After a hectic 11-game slate on Friday, things quiet down a bit on Saturday as there are only five total games. With the PHI/PHO matchup tipping off earlier in the day, only four games will count towards Saturday’s main slate.

Building a lineup that separates from the pack isn’t always easy on lighter slates such as this one. There are fewer players to choose from, and most of the elite guys will be greater than 60% rostered. With that said, it’s imperative to take a flier on one or two lower-level guys for your lineup to stand out. Is it a risk? Sure. But if they hit, there’s a good chance you’ll cash in and win some money.

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Most Value Per Dollar 

At first glance, five of the eight teams squaring off on Saturday night rank in the bottom half of the league in PACE Factor, so it’s sure to be a slow-paced night with plenty of defense. However, there is one matchup that looks enticing as both the Brooklyn Nets and Golden State Warriors each rank inside the top-6 in PACE Factor. Given that this matchup has the highest over-under on the slate, it would be wise to construct your lineup around this game.

For a full list of odds and point spreads, visit BettingPros.

As for positional breakdowns, the center position is very top-heavy on Saturday, with guys like Rudy Gobert ($8,600) and DeMarcus Cousins ($6,200) being the studs to target at the position. Things drop off quickly once you get past Kelly Olynyk ($5,100), so it seems wise to spend up at the position. Other than that, PG, SG, SF, and PF are chock full of both values and studs. With that said, let’s dive into my favorite plays for Saturday’s slate.

Below is a list of the top-10 players of the day expected to generate the most value relative to their salary. These are ranked in order.

Rudy Gobert (UTA) $8,600:
While this isn’t the best matchup on paper, Gobert excels at a thing Miami struggles mightily with, and that’s rebounding. The Heat have no one capable of keeping him off the glass, so he should have no issue producing in that area. On the other hand, the center position is a wasteland Saturday, so I am all for spending up to get Gobert in your lineup.

Draymond Green (GS) $7,600:
The injuries to James Wiseman and Kevon Looney have done wonders for Draymond Green’s fantasy value. He’s averaging just under 40 FanDuel points over his last six games and gets a terrific matchup against the Nets. This game is certainly one to attack as it seems destined to be the highest-scoring on the slate.

DeMarcus Cousins (HOU) $6,200:
Cousins is fresh off a double-double in Thursday’s loss to the Heat and now gets a Knicks squad on the second night of a back-to-back who just lost Mitchell Robinson for the foreseeable future. Also, Victor Oladipo has been ruled out with a foot/ankle injury, and Boogie has posted a 25% usage rate in 254 minutes without Oladipo on the floor this season.

Eric Gordon (HOU) $5,600:
As previously mentioned, Victor Oladipo is out with a foot/ankle injury, which should open up a larger role for Gordon. He’s scored 20 or more points in 10 of his last 14 games, and the Rockets will need his offense against a stout Knicks defense. Similar to Boogie Cousins, Gordon is seeing a 27% usage rate and is averaging just under 1.0 FanDuel point per minute in 381 minutes without Oladipo on the floor.

T.J. McConnell (IND) $5,400:
McConnell has scored at least 27.4 FanDuel points in five of his last six games and gets a Hawks team allowing the third-most FanDuel points to opposing point guards. The point guard position really drops off once you get past Malcolm Brogdon ($7,200) and McConnell offers enough upside to warrant value status. The IND/ATL matchup boasts an over-under of 226.5 and is second only to the GS/BKN.

Kendrick Nunn (MIA) $5,300:
Miami has really relied on Nunn for offense over the last four games, and he’s averaged 33 minutes per game as a result. He’s been the biggest beneficiary of Goran Dragic’s ankle injury and has scored at least 35.5 FanDuel points in two of his last four games.

Juan Toscano-Anderson (GS) $5,200:
Toscano-Anderson has been a pleasant surprise for the Warriors in February and is averaging 28.6 minutes over his last six games. He’s been producing nicely as well, averaging just over 1.0 FanDuel point per minute during that span. As mentioned above, he enjoys the luxury of playing in the game with the highest over-under on the slate, giving him plenty of opportunities to produce.

