This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
After a successful Saturday slate, we're back for more. We have four more games making up today's card, with all Game 1s of their respective series. Interestingly, we have both of the 1-8 matchups, which are expected to be lopsided results. There's still plenty of value, so let's go ahead and get into it!
Guards
Ben Simmons, PHI vs. WAS ($28)
Using Simmons can be risky with his volatility, but this $28 valuation limits any of that risk. We're talking about someone who can be a $35 player when he's right, which is clear when you see his 37-point average for the season. The reason we really like Simmons here is the matchup, as Washington plays at the league's fastest and that caters to a dynamic athlete. The Wizards also surrender the third-most fantasy points to opposing point guards, which is on full display when you see Simmons has at least 43 fantasy points in their two meetings this year.
Derrick Rose, NYK vs. ATL ($22)
Rose has been coming off the bench for the Knicks, but he's the true point guard of this team. In fact, he's averaging 31.2 Y! points per game across 29 minutes a night over his last 16 games. That's a fantastic total from a $22 player, and we also love he's one of the usage leaders over that span. The matchup against Atlanta makes Rose even more enticing, with the Hawks surrendering the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing PGs. In a must-win game like this, look for Thibideau to ride Rose big minutes like he did in their Chicago days.
Guard to Avoid
Jordan Clarkson, UTA vs. MEM ($27)
Clarkson was fantastic when filling in for Donovan Mitchell and Mike Conley, but it's raised his value way too much. Both guards are back now, and it's going to hurt Clarkson's value. What's scary is he saw a 31 percent usage rate with the aforementioned players out while attempting nearly 20 shots a game. We expect those to drop drastically with them returning and it's even more concerning with Clarkson's 42 percent field goal percentage over the final two months of the season.
Forwards
John Collins, ATL at NYK ($24)
Collins has been a fade for us at times this season, but this salary makes him a fantastic value. Over his final five contests of the season, JC averaged 32 Yahoo points across 27 minutes. Some of those were blowouts, and it's scary to think how good he would have been if those games stayed close and he played a full allotment of minutes. Collins has played well in his three encounters against the Knicks averaging 28 fantasy points. We have to anticipate that 27-minute total being the floor in such an important game, and he'd be one of the best values of the day if he plays the anticipated 35-40 minutes.
Jaren Jackson Jr, MEM at UTA ($19)
Jackson strangely got benched in the last play-in game due to some foul trouble, but that fluke has lowered his salary too much. The future superstar is averaging 28.4 Y! points per game in 23 minutes a night this year. We can't overlook that because JJJ logged 31 minutes in the final two regular-season contests. If Jackson plays 31 minutes at that aforementioned rate, he's a real threat for 40 fantasy points. He'll also be needed to play big minutes against a stout Utah frontline.
Forward to Avoid
Joe Ingles, UTA vs. MEM ($21)
We've been down this road with Ingles a lot this season. We love when he's starting for Mitchell or Conley, but we hate him when he's coming off the bench. In 30 starts this campaign, Ingles is averaging 29 Yahoo points. In 37 coming off the bench, he's posting a 21-point average. We fully anticipate Ingles coming off the bench with both returning, which makes him impossible to trust at this inflated salary.
Centers
Joel Embiid, PHI vs. WAS ($45)
Out of all the high-valued players on the board, Embiid is easily the top option. What's really bizarre is the fact he's dropped to $45 as he's been north of $50 for most of the year, and it's hard to understand the decrease in such an important game. Embiid is averaging nearly 50 fantasy points per game for the season and gets the best possible matchup here. Not only does Washington play at the fastest pace while surrendering the most points in the NBA, but they also allow the second-most fantasy points to opposing centers. That's clear when you see Embiid is averaging 50 Y! points per game in their three meetings this year.
Nerlens Noel, NYK vs. ATL ($14)
Noel has quietly been one of the best defensive centers in the NBA. He's been starting for Mitchell Robinson ever since the latter went down and has posted some stout defensive numbers. In fact, Noel is averaging 27 Yahoo points per game across 28 minutes a night over his last 17. That's a truly amazing average from a $14 player, especially in such a premium matchup. Atlanta ranks 21st in defensive efficiency ratings, with Noel dropping 34 fantasy points in this matchup less than a month ago.
Center to Avoid
Andre Drummond, LAL at PHX ($21)
The Andre Drummond experiment in LA has not gone as planned. In the play-in game, Drum dropped 17 Y! points in just 17 minutes of play. That's a bad sign with LeBron James and Anthony Davis both healthy, especially when Drummond has to battle Montrezl Harrell and Marc Gasol for minutes. All of that is discouraging, but it's scary against a Top-5 Phoenix defense. And when these teams played May 7, Drum only produced 19 fantasy points.
