This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
16 teams are in action Saturday, providing us with a good selection of top-scoring options with elevated game totals for DFS players to take advantage. Today, we'll help you find the best players and matchups to help maximize value within your rosters.
Point Guard
Chris Paul, LAC vs SAC ($9,700): Over the past month, we've seen CP3 return the form that showed why he was regarded as the best point guard in the NBA. Paul has scored at least 40 fantasy points in 10 of the past 13 games, including three with at least 53. When you pay top dollar for a point guard, that's the level of production you're looking for. The matchup sets up well for the Clippers, who have had to rely more on Paul in the scoring department with Blake Griffin still on the sidelines with a quad injury. Look for him to exploit a Sacramento squad that has allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing point guards this season. The Kings also love to run and gun, and are ranked second in the NBA in pace just behind Golden State.
Mario Chalmers, MEM vs. NYK ($5,600):Mike Conley is listed as doubtful because of his Achilles injury, and any time Conley is ruled out, Chalmers becomes an auto play. Super Mario has played very well in Conley's absence, almost to the point that some may begin to question if the team needs to keep Chalmers in the starting lineup when Conley returns. Chalmers has scored at least 29 fantasy points in four of the past five games, including games with 45 and 49. Any time you can find a player who is giving well over 8x the return on his price, you have unlocked the key to scoring big in your GPPs. Memphis should also benefit from two questionable tags from Carmelo Anthony (ankle) and Kristaps Porzingis (shoulder)
Shooting Guard
Jamal Crawford, LAC vs SAC ($4,100): Just to be clear, we're looking for a large amount of exposure to Kings-Clippers game. The last two times these teams met, they scored a combined 215 and 223 points. Those totals are usually good enough to be the highest scoring games on the slate for any given day. Crawford is another Clipper who has seen an increase in minutes of late, and he has been tabbed by head coach Doc Rivers to shoulder the scoring load. He is averaging 25:48 minutes per game on the season, but has seen that rise to 29:40 over the past week. Finally, the Kings are just 0.03 fantasy points away from being the worst team in the NBA in defending the shooting guard position.
Small Forward
Jae Crowder, BOS at WAS ($6,400): There isn't anything that Crowder can't do. Check out this complete stat line Friday night versus Phoenix: 17 points, two treys, six rebounds, five assists, three steals and two blocks. He didn't miss a single category, and gave you over 6x value on his price. If that wasn't enough to convince you, Washington allows the second-most fantasy points to opposing small forwards this season, and Otto Porter is questionable to play after missing Friday's matchup with a hip injury.
Power Forward
Derrick Williams, NYK at MEM ($4,500): The first thing you need to know about Williams is that he's a small forward who is eligible at power forward on FanDuel. That's important because Memphis is in the top 11 in power forward defense, but are ranked in the bottom ten in small forward defense on FanDuel. The second thing you need to know is that if Carmelo Anthony does not play, Williams will be a player that savvy DFS players quickly pivot to, and for good reason. Williams blew up Wednesday while filling in for Melo, scoring 31 points in 31 minutes while adding seven rebounds and two steals, good for 40.4 fantasy points. That's a whopper of a performance at a price tag in the $4K range.
Trey Lyles, UTA vs LAL ($3,900): Lyles looks to be in line for another start Saturday against the Lakers, with both Derrick Favors (back) and Trevor Booker (concussion) already ruled out. He's played at least 30 minutes in four of the past six games, scoring in double figures in the past two. While that may not sound like overwhelming evidence in his favor, keep in mind that 20 fantasy points gets you well over 5x value on his price, which is still very juicy at under $4K. The Lakers love to roll out the welcome mat for opposing power forwards, allowing the third-most fantasy points to the position this season.
Center
DeMarcus Cousins, SAC at LAC ($10,800): Cousins is in full beast mode right now, scoring at least 50 fantasy points in five of the past six games, including a 60-point effort against Oklahoma City and a 65-point performance the next day in Dallas. He had a double-double in all six games and has hit 13 threes during that span. If DeAndre Jordan (pheumonia) misses this game, there's a very good chance Cole Aldrich gets eaten alive by Cousins.
