This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
This Saturday is loaded with a whopping 20 teams in action. With larger slates such as these, it's important to nail down the top value options who will allow you to put up a winning score in cash games and tournaments. Let's take a look at today's value plays.
Point Guard
Damian Lillard, POR vs. PHI ($8,700): Sometimes the best plays are the easy ones. Lillard draws an excellent matchup against Ish Smith and the Sixers, who have the worst record in the NBA and have ranked in the bottom-five in DvP at the point guard position all season long. Lillard has scored at least 44 fantasy points in the three of the past of four games, and you're getting a $600 discount on his price tag from last week.
Shelvin Mack, UTA at MIN ($6,000): Mack has produced a minimum of 5x his value in seven straight games prior to Utah's road matchup this week versus Houston, with the top end of his range returning over 9x. Minnesota is ranked in the bottom eight in fantasy points allowed to point guards, and if you asked me for my own ranking on Ricky Rubio, I'd rate him even lower.
Shooting Guard
Monta Ellis, IND at BKN ($6,500): Ellis is a player who has underperformed over the past week, and I'm fine with that. He's been consistent enough to still roster, while underperforming just enough to create lower ownership in GPPs. Brooklyn comes in with a bottom-eight defensive ranking against shooting guards, which should be a boost to Ellis' value.
C.J. McCollum, POR vs. PHI ($6,700): Much of the same analysis for Lillard applies here. In most cases, I don't pair Lillard with McCollum, but the justification can always be made when Philly's on the slate. Using both also helps create some safety in your lineup, ensuring that you have exposure to the only two Blazers with 50-point upside. As long as the Sixers keep starting Isaiah Canaan and continue to give minutes to Nik Stauskas, you know you're in a good spot offensively at two-guard.
Small Forward
Evan Fournier, ORL vs. CHI ($5,700): This selection largely depends on Victor Oladipo (knee) missing Saturday's game. If he sits out, look for Fournier to shoulder the scoring load after having double-digit points in each of the last four games. Chicago has been a great DFS target at small forward, ranking in the bottom-five in the league at fantasy points allows to the position.
Power Forward
Kristaps Porzingis, NYK vs. CLE ($6,400): Porzingis seems to finally have climbed over the rookie wall, scoring at least 32 fantasy points in three of the last four games. The Cavs have defended the paint well all season, but his outside game and the fact they plan to use Kevin Love as the primary defender means KP has solid upside. If he can post a double double for the third straight game, Porzingis should hit 6x value.
Center
Karl-Anthony Towns, MIN vs. UTA ($9,000): At this point, it's probably safe to say that the Big KAT is officially matchup proof. Consider that Towns has not missed the double-digit mark in points since Jan. 2. He's scored at least 40 fantasy points in four straight games and has double-doubled seven games in a row. Rudy Gobert has not been the same defender he was last season, so there shouldn't be any hesitation with that matchup.
