On Saturday, the NBA has a total of 10 games scheduled throughout the evening. Half of those games set up a nice five-game main slate on DraftKings which begins at 7:30 p.m. ET and also includes the three games tipping off at 8:00 p.m. ET. It’s worth noting that Timberwolves, Cavs, Kings, and Raptors are all playing for the second day in a row while the other six teams 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.
Stud
With Joel Embiid (knee) and Paul George (knee) still sidelined, the 76ers’ offense has run through Tyrese Maxey, who has the top median, ceiling, and floor projection at point guard for Saturday night, as Philly hosts the Grizzlies in a very favorable matchup for Maxey.
Maxey has played at least 39 minutes in every game and has taken at least 23 shots in every game. His 33.2% usage has resulted in 1.14 DraftKings points per minute. In each of his last two games, he finished with over 50 DraftKings points even though his three-point shooting has been off this year, and he has only shot 22.9% from long range. If his efficiency improves, he still has a higher ceiling than he has shown based on his volume.
Maxey has the fifth-highest Opponents’ Plus/Minus, and the Sixers have the third-highest Pace Differential on this slate. Facing the Grizzlies should set up a big game from Maxey, especially with Desmond Bane (oblique) and Marcus Smart (ankle) out.
Value
While he doesn’t have to carry as much usage as Maxey, Darius Garland still brings a very nice ceiling as a mid-range point guard. He and the Cavs are the last undefeated team in the Eastern Conference, as they visit the Bucks in a showdown on Saturday night.
On Friday, Garland had 25 points and 38.75 DraftKings points in 29 minutes in a comfortable win over the banged-up Magic. He only had four assists in that game after dishing out 10 dimes in Wednesday’s win over the Lakers on his way to 32.5 DraftKings points. Garland has over 32 DraftKings points in four straight games and has produced 1.48 DraftKings points per minute over that span to raise his season average to 1.25 DraftKings points per minute.
He has the second-highest Projected Plus/Minus of all point guards, and he’s a great place to start a balanced lineup with plenty of upside in this head-to-head matchup with Damian Lillard. The Bucks-Cavs matchup has the highest over/under on the slate and the Cavs have the third-highest implied team total.
Fast Break
Without Bane and Smart, Ja Morant will have to carry a huge workload for Memphis over the next few weeks. He had a triple-double on Thursday without those two players, posting 26 points, 14 assists, and 10 rebounds for 65.5 DraftKings points, his highest total of the season. He has double-digit assists and at least 35 DraftKings points in four of his five games, averaging 1.60 DraftKings points per minutes. His shooting has been iffy and his minutes much lower than Maxey’s, but both are good plays going head to head Saturday night.
Davion Mitchell has started the last five games for the Raptors while Immanuel Quickley (pelvis) has been sidelined. He put up very little production in his first two games but has been much better since RJ Barrett’s return. Mitchell has scored double-digit points in three straight games and added 11 assists against the Hornets to finish with a season-high 30.5 fantasy points on Wednesday. He’s a solid play at $5,000 in this matchup against his former team, the Kings.
Veteran Mike Conley has the best Projected Plus/Minus at point guard in our projections. Minnesota Mike had nine points and five assists on Friday vs. the Nuggets, and if he plays the second half of the back-to-back, he will be a good source of salary relief at only $4,500 while playing starter’s minutes. If he gets the night off against the Spurs, Donte DiVincenzo would be a great value under $5,000 with the extra work he’d pick up.
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
After leading his team to a huge win over the Nuggets on Friday, Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves head to San Antonio to face the Spurs. The Wolves have the biggest Pace Differential on the slate in what should be a favorable matchup, and Edwards has the highest median, ceiling, and floor projections of all shooting guards on the slate.
Edwards has averaged 29.8 points and 46.0 DraftKings points per game in the early going this season with a 32.3% usage rate. The superstar guard has made at least five three-pointers in every game this season and continues to fill up the stat sheet every night.
He’s a high-priced option at the position, but he brings a high enough ceiling to still be a great stud to build around if you can find other places to save.
Value
In another Western Conference matchup in Texas, the Warriors visit the Rockets. Steph Curry (ankle) and De’Anthony Melton (back) have been ruled out, which leaves plenty of work for Brandon Podziemski and Moses Moody.
One of the exciting new features this year on FantasyLabs this season is our partnership with ShotQuality for NBA Projections. ShotQuality gives the two Warriors the top two Projected Plus/Minus at shooting guard on Saturday’s slate.