Joe Ingles (UTA) $4,900:
Ingles’ value is tied directly to Mike Conley’s status, who is questionable to play after missing the last three games. Still, it’s hard to wonder how he’s priced at only $4,900 as his value increases tremendously without Conley in the lineup. If Conley sits again, Ingles will spend a ton of time with the ball in his hands as the playmaker for the Jazz. He’s averaged just under 36 FanDuel points over his last two games and is seeing a 20% usage rate during that span.

Jordan Clarkson (UTA) $4,700:
Clarkson gets a matchup against the Heat, who have been struggling to maintain scoring guards this season. They are surrendering the third-most FanDuel points to opposing shooting guards, and Clarkson has seemingly refound his rhythm after dropping 25 points in Friday’s win over the Bucks. Priced at only $4,700, he very well could be the best value on the slate.

Nerlens Noel (NYK) $4,000:
Noel is about to see a massive role increase after Mitchell Robinson went down with a fractured hand in Friday’s win over the Wizards. This is most likely the last time he’ll be priced as low as $4,000 for the foreseeable future, so take advantage while you can.

Check out our NBA Prop Bet Cheat Sheet for the top bets of the day

Studs Worth Their Salary

• Steph Curry (GS) $10,800: Steph is averaging 40 points on 57% shooting over his last four games. He’s nailed just under eight threes a game as well during his hot stretch and gets a glorious matchup against one of the league’s worst defenses. This could easily be the highest-scoring game on the slate, and Curry is the hottest player in the league at the moment.
• Kyrie Irving (BKN) $9,800: Ever since his 15 point dud against the Raptors last week, Irving has posted 44.9 and 58.8 FanDuel points, respectively, over his last two games. He’s sure to lose a bit of volume with Kevin Durant back in the mix, but he’s the cheapest piece out of Durant, James Harden, and Steph Curry in Saturday night’s likely shootout.
  
• Domantas Sabonis (IND) $9,600: Outside of an eight-point dud last week, Sabonis has scored at least 54.4 FanDuel points in three of his last six games. He gets a Hawks team on the second night of a back-to-back set and should get plenty of chances to produce as this matchup has an over-under currently set at 226.5.
• Jimmy Butler (MIA) $9,000: Butler has been doing it all for the Heat since returning from Covid protocols late last month. He’s scored at least 41.5 FanDuel points in each of his last seven games and is fresh off his first triple-double of the season in Thursday’s win over the Rockets. Take advantage of his hot streak as he looks to insert Miami back into the playoff picture in the East.
• Donovan Mitchell (UTA) $8,300: Mitchell has been heating up over his last four games, averaging just under 49 FanDuel points per game. Miami’s most significant weakness this season has been slowing down scoring guards, and Mitchell certainly fits the bill.

Notable Players to Fade

• Bam Adebayo (MIA) $8,700: Bam hasn’t been playing his best basketball lately, as he’s fresh off a 10-point game in which he fouled out and committed eight turnovers. In addition, Utah is surrendering the 4th fewest FanDuel points to opposing power forwards this season. I’d much rather spend up for Domantas Sabonis ($9,600) or pay down for Draymond Green ($7,600).
• John Wall (HOU) $7,500: While Wall looks to be a lock with Victor Oladipo ruled out, I’m not buying it. The Knicks play at a plodding pace and give up the second-fewest FanDuel points to opposing point guards this season. I’d rather spend up for Steph Curry or spend down for guys like Malcolm Brogdon ($7,200) or T.J. McConnell ($5,400).
• Myles Turner (IND) $6,600: Turner hasn’t reached 30+ FanDuel points in any of his previous five games and gets a tough matchup against the Hawks, who are surrendering the 4th fewest FanDuel points to opposing centers this season.  

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Alex Burns a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Alex, check out his archive and follow him @aburnshoops.