coming here first, but you'll want to spend up elsewhere on this slate. At three bucks over median value, Thompson faces a Philly defense whose Achilles' heel is the backcourt. Notorious for being streaky, he is on a heater, and I'm riding him at this price.
Bradley Beal, WAS vs. ATL ($37): He's gone for 40-plus YFP in three of his last five, and the Hawks are, well, the Hawks. This is a young team that has holes everywhere defensively. I think Atlanta will hold its own offensively, though, making this a shoot-out with Beal getting maximum minutes and value.
Other guards to consider: Dennis Smith Jr., DAL vs. CLE ($22), Mike James, PHO vs. MIN ($16)
[Join the free NBA Yahoo Cup. $25K in total prizes with weekly winners]
Guard to Avoid:
Evan Fournier, ORL at DEN ($29): An average game against Phoenix this week, a staunch Nuggets defense and lack of oxygen in the Mile High City lead me to fade Fournier.
FORWARD
Andrew Wiggins, MIN at PHO ($31): Kristaps Porzingis and Kevin Durant are in line for great games, but Wiggins, who is also primed for a good night in what should be a fast-paced affair, allows you to save money to spend on center. The Suns also love to turn the ball over, and Wiggins is coming off a four-steal night.
Tim Hardaway Jr., NY vs. SAC: ($25): It's hard to believe his ownership isn't higher. Why people are fading him? Maybe they hate the Knicks. Maybe they hate a player who meets and exceeds value nightly. Maybe they didn't like seeing him snag 11 rebounds on top of everything else against the Magic. Look for more of the same against the Kings.
Other forwards to consider: Robert Covington, PHI at GS ($27), Taurean Prince, ATL at WAS ($20), Bobby Portis, CHI at SA ($10)
Forward to Avoid:
Kyle Kuzma, LAL at MIL ($22): Welcome to the NBA, Kyle. One minute you're a fantasy darling, the next, you're chopped liver. Kuzma is suffering with some growing pains and having trouble with his shot, and he's going to meet the best player in the league Saturday. It just doesn't look good for the rookie.
[Join a Yahoo Daily Fantasy Basketball contest or league today]
CENTER
Rudy Gobert, UTA vs. BKN ($38): If you go big with Cousins, use Gobert in your utility slot. There's a list of centers who have blown up the Nets this year. I'm sure it's in a vault somewhere in the Barclays Center, but the two Nikolases come to mind, with both Jokic and Vucevic having big nights against them. Gobert is my start of the night.
Brook Lopez, LAL at MIL ($25): If you went for Giannis Antetokounmpo, Stephen Curry or James Harden and you're looking to save at center, Lopez is a good value. Expect the Lakers to lean on him while they struggle mightily elsewhere.
Other centers to consider: Nikola Jokic, DEN vs. ORL ($44), Clint Capela, HOU vs. MEM ($25)
Center to Avoid:
Marcin Gortat, WAS vs. ATL ($21): Gortat has put up dreadful numbers in consecutive games, and while Atlanta has trouble guarding practically everyone, game flow likely won't come his way tonight. With so many better options at center, he is not the one to target.