Podziemski has been very good all season and is a solid mid-range piece to build around. He has played 34 and 38 minutes in the two games that Steph has missed, producing 37.75 and 34.5 DraftKings points. The FantasyLabs projections actually give him the fourth-highest ceiling projection at shooting guard despite his salary under $6,000. He is a great value option and one of the best plays on the slate since his salary is still low despite Curry’s absence.
Fast Break
Donovan Mitchell actually edges out Edwards for the highest ceiling projection at shooting guard in the ShotQuality projections. Mitchell only had to play 22 minutes in last night’s win over the Magic, so even though it’s a back-to-back, he should be good to put up a big game against the Bucks. He has been consistent so far this season but hasn’t had to go into “takeover mode” and post any monster games. He always has that potential though, especially in a big game like Saturday’s in Milwaukee.
The Rockets have gotten great play this season from Jalen Green, who has exceeded salary-based expectations in each of his five games, producing 1.22 DraftKings points per minute. He has 40+ DraftKings points in four straight and is coming off a season-high 48.5 DraftKings points against the Mavs on Thursday. His non-scoring numbers are still a little inconsistent but have been much better than last year.
The Kings’ Kevin Huerter has gotten off to a solid start to the year and has the highest Projected Plus/Minus at shooting guard in the FantasyLabs projections. He has scored double-digit points in four straight games, producing 26.25 DraftKings points per game. He has been a nice complement to De’Aaron Fox and DeMar DeRozan and is a solid way to get good minutes for a salary under $4,500.
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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
With Quickley and Scottie Barnes (eye) out, RJ Barrett has become the go-to option in the Raptors’ rotation. He has the highest ceiling projection of all small forwards and the highest Projected Plus/Minus at the position in both the FantasyLabs projections and the ShotQuality projections. He also has the highest Projected Plus/Minus on the entire slate in the FantasyLabs projections.
Barrett has only played three games this season due to his own injuries, but when he has been available, he has played well. He had 30.75 DraftKings points in his first game back but then went off for 52.5 DraftKings points against the Hornets on Wednesday and followed that up with 58.25 DraftKings points on Friday against the Lakers. He finished with 33 points, 12 assists, and five boards in that game and had over 30% usage for the third straight game.
In Saturday’s home matchup with the Kings, Barrett will continue to be a workhorse and bring an elite ceiling even though his salary is only a little over $7,000.
Value
Barrett’s wingman in the last two games has been second-year guard Gradey Dick. Dick set a career high with 25 points last week against the Timberwolves but has already bested that mark twice, scoring 30 against Charlotte and 31 against the Lakers. On Friday, he also added seven rebounds and three assists for a season-high 48.25 DraftKings points.
On Saturday against Sacramento, Dick has the fourth-highest Projected Plus/Minus at small forward and the third-highest at shooting guard in the ShotQuality projections. In the FanDuel projections, he has the second-best Projected Plus/Minus at shooting guard behind only Huerter and the sixth highest at small forward.
However you look at it and however he fits best in your roster construction, Dick brings great value and upside as Toronto wraps up their home back-to-back with a visit from Sacramento. The Kings are also on a back-to-back after beating the Hawks in Atlanta on Friday.
Fast Break
Sixers forward Caleb Martin has the second-highest Projected Plus/Minus at small forward in both the ShotQuality and FantasyLabs projections on this slate. He scored double-digit points in each of the first three games of the season, including a 17-point double-double that earned him 35 DraftKings points against the Pacers. He struggled from the field, going just 2-of-10 and finishing with only seven points and 14.25 DraftKings points on Wednesday, but he should be ready to bounce back on Saturday in this matchup with Memphis.
Buddy Hield has scored 20+ points in four of his five games this season with the Warriors. He had 38.25 and 34 DraftKings points in the two games he played without Steph Curry and is a solid mid-range option against the Rockets, although he does cost a little more than Dick and Martin, which makes him a little less of a value.
Another option from the Warriors is to go with Lindy Waters III as a bargain play with his salary of just $3,700. Waters exploded for 21 points and 40.5 DraftKings points on Tuesday but came back to earth with three points and 13.25 DraftKings points on Wednesday. With Andrew Wiggins expected to return, Waters will likely come off the bench after back-to-back starts, but he still should have enough chances to be a good bargain option.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
Julius Randle is settling in nicely with his new squad after being traded to the Timberwolves in the KAT trade this offseason. After falling short of salary-based expectations in his Wolves’ debut vs. the Lakers, he has posted four straight games with over 40 DraftKings points, exceeding salary-based expectations in each of those contests. His assist numbers have been trending up, and he has produced 1.17 DraftKings points per minute in his last two games against the Mavs and Nuggets.
