There are three games on Saturday’s NBA slate. No team is playing the second night of a back-to-back.
This article was written on Friday night. Any changes will be updated. Keep track of all the injury news at DK Network.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $150K Fadeaway [$50K to 1st]
Guard
Stud
Brandin Podziemski, Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Lakers ($7,100)
For much of the season, Podziemski was mired in the mid-20s for playing time. Due to a plethora of injuries, he has seen an increase in minutes and usage rate. Over the last seven games, he’s received over 30 minutes six times and garnered a usage rate in the low-to-mid 20% range, higher than the 19% season mark. Podziemski is averaging 0.9 FPTS per minute and the expected output is somewhere in the 30 FPTS range, but the Lakers are poor on defense and the guard has put up 43.8 and 53.8 FPTS in the last two contests. He’s been putting up around 15 shots per game and pulled down 15 boards in each of the last two games. The price is fair with the potential for upside.
Other Options: Luka Doncic ($11,800), Brandon Ingram ($8,800), Immanuel Quickley ($7,600), Dejounte Murray ($6,300)
Value
Jamir Watkins, Washington Wizards vs. Toronto Raptors ($4,400)
Watkins was a DNP last game, but he was just converted from a two-way to a regular NBA contract so I think he gets back into the rotation. His energy and defense have earned him a spot on the team but he can also put the ball in the bucket, scoring double digits in each of the last six games. He’s put up at least 20 FPTS in all of those contests with a high of 30.2 FPTS. Watkins is more of a floor than ceiling play.
Other Options: Brice Sensabaugh ($5,600)
Forward
Stud
Gui Santos, Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Lakers ($6,600)
Santos has been so, so good lately. He’s started the last nine games and averaged 30.3 minutes, 15.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.7 steals, 0.8 blocks and 1.9 treys while shooting 57% from the field and 43% from downtown. The usage rate is sub-20% but he’s been a top-25 player on a per-game basis over the last four games. Over the last 11 games, he’s put up at least 30 FPTS in all but three with a high of 45 FPTS. Now he faces a Lakers team that has been porous on defense.
Other Options: Scottie Barnes ($9,300), Zion Williamson ($8,500), Kyle Filipowski ($7,700), Saddiq Bey ($6,900)
Value
Karlo Matkovic, New Orleans Pelicans at Utah Jazz ($3,600)
Over the last six games, Matkovic has received 19.7 minutes per game. New Orleans has taken minutes away from Derik Queen and dusted DeAndre Jordan off the shelf, so the minutes look relatively secure for now. Matkovic has put up at least 20 FPTS in five of the last six games and Utah is one of the most fantasy-friendly matchups — second in pace and 23rd in defensive rating over the last 15 games.
Other Options: Al Horford ($5,700), Brice Sensabaugh ($5,600), Will Riley ($5,300), Jamir Watkins ($4,400), John Konchar ($4,300)
Center
Stud
Kyle Filipowski, Utah Jazz vs. New Orleans Pelicans ($7,700)
With Jusuf Nurkic done for the season, Filipowski started the last four games. The minutes have gone down in each game, though, going 30-28-24-18 in that span. Shrug. The FPTS went from 42.2, to 39.5, to 34.8 and 22.5. There’s obvious risk in terms of playing time but big upside if he gets a full complement of minutes. If you like to live dangerously, this could be the path since the ownership could be low.
Other Options: N/A
Value
Jakob Poeltl, Toronto Raptors at Washington Wizards ($4,300)
The Raptors have been employing a three-headed monster at center with Collin Murray-Boyles, Poeltl and Sandro Mamukelashvili. Murray-Boyles is doubtful for this one due to a thumb injury, so Poeltl should see playing time in the high-20s. Over the last two games, he put up 34.8 and 23 FPTS in 28 and 26 minutes. Now he faces a Wizards team that is fifth in pace, 25th in defensive rating, and will be without Alex Sarr.
Other Options: Al Horford ($5,700), Jaxson Hayes ($4,200), Karlo Matkovic ($3,600)
