Just four games tip off across the NBA on Saturday. There are still a few big names taking the floor, including Cade Cunningham, Anthony Edwards, and Scottie Barnes. That makes narrowing down a select group to start in season-long fantasy and DFS formats a difficult task. Here are the three centers at the top of tonight’s board:
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1. Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat at POR ($8,400)
Since Jimmy Butler’s trade request and subsequent absence, there’s been a massive void on offense for the Heat. If Miami has any hope of staying competitive in the Eastern Conference, the team will need its two remaining stars, Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo, to step up. The latter of the two has struggled for most of the season, shooting a career-worst 45.6% from the field. Still, solid counting numbers for the big man can’t be ignored (16.2 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 4.6 APG).
As inconsistent as Adebayo has been, he’s an easy choice at the top of this list. Miami’s opponent on Saturday, the Trail Blazers, are giving up the eighth-most points per game (116.4) and the seventh-most rebounds per game (53.4) to opponents this season. The Heat will keep the three-time All-Star heavily involved on offense tonight, making him Saturday’s clear-cut number one option.
2. Jakob Poeltl, Toronto Raptors at DET ($6,300)
He might not get many headlines on an eight-win Raptors team, but Jakob Poeltl is one of the more underrated big men in basketball. This season, the Austrian has posted a career-best 15.1 points, 10.5 rebounds and 2.7 assists while shooting 61.3% from the field. The center has recorded 14 double-doubles this season, easily the most on the Raptors.
On such a thin slate for centers, Poeltl’s price tag stands out. It also helps that he’s done well in this spot before, averaging 16.5 points, 14.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.5 blocks in two games against the Pistons this season. Detroit’s defense, while decent, has given up the 12th-highest field goal percentage to opponents (46.9%). Expect another quality, if unspectacular, performance from Poeltl.
3. Jalen Duren, Detroit Pistons vs. TOR ($5,500)
To close out the list, we’ll stay in Detroit. For all of the newfound excitement for the Pistons this season, Jalen Duren has been a disappointment. Entering his third year as a pro, the big man has put up just 9.5 points, 9.4 rebounds and 1.2 blocks while shooting 68% from the field. Those aren’t awful numbers, but they are a significant statistical decline from the 2023-24 season.
There are some signs that Duren’s play is beginning to improve. Over his last three outings, the Memphis alum has recorded at least 31 DK fantasy points. Most promising is that Saturday’s opponent, the Raptors, are giving up the most DK fantasy points to centers this season. As just the fourth-most expensive option at the position, Duren is a terrific buy-low for tonight’s slate.
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I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is b.armetta) 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.
