The NBA has 10 more games on the slate for Saturday on another full day of fantasy hoops. After the Clippers and Nuggets start things early on NBA TV, there’s a solid seven-game main slate on DraftKings that leaves out the two late games in Phoenix and Los Angeles. The remaining seven games all tip between 7:00 and 8:30 p.m. ET, and the 14 teams provide plenty of solid fantasy options to choose from.
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.
You can also use our SimLabs Lineup Generator, a tool that creates the most user-friendly lineup generation process.
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.
Stud
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a strong game on Wednesday to lead his Thunder to a win over the Nuggets in the first game of the year. The Thunder geared up this offseason to build on last year’s success, and SGA looks ready to lead them there. Against Denver, he posted 28 points, seven rebounds, eight assists, and two steals for 58.75 DraftKings points, out-performing salary-based expectations.
Last year, SGA averaged 52.2 DraftKings points per game and 1.53 DraftKings points per minute during the regular season.
On Saturday, he has the advantage of not being on a back-to-back, which eight of the 14 teams on the slate are, including his opponents, the Bulls. Facing Chicago should be a good matchup for Gilgeous-Alexander after the Bulls gave up 123 points to the Pelicans and 122 points to the Bucks in their 1-1 start. The matchup has the highest over/under of the seven games on the slate, and the Thunder are tied for the higest implied team total with the Celtics.
In this contest, SGA has the highest ceiling and median projections of all point guards and the second-highest of all players on the slate.
Value
On the other extreme of the salary structure, rookie Stephon Castle offers great value at only $3,500. In his NBA debut on Thursday, he played 18 minutes off the bench and contributed eight points, five assists, and three rebounds for 18.25 DraftKings points. He looked very comfortable, and even Gregg Popovich said, “I thought he was great.”
Popovich usually likes to work rookies in slowly, so Castle will likely continue coming off the bench behind Chris Paul ($5,800) and Julian Champagnie ($4,000), but especially with Tre Jones (ankle) joining Devin Vassell (foot) on the sidelines, there should be plenty of work for Castle to return value.
He has the fourth-highest Projected Plus/Minus of all point guards and all shooting guards on Saturday and with an increased minutes projection of around 22 minutes in what should be an up-tempo matchup with the Rockets.
One of the exciting new features this year on FantasyLabs this season is our partnership with ShotQuality for NBA Projections. Castle has the highest Projected Plus/Minus of all shooting guards and the second-highest of point guards using those projections.
Fast Break
LaMelo Ball is another potential pay-up option that brings a very high ceiling. He posted a massive 67 DraftKings points in Wednesday’s opener and followed that up with 49.75 DraftKings points on Friday night while playing only 29 minutes before fouling out. His limited workload should help keep him fresh against the Heat this Saturday, and Ball is reminding everyone how amazing he can be when healthy by averaging 1.75 DraftKings points per minute in his first two games of the season.
The Wizards will rely heavily on Jordan Poole this season, and he produced 1.32 DraftKings points per minute in his first game of the year against the Celtics with a 27.8% usage rate. He slowed down after exploding for 17 points in the first quarter, but since he’s running the show now in D.C., he seems set up for a huge year.
Jalen Suggs has the highest Projected Plus/Minus of all point guards on the slate. He scored double-digit points in each of his first two games of the season, averaging 20.4 DraftKings points in 17.1 minutes per game. After inking a huge contract early this week, Suggs should continue to bring plenty of upside as the Magic finish their back-to-back by walking in Memphis this Saturday.
Don’t forget to check out our NBA SimLabs Lineup Generator to create advanced DFS lineups using the power of simulation:
NBA DFS Shooting Guard Picks
Stud
In both the ShotQuality projections and the FantasyLabs projections, Anthony Edwards has the highest ceiling projection of all shooting guards. He and the Wolves will host the banged-up Raptors in their home opener. The Raps are playing for the second day in a row and were without Immanuel Quickly (pelvis), RJ Barrett (shoulder), Kelly Olynyk (back), and Bruce Brown (knee) on Friday. They still beat the short-handed Sixers, though, so they could still push Edwards and the new-look Timberwolves.
Edwards posted 27 points and 39.5 DraftKings points in the season-opening loss to the Lakers on Tuesday but was even better with 32 points and 49.75 DraftKings points against the Kings on Thursday in Minnesota’s first win of the season. He averaged 1.12 DraftKings points per minute with a team-high 32.6% usage rate in those two games.