On Saturday, he’ll have to deal with the Spurs and Victor Wembanyama, but he still has the second-highest ceiling projection of all power forwards and brings good flexibility by being able to shift over to C if that helps your roster construction.
His consistency with his new squad has been impressive, and he’s still seeing a heavy workload even after leaving New York.
Value
When Jaren Jackson Jr. and Ja Morant got healthy for the Grizzlies, Santi Aldama came off the bench and had a quiet game with the second unit. However, that didn’t last long since Smart and Bane got hurt and spots opened back up in the starting five.
Aldama returned to the lineup on Thursday and had 19 points, nine boards and 34.25 DraftKings points. He was the team’s second-leading scorer behind Morant and showed the ability to slot in nicely next to Ja and Jackson. Earlier this season while filling in, Aldama had back-to-back games with exactly 41.25 DraftKings points against the Magic and the Bulls.
In four starts, Aldama has averaged 14.8 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 3.5 assists over 30.5 minutes per game. He has the fourth-highest Projected Plus/Minus at power forward in both the FantasyLabs and the ShotQuality projections.
Fast Break
Giannis Antetokounmpo has the highest ceiling projection on the entire slate and has posted five double-doubles in his five games this season, averaging 30.4 points and 11.6 rebounds in 34.3 minutes per game. He has over 49 DraftKings points in every game and is coming off a season-high 61.75 DraftKings points on 37 points and 11 boards in Thursday’s loss to the Grizzlies. He’s always a good play if you can afford him.
Reigning Sixth Man of the Year Naz Reid is a solid option since the Wolves are on the second night of a back-to-back and may try to go easy on their starting big men. Reid has been solid off the bench again this year, producing double-digit points in each of his five games and producing 1.12 DraftKings points per minute and 27.45 DraftKings points per game in an average of 24.4 minutes per game.
If you want to spend under $4,000 at power forward, KJ Martin and Guerschon Yabusele stand out as good plays from the 76ers. Of the two, I prefer Yabusele, who has been a little more consistent. Despite going scoreless in one game, he has produced between 15 and 25 DraftKings points in all four games this season. Once Embiid returns, he’ll likely fall out of the rotation, but for now, he’s still a bargain play coming off the bench.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
The Raptors have allowed more DraftKings points per game to opposing centers than any other team in the NBA, setting up Domantas Sabonis in a great spot to produce on Saturday. He has the second-highest ceiling of all centers in the FantasyLabs projections behind only Giannis and has a better Projected Plus/Minus since he’s over $1,000 less expensive.
Sabonis has four straight double-doubles including a triple-double against the Lakers. He had a season-high 67 DraftKings points in that game and has put up 40+ DraftKings points in every one of his five games this season.
He has been extremely consistent while producing at a high rate, averaging 1.35 DraftKings points per minute. Since the Kings have the highest implied team total on the board this Wednesday, Sabonis is a great place to look among several strong center options.
Value
On the other side of that matchup in Toronto, Jakob Poeltl has the highest Projected Plus/Minus of all centers on the slate and takes the top spot in Projected Plus/Minus on the entire slate in the ShotQuality projections.
Poeltl has been the one consistent option for the Raptors this year amidst all their injuries. He has played all six of their games, averaging 1.19 DraftKings points per minute. He produced over 40 fantasy points in four of his last five games and has posted double-doubles and at least 44 DraftKings points in three straight.
Despite his consistent multi-category numbers, his salary is still under $7,000 for this matchup with Sabonis and the Kings.
Fast Break
Victor Wembanyama started the season slowly but had a big game on Thursday with 67.25 DraftKings points on 25 points, nine rebounds, seven assists, five blocks, and five steals. His impressive 5×5 night reminded everyone of his huge upside, but that was still without a great night scoring or rebounding. He has a tough matchup in this one against Rudy Gobert but always has the potential to produce massive totals.
Alperen Sengun has been excellent in the early part of the season for the Rockets, producing 1.38 DraftKings points per minute with four double-doubles in five games. Going up against Draymond Green and the Warriors is never an easy task, but he has shown a high enough ceiling to still be worth a look if you can’t spend up on Sabonis, Wemby, or Giannis.
The Grizzlies have been careful with the minutes of rookie center Zach Edey, but he still has the highest Projected Plus/Minus of all centers under $5,000 in both the FantasyLabs projections and the ShotQuality projections. Edey had 10 points and eight boards against the Bucks on Thursday for 23.5 fantasy points. Not counting his rough NBA debut, the big man is averaging 9.8 points and 4.3 rebounds even though he’s only playing 17.0 minutes per game.
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