The NBA has six games scheduled for Saturday, and the final five games make up a solid DFS fantasy basketball slate. Of the 10 teams in the player pool, the Hawks, Warriors, Kings, and Spurs are closing out back-to-back games, while the Bucks are the only team that has a quick turnaround before another game on Sunday.
Several key players are battling injuries and their status could impact Saturday’s slate. Keep an eye out for status updates throughout the day and be sure to refresh the NBA Models for the latest adjustments as news breaks.
Let’s dive into some of the top plays on the slate using the FantasyLabs tools and projections.
Also, don’t forget that for large-field tournaments, you can utilize our Lineup Optimizer to effortlessly create up to 300 lineups or use our Lineup Builder if you like to hand-build your lineups.
Note: Projections and Leverages Scores/Ratings may change throughout the day after this article is posted. The NBA DFS landscape changes quickly.
Consult the NBA Player Models directly for any updates as we get closer to lock.
NBA DFS Point Guard Picks
Stud
The stars will be out on Saturday night on this slate, and the point guard spot is especially full of elite options. Luka Doncic is on track to return as his Mavs hosts the Bucks. He brings the highest ceiling, median, and floor projection on the entire slate and also the highest Projected Plus/Minus on the entire slate on both sites.
After missing Wednesday’s game with an ankle sprain, Doncic will be a great option to build around on Saturday. Kyrie Irving (thumb) remains doubtful, setting Doncic up for huge usage once again.
Luka has been outstanding all season but has taken it to another level, with 1.94 DraftKings points and 1.84 FanDuel points per minute over his last six games while averaging 41.0 points, 11.8 assists, and 11.3 rebounds in 41.5 minutes per game. He has a 38.2% usage rate over that stretch and a 37.9% usage with Kyrie off the floor this season.
The Mavs-Bucks matchup has the second-highest over/under on the slate, and the Bucks have been a favorable matchup for opposing point guards. Doncic has a history of getting into great duels with Damian Lillard, so facing Dame and Giannis Antetkounmpo should set him up for a big return Saturday night at home.
Value
The Knicks have won nine straight coming into Saturday night’s home game against the Lakers, and All-Star Jalen Brunson has been outstanding since the trade with the Raptors just before the New Year. He has the second-highest ceiling projection at point guard on both DraftKings and FanDuel. While he isn’t a bargain, Brunson does have the second-highest projected Plus/Minus of all point guards on FanDuel and the third-highest at the position on DraftKings. Even though he isn’t a bargain play, he does bring value.
Brunson has exceeded salary-based expectations in 11 of his last 14 games on FanDuel and nine of those contests on DraftKings. He averaged 1.34 DraftKings points and 1.29 FanDuel points per minute over those 14 games. He led the Knicks with a 32.4% usage rate and a massive workload of 35.1 minutes per game.
With Julius Randle (shoulder) out, Brunson should continue to carry a large workload in Saturday’s matchup. The Lakers have been a good matchup for opposing point guards this season, and in this favorable spot, Brunson matches 11 Pro Trends on DraftKings and 10 Pro Trends on FanDuel.
Fast Break
Trae Young and Stephen Curry go head-to-head in Atlanta in one of the top matchups of the night. Our projections give Young the higher ceiling, median, and floor projection of the two stars on both DraftKings and FanDuel. However, Curry is much cheaper on FanDuel, where he has a significantly better Projected Plus/Minus and a 76% Bargain Rating.
The Spurs moved Tre Jones back into the starting lineup, and he has been a solid producer. He started each of his last 15 games, producing 1.05 DraftKings points and 1.04 FanDuel points per minute and playing 30.6 minutes per game. He had 20 points, seven assists, and seven rebounds in 35 minutes on Friday in a narrow loss to the Pelicans. As long as there are no surprises on the Spurs’ injury report, he should be in a good spot again on Saturday at home against the Cavs. He has a top-six Projected Plus/Minus on both DraftKings and FanDuel at point guard.
With so many elite plays, bargains are hard to come by at point guard. The Bulls discussed below are good mid-range options along with Jones, but if you have to go cheaper, the options are few. Miles McBride of the Knicks has the highest Projected Plus/Minus of point guards under $5,000 on FanDuel and under $4,000 on DraftKings.
NBA DFS Shooting Guard Picks
Stud
Even though Darius Garland is back after missing 19 games with a broken jaw, Donovan Mitchell continues to be a top pay-up play at shooting guard while Garland ramps back up to a full workload. Mitchell helped carry the Cavs in Garland’s absence and is projected to have a monster game in a smash spot against the Spurs on Saturday.
Spida has the highest median, ceiling, and floor projections at shooting guard on both DraftKings and FanDuel. He matches a slate-high 12 Pro Trends on DraftKings and 10 Pro Trends on FanDuel. Even though he has the highest salary, he also ranks in the top three in Projected Plus/Minus at the position on both sites as well.
