There are five NBA games on Saturday’s slate. Memphis and New Orleans are playing on the second night 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
Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers vs. New Orleans Pelicans ($9,900)
There’s a good chance that Maxey finishes in the 40 FPTS range, which wouldn’t be great considering the price. But if the Pelicans can stay competitive (I know, that’s a big if) then Maxey can hit a ceiling that will be difficult for anyone else at the position to match. Part of it is due to Maxey being awesome and garnering a usage rate of 29.3% on the season. The other aspect is because Maxey will likely play over 40 minutes in a competitive game. Over the last seven games, he’s received at least 40 minutes in four of those contests. He’s gone for at least 60 FPTS in three of them.
Other Options: Anthony Edwards ($9,300), Dyson Daniels ($7,300), Naji Marshall ($7,100), Andrew Nembhard ($7,000), Donte DiVincenzo ($6,600), C. J. McCollum ($6,500)
Value
Pelle Larsson, Miami Heat vs. Chicago Bulls ($5,200)
Larsson has started the last nine games and averaged 28.9 minutes, 11.9 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.6 assists. That’s translated to at least 20 FPTS in six of those games with two over 30 FPTS. These teams just played on Thursday and Larsson finished with 31 FPTS in 29 minutes. Miami and Chicago are first and fifth in pace while Chicago is 24th in defensive rating.
Other Options: Tari Eason ($6,000), Bennedict Mathurin ($5,600), Ayo Dosunmu ($5,400), Brandon Williams ($5,200), Reed Sheppard ($4,800), Kevin Huerter ($4,200)
Forward
Stud
Saddiq Bey, New Orleans Pelicans at Philadelphia 76ers ($6,300)
Three games ago, James Borrego moved Jeremiah Fears to the bench and started utilizing a jumbo lineup with Zion Williamson, Derik Queen, Herbert Jones, Trey Murphy III and Saddiq Bey. Bey’s usage rate has spiked from 20.2% to 24.3% over that span and he’s put up over 45 FPTS in each of those contests with a high of 52 FPTS. Coincidence? I think not. One note: this was written before the Pelicans’ game on Friday.
Other Options: Alperen Sengun ($9,100), Pascal Siakam ($8,900), Zion Williamson ($7,900), Naji Marshall ($7,100), Naz Reid ($6,200), Jaime Jaquez Jr. ($6,100)
Value
Mouhamed Gueye, Atlanta Hawks at Indiana Pacers ($4,100)
The Hawks will be without Kristaps Porzingis and Onyeka Okongwu in this one. In addition, Jalen Johnson is questionable, so the frontcourt could be super thin. Gueye should get plenty of run regardless. Back in early January, Gueye received 31 minutes and finished with 10 points, 11 rebounds, six assists, two blocks and four steals, good for 44.2 FPTS. I’m not saying he will access a ceiling in this one, but the opportunity should be there.
Other Options: Matas Buzelis ($6,000), Bennedict Mathurin ($5,600), Pelle Larsson ($5,200), Caleb Martin ($4,300), Kevin Huerter ($4,200), Asa Newell ($3,500)
Center
Stud
Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat vs. Chicago Bulls ($8,300)
Adebayo was mired in the 20 to 30 FPTS range for stretches during the season, but he’s been the Bam we know and love recently. Over the last six games, Adebayo has put up at least 40 FPTS in all but one of those games with three over 50 FPTS. He’s scored at least 20 points in all of those games while pulling down double-digit rebounds in four of those contests. Chicago plays fast, so there should be plenty of chances to provide those fantasy goodies. On Thursday, Adebayo went for 40 FPTS against the Bulls.
Other Options: Joel Embiid ($9,600), Alperen Sengun ($9,100), Pascal Siakam ($8,900), Rudy Gobert ($6,500), Jock Landale ($6,400), Naz Reid ($6,200)
Value
Clint Capela, Houston Rockets vs. Dallas Mavericks ($4,000)
With Steven Adams ruled out for the rest of the season, Capela played 18 minutes on Thursday and contributed 10 points, seven rebounds, two assists, two blocks and a steal. That line was good for 27.8 FPTS. He should see close to 20 minutes in this one as well. Capela averages a respectable 0.98 FPTS per minute.
Other Options: Mouhamed Gueye ($4,100), Christian Koloko ($3,600), Asa Newell ($3,500)