With Karl-Anthony Towns now in New York, Ant is clearly the man in Minnesota. In the home opener, he has the potential to go off for a massive stat line to carry the Wolves and your fantasy squad.
Value
The Hornets will be without Brandon Miller for a second straight game on Saturday after he strained his left glute in the season opener. Tre Mann is one key player who has helped fill in for Miller, and the fourth-year guard has been able to build on a strong preseason and contribute great value.
Mann has a 32.7% usage rate, which is second on the team behind only Ball, and has produced 1.18 DraftKings points per minute, totaling 35.5 and 28.25 DraftKings points to outproduce salary-based expectations in each of his first two games this season.
He’s still barely over $4,000 and, with 35 field goal attempts in his first two games, offers a ton of upside off the Charlotte bench. He has the fifth-highest Projected Plus/Minus of all shooting guards on Saturday’s slate.
Fast Break
Zach LaVine has produced over 36 DraftKings points in each of his first two games of the season and led the Bulls to an upset win on Friday over the Bucks. In what should be a high-scoring matchup against the Thunder, he brings a very high ceiling from his salary, just over $7,000, since he has a team-high 26.5% usage rate and has produced 1.06 DraftKings points per minute so far this season.
The Raptors will continue to give second-year wing Gradey Dick plenty of playing time, and he could get even more usage while they’re short-handed. After a strong opener, he struggled a little on Friday and finished with only 10.75 DraftKings points. The public may overreact and bail on him for Saturday, but he still brings a lot of upside from his midrange salary if he seizes more usage.
The Celtics are tied with the Thunder for the highest implied team total of the night and are heavily favored against the Pistons. If things turn into a blowout, Payton Pritchard could get extra work, and he had 15 points on Thursday to return good value. He can be a volatile option since his role fluctuates from game to game, but he has a strong Projected Plus/Minus on Saturday.
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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
The Thunder are in such a great spot against the Bulls that stacking Jalen Williams with SGA is an option to consider. Williams has the second-highest ceiling projection at small forward in the FantasyLabs and the ShotQuality projections, even though his salary is $7,100. He also has the highest Projected Plus/Minus at small forward in both projections.
Williams will be looking to bounce back from a rough opening night. He shot just 5-of-16 (31.3%) against the Nuggets and had more turnovers (five) than assists (three). He looked a little rusty after an ankle injury in the preseason but still played 33 minutes and had the second-highest usage rate on the team.
Last year, Williams averaged 1.09 DraftKings points per minute, and he should be a critical part of the Thunder again this season. He should bounce back on Saturday as long as he stays aggressive in this favorable spot.
Value
At just 20 years old, Bilal Coulibaly continues to show tons of promise for the Wizards and should get a chance to grow on the job this season. He started and played 30 minutes on Opening Night and chipped in a balanced line with eight points, six boards, six assists, and a steal for 25 DraftKings points. Even without a monster night in any one category, Coulibaly was solid and filled up the stat sheet.
Coulibaly has the second-highest Projected Plus/Minus of all small forwards under $5,000 and is a great value play with a high floor, given his workload and projection of 32 minutes against the Cavs in Washington’s matchup on Saturday.
Fast Break
Jayson Tatum is expensive but has a very high ceiling. He has the top ceiling projection at both forward spots after producing 66 and 52.25 DraftKings points in his two games this season, with an average of 2.01 DraftKings points per minute. The only hesitation I have with him is that he may play reduced minutes if the Celtics run away from the Pistons early. Boston is a 14-point favorite, so the risk of a blowout is real. Even with two blowout wins, though, Tatum has started the season with elite numbers.
The young Spurs are using Harrison Barnes as a veteran contributor who should open the floor and help provide spacing for their offense. He played 29 minutes on Thursday in the Spurs’ first game and contributed 17 points and 28 fantasy points. The former King only took 10 shots, so his volume won’t be sky-high, but he should get enough work to be a great value under $4,500 at either forward spot this Saturday against Houston. He has the third-highest Projected Plus/Minus of all small forwards on this slate.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
On Friday, Paolo Banchero struggled from the field, shooting just 4-of-13 in Orlando’s home opener. He still had a decent fantasy night, though, passing out nine assists to finish with 38.5 DraftKings points in 37 minutes.
