There are eight NBA games on Saturday’s main slate. ATL, CHI, IND, MIA, MIL, NOP, ORL, PHO and UTA 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
Kevin Porter Jr., Milwaukee Bucks at Chicago Bulls ($8,900)
Since returning from injury, Kevin Porter Jr. has put up over 40 FPTS in all but two contests, with four of those over 50 and a high of 60 FPTS. He has one triple-double over that span and just missed out on another by one assist. Without Giannis Antetokounmpo in the lineup, KPJ has been the guy. He has the handle package and juice to break down defenses and get his shot off. The matchup is an excellent one as the Bulls are second in pace and 23rd in defensive rating.
Other Options: Jalen Brunson ($9,300), Josh Giddey ($9,100), Trae Young ($9,000), Devin Booker ($8,600), Jamal Murray ($8,500), Amen Thompson ($7,900), Stephon Castle ($7,300), Anthony Black ($7,000), Norman Powell ($6,800), Ryan Rollins ($6,600), Coby White ($6,600), Collin Gillespie ($6,400), Andrew Nembhard ($6,300)
Value
Tyler Kolek, New York Knicks at Atlanta Hawks ($4,000)
Kolek shined bright on Christmas day, hitting clutch shots in the comeback win for the Knicks. He finished with 36.2 FPTS. Two nights earlier, he got the start for Jalen Brunson and put up 53.2 FPTS. All of this did not come out of nowhere, though. Kolek became a part of the rotation in late November, playing around 16 minutes a night and garnering the trust of the coaching staff.
Other Options: Jaime Jaquez Jr. ($5,600), Davion Mitchell ($4,800), Bones Hyland ($4,600), T.J. McConnell ($4,500), Jordan Clarkson ($4,400), Sam Merrill ($4,400), Tim Hardaway Jr. ($4,300), Bruce Brown ($4,100), Vit Krejci ($3,600), Jamaree Bouyea ($3,400)
Forward
Stud
Jalen Johnson, Atlanta Hawks vs. New York Knicks ($9,700)
I thought there was a chance that Johnson would slow down after Trae Young returned to action. Nope. Johnson has continued to thrive and be a nightly triple-double threat. Over the last 11 games, Johnson has triple-doubled five times and just missed out on a few more. He’s put up over 50 FPTS in all but one of those contests with five over 70 FPTS. Johnson is playing Thursday night so his stats are not available at this time.
Other Options: Julius Randle ($8,600), Michael Porter Jr. ($8,500), Mikal Bridges ($7,100), OG Anunoby ($6,900), Norman Powell ($6,800), Jabari Smith Jr. ($6,200), Dillon Brooks ($6,100), Bobby Portis ($6,100)
Value
Tim Hardaway Jr., Denver Nuggets at Orlando Magic ($4,300)
Other Options: Devin Vassell ($5,800), Jaime Jaquez Jr. ($5,600), Kyle Kuzma ($5,300), Matas Buzelis ($5,300), Jay Huff ($5,200), Tari Eason ($4,500), Jordan Clarkson ($4,400), Sam Merrill ($4,400), Vit Krejci ($3,600), Asa Newell ($3,400)
With Cam Johnson out due to injury, Tim Hardaway Jr. got the start on Christmas and played 41 minutes in an overtime game. He doesn’t contribute much outside of points, but playing alongside Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray affords plenty of clean looks. He scored 19 points on Christmas, good for 27.5 FPTS. In the prior two games, THJ went for 30 FPTS in both while dropping 23 and 21 points.
Center
Stud
Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets at Orlando Magic ($12,500)
Whenever Jokic is on the slate, it’s almost an auto-click. Granted, context always needs to be applied for ownership and value, but Jokic is always in play. I pretty much just write the same thing every time. Jokic is the greatest fantasy player of our generation. He’s a threat to triple-double on any given slate and put up the highest raw score. It wouldn’t surprise if he went for 100 FPTS. Blah blah blah. Well, on Christmas, he finished with 106.5 FPTS, as he contributed 56 points, 16 rebounds, 15 assists and two blocks. Hot diggidy!
Other Options: Karl-Anthony Towns ($8,800), Onyeka Okongwu ($7,500), Derik Queen ($6,700), Nikola Vucevic ($6,500), Nic Claxton ($6,300), Bobby Portis ($6,100)
Value
Kel’el Ware, Miami Heat vs. Indiana Pacers ($6,000)
This is the second leg of a back-to-back for Miami. Bam Adebayo did not play on Friday due to a back issue. There’s a chance Adebayo misses this game as well. If so, then Ware will likely play over 30 minutes. Even if Adebayo returns, Ware has shown he can produce fantasy goodies, popping off for 51 and 57.2 FPTS last week in 28 and 35 minutes. The range of outcomes is wide for Ware, though, so keep that in mind, but the potential ceiling is enticing.
Other Options: Jusuf Nurkic ($5,900), Mark Williams ($5,400), Jay Huff ($5,200), Mitchell Robinson ($4,800), Luke Kornet ($4,400), Asa Newell ($3,400)
