The NBA has a handful of games on the main slate for this Saturday night on DraftKings, with the action starting a little earlier than normal at 6:00 p.m. ET. Of the 10 teams in action, the Clippers are the only ones playing for the second night in a row, and they have a favorable matchup against the Grizzlies in Memphis. It should be a fun slate of action, with the matchup between the Warriors and Thunder closing out the slate as the marquee game. As always at this time of the season, fantasy managers need to keep a close eye on the injury reports, especially for those teams playing on either side of the back-to-back games. As players’ availability is finalized throughout the day, the models will change and adjust, so be sure to check back before tip-off.
Let’s dive into some of the top plays on the slate using the FantasyLabs tools and projections.
Also, don’t forget that for large-field tournaments, you can utilize our Lineup Optimizer to effortlessly create up to 300 lineups or use our Lineup Builder if you like to hand-build your lineups.
You can also use our SimLabs Lineup Generator, a tool that creates the most user-friendly lineup generation process.
Note: Projections and Leverage Scores/Ratings may change throughout the day after this article is posted. The NBA DFS landscape changes quickly.
Consult the NBA Player Models directly for any updates as we get closer to lock.
NBA DFS Point Guard Picks
Stud
In the FantasyLabs projections, Tyrese Maxey has the highest ceiling projection on the entire slate and the second-highest median and floor projections as well. Point guard is packed with elite options, but Maxey stands out with high-usage projections in a favorable matchup in Atlanta.
Maxey has had to carry the load for Philadelphia with Joel Embiid (oblique) and Paul George (suspension) out. V.J. Edgecombe (back) is also doubtful, leaving more minutes and usage available for the rest of the rotation.
Maxey has a team-high 30.2% usage rate overall this year, but with George and Embiid off the floor, his usage spikes to 32.9%. In his 21 games without George and Embiid, he’s averaging 45.3 DraftKings points per contest.
He had 45 DraftKings points in 38 minutes against the Jazz on Wednesday and went off for over 50 DraftKings points in four of his previous five games before that. He should continue to get all the usage he can handle, and in this pace-up spot against the Hawks, he has a sky-high ceiling.
Value
Jared McCain, who used to be Maxey’s teammate, stands out as an excellent bargain value as his new team, the Thunder, hosts the Warriors. McCain has the second-highest Plus/Minus projection at point guard and is only $3,700.
He has stepped into a significant role for the Thunder since heading to OKC at the trade deadline. With Jalen Williams (hamstring), Isaiah Hartenstein (calf), Ajay Mitchell (ankle/abdomen), and Alex Caruso (hip) all out, McCain should continue to get minutes and usage in the second unit.
He had a larger role while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was out, but he still brings good upside. He only had five points on Wednesday in a win in New York, but before that, he had double-digit points in eight of his previous nine games, producing at least 19 DraftKings points in six of his previous nine.
His role off the bench can fluctuate, but against the smaller Warriors’ rotation, he should be a good bargain guard option if you’re looking to spend up in other spots.
Fast Break
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has the highest median and floor projections on the whole slate and the second-highest ceiling projections behind only Maxey. He has scored 25+ points in three straight games and went off for 60.75 DraftKings points in his first game back after missing a few weeks with an abdominal injury. He’s back to a full workload and will look to smash the Warriors in the late game.
Cade Cunningham is questionable for the Pistons against the Nets, and if he’s out, there would be huge value from the rest of Detroit’s rotation. Daniss Jenkins would likely be one of the best values on the slate in that scenario since he has been so effective when filling in for Cade this season and comes with a salary under $4,000.
For the Bucks, Kevin Porter Jr. (knee) will miss a second straight game, leaving Ryan Rollins with a smash spot against the Jazz. The Bucks have the highest implied team total on the board according to our Vegas dashboard, and Rollins will have to carry the load in the backcourt. Without KPJ on Wednesday, Rollins had 49 DraftKings points on 13 points and 12 assists.
Don’t forget to check out our NBA SimLabs Lineup Generator to create advanced DFS lineups using the power of simulation:
NBA DFS Shooting Guard Picks
Stud
After the Clippers lost a close game to the Spurs last night, Kawhi Leonard will lead his team to Memphis, looking to get back in the win column. In an outstanding matchup, Leonard has the highest median, ceiling, and floor projections of all shooting guards and small forwards. As long as he is ready to roll on the second night of the back-to-back, he should be able to put up another huge game against the Grizz.
Darius Garland sat Friday but will likely return Saturday to help share the load, but Leonard has been turning in strong numbers with or without his new teammate. On Friday, he had 30 points, nine rebounds, and 51.25 DraftKings points in that loss to the Spurs, and he has at least 43 DraftKings points in five of his last six games, highlighted by a huge game against the Magic that earned 62.5 DraftKings points.
