Counterattack - Saturday's Top Contrarian Plays
Here are the top low-ownership options for Saturday's NBA action. Note: this excludes the Los Angeles Clippers at Brooklyn Nets contest as it is not included in many GPPs:
PG Tony Parker, Spurs (at Hawks)
Parker, like most Spurs players, is almost always worth fading to avoid the headache. But, seeing how unlikely it is that he'll rest for two nights in a row, Parker becomes a nice handcuff to a selection like Steph Curry. Parker spreads his stats around, and will almost always return a little value.
He somewhat effective in his last game because of his two steals, three dimes, and four boards. Expect him to play a full game and to play better than he did earlier in the week.
SG Danny Green, Spurs (at Hawks)
Continuing with the Spurs, Green is probably off everyone's starting lineup by this point. It has been a terrible season. He's averaging seven points, four rebounds and two assists per game while his shooting percentage has been a ghastly 32%. He has been consistently shooting above 43% for his entire career.
Expect correction. He gets the minutes and it doesn't seem like Gregg Popovich is going to bench him anytime soon; not as long as the Spurs keep winning.
And while Green is having his worst statistical season by far - and his turnaround was expected already - he will be snapped up the second he has his breakout. It may be a tough matchup, but he is an excellent GPP play Saturday.
SF Carmelo Anthony, Knicks (at Trail Blazers)
The Trail Blazers actually defend the SF position better than most, but that needs to be ignored when one of the best SFs in the game comes to town. They limited P.J. Tucker to next to nothing, but got picked apart by Lebron James. Expect more of the latter and roster Anthony who is closer to James' level than he is Tucker's.
PF Paul Millsap, Hawks (vs. Spurs)
On paper, the Hawks-Spurs game looks like one to be avoided entirely. That's why there is value. Millsap against the best, and most efficient, defense in the NBA may scare some people away, but the big man is playing more than 30 minutes every night and is almost a guarantee at a double-double. Even if it is against San Antonio.
C Marcin Gortat, Wizards (at Mavericks)
He may be less expensive than a bulk of players at center, but considering more consistent names like Andre Drummond or Greg Monroe are playing he may be avoided by default. That and playing opposite Zaza Pachulia doesn't help. Gortat still has high upside, and should still provide value despite the other options available.