Mitchell has scored at least 23 points in six straight games and nine of his last 10. In those 10 games, he produced 1.53 DraftKings points and 1.53 FanDuel points per minute and averaged 35 minutes per game. The Spurs have been a great matchup all season since they rank in the top five in pace and the bottom 10 in defensive rating. Mitchell is again a strong piece to build around with a high ceiling this Saturday.
Value
The Bulls host the Kings on Saturday night, and they feature a few good value guard options. Coby White (ankle) is questionable, and if he’s limited or sidelined, the following two options would get even more of a boost. Even if White plays, though, Alex Caruso is a strong value option on FanDuel with the third-highest Projected Plus/Minus at point guard and the second-highest at shooting guard. On DraftKings, Ayo Dosunmu has the third-highest Projected Plus/Minus at both point guard and shooting guard along with a 94% Bargain Rating. Both players are decent options on both sites but truly stand out from a value perspective where they are significantly cheaper.
On FanDuel, Caruso has exceeded salary-based expectations in six of his last nine games, producing 0.96 FanDuel points per minute. He has played 31.4 minutes per game and has contributed in multiple categories, making him a solid play even though he only has a 14.0% usage rate.
Caruso’s salary is higher on DraftKings, but Dosunmu is a great option at just $5,200. He has scored double-digit points in nine straight games and exceeded salary-based expectations in seven straight games on DraftKings. Caruso has produced 0.91 DraftKings points per minute over that span while logging 30.9 minutes per game with a 17.6% usage rate. He has been slightly hotter than Caruso lately and is coming off games of 21 points against the Raptors and 16 points against the Hornets earlier this week.
Both Bulls guards are good options, so roll with the option that’s cheaper on your preferred site.
Fast Break
Dejounte Murray has been excellent over the past few weeks for the Hawks and has exceeded salary-based expectations in seven of his last eight games on both DraftKings and FanDuel. He has produced 1.25 DraftKings points and 1.20 FanDuel points per minute over that stretch with a 26.9% usage rate. He should be in a good spot to keep rolling against the Warriors since this matchup has the second-highest over/under on the slate.
From the other side of that matchup, Brandin Podziemski is a solid mid-range play, especially on FanDuel, where he has the fourth-highest Projected Plus/Minus of all shooting guards and a 90% Bargain Rating.
On DraftKings, Kevin Huerter has the fourth-highest Projected Plus/Minus of all shooting guards and a 94% Bargain Rating. He has exceeded salary-based expectations in seven of his last nine games on DraftKings, including each of his last five. In his last 12 games, he averaged 0.99 DraftKings points and 0.97 FanDuel points per minute while playing 29.3 minutes per game with a 17.6% usage rate.
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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
It’s been a huge week for Donte DiVincenzo, who has broken through in a big way with Julius Randle (shoulder) and O.G. Anunoby (elbow, questionable) sidelined. DiVincenzo has the highest median and ceiling projection of all small forwards on DraftKings and the highest ceiling projection at the position on FanDuel as well. He also still projects to be a great value, with the second-highest Projected Plus/Minus on the entire slate on both DraftKings and FanDuel.
DiVincenzo has scored 28, 33, and 20 points in his three games this week while averaging six three-pointers per contest. In that short span, he has a 26.9% usage rate and has produced 1.16 DraftKings points and 1.14 FanDuel points per minute while racking up 39.7 minutes per game.
Our projections like DiVincenzo to stay hot against the Lakers on Saturday, and as long as he’s getting so many opportunities, he will be a good option to build around at either shooting guard or small forward.
Value
Doncic and DiVincenzo are the only players on the entire slate on DraftKings with a higher Projected Plus/Minus than Jonathan Kuminga, who is another strong emerging option. On FanDuel, Kuminga also has the third-highest Projected Plus/Minus at small forward and a top-five Projected Plus/Minus on the entire slate. He can also slide to power forward on both DraftKings and FanDuel, where he has the highest Projected Plus/Minus on DraftKings and the second-highest on FanDuel.
Kuminga has exceeded salary-based expectations in seven straight games on both DraftKings and FanDuel. During that run, he has produced 1.24 DraftKings points and 1.22 FanDuel points per minute while playing a team-high 34.5 minutes with a 26.7% usage rate.
The Warriors are playing for the second night in a row, so keep a close eye on their injury report. Kuminga has been impressive enough to be a great value if the Warriors have their regular rotation in place on Saturday.
Fast Break
LeBron James sat out Thursday’s game in Boston and is questionable for Saturday night in New York. When active, James has been impressive, producing 1.40 DraftKings points and 1.31 FanDuel points per minute over his last 10 games while logging 35.2 minutes per game with a 28.9% usage rate. If he returns and Anthony Davis (Achilles/hip, questionable) does not, James will have an especially high ceiling. He always seems to put on a show at Madison Square Garden. If neither star returns, Austin Reaves will get a chance to build on his big game on Thursday.
With Kyrie Irving off the floor, Tim Hardaway Jr. has gotten a boost of 1.5 percentage points to a 25.9% usage rate. He has produced 0.94 DraftKings points and 0.87 FanDuel points per minute with Kyrie off the floor, and he has 24.1% projected usage in 34 projected minutes against the Bucks.
