Saturday's NBA schedule consists of eight games, one of which being the matchup between the Jazz and Timberwolves. The most intriguing matchup in that game has to be Utah's Rudy Gobert and Minnesota's Karl-Anthony Towns, with the former being a high-level defender and the latter being one of the NBA's best and versatile young players. The two teams last met November 28, with the Jazz winning in Minneapolis by nine and Gobert doing a good job of defending Towns. Towns finished the game with 19 points and 12 rebounds, but he shot just 8-for-19 from the field as Utah harassed the big man throughout in the night.
As for Gobert, he finished the first meeting with 16 points, 17 rebounds and three blocked shots, and with his status as arguably the best defensive big man in the NBA. Towns will more opportunities to score within his team's system, but that also means that Gobert won't lack for opportunities defensively. Here are Saturday's FanDuel picks, using the rules of a nine-player roster and a $60,000 salary cap. Note: Some stats courtesy of Basketball Reference. (Getty)
PG: Kemba Walker, Charlotte
Opponent: at San Antonio
Price: $7,600
With fellow starting guard Nicolas Batum sidelined with a knee injury, and Batum's replacements (Marco Belinelli and Jeremy Lamb) not being particularly consistent with their production, even more responsibility falls upon Walker's shoulders Saturday night. In the first meeting between the Hornets and Spurs this season, a five-point San Antonio victory, Walker accounted for 26 points, nine rebounds and seven assists, shooting 9-for-16 from the field. While he could be defended by Kawhi Leonard at some point, Walker should still have another productive night. (Getty)
PG: Michael Carter-Williams, Chicago
Opponent: at New York
Price: $4,800
Carter-Williams, who's still working to get more comfortable in the starter's role for the Bulls, may benefit from the failings of the Knicks Thursday night. The Knicks aren't particularly good defensively, and they're also 0-7 in the second half of back-to-backs this season. Maybe the Knicks will be more motivated given the way in which they lost to Philadelphia Wednesday night, but it's more likely that Carter-Williams produces a quality performance. (Getty)
SG: Tim Hardaway Jr., Atlanta
Opponent: at Brooklyn
Price: $4,500
Hardaway's scored 12 points or more in each of the last four games for the Hawks, and with Kyle Korver being traded to Cleveland he'll have even more chances to contribute off the bench. In the last two games, the first since reports of Korver being traded first surfaced, Hardaway's averaged 18.0 points and 4.0 rebounds per game. And with Brooklyn having its issues to address defensively, this is a game where Hardaway could wind up being a steal given his salary cap number. (Getty)
SF: Paul George, Indiana
Opponent: at Sacramento
Price: $7,500
The Pacers have played four games against Pacific Division teams this season, and in those games George has averaged 23.0 points, 9.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. On Wednesday he and the Pacers visit the Kings, a team that's currently ranked 21st in points allowed per game and 24th in defensive rating. George and Kings starting small forward Rudy Gay may exchange some baskets, but in the end George's all-around game should result in a nice night by FanDuel standards on Wednesday. (Getty)
SF: Danilo Gallinari, Denver
Opponent: at Oklahoma City
Price: $6,000
Gallinari's FanDuel point total has decreased in each of his last three games, with the most recent tally being 20.1 points against the Spurs. Averaging 17.1 points and 4.9 rebounds per game, Gallinari hasn't failed to score in double figures since December 5, and Thursday's 15-point effort ended a streak of six consecutive games in which he scored 18 points or more. Oklahoma City has some solid defenders on the wings, but Gallinari shouldn't lack for opportunities to score either. (Getty)
PF: Anthony Davis, New Orleans
Opponent: at Boston
Price: $10,800
Davis' opponent will be playing for the second consecutive night, and Boston had to expend more energy than many anticipated in holding off Philadelphia Friday night. And Davis was productive in the first meeting between the teams, accounting for 25 points, 16 rebounds, four blocks and two steals (and seven turnovers) in the Pelicans' one-point victory. It should be noted that neither Al Horford nor Jae Crowder played in that game, and both will be on the court Saturday night. But when you're averaging nearly 52 FanDuel points per game as Davis is, the opportunities to score won't be lacking. (Getty)
PF: Enes Kanter, Oklahoma City
Opponent: vs. Denver
Price: $5,500
Averaging 23.3 FanDuel points per game on the season, Kanter has exceeded that number in seven of his last nine outings for the Thunder. Kanter's averaging 13.6 points and 6.3 rebounds per game on the season, and he's scored 19 points or more in six of the last eight games. Denver has some size to use off the bench, but the size of a Jusuf Nurkic shouldn't render Kanter ineffective. At minimum Kanter should score safely into the twenties from a FanDuel standpoint. (Getty)
C: Myles Turner, Indiana
Opponent: vs. New York
Price: $6,300
The Pacers have struggled of late, getting blown out by the Lakers Friday and then losing to the Jazz the following night. Monday night the Pacers host a New York team that has struggled defensively, and Turner's had solid games against the Knicks in their two prior meetings this season. In the two prior meetings, Turner averaged 17.0 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game. Posting similar numbers shouldn't be too difficult for Turner Monday night. (Getty)
FanDuel NBA Lineup Picks, Advice & Analysis for January 7