There are six NBA games on Saturday’s main slate. Atlanta, Cleveland, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, the Los Angeles Clippers, Miami and Milwaukee are playing the second leg of a back-to-back.
This article was written on Friday night. Any changes will be updated. Keep track of all the injury news at DK Network.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $200K Fadeaway [$50K to 1st]
Guard
Stud
Kevin Porter Jr., Milwaukee Bucks at Detroit Pistons ($6,500)
This is the second leg of a back-to-back for Milwaukee and Porter has been dealing with back spasms, so there is risk, especially since Detroit is third in defensive rating. That said, he still seems too cheap considering the usage and role he will have to play with Giannis Antetokounmpo out of action. With Giannis playing only three minutes last game, Porter garnered a whopping 35.9% usage rate in that one, finishing with 26 points, two rebounds, seven assists and two steals. That translated to 41 FPTS. In the prior game with Giannis, Porter had a 23.7% usage rate but still put up 50.5 FPTS.
Other Options: Cade Cunningham ($10,400), Anthony Edwards ($9,800), Donovan Mitchell ($9,400), James Harden ($9,300), Kevin Durant ($8,100), Amen Thompson ($8,000), Nickeil Alexander-Walker ($7,400), Norman Powell ($6,600)
Value
Ryan Nembhard, Dallas Mavericks vs. Houston Rockets ($4,900)
Over the last two games, Nembhard has put up 50.2 and 45.2 FPTS, dishing out 23 assists with only one turnover. He’s also scored 43 points. One of those games was against Miami, the fifth-best defensive team. Houston is second in defensive rating, so this will be another test. I have no idea if Nembhard can continue playing like this, but the coaching staff spoke positively about him during the summer and he’s proven that he belongs in the league, as he can shoot and orchestrate an offense. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound frame hasn’t been a liability yet, but Houston may be the team to take advantage. We shall see, but until Nembhard gets exposed, I think we have to continue clicking his name because the boy can ball.
Other Options: Donte DiVincenzo ($5,600), Davion Mitchell ($5,500), Malik Monk ($5,000), Duncan Robinson ($5,000), Pat Spencer ($3,900), Jaden Ivey ($3,300)
Forward
Stud
Jalen Johnson, Atlanta Hawks at Washington Wizards ($10,000)
Over the last 12 games, Johnson has been on tear, putting up over 50 FPTS nine times. Three of those were over 70 FPTS with a high of 92 FPTS! He has two triple-doubles over that span and just missed a few others. As I’m writing this, Johnson has a triple-double at halftime! The low in FPTS was 29.8 FPTS four games ago against the Wizards. Atlanta lost that game 113-132. It happens. I don’t expect a repeat of that performance and think Johnson gets back to the feasting ways as Washington is fifth in pace and dead-last in defensive rating.
Other Options: Anthony Davis ($9,600), Julius Randle ($8,500), Kevin Durant ($8,100), Keegan Murray ($7,300), Norman Powell ($6,600), Andrew Wiggins ($6,500)
Value
Naz Reid, Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Los Angeles Clippers ($5,900)
Over the last three games, Reid has put up over 30 FPTS in all with a high of 44.8 FPTS. He’s been dishing out dimes and racking up steals. The most important numbers, though, are the 30, 32 and 33 minutes played. For much of the season, Reid was mired in the mid-20s. The Clippers are 24th in defensive rating.
Other Options: Jaden McDaniels ($5,700), Naji Marshall ($5,400), A.J. Green ($5,400), Bobby Portis ($5,300), John Collins ($5,100), Tobias Harris ($5,100), Zaccharie Risacher ($5,100)
Center
Stud
Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat vs. Sacramento Kings ($7,700)
The Kings are an abomination, but should provide a pleasant fantasy environment, as they play at the eighth-fastest pace and are 27th in defensive rating. Maxime Raynaud has been playing center, and while he’s big and very skilled on offense, he doesn’t have the foot speed to match with Bam on defense. In addition, Tyler Herro is dealing with a toe issue, so Adebayo could see an uptick in usage rate.
Other Options: Onyeka Okongwu ($8,000), Jalen Duren ($7,700), Ivica Zubac ($7,500), Rudy Gobert ($6,200)
Value
Kel’el Ware, Miami Heat vs. Sacramento Kings ($5,600)
As I said, Sacramento is an abomination and I like both Heat bigs to get busy in this one. Ware isn’t starting, though, and has been limited to around 24 minutes a night. Still, he put up 43.5 FPTS in 25 minutes last game. Not saying that will happen here, but it’s well within the range of outcomes.
Other Options: Naz Reid ($5,900), Bobby Portis ($5,300), Marvin Bagley III ($5,200), John Collins ($5,100), Maxime Raynaud ($4,500), Steven Adams ($3,800) and Clint Capela ($3,400) if Alperen Sengun is out
