It’s a seven-game, fourteen-team slate of NBA action on Saturday. That includes marquee matchups such as Ja Morant and the Grizzlies heading to Boston to take on Jayson Tatum and the defending champs. With plenty stars across the association taking the floor, narrowing down a select group of big names to start in season-long fantasy and DFS formats is no easy task. Here are the three forwards at the top of tonight’s board:
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $200K Fadeaway [$50K to 1st]
1. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics vs. MEM ($9,900)
Some nights, figuring out who should top this list is next to impossible. This isn’t one of those nights. Jayson Tatum is a clear cut above the competition, as no other forward on Saturday’s slate can match his blend of elite scoring and all-around production. Through 22 games, the five-time All-Star is averaging 28.7 points, 8.7 rebounds and 5.6 assists on 46.0% shooting from the field.
The Grizzlies have earned a reputation as one of the game’s best defenses, but that hasn’t necessarily been the case so far. Memphis is giving up the 16th-most points to opponents (113.1 PPG) as well as the eighth-most DK fantasy points to opposing forwards. Given the lack of high-level options in action tonight, it makes sense to pay up for Tatum.
2. Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors vs. DAL ($9,500)
The Raptors might not have legitimate playoff hopes, but they’ve looked like a new team since the return of Scottie Barnes. The former Rookie of the Year has played in eight games since suffering an orbital bone fracture, putting up 22.1 points, 9.3 rebounds and 7.3 assists on 46.0% shooting during that time. The lanky forward has also chipped in on the other end of the floor, generating 1.8 combined blocks and steals.
Barnes is a hybrid, capable of playing down low or leading a fast break. That makes him an intriguing player in DFS formats, where he can serve as either a scorer or a creator and still deliver plenty of value. The former All-Star hasn’t scored often against the Mavericks (14.8 PPG), but he has produced 9.8 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 1.8 steals. The 23-year-old is a solid pick for those looking for a Tatum alternative.
3. Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder at NOP ($8,900)
Jalen Williams might be the best ‘glue guy’ in the NBA. While the wing is more than just a role player, Oklahoma City often asks him to do the little things. That could be anything from playing as a small-ball center or serving as a primary ball handler. Much like Barnes, that level of versatility gives fantasy managers a high floor for production.
This season, Williams has averaged 21.7 points, 6.1 rebounds and 5.0 assists through 22 outings. With so much defensive attention focused on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, J-Dub is given plenty of wide-open shots over the course of a game. That’s sure to be the case tonight against the woeful defense of the 4-18 Pelicans. OKC’s rising star is a solid, safe play in all fantasy formats.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $200K Fadeaway [$50K to 1st]
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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.
