NBA Saturday night DFS action at DraftKings is back. Get the screens out and get your DraftKings NBA DFS lineups in early. Let’s dig into the research, make some fantasy basketball picks, and plop on the couch to enjoy the seven-game main slate for this contest that starts at 7 p.m. ET.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $150K Fadeaway [$50K to 1st]
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Guard
Stud
Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks at Chicago Bulls ($8,900) — Winning the NCAA Basketball Player of the Year is the kiss of death. These players do not have NBA careers. It’s an award won by upperclassmen. That means they weren’t one-and-done talents. They don’t have the raw goods of the lotto picks that proliferate the NBA. Brunson is a fine wine. He was fine in Dallas. But now in his seventh season, Brunson is a top-shelf brand. Pour a glass of Brunson against the Bulls. Pour one out for the Bulls’ chances of winning. The Knicks are projected to score the second most points on Saturday’s slate.
Other Options — Tyler Herro ($8,700)
Value
Tim Hardaway Jr., Detroit Pistons vs. Minnesota Timberwolves ($4,100) — The DFS industry was up in arms on Friday night. The YouTubers and the chat couldn’t believe Wendell Moore Jr. ($3,000) started in place of Jaden Ivey. Everyone wanted Ausar Thompson ($4,100). It didn’t matter in the end. Both failed to score 10 fantasy points. Hardaway hit. It wasn’t the greatest night ever (20 DKFP), but he played 30 minutes. Hardaway will carry low ownership because he’s Tim Hardaway Jr. He’s not a good shooter and that suppresses his salary. He only needs two to three of his usual misses to roll in. At his price, he can work as a DFS NBA value pick with a below-average performance.
Other Options — Lonzo Ball ($4,100)
Forward
Stud
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks vs. Portland Trail Blazers ($11,500) — His back problems appear to be behind him. Antetokounmpo is back at it, posting 60 DKFP games with ease. There’s always the opportunity for 100 DKFP. It’s a Joker or Greek Freak NBA DFS slate. Who hits? Portland is an interesting matchup. The Blazers are 11-22. They don’t play defense (27th defensive efficiency rating). Blowouts are a concern, but the Blazers do not get boat raced as much as expected.
Other Options — Jaren Jackson Jr. ($9,300), Desmond Bane ($8,000)
Value
Nikola Jovic, Miami Heat vs. Utah Jazz ($4,600) — What’s up with Heat Culture? What’s the Heat’s future? Is it Tyler Herro’s team? Bam Adebayo’s team? What about Nikola “Don’t Call Me Jokic” Jovic? He has all of the makings of becoming the next Euro-star. He has all the makings of being a bust, too. With Jimmy Butler benched, this is the opportunity to become the next unicorn or donkey. Jovic’s game log isn’t great, but those that watch games, know the little Joker’s tricks. The Jazz are a soft matchup. A big night from Jovic might give Pat Riley the green light to move Jimmy Buckets into the waste bucket.
Other Options — Draymond Green ($5,700), Jaylen Wells ($4,700)
Center
Stud
Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets at San Antonio Spurs ($12,300) — This is a back-to-back rematch. Denver wants to run it back after losing to the Spurs in Denver. Jokic and Victor Wembanyama ($11,300) put on a show on Friday. Wemby struck gold in Denver. Jokic and the Nuggets didn’t find a nugget. Silver isn’t his style. On Saturday, Jokic will seek to steal Wemby’s spurs. He’ll take his boots and horse, too. Jokic scored 83 DKFP and it wasn’t a good night. He shot 41 percent from the field. His season average is 55.4 percent. Brace yourself San Antonio, the Joker is coming for 100.
Other Options — Victor Wembanyama ($11,300), Karl-Anthony Towns ($10,300)
Value
Mason Plumlee, Phoenix Suns at Indianapolis Pacers ($4,700) — This is the final one of Mason’s plum run. Have fun. Jusuf Nurkic is suspended for one more game. Plumlee played over 25 minutes in the first two and scored 25.25 and 32.5 DKFP. There’s not much ceiling with this pick, but it’s a safe 25 DKFP at a sub-5K price.
Other Options — Trayce Jackson-Davis ($5,000)
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $150K Fadeaway [$50K to 1st]
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I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is greenflagradio2) 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.
