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 the NBA injury news prior to Saturday’s slate at DK Network.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $200K Fadeaway [$50K to 1st]
Guard
Stud
Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors ($8,400)
After starting the season with three losses, the Warriors have rattled off six straight victories. Some of the success can be attributed to rookie Yaxel Lendeborg, but Steph Curry has still been fantastic. The usage rate has been over 35% and he’s put up over 50 FPTS in three of the last four games with a high of 69 FPTS. It likely would’ve been four straight with over 50 FPTS, but Curry only played 28 minutes on Thursday due to blowout. Orlando is 24th in defensive efficiency.
Other Options: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ($10,400), Jalen Brunson ($8,200), Donovan Mitchell ($8,100), Nickeil Alexander-Walker ($7,200), Desmond Bane ($7,200), James Harden ($7,100), Ajay Mitchell ($6,600), Anthony Black ($6,400), Dyson Daniels ($6,300)
Value
Nolan Traore, Brooklyn Nets ($4,800)
Traore was limited to 16 and five minutes to start the season, before he received 25 minutes in the Nets third game and put up 33 FPTS. Since then, he’s started five games and averaged 26.2 minutes, 14.6 points, 2.4 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.6 steals and 0.6 blocks while shooting 52% from the field and 46% from beyond the arc. That’s translated to over 30 FPTS in each of the last three contests. His speed has been a problem for defenses.
Other Options: Aaron Wiggins ($5,400), Kingston Flemings ($4,900), Reed Sheppard ($4,900),
Forward
Stud
Michael Porter Jr., Brooklyn Nets ($7,300)
Michael Porter Jr. has finished with fewer than 30 FPTS twice this season, but those games were blowouts in which he played 26 and 21 minutes. In the other six contests, MPJ played 33+ minutes and put up 40 FPTS in all but one, with two over 50 FPTS. The usage rate has decreased from 31.6% last season to 25.3% this season due to the presence of Julius Randle, but the steals have gone up while the field goal attempts have come down. Atlanta plays at the second-fastest pace, so there should be plenty of opportunities for Porter Jr, to rack up plenty of points.
Other Options: Alperen Sengun ($8,900), Franz Wagner ($8,700), Karl-Anthony Towns ($8,500), Yaxel Lendeborg ($8,000), Julius Randle ($7,500), Desmond Bane ($7,200), Dyson Daniels ($6,300), OG Anunoby ($6,300)
Value
Kenrich Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder ($4,200)
Since last season, Williams is averaging only 0.79 FPTS per minute. That said, he went over 30 FPTS seven times with a high of 41.5 FPTS. A ceiling game is unlikely for Williams since he garners a low usage rate, but he’s been known to pop off from time to time. The main allure for Williams is the playing time due to all the injuries on Oklahoma City; Williams played 29 and 31 minutes over the last two games and will likely get around 30 minute in this one.
Other Options: Tristan da Silva ($5,600), Aaron Wiggins ($5,400), Tari Eason ($5,100), Mario Hezonja ($4,300)
Center
Stud
Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets ($8,900)
Over the last four seasons, Sengun’s usage rate has been in the 26% to 27% range. The playing time has increased to start this season, though, averaging 35 minutes per game through seven games. He was at 33.3 last season and 31.5 prior to that. Sengun is literally stuffing the stat sheet and is currently a member of the 1/1/1 (3PT/STL/BLK) club while averaging 22.4 points, 9.1 rebounds and 8.1 assists. Sengun has put up at least 40 FPTS in every contest with with over 50 and a high of 65.2 FPTS.
Other Options: Karl-Anthony Towns ($8,500), Onyeka Okongwu ($6,800), Isaiah Hartenstein ($6,100)
Value
Aday Mara, Oklahoma City Thunder ($4,800)
Due to all the injuries for the Thunder, Mara has played at least 20 minutes in five straight games. He’s racked up 12 blocks over that span while grabbing his share of rebounds. That’s translated to at least 20 FPTS in four of those contests with a high of 30 FPTS.
Other Options: Day’Ron Sharpe ($5,100), Thomas Bryant ($4,400) if Jarrett Allen is out
