On Saturday night, the NBA offers a five-game main slate on DraftKings, focused on the games that tip off between 7:30 p.m. ET and 9:00 p.m. ET. After such a big slate of NBA Cup games on Friday, the Bulls, Nuggets, Pistons, Pacers, Bucks, and Suns are all playing for the second night in a row on the main slate, so be sure to check back for updates to our models as injury reports come out for those teams throughout the day. Even before all the injury reports, a few strong plays are standing out in our models as strong options to build your lineup around 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.
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
Cade Cunningham has the top median, ceiling, and floor projections at point guard this Saturday, as his Pistons look to get back in the win column after two straight losses following their 13-game winning streak.
Cunningham had 42 points and 63.5 DraftKings points in the team’s Wednesday loss in Boston and put up 39 points, 13 rebounds, 11 assists, and 74.2 DraftKings points in Friday’s loss to the Magic. Cunningham has at least 52 DraftKings points in four of his five games since returning from injury and in 10 of his last 12 games overall.
In his 16 games this season, he’s averaging 28.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, 9.4 assists, and 55.4 DraftKings points per game. On Saturday, he gets a favorable matchup in Miami against the Heat, who have allowed the seventh-most fantasy points per game to point guards this season.
After his huge game Friday, fatigue could be a factor, but he brings such a high ceiling that he’s still worth considering as one of the top options to build around on Saturday night.
Value
Many of the value plays on Saturday’s slate emerge from the matchup between the Bulls and the Pacers in Indianapolis. The game has the highest over/under on the board according to our Vegas Dashboard, and several players with lower salaries are lined up to take on significant roles.
The highest Plus/Minus projection of all players on Saturday’s entire slate comes from Pacers point guard T.J. McConnell. The veteran guard brings huge value potential in his role off the bench as he increases his workload after a delayed start to the season due to a hamstring injury.
McConnell has scored at least 10 points in five straight games while averaging 30.7 DraftKings points per game during that stretch. He’s had over 30 DraftKings points in each of his last three games and almost always chips in strong non-scoring numbers to go with his efficient scoring.
He only played 19 minutes in a win over the Wizards on Friday, so as long as he’s good to go for the second night of the back-to-back, he should still be fresh enough to be an outstanding, affordable play at point guard if you want to go with a cheaper point guard to build around superstars in other spots.
Fast Break
On the other side of the up-tempo Bulls-Pacers matchup, Josh Giddey is a star to consider building around. He had 25 points, 11 rebounds, nine assists, and 57.25 DraftKings points on Friday against the Hornets, and he has shown the ability to go off for huge games, with over 55 DraftKings points in six of his last 12 contests. Both teams in this matchup rank in the top 10 in pace, so points should be flying in Circle City on Saturday.
The Suns have gotten huge contributions all season from Collin Gillespie, who has the third-highest Plus/Minus projections at the position in the ShotQuality projections for Saturday. Gillespie has exceeded salary-based expectations in six of his last seven games, and he has 20+ points and 35+ DraftKings points in each of his last two games to start the week. The third-yard guard out of Villanova has been a key contributor all season, but he has been especially effective since moving into the starting lineup on Wednesday.
Pelican guard Jose Alvarado has the second-highest Plus/Minus projection at point guard in both sets of projections for Saturday. The veteran had 24 points and 39.8 DraftKings points on Wednesday in a loss to the Grizzlies after setting a new season high with 42 DraftKings points on Monday in a win over the Bulls. In that contest, he had 16 points, eight rebounds, eight assists, and two steals in 32 minutes. Alvarado can be a little streaky, but with the Pelicans desperately looking for offense, he brings a high ceiling for a play that costs just over $4,000.
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
In both the FantasyLabs and the ShotQuality projections, Bennedict Mathurin has the highest median, ceiling, and floor projections at shooting guard. He also has the highest Plus/Minus projection at the position in the FantasyLabs projections.
Mathurin has taken on a huge role in the Pacers’ offense, posting a 27.9% usage rate in his eight games while averaging 22.6 points and 34.9 DraftKings points per game. He had 20 points to help his team get a win on Friday against Washington and has scored at least that many points in four of his six games since returning from a toe injury.
If he’s ready to play the second night of the back-to-back at full speed, he should be in a smash spot against the struggling Bulls. His heavy usage gives him both a high ceiling and a high floor in this offense-friendly environment on Saturday.
