This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
A robust eight-game slate is on tap Saturday night, which gives us a diverse menu of value to choose from. As is customary, some injuries are setting up scenarios where players are priced below their current roles, and there's a robust selection of options under $6k that merit consideration. With the astronomically priced James Harden on the slate and fellow stars Kyrie Irving and Kawhi Leonard also in play, finding viable savings becomes a priority:
POINT GUARD
Reggie Jackson, DET vs. SAC ($5,400): Jackson's numbers are down overall this season, but his modest price reflects his downturn. However, the veteran has exceeded 20 fantasy points in two of his last three games, and he draws a matchup Saturday that could well coax one of his better performances out of him. The Kings allow the fourth-most fantasy points (47.0) per game to ones, along with the third-most points (23.6) and fourth-most assists (8.5) per contest to the position. Moreover, the Kings bring the NBA's third-fastest pace (107.1 possessions per contest) to Motown, which boosts Jackson's prospects in the form of extra opportunities.
Tyler Johnson, MIA at CHI ($3,900): Johnson responded to his Friday spot start in place of Josh Richardson (illness) by accumulating 29.5 fantasy points. He could be up for another turn with the first unit Saturday if Richardson remains under the weather, and it's worth noting he regularly sees minutes in the 20s if he fills a second-unit role anyhow. In either scenario, he appears to be underpriced against a Bulls team that allows 39.4 fantasy points per game to shooting guards, along with the second-most made threes (3.3) to the position. Johnson has also proven a much more effective shooter on the road, as he's draining 46.6 percent of his attempts when traveling, including a red-hot 44.3 percent from three-point range. Those numbers are especially relevant when considering Chicago is allowing the fifth-highest shooting percentage (45.0) to two-guards.
SHOOTING GUARD
Eric Gordon, HOU vs. LAL ($5,900): Gordon does carry an injury designation into Saturday, but it's a probable tag after he just suited up for his first game since an extended absence due to a knee issue. Gordon racked up 28.6 fantasy points in 21 minutes versus the Nets in Wednesday's overtime loss, and he should be in for at least a slight bump in minutes Saturday. Gordon boasts a 26.0 percent usage rate without Clint Capela on the floor this season, while the Lakers come in allowing the fifth-most fantasy points (49.3) and points (27.8) per game to two-guards. With a price that's unlikely to be under $6K for much longer, Gordon makes for appealing value against the third-fastest-paced team (107.1 possessions per game) in the NBA.
Dwyane Wade, MIA at CHI ($4,900): Wade returns to his hometown at a very enticing price, one that he's outpaced with regularity recently. Wade has scored over 25 fantasy points in six of his last nine games overall, and he posted a solid 22.8 over just 24 minutes versus Chicago in his one prior encounter with them this season. The Bulls continue to be vulnerable to two-guards as well, as they're allowing the seventh-most fantasy points (48.2) and points (26.8) per game to the position. Just as important, Chicago yields the third-most threes (4.0) per contest to twos, while Wade is taking a career-high 3.9 three-point attempts per contest and draining them at a 33.3 percent clip.
SMALL FORWARD
Gary Harris, DEN vs. CLE ($4,900): Harris' season has been a bit of an injury-marred mess of late, but he encouragingly put together 14 points in just 19 minutes in his return from a hamstring issue versus the Bulls on Thursday. His minutes should be back in the 20s at minimum Saturday, and due to the extended time he's missed of late, his price is atypically low at the moment. That puts him squarely in play versus a Cavaliers squad that's allowing 45.0 fantasy points per game to shooting guards, along with 3.0 made threes per contest. In turn, Harris is taking 5.1 three-point attempts per contest and has drained multiple buckets from distance in four consecutive games. Harris was exceeding 30 fantasy points with regularity earlier in the season when he was healthy, so he's a true bargain at his current cost.
Chandler Hutchison, CHI vs. MIA ($3,800): Hutchison continues to grow into the starting small forward role in impressive fashion, and he'll come into Saturday's game having eclipsed 20 fantasy points in three straight. He's also been especially sharp at home, as evidenced by his 48.2 percent success rate from the floor at United Center. The Heat come in allowing 41.7 fantasy points per game to small forwards, and they're also yielding the third-most rebounds (8.8) per contest to the position. There may be a few extra opportunities on the defensive glass for Hutchison on Saturday as well, considering Miami is draining just 43.8 percent of their attempts on the road, the fourth-lowest away figure in the league.
POWER FORWARD
Jaren Jackson, Jr., MEM at TOR ($5,600): Jackson has scored 27.7 to 36 fantasy points in three of the past four games, and he's also eclipsed 30 on two other occasions over his last nine contests. The rookie has proven reliable on the scoreboard and as a rebounder, and he'll draw a solid matchup Saturday against a fellow emerging big in Pascal Siakam. Toronto has been much more vulnerable in the paint of late, allowing 52.7 points per game in that area of the floor over the last three. Jackson is logging 63 percent of his scoring in that area of the court. The Raptors have also allowed the ninth-most rebounds (10.6) per contest to power forwards, furthering Jackson's case at his reasonable price.
D.J. Wilson, MIL at ORL ($3,800): Wilson has exceeded 20 fantasy points in four of the last six contests, and he maintains a dependable role in the frontcourt rotation behind Brook Lopez. Saturday, he faces a Magic squad that's allowed 40.4 fantasy points per game to centers, along with the fifth-most rebounds per game (12.6) to the position. It's also worth noting Wilson is very capable of stretching the floor, shooting 47.2 percent from three-point range on average of 2.3 attempts per game. His long-range marksmanship could be especially valuable against Orlando, which yields the second-highest three-point shooting percentage (37.8) of any team on its home court.
CENTER
Ante Zizic, CLE at DEN ($4,400): Tristan Thompson is shaping up as a game-time decision Saturday due to the foot injury that already cost him Cleveland's last contest against the Jazz. Zizic stepped up against Utah to the tune of 33 fantasy points on the strength of a 15-point, 10-rebound double-double. He also posted 20.8 to 33.6 fantasy points in three of the prior four games, as Larry Nance Jr.'s absence due to a knee issue has also helped afford him extra minutes. If he logs over 20 minutes again Saturday, he'll have an opportunity to once again put up the 8-9 shot attempts he's posted in the three recent games when he's seen extended action, and he should also benefit from the Cavs' sub-par 44.1 percent shooting on the road in the form of extra opportunities on the offensive glass.
