There are five games on Saturday’s NBA slate.
This article was written on Friday night. Any changes will be updated. Follow 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. Milwaukee Bucks ($8,200)
Coming into the season, we expected Maxey to lose some usage rate due to the acquisitions of LeBron James and Jaylen Brown. After two games, that’s exactly how it’s played out: his usage rate has dropped from 29.4 to 26.9. That said, he still put up 52.5 and 48.8 FPTS in the first two contests, as spacing has been much better with a star-studded cast. The most important numbers, though, have been the 40 and 42 minutes of run. You can’t score fantasy goodies if you’re not on the court. Well, that’s not a problem for Maxey. James could sit this one out, so Maxey could see an increase in usage rate.
Other Options: Donovan Mitchell ($8,300), Trae Young ($7,900), Amen Thompson ($7,400), Stephon Castle ($7,300), Tyler Herro ($7,000), Dylan Harper ($6,600), De’Aaron Fox ($6,500), Norman Powell ($6,100)
Value
Tre Jones, Chicago Bulls vs. Washington Wizards ($4,800)
Josh Giddey is dealing with a left wrist issue and played only 25 minutes on Friday. To start the season, Giddey has shot 4-for-19. Jones played 24 minutes on Friday after receiving only 13 minutes in the opener. He added 11 points, 8 assists, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals for 30.8 FPTS. Chicago is playing at the league’s fastest pace so far.
Other Options: Fred VanVleet ($5,800), Kyshawn George ($5,500), Jaylon Tyson ($3,900), Sam Merrill ($3,700)
Forward
Stud
Kevin Durant, Houston Rockets at Atlanta Hawks ($7,500)
Ime Udoka wanted to tweak the Rockets offense entering this season after it was stagnant and relied heavily on offensive rebounding last season. With Fred VanVleet back, he could take Durant off the ball while the team increased its emphasis on three-point shooting. In addition, the team prioritized a faster pace and getting into the offense before defenses. After one game, the mission was accomplished as the Rockets put up 128 points against Dallas. Durant finished with 30 points, six rebounds, three assists, a block, and a steal in 37 minutes, good for 45 FPTS. Now he faces a Hawks team that is third-fastest in the league to start the season.
Other Options: Anthony Davis ($8,700), Alperen Sengun ($8,500), Jaylen Brown ($7,700), Julius Randle ($7,100), Michael Porter Jr. ($7,000), Norman Powell ($6,100)
Value
Mario Hezonja, Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Brooklyn Nets ($3,500)
Hezonja played only 19 minutes on Thursday, but he looked mighty good despite shooting inefficiently. He shot 38.5% from the field, but the positive spin is that he took 13 shots. Hezonja finished with 10 points, three rebounds, two assists, a block, and two steals. And that was against a tough Philadelphia squad. He should find it easier against the Nets.
Other Options: Jaime Jaquez Jr. ($5,700), Bilal Coulibaly ($5,000), Leonard Miller ($5,000), Naji Marshall ($4,800), Julian Champagnie ($4,600), Kyle Kuzma ($4,400), Jaylon Tyson ($3,900), Sam Merrill ($3,700)
Center
Stud
Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs at Dallas Mavericks ($10,700)
Wembanyama had a poor game on Tuesday, shooting 1-of-13 from the field. He still put up 46.2 FPTS by grabbing 13 rebounds, dishing out three dimes, recording a steal, and blocking six shots. He literally stuffs the stat sheet and is in play to go for 70+ FPTS on any given night. I think he bounces back big from his poor opener.
Other Options: Alperen Sengun ($8,500), Joel Embiid ($8,000)
Value
Jalen Smith, Chicago Bulls vs. Washington Wizards ($5,200)
Smith has only played 19 and 24 minutes to start the season. Still, the per-minute beast finished with 28.5 and 34.8 FPTS. The matchup isn’t great against Anthony Davis, but Chicago plays fast and eschews defense, so there should be plenty of opportunities to rack up fantasy goodies.
Other Options: Jarrett Allen ($6,000), Myles Turner ($5,500), Day’Ron Sharpe ($5,500), Leonard Miller ($5,000)