While it wasn’t his best game, the Magic still won by 15 points over the Nets and are 2-0 as they head to Memphis to finish their back-to-back. In their first win of the season on the road in Miami, Banchero had a double-double with 33 points and 11 rebounds on his way to 58.75 DraftKings points. He has a 28.7% usage rate and has produced an impressive 1.42 DraftKings points per minute. He averaged 1.21 DraftKings points per minute last year, and it looks like he’s lined up for increased opportunities this year.
Banchero also showed on Friday that he can produce even when his shot isn’t red hot, so he brings both a high floor and a high ceiling to Saturday’s matchup in Memphis. He has the second-highest Projected Plus/Minus of all power forwards and the second-highest ceiling projections in the ShotQuality projections.
Value
The Heat started Nikola Jovic in their season opener, and even though he only played 24 minutes, he contributed 26.75 DraftKings points. He made 7-of-15 shots overall but only made 1-of-7 from long range. He shot 40% on three-pointers last season, so he should be due for some positive regression at some point.
Even without hitting his deep shots, Jovic dropped 15 points to go with four rebounds, an assist, a steal, and a block. He produced 1.13 DraftKings points per minute and makes a good play at only $4,000 in a favorable matchup vs. the Hornets.
Fast Break
With power forward eligibility this season, Chet Holmgren looks like a good option in this spot vs. the Bulls as well. He started his second season in the NBA with a masterful 25-point, 14-rebound game against the Nuggets and finished with 62.5 DraftKings points. He could make another leap this year with more games like that and is a strong play under $8,000 either at center or power forward.
Jeremy Sochan has the third-highest Projected Plus/Minus at power forward in the ShotQuality projections after scoring 18 points on his way to 27 DraftKings points vs. the Mavs. He is locked into a starting role and should get extra usage for as long as Vassell is sidelined. In games without Vassell last season, Sochan got an extra 2.0 percentage points of usage and averaged 23.0 DraftKings points per game.
With the Raptors so short-handed, Chris Boucher has played over 19 minutes in each of the first two games of the season. He exceeded salary-based expectations in both contests, producing 27.5 DraftKings points against the Cavs with 18 points in the opener and 20.75 DraftKings points on Friday. Boucher should continue to get enough playing time to be a great value at $4,000 for as long as Olynyk is sidelined.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
Victor Wembanyama didn’t sparkle in the season opener, but the second-year center will look to light things up in his first home game of the season as the Spurs host the Rockets. Houston is on the second game of a back-to-back and is 1-1 after dispatching the Grizz on Friday. While Alperen Sengun has been spectacular, Wemby still has a much higher ceiling projection in both the FantasyLabs and ShotQuality projections.
Even in a down game, Wemby still posted 30.25 DraftKings points against Dallas, but he showed last year he’s capable of so much more. He posted an average of over 50 DraftKings points per game at a rate of 1.71 DraftKings points per minute.
Against the Rockets, Wembanyama had four double-doubles in four games with an average of 4.25 blocks per game. The projections see a big bounce-back performance for the second-year superstar in San Antonio.
Value
While high-salary centers like Wemby, Jarrett Allen, and Rudy Gobert are projected to bring good value, some bargain options are worth a look as well if you’re spending up in other spots. Wendell Carter has the third-highest Projected Plus/Minus in both FantasyLabs and ShotQuality projections at center, and he’ll look to continue his strong start to the season as he matches up against Zach Edey and the Grizz in Memphis.
Carter has exceeded salary-based expectations in both of his games this season, producing 32.5 and 32.25 DraftKings points. He fell just short of the double-double bonus in each of those games, posting double-digit rebounds but only eight points. As long as he’s good to play around 30 minutes again, as projected, he should be a good value at only $5,000.
Fast Break
Jarrett Allen has started the season strong for the Cavs and had a 17-point, 11-rebound double-double on Friday. Cleveland is 2-0 as they roll into Washington in what should be a smash spot for Allen. He has the third-highest median and floor projection of all centers in the ShotQuality projections, behind only Wembanyama and Sengun.
If you want to go even cheaper than Carter at center, the options are limited. Jonathan Isaac will be worth a look if he plays, but he missed Friday’s game with hip soreness. Grant Williams is another bargain play with upside after he turned in 25.5 DraftKings points in 29 minutes on Friday. He should have no trouble getting minutes and usage while Mark Williams (foot) and Brandon Miller are out.