Josh Green is another big value to consider from Dallas. He has the highest Projected Plus/Minus of all forwards under $5,000 on DraftKings. His salary is up to $5,100 on FanDuel but no cheaper forward has a higher Projected Plus/Minus. Green has scored double-digit points in five of his last seven games and should stay busy with Dante Exum (knee) out, Derrick Jones Jr. (wrist) questionable and Dereck Lively II (nose) doubtful.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
The Bucks always rely heavily on Giannis Antetokounmpo, but he should be in an especially good matchup with all the Mavericks’ frontcourt injuries. Giannis has the second-highest median and ceiling projection of all players on both DraftKings and FanDuel on Saturday night. Our projections have him at 31.0% usage in 35.8 minutes.
He has at least 27 points and at least a 30% usage rate in six of his last seven games and seven double-doubles in his last eight. In his 15 games in 2024, he has produced 1.77 DraftKings points and 1.69 FanDuel points per minute and averaged 36.0 minutes per game with a hefty 32.3% usage rate.
Giannis is an expensive play, but with injury questions surrounding many of the other stars, he brings good stability and production at the top of the salary structure.
Value
Josh Hart will be in a potential revenge spot against the Lakers, after stepping into a bigger role with Randle and Anunoby sidelined. He has the highest Projected Plus/Minus of all power forwards under $6,500 on DraftKings and under $7,000 on FanDuel, ranking in the top four at the position on both sites.
Hart has started the last three games for New York, averaging 40 minutes per game against the Hornets, Jazz, and Pacers. He produced double-digit rebounds in each of those games and even turned in a triple-double of 10 points, 10 assists, and 10 rebounds on Tuesday against the Jazz.
Whenever Anunoby returns, Hart’s minutes could be cut, but while in a starting role, he has shown enough multi-category potential to be a solid mid-range target.
Fast Break
Another strong pay-up play lately has been Victor Wembanyama, who is putting together a great rookie resume. Wembanyama has been playing both halves of back-to-backs recently, and he’s worth a look as long as he’s a full go at home versus the Cavs. In his last 11 games, he has averaged 24.1 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 3.2 blocks per game to produce an elite 1.81 DraftKings points and 1.81 FanDuel points per minute.
DeMar DeRozan has the second-highest Projected Plus/Minus at power forward on DraftKings and the third-highest at small forward on FanDuel. DeRozan scored 20+ points in seven of his last 10 games and should continue to carry the load for the short-handed Bulls. He would get even more work if White is limited or sidelined.
For the Cavs, Georges Niang has been a great bargain play lately. He has the second-highest Projected Plus/Minus of all power forwards under $6,000 on DraftKings and the third highest of power forwards under $5,000 on FanDuel. If Jarrett Allen (ankle, questionable) is out or limited, Niang would step into an even larger role in this great matchup versus the Spurs.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
After being snubbed for the All-Star game, Domantas Sabonis had another big game on Friday night against his former team, the Pacers. On Saturday against the Bulls, he has the highest median projection at center on FanDuel and the second-highest ceiling projection at the position on both DraftKings and FanDuel. He also brings solid value with the second-highest Projected Plus/Minus at the position on FanDuel and the third-highest on DraftKings.
Sabonis has been excellent all season, averaging 1.46 DraftKings points and 1.36 FanDuel points per minute. He has been even better over his last nine games, surpassing salary-based expectations in eight of those nine contests. In the last week, he put together a massive 20-point, 26-rebound game against the Grizzlies and a strong triple-double against the Heat.
The Bulls have been a good matchup for opposing big men this season, making Sabonis a strong play Saturday.
Value
With Dereck Lively (nose) doubtful, Richaun Holmes is the best bargain center on the board, as he steps into a larger role. Holmes made his second start of the season on Wednesday and had 11 points, 10 boards, three assists, and two blocks in 30 minutes. That performance was his first double-double of the season, but with so many injuries in Dallas and a good matchup against the Bucks, he is set up for another strong showing on Saturday.
Holmes has the highest Projected Plus/Minus of all centers under $7,000 on FanDuel and all centers under $6,000 on DraftKings. He ranks in the top five in Projected Plus/Minus at the position on both DraftKings and FanDuel, and he’s a great way to spend much less at center to pay up for the big stars at other positions.
Fast Break
Even with Evan Mobley back, Jarrett Allen has been tearing it up for the Cavs. Unfortunately, he’s questionable with an ankle injury on Saturday. If he’s able to play though, he has the highest Projected Plus/Minus at center on both DraftKings and FanDuel. Before his early exit on Thursday, Allen posted 16 straight double-doubles with an average of 1.46 DraftKings points and 1.42 FanDuel points per minute.
Draymond Green also ranks in the top three in Projected Plus/Minus at center on both DraftKings and FanDuel. He has exceeded salary-based expectations in seven of his last nine games on DraftKings and seven of his last 10 on FanDuel.
On the other side of that Warriors-Hawks matchup, Clint Capela is coming off double-doubles in five of his last six games and is also a consistent producer from his mid-tier salary.
