This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
On the surface, Saturday's six-game slate looks a lot like any other we've encountered this season, with a smattering of $50-plus players, obvious mid-level plays and some nice budget options. That perception would be a costly mistake.
Playoff scenarios and tanking teams have made the DFS landscape a veritable minefield, and I'd recommend giving my recent article on RotoWire a read here before you construct any more lineups. Go ahead, click on it! I'll wait.
Now that you have a handle on the intricacies of the final week, you can see how playing your Hardens and Durants don't look like the great plays they should be at first glance. I am certain many will disagree with me, and perhaps I am dead wrong, but I am immediately fading Durant and Harden. I don't trust any playoff team that's clinched a spot no matter how tempting the starter may be.
Anthony Davis ($57) leads the charge with a lot on the line against Golden State as they try to seal their playoff berth. Russell Westbrook ($55) and the Thunder will also try to cement their claim for playoff glory against the Rockets. There are multiple spots on both the Pelicans and the Thunder that I'll illustrate below. Rounding out the $50-plus players is Giannis Antetokounmpo ($51), who will be well-rested and primed to help the Bucks secure their playoff aspirations with a win against the Knicks in the Garden. I think enough value exists on this slate to afford two of these guys, and it's likely that I'm going to use a Davis/Westbrook duo before I do anything else.
What's immensely frustrating is that Yahoo's main slate excludes the juiciest matchup of all, as the Nuggets-Clippers game is the last gasp for both of these bubble teams. It's a shame that we can't play it, but there aren't enough contests worth playing that include all six games. We can take solace in the fact that the remaining five games all have high Over/Under lines and are chock-full of spots to target.
With the elite players I've already mentioned in mind, I'll now highlight two players at each position along with a small list of additional choices in each spot. One of the highlighted players in each category will be a low-cost candidate. I'll also choose a player to fade at each position.
GUARDS
Jrue Holiday, NO at GS ($33): Holiday is the glue that holds the Pelicans together, and they won't be taking their foot off the gas in this contest. He's on a five-game stretch where he's scored no less than 37 YFP, and with so much on the line, Holiday is set for another explosive night.
Sean Kilpatrick, CHI vs. BKN ($10): I guess you could call it a revenge game of sorts but the real news in the impressive three-game stretch Kilpatrick has enjoyed. The end of the season always works in mysterious ways, with guys like Kilpatrick and MarShon Brooks emerging as fantasy darlings. My only knock on him is his heavy dependence on scoring as he isn't a big contributor in other categories, but against Brooklyn for $10? I'm riding this wave.
Other guards to consider:Trey Burke, NY vs. MIL ($25), Quinn Cook, GS vs, NO ($23), Gerald Green, HOU vs. OKC ($12)
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GUARD TO AVOID
Dejounte Murray, SA vs. POR ($23): He put up 49 YFP against the Lakers in his last game, but Portland is a much better defensive team against opposing backcourts, and while the Blazers will speed up the slow-paced Spurs, coach Gregg Popovich may elect to start resting his starters if the game gets out of hand for either side.
FORWARDS
Khris Middleton, MIL at NY ($32): Middleton has been the figure of consistency for several games now, and hasn't dipped below 30 YFP since the beginning of March. Some might balk at the price but one glance at his stat lines shows that you're getting an incredibly reliable floor for the price.
Lauri Markkanen, CHI vs. BKN ($19): He's averaged 22.3 points per game over the past week, and it appears the Bulls are just going to let the youngster play his heart out for the remainder of the season. If he gets close to 30 minutes he's a lock for great value at this price.
Other forwards to consider: Paul George, OKC at HOU ($35), Nikola Mirotic, NO at GS ($16), Damyean Dotson, NY vs. MIL ($10)
FORWARD TO AVOID
Michael Beasley, NY vs. MIL ($23): I don't really know what to make of this situation. Even though I promoted Dotson above, something about this scenario is screaming 'stay away.' While he was available to play on Friday, he only saw 18 seconds on the floor so the knee must still be a concern, and it isn't as if the Knicks need to urgently get the guy back in the lineup for a playoff run.
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CENTERS
LaMarcus Aldridge, SA vs. POR ($41): I don't care if it's Portland. Aldridge is pretty much matchup-proof and my only concern is Popovich suddenly resting him. Aside from a poor game against the Wizards five games ago, Aldridge has averaged well into the 40 YFP range. If you can afford him, go after him.
Kyle O'Quinn, NY vs. MIL ($19): My only concern here is that O'Quinn could end up resting with his strained hip, but he's been an absolute beast with Enes Kanter out. If he does end up sitting, I have no problem flipping to John Henson ($13) on the other side of the ball, and if you really want to get cute, take a flier on Luke Kornet ($10) who's the only other center the Knicks have.
Other centers to consider:Steven Adams, OKC at HOU ($26), Cristiano Felicio, CHI vs. BKN ($10)
CENTER TO AVOID
Jarrett Allen, BKN at CHI ($10): I think Felicio and Portis will handle the Nets inside, and Allen has seen more than 30 YFP only three times in the past 10 games. Felicio is the superior $10 play here.
