This article is part of our FantasyDraft NBA series.
There are plenty of big names on Saturday's eight-game slate, but many are either on back-to-backs or in tough matchups, making for a particularly interesting night of decisions. With a solid amount of games on the ledger, however, there are no shortage of options at lower salary levels. Let's sift through where some of the most favorable spots can be found.
GUARD
James Harden, HOU vs. MIL ($21,000): The top three guard options are on the second night of back-to-back sets Saturday, with Russell Westbrook ($22,000) especially likely to be feeling some of the after-effects of a triple overtime classic against the Sixers. Harden is $1K cheaper and played a relatively scant 33 minutes versus the Spurs on Friday, and he'll draw an appealing matchup against a Bucks defense that's allowed 55.2 fantasy points per game to shooting guards over the last 10 games, a notably higher figure than the 49.4 figure they've surrendered on the season. Especially relevant in Harden's case is the fact that they've also yielded the third most made three-pointers (4.3) per game to the position, along with the second highest shooting percentage (46.0). Harden has scored under 50 fantasy points just twice in the last nine games, providing a glimpse at his sky-high upside.
Kyrie Irving, BOS at MEM ($14,100): The Celtics have drawn two very fantasy-averse matchups in the Jazz on Friday and the Grizzlies tonight, but Irving is in a better spot than it might appear on the surface against Memphis. The Grizzlies are not playing the same caliber of point-guard defense without Mike Conley (Achilles) in the lineup and Mario Chalmers now coming off the bench, as they've allowed 51.8 fantasy points per game to ones over the last five, well over 10 fantasy points per game higher than the 41.3 figure they've yielded to the position on the season. Irving has scored between 43.25 and 51.25 fantasy points in three of his past four games while posting a team-high 29.7 percent usage rate and averaging 1.17 fantasy points per minute during that stretch.
Milos Teodosic, LAC at MIA ($8,700): Teodosic should be back in the starting lineup Saturday after receiving Friday off for rest, providing him an opportunity to build on the 21.25 and 28.50 fantasy points he's scored in his first two games back from a foot injury. The Heat are not usually a defense to attack for fantasy purposes, but the shooting guard position has been an exception. Miami comes into Saturday's contest having allowed 51.1 fantasy points per game to two-guards on the season, along with the third most rebounds (8.1) and the fourth most steals (2.3) to the position as well.
FORWARD/CENTER
Karl-Anthony Towns, MIN vs. PHO ($17,600): Towns has already lit up the Suns for 43.00 and 54.00 fantasy points this season, and he'll come into Saturday's matchup in the midst of a torrid four-game stretch. Towns has scored between 53.50 and 69.50 fantasy points in those contests while posting a 24.9 percent usage rate and averaging 1.41 fantasy points per minute over that span. The Suns continue to be highly vulnerable to fives, as they've allowed the second most fantasy points per game to centers (41.5) on the season, the third most (42.6) over the last 10, and the second most points (17.6) and rebounds (12.2) to the position as well. With LeBron James ($22,300) up against a tough Jazz defense and Giannis Antetokounmpo ($19,000) on the back end of a back-to-back, Towns serves as a viable cost-savings pivot in an appealing situation.
Carmelo Anthony, OKC at NY ($13,200): Anthony makes his highly anticipated return to the Big Apple and has notably already enjoyed some success versus the Knicks this season, having posted 22 points over 34 minutes against them in the season opener in OKC. While his production has fluctuated some, Anthony has scored over 30 fantasy points in four of his last six games and could well have an opportunity to avoid Kristaps Porzingis down low, as KP is questionable with a knee injury. The Knicks have also been more vulnerable to power forwards recently, allowing 44.4 fantasy points per game to the position over the last 10 games despite Porzingis' presence in many of those contests.
Alex Len, PHO at MIN ($9,000): Bam Adebayo ($8,500) is also worthy of consideration for tournaments in a good matchup versus the Clippers frontcourt. However, Len has been efficient with his relatively modest amount of playing time recently, as he's scored between 22.50 and 31.50 fantasy points in the last four games despite playing no more than 20 minutes in any of those contests. The T-Wolves have allowed the seventh highest fantasy points (38.9) per game to centers on the season, along with bottom five or 10 figures in points (17.3), rebounds (11.8) and shooting percentage (58.0) allowed.
UTILITY
Jimmy Butler, MIN vs. PHO ($17,000): After a so-so start to his Timberwolves tenure, Butler has now fully hit his stride. He's scored between 40.50 and 53.50 fantasy points in nine of his last 10 games, posting a 25.5 percent usage rate and averaging 1.15 fantasy points per minute during that stretch. The Suns are likely to be facilitators for more of the same, considering they've allowed 47.6 fantasy points per game to shooting guards and an average of 44.00 fantasy points to Butler in two prior meeting this season.
Donovan Mitchell, UTA at CLE ($12,700): Mitchell has displayed an outstanding level of versatility and consistency for a rookie, as most recently evidenced by the fact that he's scored between 27.75 and 53.50 fantasy points in his seven of his last eight games. He's significantly outperformed his current price by eclipsing 30 fantasy points thrice, 40 fantasy points twice and 50 fantasy points on another occasion over that stretch, and his Saturday matchup could leave him primed for more. The Cavaliers have been susceptible to shooting guards all season, allowing the second most fantasy points (53.8) per game on the season to the position, along with the second most made three-pointers (4.4).
