This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
There are six games on the docket Saturday, and here are a few random thoughts I had while figuring out my picks:
The Sixers are using too deep of a rotation, and they're on the second night of a back-to-back. Brook Lopez has been great lately, but he's not a bruiser like DeMarcus Cousins (whom the Sixers played Friday), so I think Nerlens Noel could lock Lopez down easier.
No one on the Celtics is to be trusted. Evan Turner found a nut Friday. Brandon Bass was interesting for a couple games, but ever since Avery Bradley returned, Bass has to just sit there and watch Bradley chuck all day.
The Pacers are kidding themselves if they think they're going anywhere without Paul George. Rodney Stuckey is not the Godney Stuckey character he's been performing as lately, but he is the only Pacers player worth his weight in carrots from game to game right now.
The Grizzlies frontcourt looks sexy Saturday. They sat out Thursday's game against the Wizards, giving Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph two days off to heading into their game against the Bucks. After their loss to the Celtics on Wednesday, they were pissed off. The Grizzlies will be looking to make a statement Saturday.
Utah has been playing amazing defense, and the Pistons' only strength is post-scoring, which is hard to come by against the Stifle Tower, Rudy Gobert and his partner in crime, the Derrick de Triomphe Favors. Sorry. That was horrible.
Golden State rested several of their starters Friday against the Nuggets. Will the other players rest Saturday against the Knicks, or will the home crowd force coach Steve Kerr to play his best players? A blowout is on tap, making this a tough game to rely on for players playing a full compliment of minutes.
Saturday Value Plays
Shaun Livingston, GSW, $4,100: Livingston isn't going to tear the roof off this melon farmer, but his floor has been relatively high lately, and he has shined recently as he's earned extra court time in some of the smaller lineups the Warriors have been running. The Knicks could get taken out back for a beat down Saturday, and if that happens, it should simply mean more minutes for Livingston, making him a relatively safe play at his salary. He put up 27.8 FanDuel points in Friday's spot start with Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Andrew Bogut, and Andre Iguodala all sitting out to rest, and while he won't play 36 minutes Saturday, Livingston should get enough run to make value even though he'll be back coming off the bench.
Others to consider: Isaiah Canaan vs. BKN ($5,100), Alexey Shved at GSW ($5,600), Mike Conley vs. MIL ($6,300)
Shooting Guard
Rodney Stuckey, IND, $6,300: If you listen to our Fantasy Basketball Podcast, you're well aware that I'm a Pistons fan and the fact that Stuckey's inconsistencies over the course of his career have made him my least favorite player in the league. However, there's no way to deny what he's been doing lately. Stuckey has scored at least 22.9 FD points in each of his last seven games, all Pacers wins, and he's put up 54.7 and 40.2 FD points in his last two games. Paul George isn't coming back Saturday, so Stuckey remains the No.1 gunner on the team. At his salary, he's a great play.
The on-coming storm.
Others to consider: Ben McLemore at WAS ($4,600), Evan Turner at IND ($5,500)
Small Forward
Rodney Hood, UTA, $3,900: Hood was moved into the starting lineup at shooting guard for the Jazz's last game, and he came out firing. He took 16 shots in 33 minutes to finish with a career-high 20 points. It was the second straight game in which Hood posted a career-high scoring mark, and with his minutes appearing to be on the rise at the same time that the Jazz are going up against a weak Pistons offense, Hood looks like a good play at his near-minium salary.
Others to consider: None. It's a weird night for the small forward position. There's a strong argument against almost all other picks. I'll probably roll out Robert Covington ($5,500) and Omri Casspi ($3,600) in a couple lineups.
Power Forward
Derrick Favors, UTA, $7,900: I probably shouldn't keep picking on the Pistons, but they are horrifically terrible at slowing down opposing team's big men. Favors should have a field day against the Pistons, and he's already seen a rise in value thanks to having an expanded roll on offense since Enes Kanter was sent out of town for a half-eaten bag of peanuts. The last time Favors played the Pistons this season, he dropped an upper decker in their facilities with a 16-point, 12-rebound double-double, and there's a good chance he does even better Saturday. Through six games in March, he's averaged 18.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.5 blocks in 33 minutes per game.
Others to consider: I'm pairing Favors with Zach Randolph ($7,900) and laughing all the way to bank. Hahahahaha.
Center
Marc Gasol, MEM, $7,600: This is the safe play. Gasol was pissed after the Grizzlies lost to the Celtics on Wednesday, and he's going to be doing his all on both sides of the court to bring home a win. He averages 36 FD points per game and has the potential to put up over 40 FD points. It's a fair salary for a sure thing.
Others to consider: If Rudy Gobert ($7,700) is cleared to play after having his slightly sprained ankle worked on Friday, I'm going to get him into some lineups. There aren't any other options that excite me.
Kyle's Birthday Weekend NBA Over-Share
Here's a nice gif of coach Doc Rivers trying to get his neck loose.
And here's DeAndre Jordan's first three-pointer in the NBA.
Have a good weekend. Celebrate my brithday. I love you. :)
