After Friday’s three-game slate and before Sunday’s single game, the NBA has a massive Saturday schedule with 28 of the 30 NBA teams taking the floor at some point throughout the day. Nine games are on the DraftKings main slate of fantasy basketball contests, which tips off at 7:00 p.m. ET. With so many teams and players to choose from, it should be an exciting fantasy basketball night so be sure to get your squad assembled. While there are plenty of good options, a few teams stand out as top DFS stacks for this Saturday, January 25.
Of the 18 teams in the player pool, five are finishing a back-to-back and many others are dealing with injuries. Be sure to keep a close eye on today’s injury report since Trae Young, Anthony Edwards and De’Aaron Fox are just a few of the important names who are questionable. With the information available going into the day, these are my top three DFS stacks to target.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $200K Fadeaway [$50K to 1st]
Memphis Grizzlies vs. Utah Jazz
The Grizzlies play at the fastest pace in the NBA, and they’ll be in a smash spot on Saturday as they host the Jazz, who have allowed the fourth-most points per game to their opponents this season. On Friday, Memphis had 139 points against the Pelicans in a win and have scored at least 129 points in four of their last five games. They put up that impressive point total despite being without Ja Morant ($9,100; illness). Morant could return on Saturday, so keep an eye on the injury report, but if he is out there will be extra usage and potential production for the rest of the roster.
Core Plays: Jaren Jackson Jr. ($8,000) and Desmond Bane ($8,000) usually carry the load if Morant is out, and Bane had a 20-point, 14-assist double-double on his way to 42.5 DraftKings points on Friday. He has over 40 DraftKings fantasy points in four straight games. Morant has also been good when available, although he’d be high-risk so soon after missing a game with illness.
Value Options: Luke Kennard ($4,400) has been excellent from under $5,000 in his last few games. He knocked down seven three-pointers in each of his last two games, producing 39.5 and 44.75 DraftKings points. If Morant is out, he has a very high ceiling against the Jazz. Scotty Pippen Jr. ($3,500) stepped up with 23.75 DraftKings points without Ja and usually has more of a role when Morant is out. Jaylen Wells ($4,200) and Zach Edey ($3,800) also offer great upside at their price points.
Phoenix Suns vs. Washington Wizards
The Suns are in a smash spot against the Wizards, who allow the most points per game in the NBA. They also allow the most fantasy points in the NBA to point guards, shooting guards and power forwards, and the second-most to opposing centers. The Suns had 130 points on the road in Washington, D.C. nine days ago, and they’ll look for a similar output in the rematch in Phoenix on Saturday.
Core Plays: The Suns stack starts with Devin Booker ($9,000), who has at least 47 fantasy points in six of his last seven contests. He had 37 points in 39 minutes for 54.25 fantasy points against the Wizards last week. Kevin Durant ($9,300) only had 40.5 fantasy points against the Wizards but posted 62.26 fantasy points the following game against the Pistons and can definitely carry the workload when called upon. Bradley Beal ($6,000; ankle) is probable after missing last week’s matchup against his former team but coming off the bench has produced mixed results for him. He’s high-risk at this price point but could get an extra boost facing with Wizards.
Value Options: In the frontcourt, Nick Richards ($5,100) has been solid since arriving from Charlotte but Jusuf Nurkic ($4,700) is ready to return from his seven-game absence due to illness. Richards will still start but Nurkic will compete for backup minutes with Mason Plumlee ($3,400). Ryan Dunn ($3,900) has been starting for the Suns and had 37.25 fantasy points against the Wizards last week. The rookie’s production has been up and down, but he gets enough minutes to be worth a look under $4,000.
Atlanta Hawks vs. Toronto Raptors
The Hawks and Raptors face off for the second-straight game in Atlanta on Saturday night, but Atlanta will be at less than 100%. Jalen Johnson (shoulder) is out along with Zaccharie Risacher (adductor), who remains out. Trae Young ($9,600; hamstring) is questionable, and his availability will obviously have a huge impact on how the usage is split up in the rotation.
Core Plays: If Young is out, Dyson Daniels ($7,500) will have to pick up more of the workload. Daniels has scored at least 20 points in three of his last four games and has at least 40 fantasy points in three of his last five. Onyeka Okongwu ($6,200) has also been surging with 16.2 points, 13.0 rebounds and 42.3 fantasy points per game over his last six contests. Against the Raptors on Thursday, Okongwu had 19 points, 12 rebounds and 46.5 fantasy points. Toronto has allowed the most fantasy points per game to opposing centers, so Okongwu should be poised for more success on Saturday.
Value Options: Without Johnson, De’Andre Hunter ($6,000; illness, questionable) could step up if he’s available, or Vit Krejci ($4,500) could also pick up more work on the wing. David Roddy ($3,000) is also an interesting play since he has stepped up when given more time earlier this season. He had over 15 fantasy points in three of his last five games and has hit 20 fantasy points in two of those contests. Larry Nance Jr. ($3,000; hand) is also probable for the first time since undergoing hand surgery. He had over 19 fantasy points in six straight games before the injury, including two big double-doubles. It’s unclear exactly how many minutes Nance will be ready to play, but he does have great upside at the minimum salary if he’s ready for a significant role.
