It’s a big night for basketball on Saturday, and the NBA gets in on the action with four games on the main NBA DFS slate that tips off at 7:00 p.m. ET. Even with only eight teams in the player pool, there are still some good options that stand out as strong options for potential NBA DFS stacks
Even on this smaller slate, keeping track of the daily injury report will be key. The Pistons and Heat both have star point guards questionable and the Clippers and Mavs are playing each other for the second day in a row. The Pistons are also on the second night of a back-to-back, while the Bucks are back in action again on Sunday. Even though there are always last-minute changes at this point in the NBA DFS season, there are some options that stand out as strong stacking targets coming into the day.
The NBA DFS main slate includes a variety of contests and pay-out structures on DraftKings, headlined by the NBA $100K Fadeaway [$50K to 1st].
Detroit Pistons vs. Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies play at the fastest pace in the NBA this season, and the Pistons rank in the top-10 as well. The matchup should result in plenty of fantasy production on both sides with Detroit in an excellent pace-up spot, giving their players very high ceilings overall. Cade Cunningham ($10,600), who is having an outstanding season but has missed six straight games with a bruised left calf, is probable to make his return tonight. If he plays, he’ll carry a lot of usage but could be rusty or need to ramp up to full speed.
Core Plays: Without Cunningham, Dennis Schroder ($6,500) has been very productive for Detroit with 30+ fantasy points in four straight games. His shooting hasn’t been great but his heavy minutes and good non-scoring numbers make him a strong option if Cade needs another day to recover. Ausar Thompson ($6,300) has also been stepping up and turning in good numbers and gets a great matchup against Memphis, who has been the most generous team in the NBA this season to small forwards. Thompson had 46 fantasy points in a double-double against the Cavs last week and posted over 37 fantasy points in each of his last two games. Jalen Duren ($7,300) had one of his best games of the season on Friday in a fantasy-friendly matchup in Toronto, dropping 21 points, 18 boards, six assists and four blocks for 64 fantasy points.
Value Options: While those midrange options are all strong, the Pistons do have some bargain values as well. Tim Hardaway Jr. ($4,500) has scored 20+ points in each of his last four games and produced 30+ fantasy points in each contest. Marcus Sasser ($3,500) had double-digit points in three of his last five games with one of the exceptions being his ejection in Minnesota. He’ll be a good punt play if Cade is out, while Isaiah Stewart ($3,300) is expected to return to his role after a two-game suspension and be a good punt play at center.
Miami Heat vs. Milwaukee Bucks
The Heat will still be without Andrew Wiggins (hamstring) and could also be missing Tyler Herro ($9,000; thigh) and Haywood Highsmith ($3,800; Achilles) who are questionable. Miami gets a tough matchup with the Bucks, who are trying to catch the Pistons for the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference. The Heat enter the day tied with the Bulls in the ninth and tenth spot in the conference and have secured their bid for the Play-in Tournament but can still improve their seeding with a strong finish.
Core Plays: If Herro plays, he’ll be a good option since the Bucks are without Damian Lillard (calf) and have been beatable by opposing guards. Herro has 45+ fantasy points in five straight and 50+ fantasy points in each of his last two games. Bam Adebayo ($8,700) would get more work as the focal point of the offense if Herro is out and Kel’el Ware ($6,200) would look to build on his 13-point, 15-rebound double-double that earned him 40.25 fantasy points on Thursday.
Value Options: Without Wiggins, Davion Mitchell ($4,800) and Pelle Larsson ($4,600) have both been very productive, and they would have to step into even more active roles if Herro is out as well. Mitchell has 30+ fantasy points and at least seven assists in four of his last five games and would be a must-play option if Herro is out. Larsson had 29+ fantasy points in three straight games before a quieter game on Thursday against Memphis. Veterans Alec Burks ($3,700) and Kyle Anderson ($3,500) have also been in bigger roles lately and Duncan Robinson ($3,500) returned from a five-game absence due to left sacroiliac joint dysfunction on Thursday as well. All three would have upside if usage is available.
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
The Sixers remain without multiple stars but do have some strong fantasy options as they host the Timberwolves on Saturday night. Minnesota’s options are well-known and expensive but Philly’s still offer strong value upside.
Core Plays: The offense has been running through Quentin Grimes ($8,800), who has stepped up and been very productive since arriving from the Mavs via trade. He has made at least three three-pointers in seven of his last eight games and totaled at least 42 fantasy points in six of those contests. He had a nice double-double with 24 points, 10 assists and 46.25 fantasy points against the Bucks on Thursday in his most recent game.
Value Options: While Justin Edwards ($5,700) has cooled off lately, Jared Butler ($5,500) has at least 25 fantasy points in five of his last six games, highlighted by a double-double with 41 fantasy points against the Heat. Guerschon Yabusele ($5,400) had 20+ points in two of his last three games with over 35 fantasy points in those two, but didn’t get much going with just one point in the other of those three contests. Adem Bona ($5,200) has actually been much more consistent lately with 30+ fantasy points in four games and an impressive 28 points, six rebounds and 44 fantasy points on Thursday. Even cheaper, Lonnie Walker IV ($4,800) and Justin Hood-Schifino ($3,600) have shown high ceilings if they are given opportunities.
