The NBA has a small three-game main DFS fantasy basketball slate on Saturday night to close out February. The first of the three games tips at 7:00 p.m. ET, which is when DFS contests lock. Even with such a small slate, two options stand out as strong NBA DFS stacks for this Saturday. “Stacking” is the strategy of including multiple players on your fantasy roster from the same team so that they can boost each other’s fantasy production in a favorable environment.
Even without any teams on the second night of back-to-backs, be sure to check out the daily injury report throughout the day, since some key names are uncertain. Especially at this point in the season, be sure to check the latest injury news before tip-off and adjust your lineup if needed.
Set your DraftKings NBA DFS lineups here: NBA $150K Fadeaway [$50K to 1st]
New Orleans Pelicans at Utah Jazz
The Pelicans are on a nice little run with three straight wins coming into this smash spot against the Jazz. Utah has allowed the most points per game to any team this season, allowing 125.9 points per game on the season. The Pelicans have the highest implied team total of the night in this matchup, and they just scored 129 points against Utah on Thursday to win the first game of their two-game stay in Salt Lake City.
The Pelicans won’t have Trey Murphy III or Dejounte Murray for the rematch, while center Yves Missi is questionable after missing five straight.
Core Plays: Zion Williamson ($8,500) and Saddiq Bey ($6,900) will continue to pick up the scoring slack with Murphy out. Bey had a monster game with 42 points and 60.2 FPTS against the Jazz on Thursday and has 20+ points in three of his four games since the All-Star break. He’s a great value with an extremely high ceiling under $7,000, while Zion also brings a high ceiling any time he’s healthy. He had 20 points and 40.5 FPTS on Thursday against Utah and has at least 39 FPTS in each of the Pelicans’ three straight wins.
Value Options: Without Murray, Jeremiah Fears ($4,800) and Jordan Poole ($4,000) could get more time and usage in the backcourt. Fears had 12 points and 24 FPTS against the Jazz on Thursday and has shown an even higher ceiling when he gets big minutes. Poole was out of the rotation entirely for much of the season but has worked his way back in and had 23 points and 38.8 FPTS against the Sixers last Saturday.
DeAndre Jordan ($3,800) has started three straight games for the Pels, with 31.8 FPTS, 24.5 FPTS and 11.8 FPTS. Jordan has a high ceiling if the veteran draws another start. Bryce McGowens ($3,400) is another play under $4,000 that makes sense, and Herb Jones ($4,500) is a steady producer even though his usage limits his ceiling.
Toronto Raptors at Washington Wizards
Like the Jazz, the Wizards have been a great matchup to target most of this season, especially giving up big games to point guards, power forwards and centers. The Raptors are coming off a tough home back-to-back this week against the Spurs and Thunder, but they’ll look to get back on track in this soft landing spot Saturday night.
The Raptors are mostly healthy, with the exception of Collin Murray-Boyles, who is doubtful due to a thumb sprain.
Core Plays: Since the Raptors have Scottie Barnes ($9,300), Brandon Ingram ($8,800), Immanuel Quickley ($7,600) and RJ Barrett ($7,000) all healthy, they cut into each other’s value a bit, but each still brings good upside. Ingram had a double-double against the Spurs and 39 FPTS. He had 54.5 FPTS against the Bulls last week and should be in a good spot as a pay-up core play. Barnes has a higher ceiling and Quickley can also shine in some spots, but Ingram has the best recent form and should anchor most Raptors’ NBA DFS stacks.
Value Options: Assuming Murray-Boyles sits, Jakob Poeltl ($4,300) could be a great value. The veteran missed a long time with a back issue earlier this season, but he has looked sharp since his return just before the All-Star break. He played 28 minutes and had 34.75 FPTS on Wednesday against the Spurs after sitting on Tuesday for injury maintenance. Sandro Mamukelashvili ($5,100) could also pick up more work without Murray-Boyles. Jamal Shead ($4,500) and Ja’Kobe Walter ($4,400) also have solid value potential in their roles off the bench, especially if they get more run in a blowout.