Value
In the ShotQuality projections, Ayo Dosunmu edges out Mathurin for the top Plus/Minus projection at shooting guard, and he’s a nice value alternative at just over $5,000.
Dosunmu came off the bench on Friday after starting three straight games. He only had five points and 10.5 DraftKings points in a disappointing showing in Charlotte, but he’ll look to bounce back against the Pacers in a favorable spot.
He had over 32 DraftKings points in two of his three starts, and he has shown a high enough ceiling to make him one of the top value options on the wing, especially if any of the Bulls sit out the second game of the back-to-back and give him more playing time and usage. Check the injury report, but if Dosunmu has a path to playing time, he should be productive.
Fast Break
Pelicans shooting guard Trey Murphy III has the second-highest ceiling projection in both sets of projections and should be in a good spot on the road against the Warriors. He struggled a little bit on Wednesday in his most recent game, but he had exceeded salary-based expectations in four straight games and nine of his last 12 before cooling off. He’s a nice bounce-back candidate with a high ceiling that should bring good leverage.
On the other side of that matchup, Brandin Podziemski will have to pick up more work with Stephen Curry (quad) out for at least a week. Pod Racer has averaged 12.2 points and 25.4 DraftKings points per game in his 20 games this season, and he has picked things up lately with a pair of 20-point performances in his last four games. The Pelicans have allowed the second-most fantasy points per game to shooting guards this year, so Podziemski is one of a few Warriors who makes sense.
Will Richard is another option from Golden State with a very high ceiling. Richard has averaged 14.25 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 23 DraftKings points per game in the four games he has played this season without Curry.
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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
In his first season with Phoenix, Dillon Brooks has been much more involved in the offense than expected since he has helped cover for Jalen Green (hamstring), Grayson Allen (quad), and Ryan Dunn (wrist). Brooks has the second-highest ceiling and median projection at small forward in both sets of projections, as his Suns host the Nuggets in the late game on Saturday.
Brooks has exceeded salary-based expectations in seven of his last 10 games and is averaging 21.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 31.7 DraftKings points per game for the season. He has at least 19 points in four of his last five and six of his last eight games.
He’s known for his defense and intensity, but his offense has ticked up enough this season to make him a solid play at small forward against the Nuggets on Saturday night.
Value
In both the FantasyLabs and ShotQuality projections, Jarace Walker has the highest Plus/Minus projection at small forward. The third-year forward has flashed a high ceiling this season while bouncing in and out of the starting lineup.
He started each of the last two games for Indiana, exceeding salary-based expectations in each contest. He scored double-digit points in three straight games and had over 33 DraftKings points in two of those three contests. Against Washington on Friday, he only played 23 minutes, which should help him be one of the fresher options of the Pacers as they finish their back-to-back by hosting the Bulls.
Especially if he’s in the starting lineup again on Saturday night, Walker brings a lot of upside for a player available at just over $4,000.
Fast Break
While he isn’t the best value on the board since his salary has climbed to $8,400, Michael Porter Jr. brings a very high ceiling as the focal point of the Nets’ offense as they visit the Bucks in Milwaukee. He has the highest median, ceiling, and floor projection at small forward in both sets of projections, but he was forced to sit out Friday with a back injury, opening a ton of value in the rest of the Nets’ rotation. His injury status is one of the most important pieces of news to watch for on Saturday.
Pelicans forward Saddiq Bey showed a high ceiling while filling in for Zion Williamson earlier this season but is now showing he can also produce next to the star big man. Bey has scored at least 18 points and has posted a double-double for at least 42 DraftKings points in three straight games, making him one of the best mid-range options on the board for Saturday.
With Aaron Gordon (hamstring) still sidelined, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Spencer Jones are cheap plays with good Plus/Minus projections since they have been getting more work in the last few games. Hardaway is a streaky scorer, and Jones is coming off a season-high nine points and 18.8 DraftKings points on Friday.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
After returning from a four-game absence on Friday, Giannis Antetokounmpo has the highest median, ceiling, and floor projections at power forward, and he will be in a smash spot to finish the back-to-back on Saturday against the Nets.
He said that he will play more than his limited minutes on Friday, but it didn’t take him long to turn in 30 points, 15 rebounds, eight assists, and 62.75 DraftKings points in only 28 minutes. In a more favorable matchup with more minutes, he should be an excellent play Saturday if you can find a way to work with his hefty salary.
In his 11 games this season, Giannis has produced a massive 58.8 DraftKings points per game and 1.93 DraftKings points per minute. Since he’ll be the focus of the team’s offense again on Saturday, he could be set for a monster performance as he tries to help his team snap its seven-game losing streak.
