There are five NBA games on Saturday’s main slate. Atlanta, Memphis, Orlando and Phoenix are playing the second leg of a back-to-back.
Keep track of all the injury news at DK Network.
This article was written on Friday night. Any changes will be updated.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $200K Fadeaway [$50K to 1st]
Guard
Stud
Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers vs. Charlotte Hornets ($9,000): It was quite the debut for Maxey in the opener against Boston, as he put up 40 points, two rebounds, six assists, two steals, one block and seven treys in 41 minutes. The usage rate was 29.5%, Joel Embiid only played 20 minutes while Paul George is still out. Maxey should continue garnering a high usage rate and the environment should be a friendly one as Charlotte always plays fast with LaMelo Ball at the helm. After one game, Charlotte is eighth in defensive rating, but I’m not putting too much credence in that as they played Brooklyn.
Other Options: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ($10,700), Devin Booker ($9,200), LaMelo Ball ($9,100), Jamal Murray ($7,200), Brandon Miller ($7,000), Bennedict Mathurin ($6,400)
Value
Ben Sheppard, Indiana Pacers at Memphis Grizzlies ($3,800): T.J. McConnell has been out with injury while Andrew Nembhard only played 17 minutes before succumbing to injury as well. It was Sheppard who soaked up most of the minutes, playing 39 and producing 15 points, eight rebounds, four assists, one steal, one block and three treys. Sheppard is usually known as just a shooter, so the across-the-board production was a pleasant site. It’s highly likely he plays at least 30 minutes and the Grizzlies play at a fast pace.
Other Options: V.J. Edgecombe ($6,000), Grayson Allen ($5,700), Jaylen Wells ($5,300), Kon Knueppel ($4,900), Ajay Mitchell ($4,600), Tre Jones ($4,500), Cedric Coward ($4,300), Nickeil Alexander-Walker ($4,300), Luke Kennard ($3,400)
Forward
Stud
Pascal Siakam, Indiana Pacers at Memphis Grizzlies ($8,300): With Tyrese Haliburton out to start the season, Siakam was expected to shoulder more offensive responsibility. Last season, the usage rate was 24.3%. In the opener, that number was 30.1%. Now with Andrew Nembhard out with an injury, he could see more usage. I was contemplating Bennedict Mathurin since the thesis is the same and he’s $1,900 cheaper, but Siakam does provide a little more in the assist and defensive categories.
Other Options: Jalen Johnson ($8,500), Jaren Jackson Jr. ($8,400), Paolo Banchero ($8,100), Franz Wagner ($7,700), Miles Bridges ($7,500), Aaron Gordon ($6,900), Bennedict Mathurin ($6,400)
Value
Dominick Barlow, Philadelphia 76ers vs. Charlotte Hornets ($3,500): Barlow had an excellent summer, catching the eyes of the coaching staff due to his hustle and energy. As a result, he was rewarded with the start in lieu of Paul George and balled out, contributing 13 points, eight rebounds, five assists and one block in 34 minutes. He will likely get the start again and play over 30 minutes. Charlotte plays fast so the environment should be a fantasy-friendly one.
Other Options: V.J. Edgecombe ($6,000), Grayson Allen ($5,700), Jaylen Wells ($5,300), Obi Toppin ($5,100), Aaron Wiggins ($5,000), Kon Knueppel ($4,900), Ryan Dunn ($4,400), Nickeil Alexander-Walker ($4,300), Ben Sheppard ($3,800), Ousmane Dieng ($3,200), Brooks Barnhizer ($3,100) if Chet Holmgren is out
Center
Stud
Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets vs. Phoenix Suns ($11,700): If Jokic is on the slate, it’s pretty much an auto-recommend because he is literally the greatest fantasy player of this generation. In the opener, he put up 60.8 FPTS and that was somewhat of a disappointment. Jokic laughably put up at least 70 FPTS 31 times last season, with six of those over 90 FPTS and a high of 100.2 FPTS. He has the highest floor/ceiling combo in the game. Victor Wembanyama is in the conversation but he needs to show the consistency first.
Other Options: Jaren Jackson Jr. ($8,400), Onyeka Okongwu ($6,500), Isaiah Hartenstein ($6,400)
Value
Ryan Kalkbrenner, Charlotte Hornets at Philadelphia 76ers ($3,400): Kalkbrenner got the start and played 27 minutes in the opener, producing 10 points, 11 rebounds, one assist and two blocks in 27 minutes. Over the summer, there was talk of a three-headed monster at center but Mason Plumlee was a DNP so the playing time looks secure for Kalkbrenner. He is just too cheap for the expected the role and playing time.
Other Options: Wendell Carter Jr. ($5,400), Moussa Diabate ($4,300), Dominick Barlow ($3,500),
