The NBA has a solid Saturday schedule starting with a matinee in Charlotte between the Hornets and the Bucks. The main slate for fantasy basketball does not include that game but starts at 8:00 p.m. ET and includes the other four games on the schedule. Five of the eight teams are playing on the second night of a back-to-back, so be sure to check back for the latest news and updates before tip-off. The Lakers, Pelicans, Kings, Spurs, and Raptors are all playing for the second day in a row while the Celtics, Mavs, and Jazz had Friday 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.
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.
NBA DFS Point Guard Picks
Stud
Instead of paying all the way up for Luka Doncic (discussed below), I’d rather build around De’Aaron Fox for the Kings, who costs much less and comes in on an impressive hot streak. He had 60 points and 82.25 DraftKings points on Friday night in a loss to the Timberwolves and has scored 20+ points in nine straight games while producing 1.24 DraftKings points per minute with a 31.7% usage rate
He has exceeded salary-based expectations in three of his last four games and continues to provide excellent non-scoring numbers while also carrying much of the scoring load. On Friday, he was without DeMar DeRozan (back) and Malik Monk (ankle), leaving even more usage for him to claim. Especially if DeRozan remains out, expect another huge night from Fox.
Saturday’s matchup sets up well for him to continue his scoring spree. The Jazz are allowing the third-most fantasy points per game to opposing point guards this season, and the Kings have the third-highest implied team total of the night.
Value
The Celtics have the highest implied team total of the night, and Payton Pritchard makes a great value guard with the fourth-highest Projected Plus/Minus of all players at the position and the potential for much more if Jrue Holiday (knee, questionable) is out.
Pritchard has already been very productive off the bench, scoring 15+ points six times in his last seven games while averaging 28.5 DraftKings points per game and 0.97 DraftKings points per minute.
He had 23 points and 50.5 DraftKings points on Wednesday night in Brooklyn while playing 36 minutes, hitting five three-pointers and dishing out eight assists to go with six rebounds. His non-scoring production has been relatively predictable, and he steps up his scoring whenever he slides into a bigger role.
Whether Holiday is out or not, Pritchard is a great play under $5,000.
Fast Break
Luka Doncic has the highest ceiling projection on the entire slate, and he has posted over 50 DraftKings points in seven straight games. He finished with 61.75 DraftKings points on Thursday in his most recent game, and he always brings an extremely high ceiling. He is expected to get Kyrie Irving back to help with the heavy lifting on Saturday, and he continues to deal with a knee injury that has him probable. His salary over $11,000 makes him difficult to build around, but if you can find the value at other spots, it’s hard to argue against building around Luka’s elite production.
The Pelicans’ Brandon Boston Jr. has stepped up amidst a multitude of injuries in the backcourt, and he has exceeded salary-based expectations in eight straight games. He has scored 19+ points in three of his last five games and also had a game with double-digit rebounds and a game with double-digit assists. He can fill up the box score in different ways but has regularly contributed since stepping into a larger role. He struggled with his shot in back-to-back games but found his rhythm with 19 points on 7-of-13 from the field on Friday in Denver while producing 32.5 DraftKings points.
D’Angelo Russell is coming off one of his best games of the season. He had 13 points, six assists and three steals for 31.0 DraftKings points on Friday in San Antonio. If the Lakers opt to give any of their stars the night off while finishing the back-to-back, Russell could also end up with more work.
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
One of the exciting new features this year on FantasyLabs this season is our partnership with ShotQuality for NBA Projections. ShotQuality points to Brandon Ingram as a strong stud play in his matchup against his former team, as the Lakers stop by the Big Easy to finish their back-to-back.
Ingram has the highest ceiling projection of all shooting guards in both the ShotQuality and FantasyLabs projections, and he has the second-highest Projected Plus/Minus at the position in the ShotQuality projections.
Without so many key contributors, Ingram has had to carry heavy usage. He has a 34.3% usage rate in his eight games this month and has produced 1.23 DraftKings points per minute. On Friday, he helped the Pelicans snap a six-game losing streak with 29 points, nine rebounds, seven assists, and 53.25 DraftKings points against the Nuggets.
Value
In both the FantasyLabs and ShotQuality projections, Kevin Huerter has the highest Projected Plus/Minus of all shooting guards and all small forwards. The Jazz have been a great matchup for shooting guards, allowing the second-most fantasy points per game to the position this season.
