This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
Seven games are on tap in the NBA this Saturday, making it a little tougher than usual to find the best value options with fewer players available. Finding the key injuries and increase in minutes will allow the salary flexibility necessary to roll some of the top options into lineups. Here's a look at today's value plays.
Saturday Value Plays
Point Guard
Brandon Knight vs. DEN ($7,100): Knight is coming his best fantasy performance of the season, scoring 37 points with four assists against the Clippers, good for 48 fantasy points Thursday. The matchup Saturday is about as good as it gets, facing a young Denver squad that is allowing the third-most FanDuel points to opposing shooting guards this season. Knight has historically played the point guard position through the first four seasons of his career, but has shifted over to the two since being traded to Phoenix last season. Denver is not good at defending either position, making Knight a top play regardless of who's guarding him.
Shooting Guard
Eric Bledsoe vs. DEN ($8,500): I don't typically endorse playing two players from the same backcourt, but DFS players should quickly realize that Denver and Philly are two teams that you're going to want to attack on a consistent basis this season. Bledsoe put his stat-stuffing repertoire on display Thursday against the Lakers, racking up a near triple-double with 26 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists. Expect more backcourt dominance at home in a game with one of the highest totals on the board (209.5).
Evan Fournier at WAS ($5,600): Fournier was already a solid value play to start the season after quickly leapfrogging Aaron Gordon for starter's minutes and producing at a high level at near minimum salary, scoring at least 19 points with five rebounds in four of his first five games this season. Look for Fournier to continue to step up the scoring pace with Victor Oladipo on the sidelines battling concussion symptoms.
Washington is battling injury concerns of their own, with Bradley Beal missing the past few games with a shoulder issue. Washington was already struggling with perimeter defense, allowing the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing shooting guards this season. That number will likely increase if Gary Neal has to start for Beal again.
Small Forward
Tobias Harris at WAS ($6,500): Harris is another player who has managed to step for Orlando in Oladipo's absence, posting 19 points, 13 rebounds, three steals and three assists Friday against a tough Jazz defense. Otto Porter has been a defensive turnstile so far this season, allowing 49.51 FanDuel points to opposing small forwards, ranking him dead-last in the NBA. With Harris' minutes creeping into the high 30s over the past two games, he is a great value for cash and GPPs Saturday.
Power Forward
Blake Griffin vs. DET ($9,700): There are a number of factors working in Griffin's favor Saturday. Let's start with his 30.26 PER, which currently ranks second behind Stephen Curry this season. That's always a great indicator that a player is performing efficiently and effectively in their offense. Secondly, Chris Paul is doubtful for Saturday's game with a groin injury, making the Clippers that much more likely to lean on Griffin offensively against Detroit's bottom-10 power forward defensive ranking.
Terrence Jones vs. DAL ($5,400): Jones was excellent against the Nuggets on Friday, finishing with 23 points, seven rebounds and four blocks in just 20 minutes after missing the previous five games with a lacerated eyelid. The injury and missed playing time has helped hold his price down, making him an excellent play against the Mavericks, who are allowing the second-most fantasy points to opposing power forwards this season.
Center
Andre Drummond at LAC ($9,700): We've been saying this all along on the RotoWire DFS podcast, but it's worth reiterating here: DeAndre Jordan is a below-average center when guarding his own man one-on-one. He gets all the highlight plays with weak side blocks and alley oops, but he was a guy who was routinely targeted in DFS last season, and he ranks in the bottom 12 again this year. The other centers on the board under consideration (Brook Lopez, Greg Monroe, Jahlil Okafor) all have bad defensive matchups, and don't typically have the 60-point ceiling that Drummond offers. If you can make room in your budget, Drummond is worth value today.