Value
Jarace Walker has the highest Plus/Minus projection at power forward in both sets of projections, but his teammate Jay Huff is another strong bargain to consider and has the second-highest Projected Plus/Minus at the position in the FantasyLabs projections.
Huff has exceeded his modest salary-based expectations in five straight games with 10 games of double-digit points dating back to his 20-point game against the Hornets. He got the start on Friday and had 30.4 DraftKings points in 22 minutes against the Wizards.
He’ll have another great matchup against the Bulls, who allow the second-most fantasy points per game to opposing centers, so if he gets another start, he’ll be an outstanding bargain at $4,000. He is even a very viable option at power forward or center if he works out of the second unit.
Fast Break
Jimmy Butler may have to carry Golden State’s offense for the next few games without Steph, and he’s shown he can still bring a high ceiling despite his volatility this season. Butler has scored 20+ points in three of his last four games and five of his last seven. With Curry off the floor, Butler has averaged 1.27 DraftKings points per minute, and his usage has increased almost four percentage points.
Nets forward Noah Clowney has exceeded salary-based expectations in four straight games and helped pick up the slack with MPJ out on Friday. He had 34.75 DraftKings points on 16 points, seven rebounds, and three assists. He was even better on Monday against the Knicks, with 31 points and 43 DraftKings points in 39 minutes. Clowney brings a very high ceiling against the Bucks, especially if Porter misses a second straight game.
Peyton Watson is another strong option with a mid-range salary while he helps to fill in for Aaron Gordon in Denver. He has exceeded salary-based expectations in five straight games and has scored 27 and 32 points in two of his games during that span, showing a very high ceiling that makes him attractive as a GPP option.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
Jalen Duren has the second-highest ceiling, median, and floor projections of all the centers on Saturday in both sets of projections, and he also has the second-highest Projected Plus/Minus in the ShotQuality projections. Duren isn’t quite priced up to the top of the salary structure, but he has been an elite producer for the Pistons this season.
Duren has eight double-doubles in his last 10 games and added a season-high four blocks in Friday’s loss to Orlando. He finished with 43 DraftKings points and has reached that level in three of his six games since missing a couple of games with an ankle injury.
He’s averaging 19.5 points and 11.8 rebounds per game, and he brings double-double potential with a lot of upside as he faces the Heat Saturday night. The Cunningham-Duren stack has been a strong one most of the season, and they’ll look to get their team back on track Saturday night.
Value
With Mark Williams uncertain for the second game of the Suns’ back-to-back as the team continues to manage his workload, Nick Richards has one of the best value projections on the slate. In fact, in the ShotQuality projections, he has the highest Projected Plus/Minus on the entire slate.
Richards has made two starts this season, posting a disappointing 7.2 DraftKings points in his first start but putting together a much better showing on Monday, when he started and played 22 minutes on his way to four points, 11 rebounds, and 18.2 DraftKings points
If Williams plays, Richards won’t have enough upside to be worth a look even though his salary is so low ($3,400). If Williams sits, though, Richards and Oso Ighodaro will both be worth a look as the Suns try to find a way to slow down Nikola Jokic.
Fast Break
Jokic has been brilliant all season, averaging video-game numbers and churning out triple-doubles. He is producing 1.96 DraftKings points per minute and 68.5 DraftKings points per game. He had “only” 51.2 DraftKings points in Friday’s loss to the Spurs, but he had over 60 DraftKings points in each of his previous nine contests. He’s extremely expensive at $13,400, so Duren and the other options have a good chance to outproduce him on a per-dollar basis even though his ceiling and median projections are the highest of any player on the slate by a wide margin.
Rookie Derik Queen’s salary has finally caught up with his production, so he isn’t as much of a value anymore. He’s still a good mid-range option, though, since he has a high floor due to his multi-category production. Over his last 13 games, he produced 14.5 points, 6.9 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.4 steals, and 0.9 blocked shots in 26.6 minutes per game. He’ll take on Draymond Green and the Warriors on Saturday night, and should be a solid play even though he isn’t a bargain.
Huff is a great option as a cheap center if Richards isn’t set up for enough minutes, and Isaiah Jackson is another bargain play at the position who has flashed upside. Whichever of the two Pacers big men gets the starting spot against Chicago will have the higher ceiling, but both are viable bargain plays to consider Saturday in their favorable matchup.
