This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
Eight games make up the Saturday slate, providing a solid mix of high scoring totals and key defensive matchups to target and exploit for DFS lineups. Let's take a look at today's value plays:
Point Guard
Chris Paul, LAC vs. ATL ($10,200): The point guard position is woefully thin, even with 16 teams to choose from. There are a number of solid defensive teams that are set to limit the upside of the point guards available near the top tier, which is why it makes more sense to pay up to the top. CP3 has been extremely reliable and productive, scoring at least 41 fantasy points in nine straight games. Doc Rivers almost never likes to pull Paul off the floor, even when the Clippers seem to have the game in hand, as Paul has played at least 31 minutes in every game except one since Jan. 24.
Patrick Beverley, HOU at CHI ($4,900): Whenever you pay up for the top option at any position, DFS players should always be looking for the value option that can help balance out the remaining salary. Beverley is a perfect example of that. Often disrespected for not having offensive firepower in his game, Beverley doesn't need to score a ton to give you fantasy value. He's managed to return at least 5.5x value in four of the past six games. Beverley should have no problem cracking the 30-point mark against a Bulls squad that has ranked in the bottom six in point guard defense all season long.
Shooting Guard
Zach LaVine, MIN vs. BKN ($5,300): With the way LaVine has played over the past week, you'll be hard pressed to find a reason why you shouldn't play him Saturday. He has played at least 38 minutes in each of the past three games, paying off 5.5x his price in his last four contests, averaging nearly 30 fantasy points per game in that span. LaVine is also a supreme bargain at his price with a plus matchup in Brooklyn's Bojan Bogdanovic on him defensively.
Danny Green, SAS vs. SAC ($4,300): Green reminds me of the NBA version of a LOOGY; you really only want to play him in the right situation. The Sacramento Kings just happen to specialize in providing that situation, allowing over 10 made three pointers per game this season. The last time Green faced the Kings, he scored 33.9 fantasy points points on the road on Feb. 24, good for over 7.5x his price.
Small Forward
Kawhi Leonard, SAS vs. SAC ($8,400): Since he missed three games in the middle of last month due to a calf issue, Leonard has bounced back in a major way, scoring at least 40 fantasy points in each of the past four games. The Spurs should also love the defensive matchup, with Rudy Gay and Co. allowing the fifth-most fantasy points per game to small forwards this season.
Power Forward
Derrick Favors, UTA at NOR ($7,400): As if the Pelicans didn't already have defensive issues at center with Omer Asik in the starting lineup, now they'll have to figure out how to improve on the 29th overall DvP ranking at center without him for the next two weeks due to a sprained ankle. If you've seen Alexis Ajinca or Kendrick Perkins play defense lately, then you'll probably be going for heavy exposure to Favors. He has been struggling a bit of late, but that is excusable after facing three straight playoff teams with solid defensive frontcourts on the road. Look for Favors to get back on track Saturday against the Pelicans.
Center
Robin Lopez, NYK vs. DET ($5,700): With Carmelo Anthony battling recurring knee issues and Kristaps Porzingis showing signs of hitting the rookie wall, interim head coach Kurt Rambis has found a way rely more on RoLo to hold down more minutes in the starting rotation. Lopez has responded by becoming a more productive fantasy option, posting a double-double in four of his past seven games, while registering 13 blocks in that span.
