On Saturday night, the NBA features a nice six-game slate for DFS fantasy basketball on DraftKings. With a dozen teams to choose from in the player pool, there are plenty of options as you assemble your lineups. Remember that the Celtics, Spurs, and Raptors are each playing for the second night in a row to finish their back-to-back sets, but none of these teams has to turn around and play again on Sunday.
As usual in the final month of the season, injury and availability updates throughout the day will be key to shaping the value of players on Saturday’s slate. Be sure to always refresh the NBA Models for the latest updates and adjustments leading up to tip off.
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 Rockets have climbed to within two games of the final spot in the Play-In Tournament in the Western Conference by winning seven straight games, and they have the highest implied team total on the slate this Saturday as they host the Jazz. In that favorable spot, Fred VanVleet has the second-highest Projected Plus/Minus of all players on the slate and the second-highest ceiling projection of all point guards.
VanVleet had slightly lower usage in wins over the Bulls and Wizards this week, falling short of salary-based expectations despite posting double-digit assists in each contest. Before those two games, though, he exceeded salary-based expectations in nine straight games on DraftKings, highlighted by four double-doubles. In his last 10 games, he has an Average Plus/Minus of +5.05 DraftKings points per game and has produced 1.14 DraftKings points per minute in 37.5 minutes per game in those contests.
The Jazz have been a great matchup for point guards since the trade deadline when they leaned into giving their younger players more time. The Rockets will look to continue flying high, and VanVleet is a great option with a high ceiling in this matchup.
Value
The Hornets acquired rookie Vasilije Micic from the Thunder at the trade deadline and have given the 30-year-old rookie plenty of playing time in place of LaMelo Ball (ankle). After averaging 12.0 minutes in 30 games with the Thunder, Micic has averaged 26.4 minutes per game and started each of the last nine contests for the Hornets.
In that expanded role, Micic has produced solid value numbers for a mid-range salary option. He has produced 0.93 DraftKings points per minute in 30.8 minutes per game over his last 10 contests, exceeding salary-based expectations in six of those 10 games. He has scored double-digit points in each of those 10 games and added 5.3 assists per game as well.
Micic has the fourth-highest Projected Plus/Minus of the point guards on Saturday’s slate, and he is a good value option in the Hornets’ matchup with the Hawks. Atlanta usually plays fast, which gives the Hornets the third-highest pace differential on the slate and allows several Hornets players to be solid value considerations.
Fast Break
On the other side of the Hawks-Hornets matchup, Dejounte Murray has the highest median, ceiling, and floor projections of all point guards on Saturday. He has been putting up great numbers while Trae Young (finger) has been sidelined, and he comes into this matchup after three straight double-doubles. In his last game on Thursday, Murray fell just one rebound short of a triple-double while scoring 29 points in a loss to the Suns. In his 10 games in March, he has averaged 1.35 DraftKings points per minute in 37.7 minutes per game with a 30.3% usage rate.
The Raptors traded away key pieces at the trade deadline and have been without Immanuel Quickley (personal) and RJ Barrett (personal). Bruce Brown has stepped into more work as a result since returning from right knee inflammation. He has produced 0.88 DraftKings points per minute in 29.3 minutes per game over his last six, scoring at least nine points in each game. In Saturday’s matchup against the Wizards, he should continue to carry a big workload in this very favorable matchup. Javon Freeman-Liberty has also gotten more work in the backcourt lately for the Raptors and is a good cheap play.
The highest Projected Plus/Minus of all point guards under $5,000 comes from Vit Krejci of the Hawks. Krejci has started seven straight games, averaging 27.3 minutes, 5.7 points, 2.9 assists, and 1.3 rebounds per game. His production rate of 0.54 DraftKings points per minute isn’t outstanding, but he’s getting so many minutes that he’s still a good bargain option at only $3,900.
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
Jalen Green has been another key to the Rockets’ recent liftoff. Green has the third-highest salary at shooting guard, but he brings the highest median, ceiling, and floor projection at the position. He also has the second-highest Projected Plus/Minus at the position and the second-highest at point guard as well, behind only his teammate, FVV.
Green has scored 25+ points in four straight games and has played 33+ minutes in seven straight. He also had a pair of double-doubles over the last week with 11 rebounds against the Cavs and 10 against the Wizards. In the win over Washington, he posted a season-high 42 points and followed that up with 26 more on Thursday against the Bulls.
On the season, Green is second on the team with a 27.7% usage rate, trailing only Alperen Sengun (ankle), who is sidelined. With Sengun off the floor, Green’s usage spikes to 34.7%, and he has produced 1.27 DraftKings points per minute in that scenario. Since Sengun’s injury, Green has become a truly elite fantasy option, and that should continue Saturday in this great matchup against the Jazz.