He has scored at least 23 points in each of his six games since the All-Star break and has extended his streak of games with 20+ points to 39 straight games. The only risk with Kawhi is that he could play limited minutes or sit out the second night of the back-to-back, but if he’s a full go, he should be a great play to build around.
Value
When breaking down a slate, it can be helpful to have a second perspective, and one way to get that is by adding the ShotQuality projections to your models. In the ShotQuality projections for Saturday, Quentin Grimes of the Sixers has the highest Plus/Minus projection on the entire slate.
If Edgecombe is out as expected, Grimes will step into a much bigger role for the Sixers in that pace-up spot in Atlanta. Grimes had 16 points and 25.75 DraftKings points against Utah on Wednesday, coming up big down the stretch and helping the team tune out the Jazz.
Kelly Oubre Jr. missed Wednesday’s game along with Edgecombe, but he is ready to return on Saturday, which could reduce Grimes’ role. However, he showed enough upside that he should still be in the mix enough to return value and potential upside at his salary.
Fast Break
With Stephen Curry (knee), Jimmy Butler (knee), and Moses Moody (wrist) already out and Kristaps Porzingis (illness) and De’Anthony Melton (knee) questionable, Brandin Podziemski is set up to carry the load once again for the Warriors. He has the second-highest median, ceiling, and floor projections at the position and has posted at least 35 DraftKings points in five of his last six games while averaging 39.8 DraftKings points per game.
Bennedict Mathurin has a very high ceiling as a mid-range play against Memphis. He struggled with just eight points and 15.25 DraftKings points on Friday, but he had 42 DraftKings points against the Pacers on Wednesday. He’s a boom-or-bust play, but in a great spot against the Grizzlies, he has the potential to hang a big number from his salary just over $6,000.
A bargain play at shooting guard to consider is veteran Terance Mann of the Nets. Mann has a top-10 Plus/Minus projection at shooting guard in both sets of projections and is coming off 24.5 DraftKings points against the Heat on Thursday. Mann has started the last three games in place of Egor Demin (foot), who remains out on Saturday against Detroit.
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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
The matchup between the Jazz and Bucks has the highest over/under on the board, and in that matchup, Ace Bailey has the third-highest median and ceiling projection in the ShotQuality projections and a top-five ceiling, median, and floor projection in both sets of projections.
The Jazz have done all kinds of unusual things with their rotation over the last few weeks, but one fairly consistent element has been plenty of playing time for Bailey, their young first-round pick. Bailey’s production has been up and down as is typical for rookies, but he has been trending up lately, exceeding salary-based expectations in four of his last seven games.
He went off for 30 points and 44 DraftKings points in his last game on Thursday, and he brings good upside to this favorable matchup and game environment in Milwaukee.
Value
On the other side of that same matchup, Ousmane Dieng has the highest Plus/Minus projection on the entire slate in the FantasyLabs projections and the highest Plus/Minus at small forward in the ShotQuality projections. At only $4,000, Dieng is an extreme value with good upside in his growing role for the Bucks.
Dieng has started the last two games for the Bucks against the Celtics and Hawks, and coach Doc Rivers has had great things to say about the 22-year-old forward from France.
He had 13 points and 18.2 DraftKings points in 30 minutes against Boston in his first start and 14 points with 18.5 DraftKings points in 28 minutes in his second start against Atlanta. Dieng doesn’t normally stuff the stat sheet, but he has flashed upside when given a bigger role in the past and should be in a great spot to reach his ceiling against Utah on Saturday.
Fast Break
Michael Porter Jr. has the second-highest median, ceiling, and floor projections at small forward, behind only Kawhi Leonard. MPJ had a huge game with 27 points, 13 rebounds, and 57.25 DraftKings points on Thursday in Miami, and he always has a very high ceiling as the Nets’ best offensive option. He has 40+ DraftKings points in three of his last five and has averaged 37.4 DraftKings points over his last eight matchups.
Without Edgecombe and George, Kelly Oubre Jr. could get more work on the wing. He missed Wednesday’s game and managed only four points last Sunday, but prior to that down game, he had reeled off seven games of double-digit points in his previous eight contests. He has a great matchup against Atlanta, and more usage should make him a strong small forward to consider.
Against the Grizzlies, many of the Clippers’ wings have great Plus/Minus projections. Kobe Sanders and Derrick Jones Jr. both have top-five Plus/Minus projections at small forward. If Kawhi is limited or sits out, their workload and ceilings would rise even higher.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
In the ShotQuality projections, Jalen Johnson has the highest median, ceiling, and floor projections at power forward, while in the FantasyLabs projections, he’s just behind Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Johnson has proven he can post huge games in any matchup, but he should thrive in this game environment at home against the Sixers. He had 32 points and 59.5 DraftKings points in their meeting in February, and without George, Embiid, and likely Edgecombe, the Sixers’ defense is much less formidable.
