This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
There are nine games on tap in the NBA on Saturday and we're back to filter through the studs and duds as we break down top options at each position on FanDuel. Here's a look at today's value plays.
Point Guard
Patrick Beverley, HOU vs. LAL ($4,200): This may surprise you, but Beverley has been one the most consistent cash game options at the point guard position. He's hit a minimum of 5.4x his price tag in eight straight games since entering the starting lineup. He's also averaging about 30 minutes per game in that stretch and has scored in double digits in six straight games. DFS players who watch a lot of Rockets games know that he really isn't a great scorer, but the catch is that you don't need much at all from Beverley. If he hits 20 fantasy points you know you got 5x price tag value. With the game total of 209.5 being one of the highest on the slate, you should be very safe in cash with GPP upside against a bad Lakers defense.
Shooting Guard
Wesley Matthews, DAL vs. WAS ($5,500): The window is starting to close on Matthews as a underpriced option on FanDuel, so enjoy the discount while it's available. Matthews has been getting a heavy dose of minutes of late, averaging over 35 minutes per game, including twice over 40 in his last five. The defensive matchup is as good as it gets, as the Wizards have allowed more FanDuel points to opposing shooting guards than any other team this season.
O.J. Mayo, MIL vs. GSW ($4,800): Mayo is another wing player who has seen a large uptick in minutes in the past 10 days, averaging over 34 minutes per game and scoring a minimum of 23 fantasy points in the last six games. This one is likely to feature one of the top totals on the board, with the Warriors leading the league in game pace. The Warriors may again be playing a bit shorthanded, with Harrison Barnes (hamstring) ruled out for the road trip and Klay Thompson missing Friday's game against Boston with an ankle injury. Mayo has scored 5x his price tag in five of the last six games.
Small Forward
Paul George, IND at DET ($10,400): You know the bar is set pretty high when a DFS option like George scores 23 points with eight rebounds and people are disappointed that he didn't do more. While the cost is high for early-season MVP candidates, he's justified the cost so far this season. George has the second-highest usage rate among small forwards on the slate, while averaging the most points, rebounds, assists and minutes at his position. While some may opt to fade PG13 coming off an underwhelming performance against the Heat, he's likely the only small forward who can legitimately reach at least 40 fantasy points.
Power Forward
Julius Randle, LAL at HOU ($6,400): I'm more than willing to give Randle a pass for ending his double-double streak against one of the best defensive teams in San Antonio. As a matter of fact, these are the types of situations that I've been looking for in GPPs because it creates lower ownership for a player who people may think could be trending downward. Keep in mind that the Rockets have a revolving door at power forward and have allowed more fantasy points to opposing power forwards than any other team. Randle is a solid cash and GPP play who has a great chance to post a double-double for the seventh time in nine games.
Jared Sullinger, BOS at CHA ($6,200): Sullinger has racked up a whopping 49 rebounds in the last three games, all against playoff teams from last season. He posted a double-double in two of his past three contests, and should produce another strong effort on the glass with Cody Zeller starting for an injured Al Jefferson on Saturday.
Center
Joakim Noah, CHI vs. NOP ($4,800): Last week we mentioned that Noah could be a DFS option provided that Nikola Mirotic remained out of the starting lineup. Since then, Noah has played exactly 20 minutes in each of the past three games and paid off over 5x his price tag in each. Consider Noah a safe punt option at center against a New Orleans squad allowing the second-most fantasy points to opposing centers this season.