Value
In his matchup with the Hornets, Bogdan Bogdanovic has the highest Projected Plus/Minus of shooting guards and all small forwards on Saturday’s slate. He had a few down games on the Hawks’ recent road trip, but returning to State Farm Arena to face the Hornets should set him up for a bounce-back performance.
In the month since the All-Star Break and Trae Young’s injury, Bogdanovic has played 32.7 minutes per game and produced 0.89 DraftKings points per minute. He has a 21.7% usage rate and a 16.7% assist rate over those 13 games.
He has played better at home than on the road all season, averaging 15.5 points and 2.9 assists on the road and 17.7 points with 3.1 assists per game at home. In his last two home games, Bogdan had 23 points against the Cavs and 25 points against the Pelicans, and he has exceeded salary-based expectations in each of his five home games since the All-Star Break.
Fast Break
Devin Booker leads the Suns to San Antonio to face the Spurs, who are finishing a back-to-back. The Spurs have been playing better lately, but Phoenix still has the third-highest implied team total on the board. Booker has the second-highest median, ceiling, and floor projection of shooting guards on this slate and has exceeded salary-based expectations in five of his last eight games.
The Celtics have been taking advantage of their big lead in the Eastern Conference to get some players some rest, but Derrick White has helped pick up the slack and put up great numbers over the last couple of weeks. White has exceeded salary-based expectations in seven straight contests, averaging 1.25 DraftKings points per minute. Jrue Holiday (shoulder) has missed three straight, and if he’s sidelined against Chicago, White will be a good option to build around, especially if Jaylen Brown (ankle), Jayson Tatum (ankle) or Kristaps Porzingis (hamstring) get the night off as well.
Krejci and Freeman-Liberty are the best punt plays at shooting guard in our projections, but there’s also some good value from the Magic as they host the Kings. Both Cole Anthony and Gary Harris are very cheap options with high ceilings.
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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
The Wizards have the second-highest implied team total on the slate since they’re in a favorable spot against the shorthanded Raptors. Washington just got Deni Avdija back from a four-game absence, and the forward had a strong 17-point, nine-rebound return in a win against the Kings on Thursday. Avdija has the third-highest Projected Plus/Minus at small forward and ranks in the top five in ceiling, median, and floor projections at the position.
Avdija is not on Saturday’s injury report and could be in for even more work if Jordan Poole (hip, questionable) is sidelined. In each of his two most recent games, Avdija has finished just one rebound short of a double-double and has put up four double-doubles over his last nine games. During that span, he produced 1.03 DraftKings points per minute in 34.8 minutes per game.
While he isn’t typically a stud option, Avdija has been productive enough to be an excellent play in this favorable spot against the Raptors. If Poole does end up sitting, Avdija, Corey Kispert and Jared Butler would be an unusually strong Wizards stack.
Value
On the other side of that contest, Gradey Dick has been one of the few bright spots for the Raptors. The rookie has played 30+ minutes in each of his last eight games and has the second-highest Projected Plus/Minus of shooting guards who have salaries under $6,000 and the third-highest Projected Plus/Minus of small forwards in that price range.
Dick has an 18.5% usage rate and leads the team with 31.5 minutes per game over his last eight contests. He has only produced 0.61 DraftKings points per minute over that span but is coming off a 21-point performance on Friday night against the Thunder. With so many injuries and absences in Toronto, Dick should get plenty of playing time again on Saturday in a very favorable matchup against the Wizards.
Fast Break
DeMar DeRozan should be rested up after his early exit from Thursday’s loss to the Rockets. Before being ejected, he had 16 points in 24 minutes and looked on his way to another big fantasy day. He has been carrying the Bulls with a 26.6% usage rate in 34.8 minutes per game over his last 10 contests while producing 1.14 DraftKings points per minute.
Rockets rookie Amen Thompson has the second-highest Projected Plus/Minus of all small forwards and has excelled since entering the starting lineup in place of Sengun. He has scored 13+ points in six of his last seven games and has exceeded salary-based expectations in four straight. His point guard and small forward eligibility make him a versatile piece that brings a high ceiling and great value from his mid-range price point.
With John Collins (face) questionable and Lauri Markkanen (quad) out, Brice Sensabaugh has the highest Projected Plus/Minus of all small forwards with salaries under $5,000. Sensabaugh has shown a high ceiling when he gets extra minutes. Especially if he’s in the starting lineup, the rookie should return value against the Rockets.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
The Celtics gave Jayson Tatum Friday night off on the front half of their back-to-back, but he’ll be a great play against the Bulls if he’s back in action on Saturday. Tatum has the highest median, ceiling, and floor projection of all power forwards and is a strong pay-up option if he’s back in action (depending on what other Celtics sit out).