Johnson missed almost a week with left hip flexor irritation and was eased back in against the Trail Blazers last Sunday. He looked much stronger on Wednesday, with 20 points, nine assists, and 42.75 DraftKings points against the Bucks.
As long as he’s healthy, Johnson has been outstanding this season, averaging 22.7 points, 10.5 rebounds, 8.0 assists, and 50.5 DraftKings points per game. He should be set to continue his breakthrough season in this favorable spot, so consider him one of the best pay-up building blocks on the slate.
Value
The Pistons will be shorthanded for their matchup with the Nets, and in a great spot to step up, Ron Holland II has the highest Plus/Minus projection at power forward in both sets of projections. Holland typically brings lots of energy and a high ceiling when he’s called to step into a larger role, and he seems set up for a big game on Saturday.
In addition to Cade Cunningham’s uncertainty, Ausar Thompson (ankle) is out. Holland had 10 points and five rebounds for 16.2 DraftKings points in just 12 minutes against the Spurs on Thursday, but he should get more minutes and an expanded role against the Nets.
He has at least eight points in six straight games and has delivered 34.75 DraftKings points and 19.2 DraftKings points in his two games with over 20 minutes during that span. At only $4,100, he brings a very attractive ceiling but also a relatively high floor, as he doesn’t need to get high usage to return value.
Fast Break
Giannis Antetokounmpo will be in a smash spot against the Jazz, but he hasn’t exceeded salary-based expectations in either of his two games since returning from an extended layoff with a calf injury. He had 37.75 DraftKings points in 26 minutes against Boston and 37.25 DraftKings points in 26 minutes against the Hawks. His salary is so high that he could have a hard time being worth spending up on until his minutes get back to their normal level.
Recent addition Jonathan Kuminga (knee) is questionable for the Hawks against the Sixers. He sat out Wednesday’s game but had been productive in his previous three games, posting 46.2, 35.75, and 36.2 DraftKings points in his first three games with Atlanta. If he plays, he’ll be an excellent option at a mid-range salary.
If you need to go cheap and want to avoid Holland, Trendon Watford is a good option. He has the fourth-highest Plus/Minus projection at power forward. He has 18 and 21.75 DraftKings points in the last two games for the Sixers, playing over 22 minutes in each game. With Oubre back, he could lose a little time, but there is still plenty of work available with Edgecombe, Embiid, and George all out.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
Whether Cunningham plays or not, Jalen Duren is set up for a big game against the Nets. He has the highest median, ceiling, and floor projection at center and comes in with very good momentum since returning from his suspension after the All-Star break.
Duren was limited to only 12 minutes against the Spurs on Thursday due to back spasms, but he is probable for this matchup. Before that down game, he averaged 25.5 points, 13.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.0 block in 32 minutes per game in his previous six games.
In those six games, he posted an average of 50 DraftKings points per contest. If Cade sits or even just defers to Duren a little more, the big man could go off for a monster game against the Nets, who have been a favorable matchup most of the season. Duren faced them on Feb. 1 and only needed 24 minutes to collect 21 points, 10 boards, and 43.5 DraftKings points.
Value
If you are looking to go extremely cheap at center, Mo Bamba is making a difference for the Jazz while playing on a ten-day contract, and he has the highest Plus/Minus projection of all centers in both sets of projections on Saturday.
Bamba has played two games with Utah, posting 18.5 DraftKings points against the Sixers and 21 DraftKings points against the Wizards earlier this week. He totaled 10 points, 20 boards, and two blocks in his 37 combined minutes, and if he continues to get around 20 minutes off the bench, he should have no trouble returning value at his salary of only $3,200.
Playing Bamba is a little risky since the Jazz’s rotation is always unpredictable, but if he gets minutes against the Bucks, he should end up a solid punt play.
Fast Break
Without Hartenstein, Jaylin Williams is a good option for the Thunder against the Warriors. Williams has shown a very high ceiling, with three games of over 50 DraftKings points since the start of February. He played 33 minutes against the Bulls earlier this week, posting 17 points, 16 boards, and 50.5 DraftKings points. His role isn’t certain, but the potential for a monster game is definitely there at his affordable salary of $5,200.
The Sixers have turned to Adem Bona and Andre Drummond with Embiid out, and Bona has been getting more of the work lately. He played 22 and 29 minutes in the team’s two games this week, producing 15.5 DraftKings points against the Spurs and 23.2 DraftKings points against the Jazz. Bona is a solid play at only $4,000 in this matchup with the Hawks, especially if he gets another start.
The Clippers had to rely heavily on Brook Lopez on Friday, and if the veteran is out or limited on Saturday as a result, Isaiah Jackson could step into a much larger role. Jackson has the second-highest Plus/Minus projections at the position (behind only Bamba) coming into the day.
