The NBA schedule for Saturday is absolutely loaded with 11 games on the slate beginning in the afternoon and that will mean plenty of options to choose from in Daily Fantasy Leagues. With 22 teams in action it won’t be easy to find the perfect mix between superstar players and value bargain plays but we feel like we’ve found that balance. Here is some important advice to consider for Saturday’s NBA action.
Weak Defense To Target: Sacramento Kings
The Phoenix Suns have been an absolute mess over the past couple of weeks but they will have the perfect opportunity to get back on track when they visit the Sacramento Kings on Saturday night. The Kings rank dead-last in the NBA in scoring defense with an average of 107.3 points allowed per game this season and while that doesn’t mean the Suns will beat them it does mean that it’s a good idea to target Sacramento’s defense. Brandon Knight has been on fire for Phoenix but it’s also worth considering Devin Booker and TJ Warren as sleeper bargain plays that offer quality value for Saturday’s Daily Fantasy Leagues.
Player Who’s Hot Right Now: Kemba Walker, Charlotte Hornets
Charlotte will be in tough against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday but Walker has been on fire over the past week of action and the Hornets will need him at his absolute best for this game. Walker entered Friday averaging an NBA-best 29.7 points with 6.7 assists, 5.0 rebounds, 3.0 three-point shots and 2.3 steals per game over the last week. That was before he produced another quality outing in Toronto, scoring 18 points while adding five rebounds, four steals, three assists, two threes and a block. He will definitely be looking to push the pace opposite Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant and company as Charlotte continues to lean on his ability at both ends of the floor.
Injuries, Rest Create Opportunities For… Evan Fournier, Jerryd Bayless
Orlando Magic guard Evan Fournier topped 40 minutes for the first time since mid-November on Wednesday night and he responded with 17 points, five assists, three rebounds and two steals. On Friday, he played 28 minutes but that was partially because of foul trouble. Fournier has averaged 16.3 points, 5.3 assists, 2.7 three-point shots, 2.0 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game over the last seven days and as long as he continues to get opportunities, he should remain a strong value option at a discount price for the Magic when they visit the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Meanwhile, Milwaukee Bucks’ guard Jerryd Bayless has impressed in his return from injury as he averaged 13.5 points, 5.5 assists, 2.0 rebounds and 1.0 three-point shot per game over his last two contests. Bayless has been a consistent fantasy performer for the Bucks when healthy this season so it makes sense to take a chance on him when Milwaukee visits the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday night. Remember that Bayless has now started seven games this season and in those contests, he’s averaging 10.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 2.0 threes, 1.6 free throws and 0.9 steals in 35.1 minutes of action.
Highest Scoring Game Of The Night: NO @ DAL
The New Orleans Pelicans have struggled to claw their way back in to the playoff picture in the loaded Western Conference and it won’t get any easier for them when they visit a Dallas Mavericks’ side that just handed the Golden State Warriors their second loss of the season. One thing that is for sure is that both teams are more than capable of scoring points in bunches so there will be some quality fantasy options on both sides of the court. When you take a look at the offshore odds, we’re looking at a total of 207.5 according to the opening lines.
Anthony Davis is the obvious stud for New Orleans but Eric Gordon and Tyreke Evans are quality options as well. Meanwhile, J.J. Barea and Zaza Pachulia have been excellent for the Mavericks of late and are definitely worth taking a chance on as strong value plays for Saturday’s NBA action.
