Saturday features a four-game slate starting at 7 p.m. ET.
Let’s dive into some of the top plays using the FantasyLabs Tools and metrics.
Also, don’t forget that for large-field tournaments, you can utilize our Lineup Optimizer to effortlessly create up to 150 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 Player Models directly for any updates as we get closer to lock.
Point Guard
Stud
The 76ers have a chance to close out the Raptors on Saturday. James Harden put together a big performance in Game 1, finishing with 56.25 DraftKings points over 40.1 minutes, but his performance over the following two games has been mediocre. Still, Harden’s price tag has dipped to just $9,100 on Saturday, which is a bit of an outlier for him historically. He’s averaged a stout 1.37 DraftKings points per minute this season, so Harden can still rack up fantasy points with the best of them.
Value
The Timberwolves collapsed in Game 3. They built up a solid lead through the first three quarters, but they were outscored by 25 points in the final frame. That allowed the Grizzlies to grab a 2-1 series lead.
From a fantasy perspective, Patrick Beverley has been a nice source of value during this series. He’s racked up at least 30.5 DraftKings points in two of the three games, and he’s coming off 33.7 minutes in his last outing. Beverley has averaged 0.99 DraftKings points per minute this season, so he should be able to pay off his price tag with a comparable workload in Game 4.
Fast Break
Mike Conley is coming off 37.5 DraftKings points in his last outing, and he’s displayed a bit more playing time upside during the postseason. He’s logged at least 34.5 minutes in two of three games, making him an appealing value at just $5,500. He’s not the same player that he was in his prime, but he’s still averaged 1.01 DraftKings points per minute this season.
Luka Doncic is questionable for the Mavericks after missing the past three games, and his status is obviously vital on this slate. If he’s able to suit up, he’d be a very appealing option at just $9,500 on FanDuel. It results in a Bargain Rating of 95%, and Doncic has averaged a slate-best 1.72 FanDuel points per minute over the past month. If Doncic sits once again, Jalen Brunson and Spencer Dinwiddie would continue to carry additional value.
Shooting Guard
Stud
The Raptors are on the brink of being swept by the 76ers. They had an embarrassing loss at the end of Game 3, missing multiple free throws at the end of regulation that would have given them the win.
With their backs against the wall, expect Fred VanVleet to take on an even larger workload than usual. He led the NBA in minutes per game during the regular season, but he has the potential to play upwards of 45 minutes on this slate. That makes him very appealing given his average of 1.08 DraftKings points per minute this season.
Value
The Grizzlies have the potential to be without Dillon Brooks on Saturday. He’s currently questionable with a foot injury, and Desmond Bane would see a boost in value if he’s ruled out. He’s seen a slight usage bump with Brooks off the court this season, resulting in an average of 1.04 DraftKings points per minute. Bane is coming off 45.5 DraftKings points in his last contest even with Brooks playing, so he has appeal even if Brooks is active.
Fast Break
Donovan Mitchell hasn’t shot the ball particularly well during the playoffs, but he continues to carry a sky-high usage rate. He’s also managed to post a positive Plus/Minus in all three contests, so he has excellent upside if his jumper starts falling.
Jaylen Brown is occasionally overlooked, but he’s been playing some excellent basketball recently. He’s increased his fantasy output to 1.33 FanDuel points per minute over the past month, which trails only Doncic at the shooting guard position. Unsurprisingly, he’s been a massive source of value over that time frame, posting an average Plus/Minus of +9.31 over his past 10 games.
Small Forward
Stud
Jayson Tatum has blossomed into a full-fledged superstar. He didn’t score the ball particularly well in Game 2 – he had just 19 points on 5-16 shooting – but he was able to salvage his fantasy stock with 10 assists and six boards. More importantly, Tatum racked up at least 41 minutes for the second straight game. He’s increased his production to 1.37 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, which is one of the top marks on a slate loaded with superstars.
Value
As usual, finding value during the postseason is incredibly difficult. The game between the Grizzlies and Timberwolves stands out as your best bet. The total sits at 232.5, which is the top mark on the slate by 10 points.
