This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
The NBA has eight games on the schedule Saturday, offering plenty of great matchups to target, and to avoid, and a number of strong values.
GUARD
Chris Paul, LAC vs. ATL ($50) - The choice at point guard Saturday seems to be pay up for an elite option or go cheap and hope for the best with someone like Patrick Beverley ($14), Donald Sloan ($13) or Shelvin Mack ($12). We'll pay up for Paul, who has averaged 23.4 points, 12.4 assists, 5.2 rebounds and 2.2 steals in his last five games and offers as much upside as more expensive elite players at other positions.
Zach LaVine, MIN vs. BKN ($19) - LaVine has scored in double digits in 16 of his last 17 games, averaging 17.3 points in that span. He's averaging about 35 minutes a game over his last 10, as the Timberwolves give him all the minutes he can handle. LaVine has good matchup, as well, in what should be a competitive game against the Nets, who allow the fourth-most fantasy points to shooting guards. Expect LaVine to return strong production for a modest price.
Guard to Avoid:
Rajon Rondo, SAC at SA ($39) - Rondo is expected to play Saturday despite lingering thumb, toe and ankle injuries. He was productive Thursday against the Mavericks, totaling 18 points, 12 assists, five rebounds and three steals, but Saturday's opponent, the Spurs, is the best defensive team in the league, especially against guards. If it's a blowout, Rondo likely will see his minutes limited, but even if not, the nagging injuries could force him to the bench. At his price, there's way too much risk.
FORWARD
Kawhi Leonard, SA vs. SAC ($39) - Leonard has been virtually unstoppable lately, averaging 26.2 points and 7.6 rebounds in his last five games. He's scored at least 20 points in nine of his last 10. The only drawback is that Leonard's minutes could be limited if the game is a blowout. But the Kings are so bad defensively, Leonard should rack up enough stats before he is rested.
Bobby Portis, CHI vs. HOU ($11) - Portis is a good value at such a cheap price Saturday against a defense that has been exploited by power forwards this season. Taj Gibson ($20) is expected to retun after missing Wednesday's game with a hamstring strain, but Portis should still get plenty of minutes. He's averaged nearly 25 minutes a game in his last nine with 10.3 points and 8.4 rebounds per game in that span.
Forward to Avoid:
Kristaps Porzingis, NYY vs. DET ($28) - Porzingis is still putting up decent numbers, but his production has been inconsistent over the last month or so. What's worse, his minutes have been limited recently, as he averaged only 23 minutes per game in his last four. Friday night he played just 20 minutes at the Celtics. There's too much risk at his price.
CENTER
Andre Drummond, DET at NYY ($42) - Drummond's league-leading 13-game double-double streak was snapped Wednesday against a tough Spurs defense. Expect him to get back on the double-double bandwagon Saturday in a better matchup against the Knicks. Drummond's Wednesday performance was a bit fluky anyway. He took only six shots and missed seven of eight free throws. In his previous 15 games, he averaged 15.8 points, 14.7 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game.
Center to Avoid:
Tim Duncan, SA vs. SAC ($16) - Duncan's playing time is likely to be limited Saturday. He's played 20 minutes or less in five of his last nine games, as the Spurs continue to give him plenty of rest. And it won't be surprising if the Spurs blow out the Kings, which would send Duncan to the bench early. His ceiling isn't that high anyway, and even though he's not that expensive, his price still outweighs the upside.
