There are three games on Saturday’s NBA slate. The Hawks, Bulls, Grizzlies and Jazz are playing 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 $80K Fadeaway [$20K to 1st]
Guard
Stud
Josh Giddey, Chicago Bulls at Memphis Grizzlies ($9,700)
This is the second night of a back-to-back after playing in Oklahoma City. The results of that game haven’t been finalized, but I’m thinking he struggles a bit, as the Thunder have one of the top defenses in the game. If so, it will have been another small blip in what has been quite the heater for Giddey. Not counting Friday’s game, Giddey put up at least 50 FPTS in eight of the last 11 games, with four of those over 60 FPTS. Memphis is 10th in pace and 27th in defensive rating over the last 15 games, so another 50-burger is well within the range of outcomes.
Other Options: Dyson Daniels ($7,200), Nickeil Alexander-Walker ($7,000), Brice Sensabaugh ($6,800), CJ McCollum ($6,400), Malik Monk ($6,100)
Value
Javon Small, Memphis Grizzlies vs. Chicago Bulls ($5,400)
Small has started eight of the last 13 games he’s played in, averaging 12.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.8 treys per game. He’s shooting 45% from downtown. He’s put up at least 20 FPTS in 11 of those games with six of those over 30 FPTS. Fourteen games ago, he put up a season-high 43.5 FPTS in only 25 minutes, so he can access a ceiling. This game could be a fantasy bonanza as both teams play fast and eschew defense. Chicago is first in pace and 18th in defensive rating over the last 15 games.
Other Options: Tre Jones ($5,700), Devin Carter ($5,500), Bez Mbeng ($5,400), Daeqwon Plowden ($5,300), Cedric Coward ($5,200), Jordan Goodwin ($4,600), Walter Clayton Jr. ($4,400), DeJon Jarreau ($4,000)
Forward
Stud
Jalen Johnson, Atlanta Hawks vs. Sacramento Kings ($10,600)
Sacramento is 11th in pace and 26th in defensive rating over the last 15 games. You know that look on a kid’s face when you hand him the bat and he sees a crack in the pinata? That’s the look Johnson will have on Saturday. He thrives in up-tempo games and this one should be an up-and-down affair. He’s second in the league in triple-doubles and it’s likely that he messes around in this one. Over the last eight games, he’s put up at least 50 FPTS six times and is always in play to put a “had-to-have-it” score.
Other Options: Matas Buzelis ($7,400), Dyson Daniels ($7,200), Precious Achiuwa ($7,100), Brice Sensabaugh ($6,800)
Value
Leonard Miller, Chicago Bulls at Memphis Grizzlies ($4,700)
Since entering the rotation, Miller has been a steady fantasy contributor, putting up over 20 FPTS in six of the last eight games. The playing time hasn’t been plentiful recently, though, as he received 21, 23 and 19 minutes but he still managed to finish with 14.5, 33.2 and 26.8 FPTS. The Bulls could be without Nick Richards and Guerschon Yabusele, leaving Chicago mighty thin in the front court. Miller could see extended run in a game that should be a fantasy-friendly environment.
Other Options: GG Jackson ($5,700), Daeqwon Plowden ($5,300), Royce O’Neale ($4,800)
Center
Stud
Precious Achiuwa, Sacramento Kings at Atlanta Hawks ($7,100)
The Hawks have neutralized the FPPM to both power forwards and centers, but the -13.77% rate against centers far exceeds the -2.76% against power forwards. That is why I lean toward Achiuwa instead of Maxime Raynaud. Achiuwa has put up at least 30 FPTS in five of the last seven games with a high of 52.8 FPTS. He has a better chance of hitting 30 FPTS or more than Raynaud.
Other Options: Maxime Raynaud ($7,300)
Value
Oso Ighodaro, Phoenix Suns vs. Utah Jazz ($5,200)
Ighodaro balled out in Summer League but had been relegated to a reserve role off the bench for much of the season. Due to injuries, though, he’s started the last 12 games and averaged 29.5 minutes. Over that span, he’s put up at least 20 FPTS in all but three games with a high of 40 FPTS. Utah is fourth in pace and 24th in defensive rating, so there should be plenty of opportunities to score fantasy goodies.
Other Options: Olivier-Maxence Prosper ($4,700)
