There are four NBA games on Saturday’s slate.
DAL, DET and LAC are playing the second leg of a back-to-back.
As for injuries, Tyler Herro, Haywood Highsmith are questionable.
On DraftKings Sportsbook, MEM is -1.5 over DET on the road with the total at 239.5. MIN is -14.5 over PHI on the road with the total at 225.5. MIL is -1.5 over MIA on the road with the total at 214.5. The DAL/LAL is not on the board yet.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $100K Fadeaway [$20K to 1st]
Guard
Stud
Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies at Detroit Pistons ($8,900): Since the firing of Taylor Jenkins, Morant has put up over 40 FPTS in all four games, with a high of 52.25 FPTS. He looks rejuventated, as the pick-and-roll frequency has increased and the usage rate has spiked from 31.5% to 36.1%. This should be a competitive game between two playoff-bound teams.
Other Options: Cade Cunningham ($10,600) if he plays, James Harden ($9,800), Anthony Edwards ($9,500), Dennis Schroder ($6,500) if Cunningham is out
Value
Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Minnesota Timberwolves at Philadelphia 76ers ($3,600): Minnesota has essentially been going eight deep, as the rotations get refined for the playoffs. NAW has played at least 27 minutes in each of the last three contests and put up over 20 FPTS in all. In the most recent contest, he finished with 34 FPTS. He’s a low-usage player who will likely end up in the teens for FPTS, but the matchup and price are too nice. Philadelphia is 26th in defensive rating over the last 10 games.
Other Options: Jared Butler ($5,500), Ryan Rollins ($4,900), Davion Mitchell ($4,800), Pelle Larsson ($4,600), Tim Hardaway Jr. ($4,500)
Forward
Stud
Ausar Thompson, Detroit Pistons vs. Memphis Grizzlies ($6,300): The right thing to do is probably click on Giannis Antetokounmpo and be satisfied. He is coming off a 94.25 FPTS performance and the floor/ceiling combo is the best at the position. But, but, but….I think Miami can keep him in the 50-FPTS range, something they’ve done twice this season. In addition, there were many that faded Antetokounmpo on Thursday, so they be more inclined to click on his name, especially on a small slate.
The range of outcomes is wide for Thompson, but I think he can get close to 50 FPTS in this one. Memphis has been playing at the fastest pace over the last 10 games and an up-and-down affair suits him perfectly. If he can get close to matching Antetokounmpo, then Thompson provides excellent leverage, especially since I think there’s a chance the former could be highly rostered.
Other Options: Giannis Antetokounmpo ($12,400), Jaren Jackson Jr. ($7,500), Julius Randle ($7,400), Kyle Kuzma ($6,200)
Value
Santi Aldama, Memphis Grizzlies at Detroit Pistons ($5,400): Since the firing of Taylor Jenkins and injury to Brandon Clarke, Aldama has played 30, 30 and 36 minutes. He had been languishing in the mid-20s. Aldama has put up 26.5, 30.5 and 38.5 FPTS over the last three games. He should continue seeing around 30 minutes of run while contributing around 30 FPTS.
Other Options: Naz Reid ($5,600), Guerschon Yabusele ($5,400), Pelle Larsson ($4,600), Tim Hardaway Jr. ($4,500), Nickeil Alexander-Walker ($3,600)
Center
Stud
Rudy Gobert, Minnesota Timberwolves at Philadelphia 76ers ($6,700): Gobert has been cooking recently, putting up over 40 FPTS in five of the last six games with two over 50 FPTS. The one game he failed to hit the mark, Gobert put up 39 FPTS. Philadelphia has no one in the middle to keep Gobert from dominating the paint.
Other Options: Giannis Antetokounmpo ($12,400), Ivica Zubac ($8,100), Jaren Jackson Jr. ($7,500), Julius Randle ($7,400)
Value
Zach Edey, Memphis Grizzlies at Detroit Pistons ($4,700): Memphis has been running more pick-and-rolls for Morant, which means Edey has been more involved on the offensive end. Outside of the game against Boston, in which he got played off the court and finished with 13 minutes, Edey has received 32 and 28 minutes, putting up 40 and 26.25 FPTS. There’s little risk of the Pistons going small and playing Edey off the court in this one.
Other Options: Naz Reid ($5,600), Guerschon Yabusele ($5,400), Adem Bona ($5,200)
