This article is part of our FantasyDraft NBA series.
Saturday brings a seven-game slate with a lot of fantasy potential centered on a select number of contests. Celtics-Knicks, Jazz-Mavericks, and Heat-Grizzlies project to be more grind-it-out, slow-paced type of battles, but the Warriors-Thunder, Lakers-Kings and Bulls-Timberwolves games could all certainly turn into high-scoring affairs. There's also a high-profile absence (Jimmy Butler) that will have a domino effect. With so much to consider, let's jump right in.
GUARD
Russell Westbrook, OKC at GS ($20,800): Westbrook has averaged 34.0 points, 9.5 rebounds, 9.0 assists and 2.0 steals across 36.5 minutes in two games against the Warriors this season, while Golden State comes in allowing 44.8 fantasy points per game to point guards over the last five contests, along with the ninth-most points (28.2) during that span. Moreover, the defending NBA champs are allowing the third-most points in the paint (47.7), a particularly relevant stat for Westbrook considering his penchant for drives to the basket. Westbrook has also scored at least 50.50 fantasy points in seven straight contests, a caliber of production that Golden State's third-fastest pace of play (103.7 possessions per game) should help him continue generating Saturday.
Zach LaVine, CHI at MIN ($13,500): LaVine lit up his former Timberwolves squad for 46.75 fantasy points over 33 minutes in his one prior meeting against them Feb. 9, and with Jimmy Butler (knee) out for at least Saturday's game, his path to similar production could be even easier Saturday. The third-year guard has been impressive in nearly every contest since his mid-January season debut, and he's been especially effective in the last seven games. LaVine is sporting a 31.3 percent usage rate and averaging 1.17 fantasy points per minute over that span, making him especially appealing against a Minnesota team that's allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to two-guards over the last 10 (54.3) with Butler in the lineup, including the most (77.7) over the last five. They're also notably yielding the eighth-highest number of points off three-pointers (33.2) per contest, while LaVine is draining 53.3 percent of his 5.0 attempts from distance over the last three games, as well as a career-high 40.3 percent on the season.
Jamal Crawford, MIN vs. CHI ($7,500): There's quite a few appealing options in the affordable guard tier, including Buddy Hield ($10,200) and David Nwaba ($8,900). However, Crawford comes in considerably cheaper than most and could well be in for a start or extended minutes Saturday given Jimmy Butler's confirmed absence with a knee injury. That would put him in a favorable spot against the fast-paced Bulls, which are generating the eighth-most possessions per game (102.0). They're also allowing 51.8 fantasy points per game to two-guards over the last 10 -- a notably higher figure than the 40.7 they've yielded to the position on the season – as well as the third-highest shooting percentage (48.0) during that stretch. Crawford has consistently made good use of modest playing time this season, so an appreciable bump Saturday could lead to a strong return on his bargain price.
FORWARD/CENTER
Kevin Durant, GS vs. OKC ($17,800): Durant has enjoyed success against his former Thunder teammates this season, as evidenced by averages of 27.0 points (on 51.6 percent shooting), 5.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.5 steals across 31.5 minutes in two games. He also got his unofficial second half off to a strong start Thursday with 43.75 fantasy points versus the Clippers, the sixth time over the last eight games in which he's eclipsed the 40-point mark. OKC has been relatively solid against threes this season but more vulnerable as of late, as the 39.0 fantasy points per game they've yielded to the position over the last five is a notable increase over their 31.9 season figure. They've been vulnerable to long distance shooting as well, allowing the ninth-most points from three-pointers (33.0) per game, including the fourth most (42.0) over the last three. Those numbers are particularly relevant when evaluating Durant's suitability, considering he's equaling a career best with a 42.2 percent success rate from behind the arc this season and is draining 50.0 percent of his 5.2 attempts from downtown over the last five contests.
Julius Randle, LAL at SAC ($13,900): Randle is fresh off posting his first triple-double of the season Friday versus the Mavs, the latest stellar performance during what's been an extended stretch of superior play. The third-year big has scored 30.75 to 50.75 fantasy points in nine of his last 10, a stretch during which he's shooting 59.6 percent, generating a 28.7 percent usage rate and averaging 1.18 fantasy points per minute. He's also punished the Kings for averages of 18.0 points, 11.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.5 steals across 30.0 minutes in two games this season, and Sacramento comes in allowing the seventh-most fantasy points to power forwards on the season (39.3), along with bottom-five or bottom-10 figures in multiple other categories. It's also worth noting that Randle is becoming increasingly involved on the offensive end, as the 14.4 shot attempts he's put over the last five is an appreciable increase over his 10.3 season figure.
Ivica Zubac, LAL at SAC ($6,200): As is the case at guard, there's multiple viable selections in the affordable tier at forward/center, a group that includes Dwight Powell ($10,300) if Dirk Nowitzki sits with back tightness, as well as tournament-only options Jae Crowder ($9,200), Greg Monroe ($7,600), Justin Jackson ($7,600) and Kyle O'Quinn ($7,400). However, Zubac is also highly worthy of consideration, especially factoring in that his price remains just $200 away from minimum despite the fact he racked up 33.75 and 22.50 fantasy points in the two games sandwiching the All-Star break. Head coach Luke Walton is on record stating that he'll be affording the second-year big more playing time moving forward, and accordingly, he's nearly drawn even with Brook Lopez in minutes over the aforementioned pair of contests. The Kings make for highly attractive targets as well, as they've allowed 34.2 fantasy points per game to centers, along with the fifth-highest shooting percentage (54.0).
UTILITY
Karl-Anthony Towns, MIN vs. CHI ($17,400): Damian Lillard ($18,100) is also naturally in play at a few hundred more in a premium matchup versus the Suns, but there's undeniably a blowout possibility in that contest that makes his price a tad risky. Meanwhile, Towns takes on a Bulls squad that he tallied 31.00 fantasy points in 32 minutes against Feb. 9, and he comes in having scored 41.75 to 64.50 fantasy points in his last four games overall. He's been a virtual lock for the double-double bonus, accomplishing the feat in 11 of the last 12 games and leading the NBA with 52 overall. Chicago has been highly susceptible to centers as well, allowing the second-most fantasy points (37.0) to the position on the season, including 46.0 over the last five contests. Finally, given Butler's confirmed absence Saturday, it's important to factor in Towns' average of 1.29 fantasy points per minute with the former off the floor this season.
Rudy Gobert, UTA vs. DAL ($13,100): Gobert has scored 32.25 to 43.75 fantasy points in eight of his last nine contests, posting double-doubles in six of those games. Those numbers all represent above-average-to-excellent returns on his current price, putting him firmly in play in a favorable matchup against a Mavericks squad that's been vulnerable to centers throughout the season. Dallas is allowing the sixth-most fantasy points (35.0) to centers on the season, including 44.7 over the last 10. They also have the sixth-lowest team shooting percentage (44.6), which should afford Gobert a few extra rebounding opportunities over the course of the contest.