Tatum has scored over 25 points in each of his last six games and 10 of his last 11. In those 11 games, Tatum produced an impressive 1.40 DraftKings points per minute with a 31.8% usage rate in 34.9 minutes per game. He is coming off 31 points and eight boards in Wednesday’s win over the Bucks and has exceeded his elevated salary-based expectations in four of his last six contests.
Keep a close eye on the injury report for Boston, but in the right situation, Tatum will be a great power forward play to build around.
Value
Jeremy Sochan has had an up-and-down second season with the Spurs, but the 20-year-old has been playing much better lately. He is a nice value with a high ceiling against the Suns. He has the highest Projected Plus/Minus of all small forwards and power forwards priced under $6,000.
On Friday, Sochan had six points, 10 boards, four assists, and four steals to exceed salary-based expectations for the 10th time in his last 11 games. Over that 11-game span, Sochan averaged 1.01 DraftKings points per minute with a 21.1% usage rate. On the season, he has produced 0.91 DraftKings points and his usage rate is only 19.1%, so he’s trending in the right direction down the stretch. If the Spurs are missing people on the second night of their back-to-back, Sochan could get even more work, so San Antonio’s injury report is another important one to monitor.
Fast Break
Paolo Banchero went off for his second triple-double of the season in Thursday’s win over the Pelicans. He has scored at least 19 points in nine of his last 11 games while averaging 1.22 DraftKings points per minute. He’s an expensive play against the Kings but has a top-five median, ceiling, and floor projection at power forward.
With the injuries on the wing, De’Andre Hunter finally got back into the starting lineup for the Hawks on Thursday against the Suns. He finished with 22 points in 34 minutes and has 20+ points in three of his last four games. In his 11 games in March, Hunter has produced 0.82 DraftKings points in 28.8 minutes per game, and he has the fourth-highest Projected Plus/Minus at power forward on Saturday’s slate in his favorable matchup against the Hornets.
The Raptors offer several good value options at power forward. Kelly Olynyk has the third-highest Projected Plus/Minus at the position, but Ochai Agbaji is also worth a look with the fourth-highest Projected Plus/Minus of power forwards priced under $5,000. Agbaji has exceeded salary-based expectations in three straight games and posted a good multi-category line of 12 points, seven boards, and six assists in 32 minutes on Friday against the Thunder.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
The two elite options on Saturday’s slate at center are Domantas Sabonis and Victor Wembanyama. Both have been awesome plays and regular stud options in my picks over the past few weeks. Since Wemby is on the second night of a back-to-back, on Saturday, I’m giving the slight edge to Sabonis, who also has slightly higher median and ceiling projections.
Sabonis is coming off a lower-production game on Thursday against the Wizards, but he did manage to extend his double-double streak to 52 games. Since the All-Star Break, Sabonis has averaged 1.52 DraftKings points per minute while playing 36.5 minutes per game.
Before Thursday’s letdown, Sabonis had exceeded salary-based expectations in six of his previous eight games and should be able to bounce back against the Magic. When he faced them earlier this season, Sabonis had a huge triple-double of 22 points, 23 rebounds, 12 assists. Both he and Wemby have high ceilings, but Sabonis is slightly less risky in this matchup coming off a day off Friday.
Value
Sabonis and Wemby are amazing to be sure, but they’re also expensive. If you have to go with a cheaper play, Jontay Porter and Kelly Olynyk of the Raptors are good options that make sense at their price points. Porter has the second-highest Projected Plus/Minus of all centers and has exceeded salary-based expectations in four of the last six games. His price point under $5,000 represents a huge discount from the other top options, and he brings good multi-category upside.
In his last six contests, Porter has averaged 1.18 DraftKings points per minute. He had seven points and eight assists in 21 minutes against the Thunder on Friday night and should continue to get plenty of minutes and usage for the short-handed Raptors.
Fast Break
It’s hard to pass on Wembanyama if you’re looking for pure upside. He showed off that ceiling with 31 points and 16 boards in 34 minutes in a two-point loss to the Grizzlies on Friday. He has posted double-doubles in 12 of his 13 games since the All-Star Break, averaging an elite 1.80 DraftKings points per minute in 31.8 minutes per game.
Despite their continued struggles as a team, the Wizards have gotten good production from Kyle Kuzma since the All-Star Break. Kuzma exceeded salary-based expectations in 10 of his last 12 games and scored 31 points against Sabonis and the Kings on Thursday. Especially if Poole is out, Kuzma will again carry the load for Washington in this favorable spot against the Raptors.
If you opt for a punt play at center, Saturday’s slate has a few options. Jonathan Isaac continues to get enough minutes off the bench for the Magic to be a consideration. He has exceeded salary-based expectations in six of his last seven games. Bruno Fernando has the highest Projected Plus/Minus of all centers from his bargain salary of $3,900, and Aleksej Pokusevski is getting good minutes for the Hornets.
