There are five games on Saturday’s NBA slate. This article was written on Friday, and all prices are available at the time of publishing. Follow all NBA injury news on DK Network.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $200K Fadeaway [$50K to 1st]
Guard
Stud
Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers at Milwaukee Bucks ($8,700)
Mitchell’s usage rate is 28.4 through five games this season, down from 32.1 last season. Mitchell is averaging 24.2 points per game, down from 27.9 last season. As a result, he’s finished with fewer than 40 FPTS three times. That said, he went for 49.8 and 55 FPTS in the other two games. Milwaukee ranks 26th in defensive rating while playing at the second-fastest pace, so the environment should be fantasy-friendly. I have issues with most of the high-priced options at the position on this slate and think Mitchell has the best chance to finish with 40 to 50 FPTS.
Other Options: Ty Jerome ($8,400), Darius Acuff Jr. ($7,500), Trey Murphy III ($7,300), Stephon Castle ($7,200), Nickeil Alexander-Walker ($6,900), Zach LaVine ($6,800), De’Aaron Fox ($6,600), Dylan Harper ($6,500), Ajay Mitchell ($6,400), Cedric Coward ($6,200)
Value
Cam Spencer, Memphis Grizzlies vs. Sacramento Kings ($3,700)
Spencer played a season-high 23 minutes on Thursday, finishing with 31.5 FPTS. Ty Jerome played only 24 minutes, and Scotty Pippen Jr. played 14. Part of it was the blowout, but Jerome and Pippen are both dealing with back issues. Spencer could start, which could turn this into a ceiling game, especially since Sacramento ranks 28th in defensive rating. Even if he doesn’t, Jerome and Pippen will likely be managed, which should allow Spencer to play significant minutes.
Other Options: Ayo Dosunmu ($5,900), Jared McCain ($5,700), Aaron Wiggins ($5,100), Terrence Shannon Jr. ($4,500)
Forward
Stud
Cameron Boozer, Memphis Grizzlies vs. Sacramento Kings ($7,400)
Boozer has two games under 30 FPTS this season. That said, he’s also gone over 50 FPTS twice. On Thursday, he posted his first triple-double: 18 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists. Sacramento is currently 28th in defensive rating, so Boozer should once again slice and dice and produce those yummy fantasy goodies.
Other Options: Jalen Johnson ($9,700), Evan Mobley ($8,100), Kevin Durant ($7,900), Zion Williamson ($7,700), Trey Murphy III ($7,300), Zach LaVine ($6,800), Dylan Harper ($6,500), Ajay Mitchell ($6,400), Jaden McDaniels ($6,200)
Value
Terrence Shannon Jr., Minnesota Timberwolves at San Antonio Spurs ($4,500)
In the season opener, Shannon received 20 minutes and contributed 13.2 FPTS. His playing time has increased every game since, as has his fantasy production: 21.5, 26.5, and 29.5 FPTS. Then, in his first game without Anthony Edwards, Shannon played 27 minutes and finished with 30.5 FPTS. The matchup isn’t great, as San Antonio is one of the better defensive teams, but Shannon proved in last season’s playoffs that he can handle the Spurs’ physicality.
Other Options: Ayo Dosunmu ($5,900), De’Andre Hunter ($5,800), Precious Achiuwa ($5,700), Tari Eason ($5,500), Jonathan Kuminga ($5,400), Karlo Matkovic ($3,700)
Center
Stud
Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs vs. Minnesota Timberwolves ($10,900)
Wembanyama started the season slowly, especially on offense. Still, he finished with at least 44 FPTS in each of his first three games, thanks to his ability to rack up counting stats in every category. And as it all came together over the last two games, Wembanyama put up 60 and 74.5 FPTS. Now, Utah and Sacramento both play poor defense and offer fantasy-friendly environments, but Wembanyama has had success against Rudy Gobert in the past. The floor/ceiling combo is appealing.
Other Options: Domantas Sabonis ($9,400), Evan Mobley ($8,100), Jarrett Allen ($6,100), Isaiah Hartenstein ($6,100)
Value
Precious Achiuwa, Sacramento Kings at Memphis Grizzlies ($5,700)
Since Keegan Murray succumbed to injury, Achiuwa has played 39, 14 and 41 minutes, finishing with 36, 5.2 and 45.8 FPTS. Murray remains sidelined, so Achiuwa should get plenty of playing time again. The 36-FPTS performance came against Memphis, where he finished with 12 points, 10 rebounds, three blocks and two steals.
Other Options: Onyeka Okongwu ($5,900), Aday Mara ($3,900), Karlo Matkovic ($3,700)