Huerter was quiet on Friday while Fox went off; he finished with only four points and 19 DraftKings points. Before that, he had 22 points and 43.5 DraftKings points in the Kings’ win on Wednesday against the Suns.
His performance has been very volatile from game to game, but in this matchup, he should be able to deliver a strong stat line while continuing to absorb some or the scoring load vacated by Monk’s ankle injury. If DeRozan is out for a second straight, Huerter will have more opportunities as well.
Fast Break
If Holiday is out, Derrick White would also be in line for more work for the Celtics. He showed his upside with 31 points and 50 DraftKings points on Tuesday against the Hawks but came back to earth with just 18 DraftKings points in the Celtics’ comfortable win on Wednesday. His production has been volatile, but overall, he is averaging 1.07 DraftKings points per minute on the season and 1.16 DraftKings points per minute while Holiday is off the floor.
For the Jazz, Jordan Clarkson missed a week with plantar fasciitis but has worked his way back to a full workload the past few games. In each of his four games since returning, he has scored over 15 points while averaging 32.65 DraftKings points per game. Lauri Markkanen (eye) is questionable, and if he’s unavailable, Clarkson could carry an even bigger workload.
The Lakers started rookie Dalton Knecht on Friday with Rui Hachimura (ankle) out, and he delivered 14 points and 18.75 DraftKings points. He had 19 points and 30 DraftKings points on Wednesday in a win over Memphis. If he has a clear path to playing time once again, the rookie brings nice upside vs. the Pelicans on Saturday.
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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
The ageless wonder LeBron James has posted not two, not three… but four triple-doubles in a row. He has over 55 DraftKings points in each of those four games after producing 15 points, 16 rebounds and 12 assists against the Spurs on Friday for 56.5 DraftKings points in 38 minutes.
James has over 50 DraftKings points and has exceeded salary-based expectations in seven straight games by producing an elite 1.67 DraftKings points per minute. Over his last four games, he has stepped that up to an even-better 1.81 DraftKings points per minute.
Can he keep the streak rolling and get to five straight triple-doubles? As long as he plays on the second night of the Lakers’ back-to-back, he should be able to put up another big game against the short-handed Pelicans. He has the second-highest median, floor, and ceiling projection of all small forwards and all power forwards in both the ShotQuality projections and the FantasyLabs projections.
Value
Behind Huerter, Trey Murphy III has the second-highest Projected Plus/Minus at small forward in both the FantasyLabs projections and the ShotQuality projections. He has only played three games this season for the Pelicans but is coming off a season-high 33.5 DraftKings points in 30 minutes on Friday.
Murphy missed three weeks with a hamstring injury but has scored double-digit points in each of his three games while playing over 25 minutes and taking at least 12 shots. The Pelicans need points in their current rotation, and Murphy should continue to get all the playing time he can handle.
Since he’s still so recently back from injury, double check the injury report, but if he’s playing, he brings good potential value.
Fast Break
Jaylen Brown has looked strong since returning from his hip injury. He knocked off the rust against Milwaukee last Sunday but then went off for 46.75 DraftKings points against the Hawks and 49.5 DraftKings points against the Nets in his two games earlier this week. With 40+ DraftKings points in seven of his nine games this season, Brown is producing 1.20 DraftKings points per minute, and that number jumps to 1.41 DraftKings points per minute with Jrue Holiday off the floor.
With his new team, Klay Thompson has scored double-digit points in six straight games for the Mavs. He hit 11 three-pointers in his last two games, producing 33.5 and 26.75 DraftKings points. He has the fifth-highest Projected Plus/Minus at small forward in the FantasyLabs projections even though his usage may drop a little with Kyrie’s return.
Spurs SG/SF Julian Champagnie has the highest Projected Plus/Minus of all small forwards under $5,000. He has exceeded salary-based expectations in five of his last seven games on a main DraftKings slate. He’s not as high usage as some of the more well-known Spurs but is a very solid play at this price.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
Jayson Tatum has the highest median, floor, and ceiling projection at both forward spots in both the FantasyLabs and ShotQuality projections. He has produced MVP-level numbers so far this season with 53.4 DraftKings points per game and 1.48 DraftKings points per minute.
He fell just one rebound short of a triple-double on Wednesday, producing 65.75 DraftKings points. He has over 55 DraftKings points in three of his last four games and at least 44 DraftKings points in six straight.
