FanDuel NBA: Saturday Value Plays

FanDuel NBA: Saturday Value Plays

This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.

We have an interesting challenge on our hands Saturday with respect to finding value, as there are only two games on the slate. But, with a couple of the teams in action dealing with injuries, there happen to be several affordably priced players that are currently enjoying expanded roles. Additionally, other pieces that have had regular roles in the rotation continue to sport salaries that they could conceivably outpace. Without further ado, let's go bargain hunting in Saturday's shallow player pool:

POINT GUARD  

Spencer Dinwiddie, BKN at MIL ($5,200): Dinwiddie bounced back from a couple of sub-par outings to score 25.3 fantasy points against the Raptors on Wednesday. He'd also eclipsed 20 fantasy points in three other games over his last five overall, and with the Nets in desperation mode with respect to their postseason standing, he should be heavily involved Saturday. The Bucks certainly don't make for the best matchup on paper, but Dinwiddie should see more than enough minutes to have a chance at a 5x or more return on a very reasonable salary.

George Hill, MIL vs. BKN ($4,200): Hill has turned back the clock over the last three games, scoring 28.7 to 33.5 fantasy points over that span. The veteran has logged 21 points or more in six straight contests overall, and that trend should continue Saturday versus a Nets team that's struggled against the point guard position. Brooklyn checks in allowing the fifth-most fantasy points per game (41.5) to ones, and the third-most (64.8) over the last five. Hill just posted 30.9 fantasy points against the Nets two games ago as well, furthering his case.

SHOOTING GUARD        

Caris LeVert, BKN at MIL ($6,100): LeVert has started to come on during the latter stretches of the season after initially showing some rust following his long layoff due to a foot injury.  The emerging wing had scored 29.9 to 34.8 fantasy points in the five games prior to Wednesday against the Raptors, when he put up a clunker over 26 minutes. The high end of that range actually came against the same Bucks squad he'll face Saturday. Milwaukee has been about middle of the pack in limiting efficiency to small forwards, and they've yielded the ninth-most fantasy points per game (50.6) to the position over the last five contests.

Walter Lemon Jr., CHI vs. PHI ($6,000): Lemon has been a revelation since joining the Bulls three games ago, scoring 24.9 to 46.8 fantasy points on those contests. With Zach LaVine (thigh) already confirmed out Saturday and Kris Dunn (back) listed as doubtful, Lemon could well be in line for extended run once more. The second-year guard is shooting an impressive 51.2 percent thus far and will have his chances against a Sixers team ranked in the bottom half of the league in offensive efficiency rating (43.3) allowed to opposing second units. It's also worth noting how aggressive Lemon has remained when he's been on the floor -- he's averaging 14.3 attempts over his first three contests.

SMALL FORWARD

J.J. Redick, PHI at CHI ($6,100): Joel Embiid is questionable once again with knee soreness Saturday, and an absence by the big man would bode well for Redick's fantasy production. The veteran wing scored over 30 fantasy points in two of the three games Embiid just sat out for, and he compiled 41.9 in Thursday's game against the Bucks with Embiid back in the lineup. Redick checks in shooting 51.7 percent over his last five games, including 44.7 percent from distance. Meanwhile, the Bulls come in allowing the second-highest offensive efficiency rating (24.1) to twos, along with the ninth-highest three-point percentage (36.9) and the seventh-most fantasy points per game (41.4) to the position.

JaKarr Sampson, CHI vs. PHI ($5,500): Sampson is another Bulls player seeing opportunity due to injury, as he's helped fill in for Otto Porter, Jr. (shoulder) during the latter's multi-game absence. Sampson has scored 35.4 and 35.8 fantasy points in the two games he's played thus far with Chicago, logging 29 minutes in each. With Porter looking very iffy again for Saturday and Zach LaVine (thigh) already ruled out over at shooting guard, Sampson should have enough opportunity between what will likely be two absences to garner enough minutes for a strong return. Sampson has been highly efficient in the pair of contests he's played in as well, draining 66.7 percent of his 21 total shot attempts.  

POWER FORWARD   

Ed Davis, BKN at MIL ($4,000): Davis' production sees its fair share of fluctuation, but he carries a ceiling of over 20 fantasy points any time he takes the floor. The veteran's price carries very little risk as well, and it's worth noting he just scored 26.3 fantasy points two games ago versus this same Bucks squad while pulling down 14 rebounds in 19 minutes. Milwaukee has been tough versus centers all season, but Davis should see most of his minutes against the second unit as usual, keep him viable on the short slate.

D.J. Wilson, MIL vs BKN ($3,600): One of the players that Davis could frequently square off against down low is Wilson, who's logged 21 and 34 minutes, respectively, in two of his last three games. Wilson has scored over 20 fantasy points on two occasions during that span as well and will have an appealing matchup Saturday. The Nets come in allowing the fourth-most fantasy points per game (39.1) to centers for the season, along with the fifth-highest offensive efficiency rating (35.4) to the position. Then, the Nets also allow the fifth-most points in the paint per game (51.4), which could open up opportunities for Wilson to rack up some scoring on high-percentage shots.

CENTER  

Robin Lopez, CHI vs. PHI ($5,300): Lopez has enjoyed a strong second half of the season, and he'll come into Saturday's game having scored 21 to 42.4 fantasy points in three of the last four. He's flashed a ceiling north of 30 fantasy points on multiple occasions this season, including against this same Sixers squad the last time he saw them March 6 (30.3 fantasy points). With Joel Embiid potentially missing Saturday's game, Lopez could have an even easier path to a solid return, especially considering Philadelphia already allows the seventh-most fantasy points per game (36.9) to centers for the season.

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire. Juan Carlos Blanco plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: DraftKings: jcblanco22, FanDuel: jc_blanco22, DraftPot: jc_blanco22, FantasyDraft: jc_blanco22, OwnThePlay: jcblanco22.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Juan Carlos Blanco
Winner of the FSWA 2016 Newcomer of the Year Award, Juan Carlos Blanco has been playing fantasy sports for over 20 years and covers NBA, MLB, NFL, CFL and Arena Football for Rotowire.com, including serving as the beat writer for teams in multiple sports. He has previously written for KFFL.com and remains an avid season-long and daily fantasy player in multiple sports as well.
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