Saturday offers hoops fans a featured six-game NBA slate to dig into. Playmakers aren’t in short supply, with names such as Anthony Edwards, Cade Cunningham, and Donovan Mitchell expected to play. However, a successful night in DFS takes more than just star power.
To round out your fantasy basketball lineups, some lesser-known players are needed. Here are three to target tonight in DFS and season-long formats.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $200K Fadeaway [$50K to 1st]
C Maxime Raynaud, Sacramento Kings at MIA ($4,400)
Stuck near the bottom of the Western Conference, things aren’t looking up for the Kings. With that being said, some of the team’s struggles can be attributed to the continued absence of Domantas Sabonis. The former All-Star has been sidelined for weeks due to a torn meniscus. To replace its face of the franchise, Sacramento has turned to a mix of veterans and youngsters down low. In the latter group, Maxime Raynaud has shown flashes of greatness. Through 14 games, he’s averaging 7.5 points and 3.7 rebounds.
Raynaud’s role is growing, as he’s logged 20+ minutes in each of his last three appearances. During that time, the Stanford alum has notched 17.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 blocks per game. Tonight’s matchup, against the high-octane Heat, could lead to even more production. Miami’s league-high 105.2 pace on offense lends itself to shootouts and extra possessions. Given the lack of quality centers in Sacramento, there isn’t much standing between Raynaud and another stellar performance.
SG/SF Caris LeVert, Detroit Pistons vs. MIL ($4,300)
Cade Cunningham ($10,400) is the straw that stirs the drink in Detroit. Still, it’s easy to forget that this is a deep, dangerous group capable of beating teams with its depth. Caris LeVert is part of that equation for the Pistons, offering microwave scoring in a supporting role. This season, the 31-year-old has notched 9.2 points, 1.6 rebounds and 2.9 assists while shooting 46% from the field. Granted, the veteran’s fantasy value hinges almost entirely on his scoring. That makes him difficult to trust on any given night.
With that being said, Saturday is an ideal spot for LeVert to produce. Tonight’s opponent, Milwaukee, will be without Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf). Even with the Greek Freak healthy, this wasn’t a defensive juggernaut. The Bucks have allowed the 11th-most points per game (117.7) this season. In addition, they’ve surrendered the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing shooting guards. LeVert just needs 20+ minutes in this one to do damage against a lackluster defense.
C Steven Adams, Houston Rockets at DAL ($3,800)
Few players are more emblematic of Houston’s defensive-first identity than Steven Adams. The grizzled veteran, going back to his days in Oklahoma City, has always done the little things right. Whether its boxing out, playing smart defense, or setting screens, Adams’ contributions aren’t always seen in the box score. Still, the center’s all-around play ensures a hefty workload in most matchups. This season, he’s recorded 6.6 points, 9.2 rebounds and 0.8 blocks. However, the most important statistic for the big man is 21.8 minutes per games.
By playing nearly half, if not more, of every contest, Adams has a decent fantasy floor. There’s a good chance he puts together a solid effort tonight vs. Dallas. The Mavericks have given up the fourth-most fantasy points to centers this season. In addition, Dereck Lively II (foot) remains out while Daniel Gafford (ankle) is questionable. That leaves Anthony Davis ($9,600), on the second leg of a back-to-back, as the team’s only real presence down low. Adams has secured at least 23 fantasy points in each of his previous three outings. At just $3,800, he’s worth heavy consideration on Saturday.
UPDATE: Adams (ankle) has been ruled out of tonight’s contest.
