Saturday’s ten-game slate of NBA action makes figuring out who to start in season-long fantasy and DFS formats is no easy task. Still, with so many matchups, there’s plenty of value available for savvy managers. Here are three guards I’m looking to back tonight.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $25K And-One [20 Entry Max]
1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder at CHI ($9,800)
The 2024-25 season was like any other Shai Gilgeous-Alexander game: 28 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists. This is one of the premier players in the league, so anything less than excellence will always come as a surprise. The best thing about SGA is the number of ways he can contribute; he’s the rare guard that can accumulate blocks and rebounds at a high rate.
If all that wasn’t enticing enough, consider that the Bulls are one of the NBA’s worst defensive teams, allowing the third-most points in the league this year. In his previous two games against Chicago, Gilgeous-Alexander averaged an absurd 35.5 points, 11.0 assists, 5.0 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game. Having said all that, the stars are aligned for another dominant SGA outing.
2. LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets vs. MIA ($9,600)
LaMelo Ball, Charlotte’s face of the franchise, has delivered so far. The fourth-year man has put up video game numbers, averaging 34.0 points, 7.5 assists and 6.5 rebounds per game on 50% shooting from the field. While part of Ball’s heavy usage is due to Brandon Miller’s injury on Wednesday, there’s no denying that the former All Star looks is already one of the league’s most dangerous players.
Going up against the Heat defense is no easy task, but LaMelo has done well in this matchup before. In two games vs. Miami last season, he put up 24.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 8.0 assists and 3.0 steals per game. It’s worth noting that Ball is questionable for tonight’s game; assuming he plays, this is an elite option at guard.
3. Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers at WAS ($8,900)
It hasn’t been the best start to the season for Donovan Mitchell. The sharpshooter is averaging just 20.0 points to go along with a subpar 42.9% field goal percentage (23.1% 3PT). However, it’s only been two games. I’m willing to bet that a date with the woeful Wizards will serve as the perfect get-right opportunity for Spida.
It’s hard to gauge Washington’s defense after one game against the unstoppable Celtics, but they did allow the most points in the NBA last year (123.0). Over 16 career games against the Wizards, Mitchell is averaging nearly 28 points per game. This is the perfect opponent to get the Cavaliers’ star back on track.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $25K And-One [20 Entry Max]
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All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook, lines and odds subject to change.
I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is barmy) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.