Tatum’s usage has jumped to an intense 39.1% with Holiday off the floor, and he has posted 1.77 DraftKings points per minute in that scenario. If Holiday is out on Saturday against the Raptors, JT will be poised for another monster home game.
Value
With Markkanen questionable and Walker Kessler (hip) already ruled out, John Collins is a great value play at PF/C while he’s in Utah’s starting lineup. He has exceeded salary-based expectations in seven of his last eight games in DraftKings contests, and he has been exceptional in his two starts in place of Kessler.
On Tuesday, he entered the starting five for the first time this season and had 29 points, 10 rebounds, and 57.5 DraftKings points in an eight-point loss to the Suns. He started again on Thursday against the Mavs and finished with 28 points, nine rebounds, 46.25 DraftKings points, and he dunked home the game winner with five seconds remaining.
Especially if Markkanen is out, Collins will be one of the strongest plays on the slate, and he gets a very good matchup against the Kings. He has the highest Projected Plus/Minus at both power forward and center in the ShotQuality projections.
Fast Break
RJ Barrett has had to carry the load for the Raptors this season with Scottie Barnes (eye) and Immanuel Quickley (elbow) injured. On the season, Barrett has a 30.1% usage rate and has produced 1.19 DraftKings points per minute. He had 22 points, six rebounds, and seven assists for 42.5 DraftKings points on Friday against the Pistons, and he’ll have to carry a huge workload to help his Raptors stay competitive with the Celtics.
Keegan Murray has been boom or bust for the Kings this season, but he is coming off a nice double-double on Friday night that earned 36 DraftKings points. He doesn’t have quite as high a ceiling as Collins, but he’s another solid mid-range value with high ceilings.
Murray’s teammate Trey Lyles has the highest Projected Plus/Minus at both power forward and center in the FantasyLabs projections as an elite value play under $4,000. Lyles has exceeded salary-based expectations in four straight games, producing at least seven points in each contest and over 20 DraftKings points in each of his last three games.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
Former Pelican Anthony Davis is off to a great start to the season as he comes back to New Orleans. Despite playing through left plantar fasciitis and an eye injury, he dropped 40 points against Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs on Friday, finishing with 65.5 DraftKings points in the Lakers’ five-point win.
On the season, Davis is averaging 55.5 DraftKings points per game at the rate of 1.61 DraftKings points per minute. He has averaged 31.1 points, 10.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 2.1 blocks per game this year, and he is off to one of the best starts of his career.
In his six past return trips to New Orleans, Davis has averaged 29.0 points, 11.0 rebounds and 1.3 blocks with four straight double-doubles. Without Zion Williamson (hamstring) and Herbert Jones (shoulder), the Pelicans are very thin up front, relying on rookie Yves Missi and journeyman Jeremiah Robinson-Earl for big minutes. Neither has much chance to slow down Davis as long as he’s ready to roll on the second night of the back-to-back.
Value
While Lyles offers extreme value, Al Horford has the second-highest Projected Plus/Minus of all centers under $5,000. He exceeded salary-based expectations in four straight games before a slower game on Tuesday against the Hawks.
He missed Wednesday’s game with a toe injury, but he is not on the injury report for Saturday, meaning he’ll be back in his regular role in the Celtics’ starting five. So far this season, he has averaged 23.0 DraftKings points in 26.3 minutes per game.
Fast Break
Domantas Sabonis has a salary of just under $10,000, as he goes for his 13th straight double-double. He also has three triple-doubles this season while averaging 48.8 DraftKings points per game and 1.34 DraftKings points per minute. Sabonis should thrive against the undersized Jazz on Saturday.
Victor Wembanyama has over 59 DraftKings points in four straight games. He had a 50-point outburst against the Wizards on his way to 72 DraftKings points on Wednesday and followed that up with 28 points, 14 boards, and 60 DraftKings points on Friday against the Lakers. He only had 30.25 DraftKings points in the season opener against Dallas, but he comes in with so much more momentum to this rematch.
Lyles, Collins, Horford, and Davis take the top four spots in Projected Plus/Minus in both the FantasyLabs and ShotQuality projections. Kyle Filipowski is right behind those four options in the FantasyLabs projections. He has gotten more work with Kessler out the last two games, posting 33 and 27.25 DraftKings points. He had 18 points off the bench Tuesday and moved into the starting lineup Thursday. If he gets another start Saturday vs. the Kings, the rookie has a great ceiling from under $5,000.
