The NBA features a five-game slate on the scoreboard this Saturday, with a marquee matchup between the Miami Heat and the Detroit Pistons as the spotlight game on NBA TV. The Bulls, Cavs, Grizzlies, Heat, and Pelicans are all playing for the second night in a row after competing in NBA Cup contests on Friday. Be sure to monitor injury reports closely and adjust your lineup accordingly. Even though it’s still early in the season, injuries will definitely impact playing time and projections on Saturday.
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.
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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
Josh Giddey ($7,700)
Bulls point guard Josh Giddey posted a huge triple-double on Friday, racking up 58.5 DraftKings points on 15 points, 14 assists, and 10 rebounds to help the Bulls beat the Hawks. He also had another game with over 50 DraftKings points earlier this week, posting 19 points and 15 assists against the 76ers.
Giddey has the third-highest ceiling projection and the fourth-highest median projection at point guard on Saturday’s slate, and he brings the top Plus/Minus projection at the position since his salary is much lower than the other top options. He has been more volatile from game to game than some of those other players as well, but his upside is extremely high as he looks to build on Friday’s big success. Chicago’s matchup with the Timberwolves has the second-highest point total on the slate and should be a good fantasy environment on both sides of the matchup.
Value
Daniss Jenkins ($5,700)
Jenkins has the third-highest Projected Plus/Minus at point guard and has been very busy off the bench for the Pistons. He has scored 20+ points in each of his last three games, with a pair of games resulting in over 48 DraftKings points against the Lakers and Wizards earlier this week.
Jenkins played a whopping 42 minutes in Thursday’s double-overtime win over the Wizards, and his move to the starting lineup has been very successful for the offense as a whole and for Jenkins’ production specifically. The Heat have been the second-best matchup for PG this season, so Jenkins should be in a productive spot if he gets another start on Saturday night.
Fast Break
James Harden ($6,900) – Harden is a strong mid-range option as the Cavs host the Mavs on Saturday night. He is coming off back-to-back big games against the Knicks on Wednesday and the Heat on Friday. He dropped 32 points and 46 DraftKings points against the Knicks, and he followed that with 20 points, eight assists, and 47.5 DraftKings points against the Heat. It’s the second night of the back-to-back for the Cavs, so watch the injury report, but if he’s lined up for his normal work, he brings a high ceiling at his mid-range salary.
Jordan Poole ($4,100) – Poole has the highest Plus/Minus projection of point guards under $5,000. He has scored 14 and 13 points in his last two games, finishing with 17.5 and 23.5 DraftKings points. He has proven he can score off the bench, but his playing time makes him a little risky from game to game. If the Pelicans hold Dejuonte Murray (ankle) out a second straight game after his trade request and Trey Murphy III (knees) remains sidelined, their absences would continue to provide more chances for Poole to get involved behind Jeremiah Fears, who has stepped up at point guard.
NBA DFS Shooting Guard Picks
Stud
Donovan Mitchell ($8,100)
Mitchell has the top median, ceiling, and floor projections at shooting guard on Saturday’s slate. He has produced over 40 DraftKings points in six of his last seven games and has been producing strong non-scoring numbers to go with his 23.0 points per game.
The Mavericks should be a solid matchup at home if he’s ready to play the second night of the back-to-back. Last Saturday, he was also finishing a back-to-back set when the Cavs hosted the Knicks, and Mitchell went off for 37 points in 37 minutes for a season-high 54 DraftKings points. Be sure to confirm he’s set to play both halves of this back-to-back, but if he is, he’s a strong pay-up option with a consistently high ceiling as the focus of Cleveland’s offense, especially if Evan Mobley (toe) misses a second straight game.
Value
Norman Powell ($6,000)
Powell has the highest Plus/Minus projection of all players on the entire slate. He brings the positional flexibility to fit at either guard or forward and brings a very high ceiling at only $6,000. On Friday, he poured in 33 points after missing two games with a shoulder injury. He added five boards and two assists to finish with 44.75 DraftKings points.
