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There are only three games on the main slate for Saturday, with the Nuggets and Kings playing early at 5:00 p.m. ET. We’re accustomed to there being more games over the weekend, but with so many games going on during the Wednesday and Friday slates, we’ve got fewer options tonight. Let’s take a look at some of the top players to consider at each position on DraftKings.
Point Guard
Malcolm Brogdon, IND at PHI, $7,300 — Brogdon had been out for 10 days due to injury, but has since returned to the starting lineup for the Indiana Pacers. The Philadelphia 76ers are a decent defensive team, but I don’t think matchup matters much. Brogdon’s price had been hovering over $8K before the injury, so there’s still value here.
Devonte’ Graham, CHA at MIL, $6,500 — Similar to Brogdon, Graham’s price is affordable with a matchup vs. the Milwaukee Bucks. He’s come out of nowhere to become the Charlotte Hornets’ best player this season, entering Friday averaging 18 points and 7.5 assists per game. More of a GPP play, Graham has a high ceiling at this price and his minutes are stable.
Shooting Guard
James Harden, HOU vs. ATL, $12,000 — On a short slate, Harden will almost always be a lock. My only concern would be the blowout factor, but like I’ve said in the past, if this game gets out of hand, Harden will be the reason. He should at least play around 26-30 minutes, and in the event Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks keep it close, he’d be staring down a top GPP performance.
Nicolas Batum, CHA at MIL, $4,100 — Batum has been dealing with injuries for what seems like forever now. He’s ceded a starting spot for the Hornets to younger players, but enters Friday coming off one of his better games of the season: 13 points, five rebounds and two blocks for 24.75 DKFP. It’s something to build on and the healthier Batum gets, the more important he’ll be for Charlotte’s playoff hopes.
Small Forward
Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL vs. CHA, $11,800 — Again, short slate, so I think a lot of lineups will try to fit in Giannis and Harden despite it eating up nearly $24,000 in salary (close to 50%). There’s not much in the mid-range, so stars and scrubs is in play. Giannis will be on the second of a back-to-back, so there’s a chance the Bucks keep the Hornets in this game. If that’s the case, I don’t see why Giannis wouldn’t be able to reach his ceiling with a full allotment of minutes.
Jabari Parker, ATL at HOU, $6,700 — Did we give up on Parker too early? Possibly. But it’s probably just because he’s putting up big fantasy numbers on a bad team. Parker enters Friday coming off a huge game vs. the Bucks, scoring 33 points with 14 boards and five assists for 64.5 DKFP. That was a season high for Parker, who is reasonably priced given his ceiling and the game environment.
Power Forward
Miles Bridges, CHA at MIL, $5,300 — There are only a few options to pay up for at PF, so I think it’s a good spot to pay down a bit. Bridges has been starting for the Hornets and enters Friday averaging 32 minutes per game. His floor is low — so there’s bust potential here — but we also have seen his ceiling, which can reach the 40+ range.
P.J. Tucker, HOU vs. ATL, $5,100 — The Rockets have Clint Capela (illness) and Danuel House (illness) both listed as doubtful for Saturday. If both are out, Tucker is looking at playing 35-40 minutes regardless of how this game goes. He’s been producing at a decent clip lately, with at least 22.5 DKFP in each of his past three games. He should get more touches on offense and more rebounding chances if Cap is out.
Center
Joel Embiid, PHI vs. IND, $9,500 — If you’re going with a more balanced lineup and are worried about Harden and Giannis not reaching value, a good way to differentiate yourself in tournaments is with Embiid. He feasted on the Kings the night before Thanksgiving and should feast again against the Knicks on Friday. Embiid could carry that momentum into Saturday, but be careful, he could sit this one out for rest. If that’s the case, give me Al Horford ($6,800), who rested Friday night.
Bismack Biyombo, CHA at MIL, $4,500 — Biyombo has been starting for the Hornets with Cody Zeller dealing with a hip injury. We don’t know if Zeller will be back, but if he remains out, Biyombo will be an interesting value play. He entered Friday with at least 35 DKFP in two of the past three games.