There are six NBA games on Saturday’s main slate. Boston and Philadelphia 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 $100K Fadeaway [$25K to 1st]
Guard
Stud
Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks at Philadelphia 76ers ($7,100)
It took a minute for Flagg to get acclimated to the NBA. He’s a rookie after all, and Jason Kidd had him running point guard to start the season. Well, the point guard situation is more settled now and Flagg has started balling out, stuffing the stat sheet and putting up 64.2 and 51 FPTS in the last two games. He’s played 42 and 40 minutes, and minutes are half the battle. Yo, Joe! The price is nice, especially for a player who stuffs the stat sheet and can reach the ceiling of many of the higher-priced options.
Other Options: Cade Cunningham ($10,600), Tyrese Maxey ($9,700), Brandon Ingram ($8,000), Trey Murphy III ($7,500), Derrick White ($7,500), Kon Knueppel ($7,000), Andrew Nembhard ($6,500), Kyshawn George ($6,500), CJ McCollum ($6,400), Collin Gillespie ($6,100), Cedric Coward ($6,100)
Value
Jamaree Bouyea, Phoenix Suns at Golden State Warriors ($3,100)
Over the last eight games, Bouyea has received double-digit minutes in all, with two games over 20 minutes. Bouyea isn’t shy and can definitely get buckets while not being a zero in the other statistical categories. He’s put up double-digit FPTS in seven of the last eight games with three over 20 FPTS. He’s $100 over the minimum.
Other Options: Cam Spencer ($5,900), Bub Carrington ($5,100), Naji Marshall ($5,000), Jamal Shead ($4,500), Quenton Jackson ($4,500), Brandon Williams ($4,000)
Forward
Stud
Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis Grizzlies vs. Washington Wizards ($7,700)
To start the season, JJJ was…. awful? Fine, he wasn’t dreadful but played well below expectations, putting up fewer than 30 FPTS 14 times. Over the last two games, though, he’s been the JJJ we know and love, going over 55 FPTS in both contests. He’s been more aggressive on offense, grabbing boards and racking up defensive stats. Now, he faces a Wizards team that is sixth in pace and dead-last in defensive rating.
Other Options: Jaylen Brown ($9,600), Anthony Davis ($9,000), Scottie Barnes ($8,800), Jimmy Butler ($8,400), Brandon Miller ($7,400), Santi Aldama ($6,600), PJ Washington ($6,500), Dillon Brooks ($6,200), Saddiq Bey ($6,100)
Value
Jaylen Wells, Memphis Grizzlies vs. Washington Wizards ($5,300)
Value at forward is interesting on this slate. There are plenty of options to choose from, but Herbert Jones has a wide range of outcomes — the floor is lower than all but the ceiling is unmatched by most. So, it comes down to roster construction and projected ownership. Without any of that context, I will write up Wells because he’s been so consistent. Over the last 12 games, he’s put up over 20 FPTS in all with four over 30 FPTS. Now he gets an uptempo matchup against the defensively challenged Wizards.
Other Options: Jay Huff ($5,500), Naji Marshall ($5,000), Sandro Mamukelashvili ($5,000), Herbert Jones ($4,200), Ron Holland II ($3,400)
Center
Stud
Derik Queen, New Orleans Pelicans vs. Indiana Pacers ($7,100)
Speaking of wide range of outcomes, Queen is Grand Canyon-esque. Over the last seven games, he has three games in the 20 FPTS range but three over 40 FPTS with a high of 69 FPTS! Once again, it comes down to roster construction and projected ownership. If you want floor, Queen is not your guy, but I like the risk/reward here. Queen triple-doubled four games ago.
Other Options: Joel Embiid ($8,000) if he plays, Alex Sarr ($7,800), Jaren Jackson Jr. ($7,700), Jalen Duren ($7,700), Santi Aldama ($6,600)
Value
Jock Landale, Memphis Grizzlies vs. Washington Wizards ($5,400)
How many Grizzlies are too many? You probably shouldn’t roster too many because blowout risk is real. That said, selecting a few is likely ideal because the matchup is so juicy. And if the Wizards do keep it close. Yahtzee! With Zach Edey injured, Landale has seen an uptick in playing time, receiving 27, 27 and 30 minutes over the last three games. He put up at least 21 FPTS in all with a whopping 46.5 FPTS on Wednesday. That likely won’t be replicated, but it’s well within the range of outcomes, especially considering the matchup.
Other Options: Andre Drummond ($5,800) if Joel Embiid is out, Neemias Queta ($5,500), Jay Huff ($5,500), Quinten Post ($5,000), Sandro Mamukelashvili ($5,000), Brandon Clarke ($3,300)