Since the Bulls are finishing a back-to-back and he just returned from injury, his availability is uncertain. If he does play, though, he brings a very high upside. He’s averaging 20.8 points and 30.1 DraftKings points per game for the season and will be in a good scoring environment in Minnesota if he’s able to play on Saturday night.
Fast Break
Egor Demin ($4,900) – Demin returned on Wednesday after missing six games with a right leg bone bruise. He stepped right into a meaningful role, helping his team to a 145-111 win over the Pelicans with 22 points, one rebound, one assist, and one steal in 23 minutes. He had 28.2 DraftKings points in that return and will look to build on that performance against Memphis on Saturday. He has boom-or-bust upside, but his ceiling is high enough to make him worth a look at just under $5,000.
Cameron Johnson ($4,600) – In a favorable matchup against the Pelicans, Johnson has the second-highest Plus/Minus of all shooting guards. The wing didn’t have a great first season in Denver last year and is off to an inconsistent start to this season as well. He is coming off a big game with 36.5 DraftKings points against the Grizzlies on Wednesday, though, and gets a good matchup in the game with the highest point total on the board this Saturday.
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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
Cooper Flagg ($10,200)
At small forward, Flagg has the top median, ceiling, and floor projections by a wide margin, and the lack of other elite options at the position on this slate makes him stand out even more. The positional scarcity makes him worth a look as he heads into Cleveland since he brings a high ceiling and can be a nice centerpiece to fill in around with cheaper plays from other positions.
Flagg had a quiet game on Thursday against Minnesota, only getting 12 points and 28.8 DraftKings points in 27 minutes. Before that performance, though, he had reeled off three straight games with over 50 DraftKings points, highlighted by a huge game on Monday against the Pacers. Flagg showed his high ceiling with 73 DraftKings points on 43 points, 11 rebounds, six assists, three steals, and one block in 39 minutes in that contest. He has three games this season with over 55 DraftKings points, and the Mavs have a rest advantage over the Cavs, who are playing for a second night in a row.
Value
Saddiq Bey ($6,100)
Bey has stepped up once again for the Pelicans, who have been without Murray and Murphy. He has the second-highest Plus/Minus projection at small forward behind only Norman Powell, and he’s actually in a slightly more favorable matchup against the Nuggets, who have been one of the 10 most favorable matchups for small forwards this season.
Bey had 30 points, 10 rebounds, and 49 DraftKings points in Friday’s loss to the Grizzlies, playing 35 minutes despite the lopsided score. He has shown he has the potential to carry the load over the last few seasons, especially when other key starters are missing. Check the injury report for Saturday to confirm his workload, but if he is projected to get around the same amount of playing time and usage, he should be a strong mid-range value on Saturday night.
Fast Break
Ausar Thompson ($6,600) – Thompson had a monster game on Thursday, posting 62.2 DraftKings points on 17 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists, three blocks, and three steals in 43 minutes. It definitely helped that the game went to double overtime, but he has been stuffing the stat sheet even in regulation games, producing 1.12 DraftKings points per minute, which gives him a solid floor and ceiling in his current role for Detroit.
Jaylon Tyson ($4,100) – Tyson has a top-five Plus/Minus projection at both shooting guard and small forward, and that could climb higher depending on who else on his team is available or out. He had 25.2 DraftKings points while scoring 16 points in 30 minutes on Friday, and he has looked solid since returning from a six-game absence due to an ankle injury. Tyson started on Friday in place of Mobley, and he’ll be a good value if he’s back in the starting five again on Saturday.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
Cameron Boozer ($8,000)
Boozer has the second-highest ceiling, median, and floor projections of all power forwards on the slate, behind only Giannis Antetokounmpo (discussed below). Boozer has been very good for the Grizzlies, who have been one of the best surprise teams in the early part of the season. The rookie has over 35 DraftKings points in three straight games and is coming off back-to-back double-doubles.
