This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Saturday's five-game NBA slate features multiple critical contests despite its limited scope, with six of the 10 teams in action still either fighting for a playoff spot or seriously fretting about seeding. Players from those squads can be expected to bring their A games, but so can youngsters from weaker squads vying for playing time next season. Combining players from those categories yields the below list, which makes up the night's top value plays.
GUARD
Emmanuel Mudiay, DEN vs.SAC ($24) - Mudiay is averaging a solid 15.3 PPG and 5.3 APG over his last three games heading into a home matchup with Sacramento's last-place defense. The rookie should earn plenty of minutes down the stretch, and his improved 3-point shooting (2.3 made 3-pointers per game in his last three) should pay off in what should be a fast-paced affair. His youth makes Mudiay an attractive asset at a time when many many veterans are playing less to rest.
Ish Smith, PHI vs. IND ($25) - After registering 32.1 fantasy points despite hitting just 6-of-17 shots Tuesday, Smith is averaging an impressive 40.8 fantasy points per game in his last three games. The high-usage point guard is likely to improve on his last performance as he regains his shooting stroke, especially facing an Indiana team that has dropped three of its last four. Since the 76ers aren't exactly teeming with alternative offensive options, Smith should continue piling up numbers down the stretch.
Guard to Avoid:
Damian Lillard, POR vs.MIA ($47) - Lillard has struggled lately, averaging just 28.8 fantasy points per game over his last four. That number is unacceptable for a $47 player, and things don't figure to get easier against Miami's fourth-ranked defense. Lillard isn't worthy of being your biggest expense considering his subpar recent form.
Others to Avoid: Jimmy Butler ($37), Reggie Jackson ($25), George Hill ($18)
FORWARD
Marcus Morris, DET at CHI ($17) - Morris continued his hot-shooting ways Wednesday against the Thunder, connecting on 9-of-13 field goals as he topped 31.0 fantasy points for the fourth time in his last seven games. The solid defender and floor-spacer has been taking advantage of his big minutes for the streaking Pistons lately, and should continue to easily outproduce his reasonable price down the stretch. With a flailing Chicago team on tap, Morris is likely to keep accruing gaudy numbers Saturday.
Nikola Mirotic, CHI vs. DET ($15) - The flailing Bulls have turned to Mirotic with the rest of their roster struggling, giving the Montenegrin forward 37 minutes per game in his last two after he had been playing roughly half that in many of the team's recent contests. The Bulls have reaped the benefits of that decision, as Mirotic has propelled Chicago to back-to-back wins while averaging 28.0 PPG in that span. The increased playing time should allow him to continue blowing his $15 price out of the water, and the Bulls have no reason to renege on that decision given their recent improvement.
Forward to Avoid:
LaMarcus Aldridge, SA vs. TOR ($34) - Aldridge saw his role reduced in Kawhi Leonard's return to the lineup Wednesday, totaling just 23.7 fantasy points despite facing an atrocious Pelicans defense. The first-year Spur could also be in jeopardy of losing playing time down the stretch as coach Gregg Popovich is notorious for resting starters, making him a risky option at his lofty price as the season draws to a close.
Others to Avoid: DeMar DeRozan ($35), Rudy Gay ($25), Joe Johnson ($16)
CENTER
Nikola Jokic, DEN vs. SAC ($19) - Jokic has topped 20.0 fantasy points in 10 of his last 11 games, consistently outplaying his price thanks to his rebounding prowess. He has consistently put up tremendous numbers when given the requisite playing time, and the Nuggets should continue running the youngster out there for extended minutes down the stretch given their increasingly bleak playoff hopes. It'd be shocking if the Serbian didn't turn in another fine performance considering he faces Sacramento's atrocious defense.
Center to Avoid:
Pau Gasol, CHI vs. DET ($31) - Considering his 10.4 PPG and 8.6 RPG the last four games, Gasol hasn't lived up to his hefty price. There probably won't be many boards to go around against rebounding specialist Andre Drummond and the Pistons, and Gasol's recent offensive swoon suggests he won't make up the difference in scoring. There aren't a ton of expensive options to choose from, but spending big on the Spaniard just because you can doesn't figure to be a winning strategy.
Others to Avoid: Andre Drummond ($36)
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