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. Be sure to follow all NBA injury news before Saturday’s slate at DK Network.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $150K Fadeaway [$50K to 1st]
Guard
Stud
Jeremiah Fears, New Orleans Pelicans vs. Denver Nuggets ($7,000)
For much of the season, Fears played in the high-20s minutes. But with Dejounte Murray no longer happy in New Orleans and requesting a trade, Fears could see more minutes. This season, Fears has received at least 30 minutes in four games. He put up at least 33 FPTS in three of those contests, with a high of 40.8 FPTS. Fears has a season-high of 65 FPTS in 29 minutes, showing he can reach a high ceiling. Granted, that was against the Sacramento Kings. Denver ranks 22nd in defensive rating.
Other Options: Cade Cunningham ($9,800), Jamal Murray ($8,500), LaMelo Ball ($8,400), Donovan Mitchell ($8,100), Kyrie Irving ($7,800), Ayo Dosunmu ($7,200), Davion Mitchell ($7,000)
Value
Bones Hyland, Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Chicago Bulls ($4,300)
Hyland put up 45.8 FPTS in 23 minutes on Thursday. He went for 24 points, eight assists, three rebounds and two steals, as Minnesota destroyed Dallas, 133-94. The Bulls have won one game this season, so it’s conceivable that Hyland gets more garbage-time run once again. And if he does, watch out: Chicago plays at the fastest pace in the league while being dead last in defensive rating. Hyland’s 27% usage rate this season has climbed to 29.2% over the last six games. In that span, he’s scored 20+ FPTS four times.
Other Options: Daniss Jenkins ($5,700), Duncan Robinson ($5,600), Christian Braun ($4,900), Cameron Johnson ($4,600), Meleek Thomas ($4,500)
Forward
Stud
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Miami Heat vs. Detroit Pistons ($11,500)
Antetokounmpo has put up at least 50 FPTS in all but three contests this season, with four over 60 and a high of 75 FPTS. The usage rate is 33.5%, and he’s stuffing the stat sheet. Miami is third in pace, and the last time Antetokounmpo faced Detroit back in the second game of the season, he went off for 65 FPTS. That was with Jalen Duren in Detroit’s lineup. John Collins and Paul Reed are too small to stop the Greek Freak.
Other Options: Cooper Flagg ($10,200), Michael Porter Jr. ($7,600), Zion Williamson ($7,400), Jaden McDaniels ($7,000), Ausar Thompson ($6,600), Jonathan Kuminga ($6,100), Saddiq Bey ($6,100)
Value
Noa Essengue, Chicago Bulls at Minnesota Timberwolves ($3,500)
Essengue put up 20.2 and 20 FPTS in 15 and 11 minutes on Sunday and Wednesday. With Caleb Wilson out, Essengue could see closer to 20 minutes. With Saturday’s game being a back-to-back, there’s a chance he continues seeing elevated playing time. (Friday night’s game had not yet been played at the time of writing.)
Other Options: Matas Buzelis ($5,900), Duncan Robinson ($5,600), Christian Braun ($4,900), Cameron Johnson ($4,600), Zaccharie Risacher ($4,500), Meleek Thomas ($4,500), Isaiah Stewart ($4,000) [if he starts]
Center
Stud
Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets at New Orleans Pelicans ($11,700)
It’s felt like a down year for Jokic, and it has been. Points, rebounds and assists are all down, and he’s no longer the No. 1 fantasy player. That said, he’s still averaging 23.5 points, 10.8 rebounds, and nine assists, and he’s the No. 3 player on a per-game basis. Jokic still leads the league with three triple-doubles and has put up at least 50 FPTS in all but two contests this season, with three over 60 and a high of 81.8 FPTS. He has been so dominant over the years that this production has left us somewhat disappointed. Crazy.
Other Options: Rudy Gobert ($6,100)
Value
Danny Wolf, Brooklyn Nets at Memphis Grizzlies ($4,700)
Wolf has started the last three games, averaging 10.3 points, eight rebounds, and 2.3 assists across 32.2 minutes. He’s put up 26, 18.8, and 36.8 FPTS across that stretch. So far this season, he’s averaging 0.9 FPTS per minute and should continue to thrive in an expanded role.
Other Options: Jalen Smith ($5,800), Day’Ron Sharpe ($5,600), Jarrett Allen ($5,600), Isaiah Stewart ($4,000) [if he starts]