He had 12 points, 10 rebounds, and 36 DraftKings points on Friday and only had to play 25 minutes in the rout of the Pelicans. He has shown he can stuff the stat sheet in multiple categories while contributing 15.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 38.2 DraftKings points per contest through his first 12 games in the NBA. He’s definitely not a cheap play, but that should help keep his ownership from being too crazy and make him a nice pay-up pivot if you have the salary cap space to make it work.
Value
Isaiah Stewart ($4,000)
Boozer’s teammate Isaiah Stewart has the third-highest Plus/Minus projection of all power forwards, since he will have to help carry more of the minutes up front if Zach Edey (ankle) and Quinten Post (concussion) remain sidelined for a second straight day.
Stewart played 20 minutes on Friday, racking up 12 points and five rebounds for 25.8 DraftKings on Friday against the Pelicans. He has over 24 DraftKings points in four of his last six games and with the extra playing time, he brings a nice floor and a good ceiling in that matchup against the Nets.
Fast Break
Giannis Antetokounmpo ($11,500) – Giannis has the highest median, ceiling, and floor projections at power forward, with the second-highest on the entire slate. He’s a very expensive option, but he has over 50 DraftKings points in three straight and in eight of his last nine. He had 65 DraftKings points on 36 points and 12 rebounds over just 33 minutes in his first game this season against the Pistons.
Aaron Gordon ($5,500) – Gordon has the fourth-highest Plus/Minus projection at power forward on this slate, and he is in a smash spot against the Pelicans, who have been a great matchup for forwards. He hasn’t had any big games lately, but he’s averaging 11 points, five rebounds, and 23.4 DraftKings points per game. One of his best games of the season was the last time the Nuggets visited the Pelicans earlier this season, posting 37.8 DraftKings points on 15 points and 11 rebounds in 31 minutes. He’s risky since his recent form is shaky, but the matchup is a great one.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
Nikola Jokic ($11,700)
The Pelicans have allowed the most DraftKings points per game to centers this season, so it makes sense to consider Nikola Jokic as a pay-up play to build around. He has posted over 52 DraftKings points in five straight games, including a game with 65 DraftKings points against the Rockets and 70.5 DraftKings points against the Raptors.
This will be Jokic’s third game of the season against the Pelicans, and both of the other games were triple-doubles for the Joker. He had a season-high 81.75 DraftKings points with 35 points, 15 rebounds, 10 assists, and three blocks in 44 minutes when he faced the Pelicans in his second game of the season. He faced them again later in that week, producing 55.2 DraftKings points on 21 points, 13 rebounds, 10 assists, and a steal.
Value
Jarrett Allen ($5,600)
If Mobley misses another game on Saturday, Jarrett Allen will have another chance to step up. He has the highest Plus/Minus projection of all centers on Saturday. He has at least 24 DraftKings points in three straight games this week, highlighted by a ceiling game with 38.5 DraftKings points against the Knicks, earning 11 points and 14 rebounds.
Aside from a game that he left after just seven minutes, he has produced at least 24 DraftKings points in every game this season. Not counting that game, Allen has averaged 31.7 DraftKings points per game, which makes him a great value under $6,000.
Fast Break
Paul Reed ($6,200) – Reed has put up back-to-back good games with 26.5 and 31.8 DraftKings points. He played a season-high 38 minutes and had a double-double with the help of overtime. He has a tough matchup against the Heat, but could get another heavy workload since he’s carrying the load while Jalen Duren is out.
DeAndre Jordan ($3,200) – With Yves Missi (knee) and Trendon Watford (ankle) out, Jordan has played two games this week for the Pelicans. He played 17 minutes and had 18.5 DraftKings points on Friday, and if he gets similar minutes, the veteran has good value potential as a punt play in the middle to give you salary to spend in other spots.