The Grizzlies have employed a wide rotation in their frontcourt during the postseason, and Kyle Anderson is coming off 26.5 minutes in Game 3. He hasn’t made the most of his playing time during the postseason, but he’s still averaged 0.99 DraftKings points per minute for the year. That makes him a nice positive regression candidate moving forward.
Fast Break
Gary Trent Jr. is another nice potential source of value. He was slowed by injuries to start the postseason, but he’s coming off a whopping 45.5 minutes in Game 3. He responded with 38.4 FanDuel points, and Trent is projected for another 40 minutes in our NBA Models. Historically, players with comparable salaries and minute projections have averaged a Plus/Minus of +5.40 (per the Trends tool).
OG Anunoby also deserves consideration for the Raptors. His $6,200 salary on FanDuel comes with a Bargain Rating of 89%, and he’s racked up at least 30.4 FanDuel points in three straight games. That includes a massive 43.0 FanDuel points in his last outing. He’s also projected for 40 minutes in our NBA Models, so he’s simply too cheap.
Power Forward
Stud
It’s tough not to love Kevin Durant on Saturday. The Nets are in essentially a must-win spot, and head coach Steve Kerr has shown the willingness to play Durant massive minutes in those contests. He played basically the full 48 minutes last year vs. the Bucks, and he could get a similar treatment in Game 3 vs. the Celtics.
Durant has averaged 1.39 DraftKings points per minute, so he can obviously do some damage with that much playing time. The Nets should also benefit from returning home, and their implied team total of 112.75 ranks third on the slate.
Value
Jarred Vanderbilt stands out as one of the best value options on Saturday’s slate. He’s dirt cheap at just $3,700 on DraftKings, and he’s coming off 36.25 DraftKings points in his last outing. He played more than 32 minutes in that contest, and while he might not see quite as many minutes on Saturday, he should still be able to pay off this minimal price tag.
Fast Break
Al Horford has dual PF/C eligibility across the industry, and he’s scored at least 35.2 FanDuel points in both playoff contests. There’s a chance that Robert Williams returns on Saturday – he’s currently listed as questionable – which would have a negative impact on Horford. However, Horford would remain one of the strongest options at the position if Williams is out. He’s currently projected for 38 minutes in our NBA Models, and he’s averaged 1.14 FanDuel points per minute over the past month.
Dorian Finney-Smith isn’t a particularly exciting DFS option, but he typically logs all the minutes he can handle. He’s racked up at least 42.2 minutes in all three postseason contests, including a ridiculous 46.8 in his last game. It’s tough to ignore someone with that much playing time upside at such a reasonable salary.
Center
Stud
Pascal Siakam was tied with VanVleet for the lead in minutes per game during the regular season, so he’s another candidate for a monster workload on Saturday. Siakam has also seen a big spike in production recently, increasing his fantasy output to 1.28 DraftKings points per minute over the past month. Scottie Barnes remains doubtful, so Siakam has elite upside in a must-win spot.
Value
Andre Drummond hasn’t been quite as productive during the postseason as he was during the regular season, but he remains a huge threat on a per-minute basis. He’s averaged 1.32 DraftKings points per minute this season, and he’s increased that figure to 1.43 over the past month. The Nets don’t have much depth in the frontcourt, so Drummond should continue to see a solid handful of minutes each game.
Fast Break
Joel Embiid is significantly more expensive than the rest of Saturday’s centers, and he’s yet to justify that price tag during the postseason. He’s coming off 54.25 DraftKings points in his last outing, and while that’s certainly not a bad game, it’s not quite what you’re hoping for at $10,600. Still, Embiid owns the top ceiling projection in our NBA Models by a sizable margin, so this could be a nice time to buy low on him.
Precious Achiuwa is another nice value option if Barnes remains out. He racked up 35.6 minutes sans Barnes in his last game, and he responded with 30.0 DraftKings points. Achiuwa has averaged 0.88 DraftKings points per minute this season, so that level of production is repeatable.
