There are four NBA games on Saturday’s main slate. Chicago, Dallas, New Orleans and Washington are playing the second leg of a back-to-back.
Keep track of all the injury news at DK Network.
This article was written on Friday night. Any changes will be updated.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $200K Fadeaway [$50K to 1st]
Guard
Stud
Kyshawn George, Washington Wizards at Chicago Bulls ($6,300)
Over the last three games, George has received 36, 32 and 37 minutes of playing time. He produced at least 43 FPTS in all due to his across-the-board production. His high on the season is 66.2 FPTS, but I think he has a chance to go over 50 FPTS in this one because these teams are third and fifth in pace while being 20th and 29th in defensive rating. It should be an up-and-down affair with plenty of opportunities for fantasy goodies.
Other Options: Cade Cunningham ($10,600), Josh Giddey ($9,600), Ryan Rollins ($7,700), Trey Murphy III ($7,000), Nickeil Alexander-Walker ($6,500)
Value
Brandon Williams, Dallas Mavericks vs. Memphis Grizzlies ($5,800)
Williams has seen his playing time dissipate due to his struggles shooting from the perimeter while D’Angelo Russell has received more run. Russell did not play on Friday due to an illness, so I think it’s unlikely he will be ready to go for Saturday. That means the likelihood that Williams returns to playing 30 minutes has increased. Williams has put up over 30 FPTS four times this season with a high of 40.8 FPTS. The environment should be a good one as Memphis is ninth in pace and 19th in defensive rating.
Other Options: Daniss Jenkins ($5,800), Kevin Huerter ($5,800), Vince Williams Jr. ($5,700), Ayo Dosunmu ($5,100), Max Christie ($5,000), Duncan Robinson ($5,000), Jeremiah Fears ($4,800)
Forward
Stud
Jalen Johnson, Atlanta Hawks at New Orleans Pelicans ($9,700)
Johnson has been such a beast without Trae Young in the lineup despite not seeing a huge uptick in usage rate. Johnson is garnering a usage rate around 25% but he’s put up over 50 FPTS in each of the last five games with a high of 92 FPTS(!!!) with 31 points, 18 rebounds, 14 assists and seven steals in 41 minutes. The floor/ceiling combo is so high right now. New Orleans doesn’t play fast, but the Pelicans are 28th in defensive rating.
Other Options: P.J. Washington ($7,200), Cooper Flagg ($6,900), Santi Aldama ($6,700), Matas Buzelis ($6,100)
Value
Bilal Coulibaly, Washington Wizards at Chicago Bulls ($5,000)
Since returning to action two games ago, Coulibaly has received 28 and 29 minutes. But he looks fresh and athletic with a few thunderous dunks after blowing by defenders. He should get over 30 minutes sooner rather than later. Coulibaly doesn’t garner a high usage rate and the points likely won’t be voluminous, but he contributes a little something in every category. He’s put up 23.8 and 28.5 FPTS over the last two games. There’s a chance he gets over 30 FPTS in this one as it should be an up-and-down affair since both teams play fast and eschew defense.
Other Options: Vince Williams Jr. ($5,700), Naji Marshall ($5,500), Ayo Dosunmu ($5,100), Max Christie ($5,000), Ron Holland II ($4,500)
Center
Stud
Jalen Duren, Detroit Pistons at Milwaukee Bucks ($8,200)
Duren is one of the most impressive physical specimens in the NBA. Scratch that, maybe on Planet Earth. But early on in his career, he fouled too much and wasn’t a consistent presence at both ends of the court. Well, he’s figured things out now and has put it all together. Duren is now a force at both ends of the floor and his offensive bag is much deeper after the tutelage from Rasheed Wallace over the summer. Over the last eight games Duren has played, he’s put up over 40 FPTS in seven with five of those over 50 FPTS.
Other Options: Nikola Vucevic ($8,000), Onyeka Okongwu ($7,200), Santi Aldama ($6,700)
Value
Derik Queen, New Orleans Pelicans vs. Atlanta Hawks ($5,300)
The Pelicans gave up a lot to move up in the draft for Queen. Probably too much since the pick they shipped out could be a premium one in a draft that has multiple potential franchise-altering players. That said, Queen has been very, very good. While he has physical limitations, his moxie, IQ and skill are already NBA-ready. Since becoming a significant part of the rotation, Queen has contributed at least 20 FPTS in nine straight with five of those over 30 FPTS and a high of 53.8 FPTS. Due to his all-around game, he has the highest ceiling of any player below $6,000.
Other Options: Zach Edey ($6,000), Daniel Gafford ($5,400)
